BOISE, Idaho — The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will make the first of two visits this season to the historic Meridian (ID) Speedway Saturday night for NAPA Auto Parts Treasure Valley "100" in round five of the 10-race 2010 series. The series known for its 20-car invert will stage the 8th series event at the quarter-third mile paved oval that has seen seven different series winners in seven previous races.
"Track experience, luck, and a fast race car is going to make all the difference Saturday night."
John Dillon of Eagle leads the series into Meridian after dominating the action two weeks ago at Magic Valley Speedway where he made his first start of the season in style setting fast time and coming from the tail of the field to score the victory in a race that went caution free. "Meridian is where I started my career and I would love to win in this series at Meridian, " Dillon said.
Current point leader Steve Jones of Meridian is looking to get back into championship form after a 7th place performance allowed the field to close the gap on his point lead. "I was real disappointed about the result at Magic Valley," Jones said. "I spent a lot of time on the phone talking with Mike Leary (his shock and chassis chief) and I am feeling really good about our chances on Saturday night. I think the new banking and surface will help the racing at Meridian but we are going to have to have some luck."
David Minegar of Boise holds the Sharp Powder Coating track qualifying record at Meridian Speedway with a quick lap of 13.520 seconds/66.568 mph. That record may fall this weekend with the new track surface. "I have tested really well here and I look forward to the race," Minegar said. "I am really excited to have all the guys from BodyBuilding.Com at the races this weekend. They have been with me for ten years and I could not be more proud to represent such a great sponsor."
Race winner's at Meridian Speedway include second generation ace Craig Bell (09), Jeff Jefferson (09), Tyler Monroe(06), Tom Hill (06), Chad Cannon (06), Zan Sharp (05), and Dave Minegar who won the first series event back in 2005.
Tom Hill of Boise was a regular on the series for the first five season's and will be making his 49th career start on Saturday night. Hill has 32 top ten finishes and won the longest race contested at Meridian Speedway (125-laps) in 2006.
Craig Bell has the most top five finishes at MS with five followed by two-time champion Zan Sharp, Minegar, Chad Cannon, and Jeff Jefferson all with two apiece. Local racing hotshoe John Nesmith has three third place performances in RMCS action at Meridian.
Several locals are expected to compete on Saturday including Dylan Caldwell, Dan Lowther, Jeremy Fuss, and John Nesmith.
No driver in the current top ten in the point standings has a top five finish at Meridian Speedway except for Dave Minegar. Track experience, luck, and a fast race car is going to make all the difference Saturday night.
Steve Jones leads John Newhouse by 54-points in the standings but that will change as Newhouse is expected to miss the race as he is only running a partial schedule in order to support his daughter's racing efforts this season. Lynn Hardyand Brett Thompson are tied for third with Dave Minegar holding down the fifth spot. Long-tow road warrior Thane Alderman from Las Vegas, NV is sixth in the standings followed by Bruce Quale, Russell Butler, Eric Rhead (A-1 Rookie point leader), and Joe Miller.
A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning sponsors the Rookie-of-the-Year program which will pay $100 to the top finishing rookie in each event. After four races, Eric Rhead leads Lonnie Lowder and Kenny Vanderham for top rookie honors.
Sharp Powder Coating sponsors the fast time award worth $100 for driver who sets fast time in each RMCS event plus $100 to a random driver in the field. Through four races there have been four different fast time award winners. The ESI Lap Leader Bonus Award worth $5 per lap and has Eric Rhead out front followed by Steve Jones, Bruce Quale, Brett Thompson, and John Dillon.
Century Boatland located in Twin Falls is a new sponsor this season to the RMCS providing a significant contribution to this season ending point's fund. Longacre Racing Products, Joes Racing Products, and Circle Wheels all have product deals in place awarded to random finishers in each event this season.
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 each 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 atwww.rmcsracing.com or follow all the racing action from around the west at www.racingwest.com.
