RMCS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE TO BE SETTLED AT MAGIC VALLEY

BOISE, Idaho -- Whether you race at the pinnacle of the sport or you are just starting out at your local race track, a championship is what most drivers strive for. Throw in hometown heroes, a defending series champion, and a cast of series regulars searching for one last opportunity at glory and you have the perfect backdrop for a spectacular night of racing. The ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will close out the 2007 racing season in the annual NAPA “150” at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho Saturday night.

While defending series champion David Minegar of Boise clings to a 33 point advantage heading into Saturday night’s contest, it is local hopefuls John Newhouse and Bobby Latham III who have momentum on their side at the tricky one-third mile paved oval.

Latham has won two of the four RMCS races at MVS this season while Newhouse has captured one win and two other top three performances with Minegar finishing no better than sixth this season at Magic Valley. The championship scenarios are plentiful and it will come down to qualifying, on-track performance, and a little luck as it always has.

Minegar has been the quick qualifier in four races this season and holds the track record at MVS with a quick lap of 14.284 seconds. So with passing points being a premium and his qualifying record, give this advantage to Minegar.

Latham with his two wins this season in extra distance races at MVS, he and his team have a set up that is hard to beat. While Latham has not qualified as well as Minegar, he will need a superb qualifying effort, a repeat performance, and a lot of luck if he is to overcome the 118 point deficit he has going into the race. The race advantage may go to Latham.

“We just need to win the race and the rest will take care of itself,” Latham said.

The plan seems so simple for Newhouse. Qualify well, finish in the top three and score 34 more points than Minegar. Newhouse is in his third year in the RMCS and has achieved consistent success winning rookie-of-the-year honors in 2005 and a championship runner-up finish last season. Nothing short of the championship will satisfy the local favorite.

“I love racing in this series and the level of competition,” Newhouse said. “I know we all want to win and a championship is what you hope to achieve. After the first race of the year I thought I would not be able to climb back into it but we have really worked on our qualifying and it has paid dividends.”

Newhouse has one Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award this season and has started an average of 16th this season setting Newhouse up for a good run (the RMCS utilizes a 20-car invert and awards passing points, 3 points per position, based on the original starting position and finish).

“In order to win the title I really need to have good luck and David (Minegar) needs a little bad,” Newhouse continued. “No matter how it turns out it has been a great season and who ever the champion is will have earned it.”

Luck being the operative variable in any race, Minegar could use a change of luck for the NAPA “150” as he has finished no better than 8th in three previous tries. In each of those races mechanical woes were the difference. Last season, Minegar had to go to a back up car and only completed three laps before retiring but it was enough to clinch the championship. He does not want to repeat history.

“We are not really going to think about the past,” Minegar said. “We are just going to go out and do what we have done all season and that is to focus on winning. I am confident we will qualify well and then we are just going to race hard and not lay back. That is all I can do and however it turns out is the way it was meant to be.”

Minegar knows the future is what we make it. “Of course winning the championship would be a great way to cap the season but I am rooting for John (Newhouse) as well. He and his team have done a great job this season.”

While the top three fight for series supremacy, others have just as much on the line. Tom Hill of Eagle, Idaho is the only driver to finish each race this season in the top ten including five top five performances. He has also completed all but one lap of competition, a series season best.

Matt Faulkner, Brad Ostler, and Kellen Frey are searching for CarbonX Rookie-of-the-Year honors and both Faulkner and Ostler are coming off strong top ten performances in the last event two weeks ago.

Thane Alderman and Jim Wulfenstein out of the Las Vegas, Nevada area make the long tow to each RMCS event and are looking to close out their 2007 effort with strong performances. Alderman has two 6th place finishes at MVS this season a would like to climb back into the top ten in the point standings after losing a motor two weeks ago. Alderman is currently 13th in the standings just 110 points out of the top then.

Wulfenstein will start his first NAPA “150” and hopes his momentum will continue after a fourth place finish at RMR in the last series race. Local Magic Valley Speedway favorite and multi-time track champion Bruce Quale of Twin Falls eyes his first series victory which could very easily happen Saturday night.

It will be a classic battle with all the right elements. Drama, intrigue, and action. Those elements continue to propel the RMCS as one of the most exciting racing series in the country. Also on the racing card at MVS this weekend will be local racing action featuring the Pepsi Premier Division, NAPA Pony Stock, and Hornets. Spectator gates open at 4pm with qualifying starting at 6:20 pm. Tickets can be purchased at local Magic Valley area Twin Stops.

For all the latest news and information regarding the ESI Rocky Mountain Challenge Series log onto www. rmcsracing. com.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend