Gomez Dominates; Sharp Claims Record-Setting Third Title

Sept. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- The events of September 11th ten years ago are forever embedded in our collective memories and we shall never forget. Then as now, we honor those that have passed and look to sport to heal and unite. While all we do pales and is trivial compared to the heroic acts of firefighters, police, first responders, and the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, we remember and celebrate our freedom and liberty. Last night all across the country Americans gathered to unite in freedom and celebrate the sports we love.

In a small town in rural Idaho at a small bullring known as Magic Valley Speedway, Jonathon Gomez dominated the racing action in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series by capturing the Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award, started at the back of the 100-lap feature, and drove through the field to score his second career series victory. And while the victory was received enthusiastically by his hometown fans, it was only a race and one of many such sporting events across the country.

Gomez held off a hard-charging John Newhouse to capture the win. Rick Fowble, Bruce Quale, and Eric Rhead rounded out the top five finishers in the season finale completing the eighth season for the popular Late Model stock car series. And while Gomez triumphed in the race it was also a night for Zan Sharp from Wellsville, UT to celebrate a record setting third series title.

Sharp survived an early wreck where he pitted multiple times to repair the damage to his Sharp Transportation Chevrolet. If anything, his performance and championship run personified teamwork. His finish of 15th place in the final run down was just enough to take the title by ten points over Jeff Hillock. Hillock had his share of on-track incidents during the evening as he was involved in no less than three incidents; each resulted in a trip to the rear of the field. Hillock battled back each time and during the closing laps of the race he had moved back up to the third position (which if he finished there would have put the championship in his hands) and waged a spirited battle with championship rival Steve Jones.

On lap 95 with the title in sight for both Jones and Hillock got together and sending Jones spinning. Per RMCS rules, if you are involved in an incident that brings out the caution flag then all involved go to the rear of the field. That split second for both put the championship back in Sharp's hands. Jones would finish in the eighth position while Hillock finished ninth. Sharp claimed the title by a mere ten points over Hillock with Jones dropping the third place. Bruce Quale moved up one spot to finish fourth in the standings for his third top five points finish of his career. Lynn Hardy rounded out the top five in the final 2011 standings.

For Sharp, the championship was the culmination of a long season where the title was in doubt after an off-road accident sidelined him with several broken bones early in the season. As with all championships, his team rose to the challenge and kept the successful business entrepreneur in contention all season.

Devin LaHorgue won the A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning Rookie-of-the-Year title over Tyler Bailey. Jeff Pohlman, Lynn Hardy, and Thane Alderman each won their respective heat races while Bob Massie (2), John Newhouse (23), Jeff Pohlman (15) and Jonathon Gomez (60) led laps and collected a bonus from ESI.

Championships are never just about one race. Each of the top five championship finishers could look back to several races where if things had worked out differently, it could have been their name on the championship trophy. While Sharp celebrates the accomplishment, the fans, track operators, teams, and the series officials are all winners as the RMCS provided all involved great racing action all season long. For the latest news and information about the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series log onto www.rmcsracing.com.

The RMCS utilizes a racing format not found in ANY other regional touring series around the country. The RMCS inverts the full starting field putting the fast qualifiers at the back to start the race. This format ensures race fans see what they paid for and that is passing. Each driver is awarded three points per position gained in the event. Points are also awarded for qualifying and heat race finishes. Through the history of the series, the winning driver has averaged a 15th place starting position. To ensure competition, the RMCS pays it purse based on total point accumulation for the event and provides several special performance awards at each race. Century Boatland in Twin Falls is a major sponsor to the series providing significant support to the series all season.

The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows all competitors to race and gain experience on different types of racetracks. 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 all the latest news and information regarding the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series log on to our website at www.rmcsracing.com .

About CarbonX:
CarbonX® non-flammable fabrics offer the best level of fire and heat protection in flame-resistant clothing for the most extreme conditions. Based on patented blends of oxidized fibers, CarbonX is the only fabric able to withstand the direct flame of a blow torch without melting, igniting, or burning—even when exposed to the flame for up to 20 times longer than the leading competition. CarbonX flame-resistant fabrics also retain this level of persistence and protection against molten metal and arc flash, leaving it as the only choice for professionals working in conditions where safety matters most. Our non-flammable fabrics can be found in flame-resistant clothing for industrial, fire, motorsports and tactical industries, although its uses in safety are endless. CarbonX FR fabrics are the non-flammable fabrics that save lives—accept no substitute. Log onto www.carbonx.com for full details.

Official Finish of the Rich Thompson Trucking Inc. "100"
CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series
September 10, 2011
Magic Valley Speedway
100-laps on the 1/3-mile oval
Finish Start Car # Laps Points Status
1 18 22 Jonathon Gomez 100 227 Running
2 5 26 John Newhouse 100 170 Running
3 7 98 Rick Fowble 100 166 Running
4 4 92 Bruce Quale 100 147 Running
5 6 66 Eric Rhead 100 145 Running
6 3 39 Bobby Latham III 100 135 Running
7 8 41 TJ Woodhall 100 135 Running
8 10 3 Steve Jones 100 137 Running
9 17 36 Jeff Hillock 100 162 Running
10 11 24 Jeff Pohlman 98 128 Running
11 12 4 Lynn Hardy 98 123 Running
12 14 15 Devin LaHorgue 90 120 Running
13 1 28 Bob Massie 87 102 Mechanical
14 2 8 Greg Hillock 67 98 Slow
15 9 84 Zan Sharp 67 102 Running
16 13 9 Thane Alderman 64 102 Mechanical
17 16 69 Brandon Riehl 36 102 Mechanical
18 15 12 James Wulfenstein 10 94 Mechanical
19 19 99 Tyler Bailey 0 DNS
20 20 11 Curt Clampitt 8 DNS

FINAL 2011 CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Point Standings
Pos Car # Driver Points
1 84 Zan Sharp 1414
2 36 Jeff Hillock 1404
3 3 Steve Jones 1385
4 92 Bruce Quale 1321
5 4 Lynn Hardy 1318
6 66 Eric Rhead 1238
7 12 James Wulfenstein 1033
8 9 Thane Alderman 1027
9 15 Devin LaHorgue 904
10 3 John Wong 698
11 26 John Newhouse 591
12 8 Greg Hillock 530
13 125 Lonnie Lowder 467
14 98 Rick Fowble 444
15 33 John Nesmith 420
16 48 Bryan Wordelman 340
17 19 Dan Rhodes 331
18 99 Tyler Bailey 297
19 69 Brandon Riehl 291
20 41 TJ Woodhall 231
21 22 Jonathon Gomez 227
22 6 David Peterson 217
23 65 Darren Jones 210
24 116 Kevin Richards 198
25 14 Jody South 195

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