DILLON DOMINATES FOR FIRST CAREER RMCS VICTORY

Source: RMCS Public Relations
Date: 09/12/2008

BOISE, Idaho — John Dillon of Eagle, Idaho has had a distinguished driving career. He was many wins, records, and championships but has not tasted victory in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series until this past weekend winning the one event that has eluded him for more than a decade. Dillon dominated the action in the RMCS finale at Magic Valley Speedway last Saturday night claiming the prestigious NAPA Auto Parts "150" crown to close out the 2008 campaign. Dillon crossed the line 1.5 seconds ahead of first time competitor Jonathan Gomez followed by Craig Bell, Steve Jones, and Tom Hill.

Once noted as one of the top drivers from the West coast, Dillon chose to develop a successful business enterprise over the opportunities available in racing, leaving to compete on an occasional basis over the last 15 years. This season he wanted the thrill of returning to a full schedule and to win the NAPA "150" is a crowning achievement adding to his racing portfolio. "This is certainly a very special win," Dillon stated. "We have struggled all year to find the consistency and setup to be competitive but we have worked tirelessly and Saturday it all came together."

Jonathan Gomez of Twin Falls, making his first career start in the series turned a lot of heads claiming the Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award ahead of local ace Bobby Latham III, Dillon, perennial fast timer Dave Minegar, and two-time series champion Zan Sharp.

Dillon would start the 150-lap contest from the 17th position after the customary RMCS invert set the grid. Chris Schrade led the first 26 circuits before yielding to Bobby Latham III on lap 27. Latham controlled the pace until lap 66 when his bad luck sidelined his effort handing the lead over to Dillon who had charged through the field.

Dillon took control of the race on lap 67 and never looked back cruising to his first career CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series victory. "I am surprised that I had not won sooner, but this series is tough, especially with the full invert," Dillon stated. "Winning at Magic Valley Speedway has been on my mind for a long time and we finally had the right car and had a dominating performance."

Finishing sixth in the race and securing his second RMCS championship as Dave Minegar. "We really had a fairly conservative game plan heading into the race," Minegar said. "We have always struggled to finish this event in the past so we just wanted to race hard and bring the thing home. As a racer it is hard to sit back so about lap 70 I just took what I could get and moved up to sixth."

This championship came by way of dominance most of the season. "The first championship we were consistent," Minegar stated. "This championship we were focused on performance. We were quick all season and finished up front all season. I am so proud of the team and all of their hard work and dedication. This championship is real sweet."

Dan Koyle claimed the A-1 Rookie-of-the-Year honors and an 8th place position in the final point standings on the strength of six top ten performance by completing 99% of all laps contested this season.

The action was slowed six times for cautions. Dillon ($425) shared in the CarbonX Lap Leader bonus along with Chris Schrade ($130) and Bobby Latham ($195). Dillon also collected the CarbonX winner's bonus of $150 along with the Thompson Motorsports $100 Halfway Challenge. A-1 rookie Steve Jones earned the Thompson Motorsports Driver Improvement Award of $200 for improving the most positions over the previous race (13) along with the $100 A-1 rookie bonus. Gomez collected the $100 Sharp Powder Coating Award.The ESI Hotshoe Award was not claimed so it will be divided up among the drivers in the yearend bonus program.

The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series has completed its fifth season of competition leaving the drivers and teams open to compete in several "post" special events. For all the latest news and information regarding CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series and our 2009 schedule, please log onto www.rmcsracing.com.

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