BOISE, Idaho -- The ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series returns to Rocky Mountain Raceway this Monday, May 28 for the annual Memorial Day event. Three weeks ago the race at RMR was washed out due to extremely wet weather leaving all the competitors out in the cold. Hot action is in store Monday night for the running of the Young Chevrolet "100" 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. James Eaton of West Jordan leads all drivers with three victories at the high-speed banked oval 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 Monday night's 100-lap race. Eaton currently sits third in the ESI championship standings after the first event and is solely focused on winning races this season. “We always have a good race car 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.”
Two-time RMCS champion Zan Sharp of Wellsville returns to the series full-time this season after making a run on the NW tour in 2006. Sharp has 29 career starts with four wins and 21 top ten finishes. Sharp won the 125-lap NAPA sponsored race at RMR last August. "We expect to win every time out but you have to enjoy yourself," Sharp said. "Racing this series allows the whole family to be involved as we are a lot closer to home for each race. I know we have a good car for RMR but so do the other guys. The Memorial Day race is always a good one for the fans."
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.
Making the long tow from Las Vegas, NV area will be Jim Wulfenstein and Thane Alderman. Both drivers have been mainstays at the Bullring but have decided to tackle the RMCS in 2007. "It is a lot of fun to race with these guys," Alderman said. "Racing is about having fun and with the RMCS we have had a blast."
Bryan Warf of Meridian, Idaho claimed his fifth career series victory last month at Magic Valley Speedway to open up the 2007 ESI RMCS season and heads into RMR as the series point leader. “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 get my car back into victory lane.”
Returning to the series this season is Craig Bell from Kuna, Idaho who ran only a partial schedule in 2006. Bell will run a handful of races in a team car to David Minegar. Bell has 27 career starts with 22 career top ten finish with three trips to victory lane including one win at RMR back in 2005.
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 (3 points per position) 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 series event winners has been 13th.
ESI has created the ESI Hotshoe Bonus which pay $400 dollars for the driver who sets fast time and is able to go on and win the race. Since the bonus was not paid out at Magic Valley Speedway the incentive is now up to $800 for the Young Chevrolet "100" Monday night.
Warf leads the point standings by eight markers (224) over Bruce Quale of Twin Falls, Idaho (216) heading into the second race, with Eaton in third (187) followed by Minegar (185), and Tom Hill (168) rounds out the top five in the point standings. Kellen Frey (10th overall) leads Brad Ostler, Matt Faulkner, and Mark Bard in the CarbonX Rookie-of-the-Year standings after the one race.
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 A-1 Heating & Air conditioning
Since 1956 A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning located in Meridian, Idaho has been servicing the heating and air conditioning needs of the Treasure Valley. In 2003, the company opened up a branch in McCall, Idaho to serve the growing population base. Aligned with Lennox, an industry leader in heating and air conditioning technology, A-1 is offers consumers the best equipment and service in the industry that consistently exceeds expectations.
For more information on A1 Heating & Air Conditioning you can visit their website at: www.a1heating.com.
About CarbonX
CarbonX is the brand name behind the products produced by Chapman Thermal Products. CarbonX, in its raw form, is a yarn created by spinning O-PAN (oxidized polyacrylonitrile) fiber with an Aramid strengthening fiber. This formula, results in a yarn with amazing fire resistant characteristics that serves as the precursor to a wide array of products and applications requiring heat and flame resistance.
Products manufactured with CarbonX® are in the hundreds and are present in all the major industry segments - Fire and Safety Apparel, Industrial Safety Apparel, Motor Sports, Police / Military and Industrial Non-Apparel. From fire fighting turnout gear to head socks, complete underwear, socks and shoelaces. Airline cargo holds, to crew ship and hotel fire escape blankets. CarbonX is also used in High performance turbo and exhaust insulation for increased horsepower. Complete auto racing suits and helmet interior lining and insulation. The applications where CarbonX® will improve and enhance many performance and safety properties are endless.
For more information on CarbonX you can visit their website at: www.chapmaninovations.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
