BOISE, Idaho — After round one of the 2009 CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, Minegar Racing’s drivers David Minegar and Craig Bell had a lot to smile about. Minegar posted his series record 21st career Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award and brought his BodyBuilding.Com Chevrolet home with a third place finish in the 100-lap annual Memorial Day event. Meanwhile, Craig Bell of Kuna, driving a twin BodyBuilding.Com Chevrolet, finished one spot ahead of his teammate to record his 27th top five finish.
"After changing the shocks, springs, and sway bar several times we finally found something that we liked."— Craig Bell
Minegar had a fast car right out of the trailer and posted quick times during both practice session while Bell struggled to find the setup. Through both practice sessions, qualifying and the heat races, Bell and the Minegar Racing team continued to work on the car changing nearly everything on the suspension prior to the main event. Minegar meanwhile made few changes. Both drivers took different routes during the race but both finished nose to tail.
Minegar started from the 19th position in the Young Chevrolet “100” after the customary series invert while Bell started in the 11th spot. Bell quickly diced his way to the front and by lap 30 he was in the top five. Minegar had to take the more patient road and worked through traffic making his way into the top five by the midway point in the race.
While race leader John Dillon set a torrid pace, the Minegar Racing tandem put on a show for the fans going fender to fender exchanging the positions several times during the later stages of the race. In the end, Bell was able to best his teammate after Minegar’s brakes faded to finish second. Minegar crossed the line third but more importantly took the early season point lead.
The RMCS base the race points off of qualifying performance, heat race finish, race finish, and awards passing points during the race. Minegar scored 218 points for the race while race winner Dillon scored 197. “It was a blast racing these guys,’ Minegar said. “In this series you have to be fast and starting in the back has its challenges but the reward is if you can finish up front then you have a good point’s night and that goes a long way to a championship.”
“It was great racing Craig,” Minegar continued. “He is such a good driver. He is so smooth and really knows how to get his car into position. We ran 30 laps side-by-side and never touched. That is what racing is all about and I am thrilled he is my teammate.”
“We ended the night much better than we started,” Bell stated. “Pat Minegar gives us what we need to be fast and we just struggled all day to find the set up. After changing the shocks, springs, and sway bar several times we finally found something that we liked. Dave (Minegar) sets the standard in the series for being fast but we are really happy to finish second. This gives us great start to the season and we have a lot of confidence heading into the next race.”
Minegar racing is sponsored by BodyBuilding.com, Redline, Ultimate Nutrition, Supreme Nutrition, Muscletech, SciFit, Gaspari Nutrition, A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning, and Dillon Auto Craft. Both Minegar and Bell are in their sixth season in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series. Dave Minegar is a two-time series champion (06, 08) and Craig Bell three career series victories. The next event for Minegar Racing is Saturday, June 6 at Magic Valley Speedway located outside Twin Falls, Idaho. For the latest news about the series log onto to www.rmcsracing.com and please visit www.bodybuilding.com for all of your exercise and nutrition needs.
