Boise, Idaho’s David Minegar capped a perfect night at Magic Valley Speedway by winning the 75 lap Feature after setting a new track record in qualifying earlier in the evening. A patient Minegar followed Tom Hill for 19 laps sizing him up before making the move to the outside and past Hill on the 39th lap of the 75 lap event. Minegar’s track record time of 14.316 relegated him to the 13th starting position but it only took him 13 laps to break into the top 5 on his march to the front. Hill would eventually give up second place to Series point leader Zan Sharp on the 51st lap but Sharp needed a yellow that would never come as the last 33 laps were run caution free. It might not have mattered on this night as Minegar looked unbeatable with a great setup. Hill would finish third followed by Bryan Warf and Bruce Quale.
The front row of Joe Miller and John Wood would lead the field to the green as the start of the race proved not so smooth as there were four cautions within the first twelve laps as the drivers attempted to navigate the heat induced slick track. Russell Butler of Pocatello, Idaho had his evening end on lap 4 when he slid into the inside retaining wall while attempting a pass for the second position underneath Hill. On the restart there was a three car incident involving Wood, Quale, and Craig Bell. All were able to continue but from the back of the pack. Hill would eventually catch and pass Miller on lap 8 and would head the field for the next 32 laps before the pass by Minegar. Lap 42 would provide the scariest accident of the year as Craig Doehling and James Eaton would get together on the front chute with both ending up hard into the turn one crash wall. Both cars suffered extensive damage and leaving Doehling with a bruised foot from the accident.
After the debris was cleared the race would run green from there highlighted by Quale and John Newhouse’s run back up through the field to take the fifth and sixth positions. Retro Design rookie of the year leader Newhouse would finish sixth followed by Dennis Wurtz Jr, Bell, Wood, and Dave Doan. Minegar would use his great night to pass Warf for second place in the season point standings and trails Sharp by 8 points going into the tight bullring of Meridian Speedway next weekend where anything can happen. Warf and Bell are still within 94 points of the top spot with four races to finish the season.
In the Sharp Powdercoating Pole Qualifying, Minegar’s track record average of 83.738 was followed closely by Eaton and Newhouse. Newhouse also still enjoys a healthy points lead over Doan in the season long rookie battle.
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will resume next Saturday, August 13th at Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho as the RMCS will run the tenth of their thirteen race 2005 schedule. See www.rockymountainchallengeseries.com for further information.
