LATHAM ROCKS FIELD IN RMCS ACTION

BOISE, Idaho -- Bobby Latham III of Twin Falls, Idaho finally got the monkey off his back and put his bad luck behind him to score his fifth career CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series victory and first at Rocky Mountain Raceway located outside SLC, Utah this past Saturday night. The win was also his first of the season and erased recent bad luck that has prevented several strong finishes over the first half of the season. Craig Bell finished a strong second followed by John Dillon, John Newhouse, and Thane Alderman.

Series championship point leader Dave Minegar continued his dominance setting the Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time for the fourth consecutive race. The quick time award was his 19th career effort as he laid down a fast lap of 15.144 seconds around the ultra-fast 3/8-mile paved oval. Bell, Dan Koyle, Newhouse, and local first year competitor Mitch Dickinson rounded out the top five in qualifying.

The customary RMCS invert of 20-cars put Jeff Hillock and first time competitor Michael Haddenham on the front row. Whenever a first time competitor starts a race on the front row, most hold their breath hoping the field completes the lap unscathed. Unfortunately, Haddenham did not get up to speed at the drop of the green and lost the handle on his ride heading into turn one. The result collected no less than ten cars and ended the night for himself and Wyoming's Shane Thompson.

Hillock led the first five laps before giving way to Eric Rhead who paced the field for five circuits. Craig Bell then took the point through lap 24 before yielding to Bobby Latham who dominated the rest of the event from his 12th place starting position.

Craig Bell was never able to mount a serious challenge on the youngster and settled for his best finish of the season. Two-time race winner Dave Minegar was able to drive his way to second by the middle portion of the race from his 20th starting position but faded when an upper control arm broke late in the event. Minegar limped home in 8th.

The drive of the night went to Jim Wulfenstein who started shotgun on the field and was able to move to the front and finish in the 7th position in his first start of the year. A-1 Rookie leader Dan Koyle finished the race in the ninth position and extended his rookie lead over Steve Jones

Latham has been impressive this year leading 202 of the 400 contested thus far. To finally get the win erases a lot of disappointment. "We have had great cars at each race all season," Latham said. "We really wanted this one and it feels great to win at RMR. This place is so fast and fun to race. You can really hang it out there and this win is for all the guys at Thompson Motorsports."

Despite the finish, Minegar maintains a healthy lead in the championship standings by 154 points over John Newhouse. John Dillon drops to third ten points back. Thane Alderman holds down the fourth spot with Craig Bell rounding out the top five. Latham moved up to sixth in the standings 198 markers behind Minegar. Tom Hill sits seventh after a sixth place performance followed by rookies Dan Koyle, Steve Jones, and Mitch Dickinson.

Latham picked up the CarbonX Winner's Bonus and the Thompson Motosports Halfway Challenge money. Craig Bell scored the Thompson Motorsports Most Improved Award, while Minegar earned the Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award and Dan Koyle collected the A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning Rookie Bonus.

There were three lead changes among four drivers with Latham leading the most laps (75). Seven drivers finished on the lead lap and nine of the top ten finishers started outside the top ten.

The next event for the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is Saturday, August 2 at Stateline Stadium Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho in night two of the Idaho 200 race weekend . For all the latest news and information regarding the RMCS onto www.rmcsracing.com.

~Distributed by CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Public Relations

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