BOISE, Idaho — The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series returns to Stateline Stadium Speedway located outside Post Falls, Idaho this weekend for second year in a row in support of the NAPA Auto Parts Idaho “200” at the quick and popular quarter-mile paved oval. The RMCS will headline the Saturday 100-lap duel for the “200” and then fill the field for the 10th running of the marquee event and six of the RMCS championship series.
Thane Alderman of Las Vegas, Nevada is the defending race winner of the RMCS NAPA Auto Parts Duel for the “200” where he scored his first career series victory. Alderman is currently ninth in the RMCS point standings and knows that a strong performance this weekend will give a boost to his team. “We have struggled with little things this season so far,” Alderman said. “We had a valve spring break in the opener and chased the chassis the last couple of races. We have found the problem and we are ready for this weekend.”
After a fourth place performance at RMR two weeks ago, Alderman decided not to touch the car except for a rear gear change. “We had a really good car at RMR and really did not need to do anything except service it,” Alderman said. “I am really excited to return to Stateline and I hope we can have the kind of race we did last year. We just need a solid qualifying effort and the rest will take care of itself.”
The August heat can pose unique challenges for the teams at Stateline. “Last season the heat was pretty bad,” Alderman stated. “I am from Vegas but that heat was pretty intense. I am hoping it is not too hot this time around but no matter what it will be a good show. The fans will see a great event and I am thrilled that our series is a part of the weekend. The RMCS race on Saturday is our focus and the Sunday “200” is a bonus, but we are toying with the idea of running on Friday. I guess we will make that decision when we arrive on Thursday.”
Series point leader John Dillon of Eagle, Idaho holds a slim margin of 22-points over Jeff Jefferson heading into the Duel for the “200”. Dillon is having his best season in the RMCS in what could be his last behind the wheel. On the strength of one win, three top five and four top ten performances along with completing all but one lap so far this season, Dillon has been able to put himself in position for his first series championship. “We have been solid this year,” stated the former NW Tour champion. “We did not have a good showing last season at Stateline and we hope to change that this year.” Dillon finished 14th in the Duel and 11th in the Idaho “200” last season.
Chasing Dillon in the points is Jeff Jefferson of Naches, WA. Jefferson is in his first year of competition in the RMCS but is no stranger to Stateline Speedway. Jefferson won the Idaho “200” back in 2005 and would like nothing more than to have a shot at this year’s event. “While our focus is winning the RMCS championship and the RMCS race on Saturday, winning another Idaho “200” would be really cool,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson has equaled Dillon in wins, top fives, top ten finishes and qualifying this season with the only variance in heat race wins. Dillon six; Jefferson two. “It has taken me a little time to figure out this car but after bringing in Craig Raudman to manage the setups we have been pretty good,’ Jefferson continued. “I really like the racing at Stateline. I have a good feel for the track and like the small quarter-mile bullrings. I know we have a good car for the race.”
After struggling at the beginning of the season, 2007 series champion John Newhouse of Twin Falls, Idaho is starting to find his groove. Newhouse has climbed into third place in the standings on the strength of four top ten finishes and coming off a third place performance at RMR.
Craig Bell of Kuna, Idaho sits in fourth place in the standings and is looking to rebound after a tenth place outing at RMR two weeks ago. Bell has equaled Dillon and Jefferson with top five and top ten finishes this season but has struggled with qualifying and that can be a huge deficit to make up. “In this series you must qualify well if you want to have a chance at the championship,” Bell said. “That is where we have struggled and that is where we are focusing our efforts. We ran really well at Stateline last season and we hope we can have the same kind of result this time around.”
Rounding out the top five in the championship standings is Jonathon Gomez out of Twin Falls, Idaho. Gomez is the leading A-1 rookie candidate and is fresh off a second place performance at RMR. Gomez has three top five and four top ten finishes like the point leaders but a couple of miscues this season has had a dramatic impact. Gomez will be seeing Stateline Stadium Speedway for the first time.
The RMCS utilizes a racing format not found in ANY other regional touring series around the country. The top 20 qualifiers are inverted for every race putting fast time in the 20th starting position. This format ensures race fans see what they paid for and that is passing. Each driver is awarded three points per position gained in the event. Points are also awarded for qualifying and heat race finishes. Through the history of the series, the winning driver has averaged a 15th place starting position. To ensure competition, the RMCS pays it purse based on total point accumulation for the event and provides several special performance awards for the event.
The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows all competitors to race and gain experience on different types of racetracks. 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 all the latest news and information regarding the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series log on to our website at www.rmcsracing.com
