RUSSELL BUTLER #25 WINS INTERMOUNTAIN LATE MODEL SERIES SEASON OPENER

Source: Jon Proctor
Date: 05/01/2000

The Intermountain Late Model Series had 25 participants including six rookies show up for its season opener on Saturday April 29th. Twenty-two drivers made it to the main event, with Brad Young #11 being unable to qualify due to losing his engine, during the 2nd practice session. Rick Webster #27 returned from losing a engine during last weeks test and tune only to have a bearing going out in his rear end and had to trailer his car after the 1st practice session and Car #72 did not practice or qualify due to unknown reasons.

During qualifying two of the rookies had a bit of excitement, Jerry Cox #22 had contact with the wall coming out of turn 2 on his second qualifying lap, but was able to keep going, while Dave Davis #14 broke a left rear shock and struggled to get his second lap completed. Car #73 was black flagged during his qualifying run due losing fuel onto the track from overfilling his tank and Jeff Hillock #41 laid down a oil strip around the top groove during his run.

Rocky Mountain Raceway Officials called off the trophy dash, when they could not get the qualifying times posted in time for the drivers to make the call for the dash.

Rick Ellison #09 was the number one qualifier with a time of 15.49. Rick also won the first heat race with car #63 taking 2nd and Joe Hood #37 taking third. Greg Hillock #36 spun out on lap 11 of the heat race after his transmission let go coming out of turn three.

Russell Butler #25 won the second heat race with Paul Marconi #10 and Car #73 both having unknown problems and having to come off the track.

The main event got off to a flawless start and nine laps were completed before Greg Hillock #36 brought out the first caution of the race with a spin coming out of turn 3, he was then black flagged for fluid coming out of the car, making it apparent the repair job on the transmission did not hold up. On lap 22 Kevin Moland driving #49 for Jeff Flynn spun out on the back stretch with no caution coming out. This did not bode well for Paul Marconi #10 who was waiting to come back on the track after having to pull off during the first lap with carburetor problems.

Dave Davis #14 left on lap 29 with handling problems only to find out it was only loose lug nuts and was able to return during the next caution which was brought out on lap 33 when Joe Hood #37 and Jimmy Waters #24 got together coming out of turn four and both ended up in the front stretch wall. Both Hood and Waters where towed off with Waters receiving very heavy damage to the front end of his car, while Hood's was mostly the right front. (see photo)

The field was forced down into the figure eight of the track while the accident was cleaned up. After returning to green flag racing car #63 was black flagged for his right front fender starting to peel away. Brett Housekeeper spun out on the last lap between turns 3 and 4, no caution came out and Russell Butler #25 took the checkered flag with Rick Ellison #09 taking a close second. Visit www.intermountainseries.com for more info.

News Index | E-mail to a Friend