EATON HARD TO BEAT AT RMR

Source: ds
Date: 05/02/2007

BOISE, IDAHO -- James Eaton of West Jordan, Utah is looking for a bit of redemption when the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series arrives at Rocky Mountain Raceway this Saturday, May 5 for the second race of the season. Eaton let victory slip through his fingers two weeks ago at Magic Valley Speedway but knows that RMR is a place where history is on his side. Eaton has claimed three victories at the 3/8-mile paved oval located just west of SLC.

More than 25 of the regions top late model drivers are expected to compete is this weekend's event. The race will mark the twelfth visit by the ESI RMCS to the track where seven different drivers have made it to victory lane. Eaton leads all drivers with three victories while Zan Sharp and Lynn Hardy have two victories apiece. Other drivers with victories at RMR include: Rip Michels, Eddy McKean, Craig Bell, and Bryan Warf.

Eaton has five series victories to his credit and 21 top ten finishes in 30 career starts. He has also won two of the last three race staged at RMR so he knows that familiarity and success breeds more success, or at least that is what he is banking on heading into Saturday nights 75-lap race. Eaton currently sits third in the ESI championship standings after one event and is solely focused on winning races this season. "We always have a good race care for RMR," said Eaton. "The trick in this series is to qualify real well and get to the front quickly. I know we have a good shot at winning but we'll just have to see what develops in front of us."

After finishing ninth in the standings last season, Eaton thinks this is the year that he can add another champion trophy to his mantel. "I think everyone who races wants to win championships," Eaton continued. "If we can win races and finish up front each race then the championship will come."

Another Salt Lake City area driver who knows how to get around Rocky Mountain Raceway is multi-time track champion Lynn Hardy. Hardy is the RMCS track record holder at RMR with a record speed of 14.944 seconds and is also the defending race winner. Hardy is back on the ESI RMCS tour full-time this season looking to make his mark. Hardy has 16 career series starts collecting two wins (both at RMR), five top five and seven top ten finishes along the way.

Perhaps the hottest late model driver in the region is Meridian, Idaho's Bryan Warf. Warf claimed his fifth career series victory two weeks ago at Magic Valley Speedway to open up the 2007 ESI RMCS season. He has also posted two consecutive victories at Meridian speedway in local racing action. "I love the RMCS," Warf stated. "The competition in this series is so tough and with the racing format, it forces you to become a better driver if you are going to do well. RMR is a fantastic facility and we all love racing there. I hope to make it two in a row."

The RMCS utilizes a 20-car invert at every event putting the fast qualifiers at the rear of the field. The RMCS pays its purse out based on passing points so starting up front is not an advantage. David Minegar of Boise, Idaho is the career Sharp Powder Coating Fast-Time Award winner with nine career fast time awards. The average starting position over the past four years for event winners has been 13th.

Also on the line this Saturday is the ESI Hotshoe bonus which is up to $800 dollars for the driver who sets fast time and is able to go on and win the race. If the "Hotshoe" money is not won this week then the amount grows to $1200 for the 100-lap Memorial Day race back here at RMR on Monday, May 28.

Warf leads the point standings by eight markers (224) over Bruce Quale of Twin Falls, Idaho (216) heading into round two, with Eaton in third (187) followed by Minegar (185), and Tom Hill (168) rounding out the top five in the standings. Kellen Frey (10th overall) leads Brad Ostler, Matt Faulkner, and Mark Bard in the CarbonX Rookie-of-the-Year standings after the first event.

For all the latest news and information regarding the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, log onto www.rmcsracing.com.

About ESI

Engineered Structures, Inc., more commonly known as ESI, is a Boise, Idaho based general contracting and construction management company engaged in commercial construction projects throughout twenty-five Western and Midwestern states. Founded in 1974, ESI began with a vision to construct quality work, establish long-term client relationships and employ a staff of exceptional, proven professionals. ESI has established a solid reputation for "Experience, Service and Integrity!" during its thirty plus year history.

Continually expanding its trade territory, ESI has earned the position as the largest privately held general contractor in the state of Idaho, one of the top ten largest general contractors in the Intermountain West and was recognized in ENR's "Top 400 Contractors" as one of the top general contractors in the United States. Still holding strong to its philosophy that building relationships is just as important as building buildings, ESI employs more than one-hundred fifty full-time, professionals and produces annual revenues in excess of one-quarter billion dollars while completing projects for many of the Country's largest retailers and developers. ESI continues to be a growing leader in the industry offering opportunities to their employees and a valuable service to their clients.

For more information on ESI you can visit them on their website at: www.esiconstruction. com or email them at: info@esiconstruction.com.

About the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series

The ESI Auto Parts Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows competitors to gain experience on different types of asphalt oval tracks up to 3/8-mile in length. It is a high-quality, professional racing series that offers maximum opportunity at an affordable price serving the Intermountain West. The motto of the series is to "Race Hard and Have Fun!" For more information regarding the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series visit our website at www.rmcsracing .com.

~ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Public Relations

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