MWS: Colorado: Rick Carelli enters event

Rick Carelli returns to International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series with surprise Colorado National run.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 5, 2003) -- Rick Carelli (Pawn 1 Chevrolet) will return to his home track, Colorado National Speedway, Saturday night for the NASCAR Elite Division, International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series, Auto Trader 150. Carelli's return to the picturesque .375-mile oval came as a last minute surprise.

"I was on my way home Monday night when I got a call from Travis Clark, asking me if I wanted to run his car," said Carelli. "We had to put a new body on it, but it's a good car."

Twenty-six drivers are scheduled to take the green flag in the Auto Trader 150, Saturday, June 7 at 8:10 p.m. (MT). The fastest 16 drivers will automatically be locked in through qualifying with five additional starters transferring via the 20-lap last chance qualifier. Up to five final starters will be added based on current series points standings.

Carelli began racing at Colorado National Speedway when the facility was first paved in 1989. Since then the Arvada, Colorado driver has been successful in Featherlite Southwest Series events at the track as well as Pepsi Challenge races and the year-end Challenge Cup race. The former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standout also scored his first Midwest Series win at the track in 1991. At the time the series was called the ARTGO Challenge Series.

"A bunch of people have been pitching in to make this thing happen," said Carelli. "This is just a shoot from the hip, go out and have some fun, deal."

Carelli joins a host of Colorado drivers that will challenge the best Midwest Series competitors on their home turf including current Colorado National Speedway points leader Jerry Robertson and former multi-time late model track champion Bruce Yackey (General Air and Service Chevrolet).

Colorado National Speedway is located 20 miles north of Denver on I-25 at exit 232. The speedway's 24-hour event hot line is (303) 665-4173. The speedway's Pro-Truck division, Figure-8's and Train's will also be in action on June 7.

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