Source: RMCS Media Realtions/ds
Date: 08/22/2007

BOISE, Idaho -- John Newhouse of Twin Falls, Idaho leads the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series into Rocky Mountain Raceways located outside Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual running of the NAPA “125” Saturday night August 25. Newhouse holds a slim eight point advantage over defending RMCS series champion David Minegar of Boise heading into the second to the last race of the season but it is Minegar who may have the upper hand after wining both series events this season at the ultra-fast 3/8-mile paved oval.

“RMR has become my favorite track,” Minegar said. “We have hit on a setup with our new car that flat works. We hope for similar results this Saturday but so are the rest of the guys. John (Newhouse) and Bobby (Latham) have a lot to gain but Sharp, Eaton, and Hardy are always tough to beat.”

Newhouse is coming off a runner-up finish in the series last event in Twin Falls where he scored the most points for the event (229) and took over the point lead from Minegar who had held the top sport for four races. This season Newhouse has one win and four top five finishes and has notched and 11th and 2nd place finish at RMR.

“We have been good at RMR, but Minegar has been great,” Newhouse said. “We just need to run like we have and leave RMR with a top five finish and that will set us up for the finale at Magic Valley where we have been great.”

After missed opportunities plagued his team earlier in the season, second year drive Bobby Latham III of Twin Falls, Idaho has roared back in to the title fight and sits third in the standings, just 20-points behind leader Newhouse. Latham has scored two wins, three top five and six top ten finishes this season and is one four drivers to complete every lap of competition this season.

“When I started racing I had a goal of winning races and a championship in every series/division I ran in,” Latham said. “We are coming on strong late in the season and I feel we have a real good chance. We have not had the best finishes at Rocky Mountain Raceways, but our car is always fast there. We have worked on our setup to ensure we are good late in the race.”

Latham has finishes of 8th and 9th this season but knows if he is going to contend for the championship he has to run in the top five. “This series is so tough and qualifying is essential,” Latham offered. “I love racing at RMR. The track is wide and smooth and you have a lot of room to race. We just have to be smart and save our tires for late in the race and hope nothing happens that we get caught up in.”

While not in the championship hunt this season, two-time series champion Zan Sharp of Wellsville, Utah always likes racing at RMR. “The track is perfect for racing,” Sharp said. We have had an off year but have got things working the last couple of races and we look to finish strong and prepare for next year.” Sharp has finishes of 19th and 3rd this season but has two wins along with four other top five finishes at RMR since 2004.

Sharp’s teammate James Eaton of West Jordan, Utah has three wins at RMR since 2004 and is looking to get his season back on track after slipping to ninth in the point standings after a disappointing finish in the last race at Magic Valley Speedway. Local favorite Lynn Hardy has two wins at RMR in RMCS competition and will make his fourth start of the season Saturday.

The race this Saturday will be the 40th event staged in RMCS series history and 14th at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Eaton has three wins while Sharp, Hardy, and Minegar have two apiece with Minegar winning the last two races. Four other drivers have one win at RMR. Hardy is the track record holder with a quick lap of 14.944 seconds/90.337 mph around the banked 3/8-mile paved oval.

NAPA Auto Parts has been a long time supporter of RMR and the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series. “We have always appreciated the support NAPA has given the series by sponsoring marquee races like the NAPA “125”, stated Mike Minegar, president of the RMCS. “We know that NAPA and our race fans will see a great event Saturday night. The RMCS has a loyal following and we look forward to another spectacular event at Rocky Mountain Raceways.”

While the championship contenders look to boost their stock Saturday night there is another group of racers looking for bragging rights of their own. Matt Faulkner of Cedar Hills, Utah leads the CarbonX Rookie-of-the-Year standings and sits 15th in the championship standings. Faulkner holds a two-point advantage over Kellen Frey of Salt Lake with Brad Ostler of Pleasant Grove in third place in the rookie battle.

The NAPA “125” is a pivotal race in the chase for this year’s RMCS championship and with more than 25 of the regions top Late Model drivers in attendance the action will delight the always enthusiastic Rocky Mountain Raceways fan. Also on the racing card Saturday night will be the Modifieds, Super Stock, Mini Cups, and Hornets. Spectator gates open at 4pm with Time trails starting at 5pm and racing action getting underway at 6pm. Adult tickets are $15. For all the latest news and information please log onto www.ramcsracing.com or www.rmrracing.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.chapmaninnovations. 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!"

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