JONES JUMPIN’ AT RMCS RUN

Source: RMCS Media Relations/DS
Date: 06/28/2007

BOISE, Idahon -- Steve Jones of Boise has been on quite roll as of late at Magic Valley Speedway located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Jones has won six of nine starts this season in the track’s feature division which competes in NASCAR’s Whelen All American Series and Jones eyes another championship at the track he has called home for more than a decade. This Saturday, Jones will make his first start with the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series in the running of the ESI “100”.

Jones has agreed to pilot a car out of Tom Hill’s shop which will be sponsored by ESI and Pepsi. Even though Jones is not a regular on the ESI RMCS tour, Jones is certainly a contender Saturday night. “I am thrilled to get an opportunity to race with the RMCS,” Jones said. “These guys always put on a great show and their racing format is great for the fans to watch. Tom (Hill) has given me a great opportunity to compete and knowing how good Tom’s cars are I feel like if we do our part we’ll have a great run.”

While Jones knows that driving an RMCS car is a bit different then his Late Model, he also has something that the touring regulars do not have and that is experience and laps at MVS. “Well, I my have a lot of laps here and some victories, but all the guys in the RMCS are great drivers,” Jones stated. “When you have to start at the back and race your way to the front to win races then you are good.”

While Jones may have a leg up in some people’s eyes, his competition Saturday is chalked full of experience as well. Former local competitors Bruce Quale, John Newhouse, Bobby Latham III, Nick Lynch, and Eddy McKean will likely have a hand in the outcome of the race. All these drivers have wins and or championships at the fast third-mile paved oval and are a threat to win every time out.

With a field of local hotshoe’s, the RMCS regulars will have their hands full if they hope to get to victory lane. The RMCS track record holder at MVS is David Minegar with a quick lap of 14.284 seconds/ 83.926 mph around Magic Valley Speedway. Minegar hopes to get back on track after mechanical issues relegated the all-time series money winner to a 19th place finish in the series’ last event. "I think we have some of the best prepared and talented drivers in our series and when you add in guys like Steve Jones, we will have to be on our game,” Minegar said.

Minegar is the defending series champion and has one win at MVS coming back in 2005 but has also earned ten career Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Awards along with 14 top five and 27 top ten finishes. He has also completed more laps in competition than any other competitor in series history.

More than 25 of the areas top Late Model drivers will be on hand for the ESI "100", which used to be a traditional stop for the now defunct Northwest Tour. Coming off three straight top five performances including a runner up finish in the series last event at MVS June 9 and having his best year in the series is Eagle, Idaho’s Tom Hill. Hill has been to Victory lane at MVS last April and looks to continue his momentum to the top of the standings.

“This has been a lot of fun this year,” Hill said. “I have learned a lot over the past couple of season and this year it seems to be coming together. I am thrilled at our success and it would really be special to win here at Magic Valley Saturday night.”

Hill will certainly be a contender but is also sponsoring the race through his company ESI Construction. More than 100 of his employees and customers will be on hand for the annual event but it is the first time that ESI has hosted a race at Magic Valley Speedway. “This is such a nice racetrack and with all the improvements and support this track receives it was a natural for ESI to be involved,” Hill stated. “Since I compete in the series it is a way that I can give back to the rest of the guys. I am excited for our employees and customers; this will be a great event.”

Making his second start of the season will be former track and regional champion Eddy McKean and joining the RMCS for his first race of the season will be Burley’s Nick Lynch. Both drivers have excelled in the Southwest Tour where McKean won the Southwest title back in 2002. "The Rocky Mountain guys put on a good show and the fans really like the races," McKean said. "We are really looking forward to getting back in the car and having some fun." McKean has won one RMCS race back in 2004.

Mike Minegar, president of the ESI RMCS, likes to have the local drivers join the series. "I think we have one of the best Late Model touring series out there and when you have the local guys step up and compete it is a great show for everyone," Minegar said. "These local drivers have a lot of fan support and that is good for everyone. Guys like Bruce Quale bring a lot to this series and are some of the best drivers in the west. There will be a lot of fans coming down from Boise to see this show and I know they will not be disappointed.”

Bryan Warf of Boise won two of the last three RMCS races stage at Magic Valley Speedway and holds a slim 8-point advantage in the point standings over Tom Hill heading into round four. Warf and perennial front runner James Eaton of West Valley, Utah have two wins apiece at MVS while eight other drivers have visited victory lane once.

One of those drivers is John Newhouse of Twin Falls who has had a difficult start to the 2007 season but is coming off a strong third place performance that has breathed new life into his team. "We have had some tough luck to start the season," Newhouse said. "After finishing third and earning the most points back on June 9, we feel we are back in this thing but we need another strong finish Saturday night." Newhouse is currently 8th in the point standings 122-points out of the lead.

The ESI "100" will be the 36th race in RMCS history with Warf and Eaton sharing the top spot with five victories apiece. Bobby Latham won the last time the RMCS was in town and this race will be an old fashion shootout feature grizzled veterans and young guns dueling for series supremacy.

Racing action gets underway at Idaho's action track at 7:05 MDT with a whole slate of local racing on tap including the Pepsi Premier Division and Napa Auto Parts Pony Stocks. For all the latest news and information regarding the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, log onto www.rmcsracing.com.

About ESI

Engineered Structures, Inc., more commonly known as ESI, is a Boise, Idaho based general contracting and construction management company engaged in commercial construction projects throughout twenty-five Western and Midwestern states. Founded in 1974, ESI began with a vision to construct quality work, establish long-term client relationships and employ a staff of exceptional, proven professionals. ESI has established a solid reputation for "Experience, Service and Integrity!" during its thirty plus year history.

Continually expanding its trade territory, ESI has earned the position as the largest privately held general contractor in the state of Idaho, one of the top ten largest general contractors in the Intermountain West and was recognized in ENR's "Top 400 Contractors" as one of the top general contractors in the United States. Still holding strong to its philosophy that building relationships is just as important as building buildings, ESI employs more than one-hundred fifty full-time, professionals and produces annual revenues in excess of one-quarter billion dollars while completing projects for many of the Country's largest retailers and developers. ESI continues to be a growing leader in the industry offering opportunities to their employees and a valuable service to their clients.

For more information on ESI you can visit them on their website at: www.esiconstruction.com or email them at: info@esiconstruction.com.

About A-1 Heating & Air conditioning

Since 1956 A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning located in Meridian, Idaho has been servicing the heating and air conditioning needs of the Treasure Valley. In 2003, the company opened up a branch in McCall, Idaho to serve the growing population base. Aligned with Lennox, an industry leader in heating and air conditioning technology, A-1 is offers consumers the best equipment and service in the industry that consistently exceeds expectations.

For more information on A1 Heating & Air Conditioning you can visit their website at: www.a1heating.com.

About CarbonX

CarbonX is the brand name behind the products produced by Chapman Thermal Products. CarbonX, in its raw form, is a yarn created by spinning O-PAN (oxidized polyacrylonitrile) fiber with an Aramid strengthening fiber. This formula, results in a yarn with amazing fire resistant characteristics that serves as the precursor to a wide array of products and applications requiring heat and flame resistance.

Products manufactured with CarbonX® are in the hundreds and are present in all the major industry segments - Fire and Safety Apparel, Industrial Safety Apparel, Motor Sports, Police / Military and Industrial Non-Apparel. From fire fighting turnout gear to head socks, complete underwear, socks and shoelaces. Airline cargo holds, to crew ship and hotel fire escape blankets. CarbonX is also used in High performance turbo and exhaust insulation for increased horsepower. Complete auto racing suits and helmet interior lining and insulation. The applications where CarbonX® will improve and enhance many performance and safety properties are endless.

For more information on CarbonX you can visit their website at: www.chapmaninovations.com.

About the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series

The ESI Auto Parts Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows competitors to gain experience on different types of asphalt oval tracks up to 3/8-mile in length. 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 more information regarding the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series visit our website at www.rmcsracing.com.

~ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Public Relations

ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series

See Also .:

• Magic Valley Speedway Track Page

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