TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- From now on, Rob Vest will now be able to add "2005 Feature Division Track Champion" to his autographs. Vest captured the Premier Series championship at the Magic Valley Speedway after placing second in the race behind first time main event winner Bobby Latham. Steve Jones, who was Vest’s closest points challenger, finished fifth.
Vest, who entered the race knowing that finishing ahead of Jones in the main event would secure the championship, had worked his way up to the front of the field by the mid-point of the race. A caution on lap 28 then placed Jones directly behind Vest for a restart with 20 laps remaining in the event. When the green flag fell Latham was able to jump into the lead while the battle for second between Vest, Jones and TJ Woodhall quickly picked up intensity.
As the three battled for position, Vest thought he saw an opening between Woodhall and Jones coming out of turn one. However, contact between the drivers who were three wide on the track sent Vest airborne towards the backstretch wall and left Woodhall needing a tow off the track after receiving substantial damage to his vehicle. Jones made a trip to the pits to change a flat tire but was able to make it out in time for the restart. Fortunately for Vest, damage to his car was minimal and he was able to remain on the track. Vest was then able to maintain is position in front of Jones for the remainder of the race. "I was concerned all night at where Steve (Jones) was out on the track," Vest said. "He always races me hard. I didn’t think about having the championship won until after the checkered flag came out."
The Pony Stock Division also wrapped up their season with a new track champion. Lou Andersen’s second place finish ended up being more than good enough for the title after his closest point competitor going into the night, Jason Whited, had to leave the track with mechanical problems late the main event. Whited had held the lead but after a caution on lap 26 Whited’s car would not re-fire, and his year ended in the pits for the final four laps of the season. Kristi Fehringer was able to hold on for the final main event win in the division.
The truck series concluded their season at the Magic Valley Speedway with Dan Koyle taking the main event win and Dick Capps coming out ahead in the point standings for the season championship.
Sharp Repeats as Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Champion
(TWIN FALLS, ID) The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series NAPA 150 held at the Magic Valley Speedway Saturday night was very good to both Zan Sharp and his partner James Eaton. Eaton was the winner of the main event while Sharp placed fourth in the race en route to his second series championship in as many years.
Both Utah drivers were able to maintain their patience in the caution-filled main event after starting at the rear of the field, as Sharp set the top qualifying speed of 14.487 followed closely by Eaton with a speed of 14.505. David Minegar, who was second in the points coming into the race, put his car into the inside barrier wall just after setting the third best qualifying time and had to resort to a back-up car for the main event.
Eaton held a large lead over Craig Bell and Bryan Warf who were battling for second when a caution tightened things up with only five laps left in the race. Eaton was able to get a good jump on the restart and took the win in the final event of the season.
"Things went pretty much as planned tonight," Eaton said. "Start the furthest back as possible and get as many passing points as possible."
Sharp was pleased with his championship run this season. "This year was more of a challenge because the point system was changed from last year," Sharp said. "We had to stay more consistent, qualify well and get to the front as quickly as possible."
Local driver John Newhouse had a good run in the 150-lap event, qualifying fourth and finishing sixth. Bruce Quale finished in 11th position for the night.
NAPA 150: 1. James Eaton; 2. Craig Bell; 3. Bryan Warf; 4. Zan Sharp; 5. Dennis Wurtz; 6. John Newhouse; 7. Russell Butler; 8. Dave Minegar; 9. Scott Walker; 10. Clint Eames.
Pepsi Premier: 1. Bobby Latham; 2. Rob Vest; 3. Sam Harris,Jr.; 4. Harold Wartluft; 5. Steve Jones.
NAPA Pony Stock: 1. Kristi Fehringer; 2. Lou Andersen; 3. Brent Fehringer; 4. John Urie; 5. Josh Pitz.
Mr. Gas Race Trucks: 1. Dan Koyle; 2. Kenny Vanderham; 3. Alan Larson; 4. Ken Kennedy; 5. Dick Capps.
MVS Final Point Standings:
Pepsi Premier: 1. Rob Vest 1234; 2. Steve Jones 1225; 3. Harold Wartluft 1190; 4. Sam Harris Jr. 1169; 5. David Patrick 1164; 6-7 (tie). TJ Woodhall, Mike Buddenhagen 1137; 8. Rod Kack 1131; 9. Dale Rogers 988; 10. Allen Williams 976.
NAPA Pony Stocks: 1. Lou Andersen 1231; 2. Jason Whited 1208; 3. John Urie 1207; 4. Kristi Fehringer 1201; 5. Kevan Larson 1188; 6. Josh Pitz 1176; 7. Brent Fehringer 1173; 8. Randy Grubbs 1167; 9. Rick Van Vooren 1128; 10. Oliver Phipps 1093.
Mr. Gas Race Trucks: 1. Dick Capps 232; 2. Kenny Vanderham 224; 3. Alan Larson 220; 4. Dan Koyle 214; 5. Dan Pehrson 202; 6-7 (tie) Ralph Kincheloe, Wayne Gunderson 192; 8-9 (tie) Trent Bell, Eric Jensen 176; 10. Ken Kennedy 172.
