BOISE, Idaho -- Officials for the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series announced today the 2005 racing schedule that will include thirteen events at four unique tracks in the Intermountain West. The second year series added three additional race dates in 2005 bouyed by the excitement generated last season by fans, competitors, and track operators.
The series will open their season on Saturday, April 9 at Magic Valley (Idaho) Speedway, with additional trips to the fast one-third mile paved oval slated for Saturday, May 14, Saturday, August 6, and the series finale NAPA “150” on Saturday, September 17.
The RMCS will make the first of two appearances in 2005 to the famed quarter-mile paved oval of Meridian (Idaho) Speedway on Saturday, April 23. Meridian Speedway has been continuously operated since the 1950’s and launched the careers of 1990 Northwest Series champion John Dillon, former open wheel and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series star Randy Tolsma, and former IRL standout Davey Hamilton.
Meridian Speedway will host their second RMCS event on Saturday, August 13. The addition of Meridian Speedway to the series schedule was well received by series regulars. “Most of us started our racing careers at Meridian,” stated second gyration driver David Minegar. “It’s a tough track to pass on, so you can count on a very exciting show.”
The marquee facility in the region, Rocky Mountain Raceway’s in West Valley, Utah will host four series events in 2005 beginning on Saturday, April 30. The series will return the 3/8-mile banked oval on Monday, May 30 for the Snap-On Tools “125”, with additional races on Saturday, July 9 and Saturday, August 27.
Chaparral Speedway in Eagle, Idaho will host three races in 2005 on the ultra-fast high-banked 3/8-mile paved oval. The first stop is Saturday, June 18 followed by a mid-summer shootout on Saturday, July 16. The RMCS will make it’s last stop of the season at Chaparral Speedway on Saturday, September 3.
Throughout the season Mike Minegar, President of the RMCS, and track operators have put together several special events that will highlight the 13-race schedule. “It has been a long process to put together the schedule,” said Minegar. “I know our fans and competitors are going to enjoy what they see. There truly will be something for everybody this season!”
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series features a full twenty-car invert for the feature with four transfers filling the rear of the field from the non-qualifiers race. The series also awards passing points so starting on the pole is not always the best advantage. In fact, no driver won a series race from the front row in 2004. The average starting position for all winner’s in 2004 was 15th.
Zan Sharp of Logan, Utah is set to defend his 2004 series crown after spend this past winter building a brand new car. Series standouts Craig Bell of Kuna, Idaho and John Nesmith of Meridian, Idaho are also ready to contend for the series championship in 2005.
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series features purposely built Late Model race cars and serves as a stepping stone from the area weekly race tracks to other regional touring series’. The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows competitors to gain experience on different types of asphalt oval tracks up to ½- mile in length. It is a high-quality, professional racing series that offers maximum opportunity at an affordable price. The motto of the series is to “Race Hard and Have Fun!”
One of the best parts about the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is the proven concept of passing is racing and letting driving talent determine who wins, instead of who has the fattest wallet. The rules are based on a 'stock car' series model that allows the widest range of “Late Model” type stock cars to compete under a uniform set of rules. Driver skill, and the ability to set up your racecar for each track and every race, is the key factor to success. Plus, The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is ideal for local and regional sponsor participation. The series can be utilized by sponsors for retail promotions, advertising, employee functions, and more.
For all the latest news and information about the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, log on to www.rockymountainchallengeseries.com.
Rocky Mountain Challenge Series 2005 Schedule
Date Track Laps
April 9 Magic Valley Speedway 100*
April 23 Meridian Speedway 75
April 30 Rocky Mountain Raceway 75
May 14 Magic Valley Speedway 75
May 30 Rocky Mountain Raceway 125
June 18 Chaparral Speedway 75
July 9 Rocky Mountain Raceway 75
July 16 Chaparral Speedway 125*
August 6 Magic Valley Speedway 75
August 13 Meridian Speedway 125*
August 27 Rocky Mountain Raceway 125*
September 3 Chaparral Speedway 75
September 17 Magic Valley Speedway 150*
*lap count is subject to change based on “special event” from series sponsor.
All events to include date, facility, and lap count are tentative and subject to change.
