BOISE, Idaho — With only three races left on the 2012 CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series schedule, tonight's event at Magic Valley Speedway will be pivotal in the championship chase. Local racing icons Bruce Quale and Steve Jones have one a myriad of track titles over the years and the two have been locked in the championship fight all season.
Quale scored his long awaited second series victory two weeks ago at Meridian and is hoping a return to familiar territory will provide an advantage as the series will stage its longest race of the season tonight on the one-third mile paved oval.
Quale, of Twin Falls, ID, scored his first series victory at MVS back in 2010 but has registered five top five finishes in the last seven races at MVS. Quale's point lead over Jones is just a mere 45-points and that margin can be erased in one evening based on the series qualifying and point structure. Quale had a more than 120-point lead just two races ago and has notched finishes in the top four in every event this season.
With well over 100 victories at MVS over the years and five track championships to his credit, Steve Jones of Meridian has mastered the tricky layout at Magic Valley. Despite all his success at MVS in Modifieds and Late Models, Jones has not won an RMCS race at his home playground though has always been among the fastest drivers on track at each series race.
Jones has eight career Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Awards including three consecutive awards this season. He has also earned two of those awards at MVS. Jones has one win, five top five and eight top ten finishes this season to hold down the second spot in the standings. Jones has also notched nine top four finishes in the last 15 series races at Magic Valley.
Having a break-out season in the RMCS this year is John Nesmith of Meridian. Nesmith picked up a victory at RMR earlier this season and has been in the championship hunt all season and if not for a flat tire and a broken distributor he would be closer in points and right in the middle of the championship battle.
Nesmith has the one win this season with five top five and seven top ten finishes in eight races and is 122-points behind Jones in the standings. That deficit could easily be shrunk with a top qualifying effort and finish this evening.
A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning Rookie-of-the Year leader Tyler Bailey of Middleton, ID sits fourth in the standings on the strength of seven top ten performances this season. Of those finishes, he has two top five finishes and a career best finish of third.
Rounding out the top five in the standings is Rick Fowble of Twin Falls. Fowble is coming off a disappointing finish at Meridian where he ended his night on the hook. He and the team have worked tirelessly the last two weeks to repair the car in preparation for race tonight.
Fowble has one top five and six top ten finishes this season. Last fall, Fowble scored his career best finish in the series, a third place performance at Magic Valley, the track where he started his racing career.
The NAPA Auto Parts sponsored event will be a 200-lap segment race featuring two 75-lap segments followed by a 50-lap dash to the finish. The last 200-lap race in the series was staged at MVS and won by Bobby Latham III back in 2007.
Former series champion John Newhouse of Twin Falls will return to the series tonight in a rare appearance. This season, Newhouse has been concentrating his efforts on his daughter Hannah's racing program. The younger Newhouse is leading the local track championship standings on the strength of five victories this season. She also tested the elder Newhouse's RMCS car last night and ran lap times within a tenth of a second off his best laps.
Making the long tow from Parker, AZ is Jason Jefferson who will make his second start int he series. Jefferson finished second at MVS last month and is looking to better that mark tonight in a car owned by Dave Reed.
The rest of the top ten in the point standings include: Thane Alderman who has three runner-up finishes at Magic Valley; Travis Monett who has two top ten finishes this season; Jeremy Doss, winner of two RMCS races this year; TJ Woodhall with one top five and two top ten finishes in five starts; and Lynn Hardy who picked up a win at RMR earlier this season.
CarbonX, the world leader in fire protective clothing, is in its fifth season as title sponsor of the RMCS. Along with Century Boatland based in Twin Falls, the two companies provide significant event and series support. Since 1985, Century Boatland has been the Magic Valley headquarters for new and used recreational, pleasure, and fishing boats.
The RMCS utilizes a racing format not found in ANY other regional touring series around the country. The RMCS inverts up to the top 20 from qualifying putting the fast qualifiers at the back to start each race. 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 12th 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 at each race.
The series is supported by a great family of sponsors including: CarbonX, Century Boatland, Project Filter, ESI, A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning, Sharp Powder Coating, Five Star Racing Bodies, Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank's Radios, Performance Solutions, Kidd's Performance and Dyno, Joes Racing Products, PPG Paint, Circle Racing Wheels, and Mike Minegar's Auto Body.
About The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series
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.
About CarbonX
CarbonX® non-flammable fabrics offer the best level of fire and heat protection in flame-resistant clothing for the most extreme conditions. Based on patented blends of oxidized fibers, CarbonX is the only fabric able to withstand the direct flame of a blow torch without melting, igniting, or burning-even when exposed to the flame for up to 20 times longer than the leading competition. CarbonX flame-resistant fabrics also retain this level of persistence and protection against molten metal and arc flash, leaving it as the only choice for professionals working in conditions where safety matters most. Our non-flammable fabrics can be found in flame-resistant clothing for industrial, fire, motorsports and tactical industries, although its uses in safety are endless. CarbonX FR fabrics are the non-flammable fabrics that save lives-accept no substitute. Log onto www.carbonx.com for full details.
About DJ Shannon Enterprises LLC
From one-time press releases, event coverage, to a full season public relations campaign, we have a grassroots motorsports marketing program to fit your budget and needs. Get started today by calling Derrick at 208/870-8066 or email derrick@djssportsmarketing.com
