Eddy McKean of Jerome, Idaho won the first scheduled event of the 2004 season in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series at Rocky Mountain Speedways in West Valley City, Utah. The former NASCAR Southwest Series Champion took advantage of an off weekend to travel to Utah to take on a huge field of 35 Late Model entries representing four states. Rip Michels of the Southwest Tour also made the trip but didn’t fare as well, eventually finishing 15th.
McKean powered past early leader Craig Bell of Kuna, Idaho on lap 9 of the 50 lap feature and never looked back as he cruised to the victory. Bell never lost sight of McKean but could never put himself in position to make a bid to retake the lead. Dennis Wurtz Jr. took home a third place finish after recovering from a first lap spin that put him back in 24th position, deep in the field of 26 starters.
The race saw eight yellow flags fall for minor spins and contacts but there were no serious accidents to slow the pace. Fast qualifier Lynn Hardy steadily worked his way through the field from his 20th starting position gaining fourth place before he suffered a spin on lap 31 while he was on the back chute of the 3/8-mile paved oval. This put Hardy a lap down to the leaders and he finished the race in 16th position.
McKean, Bell, and Wurtz were followed to the line by fellow Idaho drivers Don Beamis, John Nesmith, and Montie Potter. Rick Ellison of Utah finished seventh followed by Bryan Warf, Randy Hardman and Lee Hackney. There were fifteen cars that finished on the lead lap and eight drivers that fell out of the race from various mechanical mishaps. Warf improved his position the most during the race as he climbed from the 24th spot on the starting grid to his 8th place finish.
The Hobbytown USA Pole Award went to Hardy of Salt Lake City, Utah as he rounded the speedway at a time of 15.425 seconds, an average of 87.520 miles per hour. Second quick went to Zan Sharp of Logan, Utah, and third fast was Hardman. The A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning highest finishing rookie honors went to Clint Eames of Hailey, Idaho who finished 12th.
Mike Marston of Boise, Idaho bested the thirteen car non qualifier race to earn himself a spot in the feature before he eventually fell out with mechanical woes and finished in 20th position. Dennis Wurtz Jr. came out on top of the points standings for the evening’s slate of racing followed by McKean, Bell, Hardman, and Sharp.
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will resume next week May 8th at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. See www.rockymountianchallengeseries.com for further information.
Series Sponsors include: ESI-Engineered Structures Inc., Maverik Country Stores, NAPA Auto Parts, Energy Release, Dillon Racing Products, Powertrain Technology, Hoosier Racing Tires, Nesmith Racing Engines, A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning, Hobbytown USA, Fivestar Stock Car Bodies, Pro Shocks, and Simpson Race Products.
