Zan Sharp survived a ten car crash to take the Snap-On Tools “125” Rocky Mountain Challenge Series at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Utah. Rookie Nick Parker lost a tire on lap 25 while riding in the 6th position, hit the backstretch wall and bounced back in front of the balance of the 27-car starting field. After the dust settled, 10 cars had become involved in the carnage, sending seven to the pit area for repairs or onto trailers for the evening. Sharp had been in the process of moving up from his 17th starting position and was riding in the 12th spot as he barely missed the action all around him. The current series points leader then continued his march through the field eventually settling into second position behind lap leader Brett Thompson after 50 circuits of the 125 lap event. Sharp then stalked Thompson for the next 24 laps before taking the lead for good on lap 74 and stretching out a to a 4.3 second win. It was a popular victory for the local driver as he hails from nearby Logan, Utah. Sharp also is the only participant to complete all 325 laps this season and shows no sign of letting up in the 2004 campaign.
Thompson held onto second place in the event with Dennis Wurtz Jr, and Russell Butler following as only four cars finished on the lead lap. Craig Bell was the first car one lap down to bring home fifth place. The race finished with just 14 cars on the track after various mechanical woes and the big wreck claimed many of the frontrunners. Sixth place went to Rick Ellison followed by provisional starter Lee Hackney in seventh. Montie Potter, last race winner Bryan Warf, and Kevin Stauffer rounded out the top 10 at the finish line. Hackney improved 20 positions from his 27th spot on the starting grid.
Bret Housekeeper of Riverton, Utah bested the 15 car field in the Non Qualifiers race and was able to parlay that into a 15th place finish in the feature. Second went to Greg Hillock with Tom Hill following in the third position. 36 cars were on site as the first year Series continues to grow in the 2004 season with a total of 48 cars that have competed thus far this year for the season ending $20,000 points fund.
The Hobbytown USA Pole Award again went to Lynn Hardy from Salt Lake City, as he rounded the speedway at a time of 15.602 seconds, an average of 86.527 miles per hour. This was Hardy’s second quick time in the Series second visit to RMR this season as he shows that he has the track dialed in during qualifying. Second quick went to NASCAR Northwest former champion John Dillon of Eagle, Idaho and third fast was Wurtz Jr. The A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning highest finishing rookie honors went to John Wong of Parma, Idaho who was making his Series and Late Model debut on the 3/8-mile track. Clint Eames of Hailey, Idaho continues to lead the rookie of the year standings despite a 20th place finish.
Sharp added to his large lead in the standings now leading Wurtz by 75 points after four events complete of the ten-race schedule. Bell now finds himself in third after his 3rd top five of the young season with hard luck John Nesmith in fourth and Dave Minegar fifth in the season long hunt for the championship. Nesmith’s car developed engine demons during hot laps and he was not able to compete in any racing action during the evening.
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will resume Saturday, June 19th at Chaparral Speedway in Eagle, Idaho. See www.rockymountainchallengeseries.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.
