Project Filter and ESI Express Highlight Two-Day RMCS Show at Meridian

July 26, 2012 - PRLog -- The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series returns to Meridian Speedway this weekend for a special two-day event July 27-28 sponsored by Project Filter and ESI-Express. In eleven previous series races at Meridian there have been ten different winners with two-time series champion Dave Minegar the only repeat winner on the tricky quarter-mile paved oval.

Project Filter is Idaho's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Project Filter works to educate the public about the resources available to help individuals quit using tobacco and is aligning with the RMCS and Meridian Speedway to continue to bring awareness to the public of the devastating effects of smoking. For complete program details visit their website.

Series point leader Bruce Quale from Twin Falls, ID has had a breakout season in the series finishing in the top four in each of the first six races to date. In his last visit to Meridian back in May he rallied to finish third in the 100-lap event.

Quale has one win in the series and feels real good about his chances at Meridian Speedway this weekend.


"It (Meridian Speedway) is a fun track and if you can be patient you can do really well," Quale offered. "We have always run good there and it sure would be great to get our second win in the series. We have two chances with the two-day event. It is going to be a lot of fun."

Championship rival Steve Jones who hails from Meridian, is the most recent winner in the series claiming his fifth career victory two weeks ago at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Utah. In his last visit to Meridian Speedway, Jones had one of the fastest cars and was in contention for the win until late in the race and had to settle for a 10th place finish.

Jones trails Quale by 77-points and knows a strong performance this weekend will go a long way to closing the deficit. "Meridian is a tough track to drive and can bite you in a hurry," Jones said. "We have always been fast there but do not have the finishes to show for it. I fully expect John (Nesmith), Dillon, and Minegar to be fast so this may be a weekend where we focus on survival and ensure we finish in the top five."

While Quale and Jones are focused on the championship, several local drivers look to upstage the series regulars led by Dylan Caldwell. Caldwell has dominated the Late Model action at the track this season scoring six consecutive victories. He knows this may be his best shot at victory in the series where he has competed on and off for several years.

Another local Meridian driver who is focusing on the RMCS title this season is John Nesmith of Meridian. Nesmith has countless wins and championship at the historic oval and has proven to be a title contender scoring one victory (RMR) and posting four top five and six top ten performances so far this season. He currently sits third in the RMCS standings just 29-points behind Jones.

One of the traveling hotshoes who will be in attendance is 15-year old Jermey Doss from Upper Lake, CA. Doss bested the series regulars at Meridian back in May for the win. It was his second victory in the series this season after winning the opening round at Magic Valley Speedway in April. Despite his youth, Doss drives like a veteran and will be one of the odds on favorites this weekend.

A couple of former series champions also plan on making their 2012 debut this weekend. Two-time champion (06, 08) Dave Minegar and 2009 champion John Dillon cut their racing teeth at Meridian Speedway and are sure to challenge for the win both nights. Minegar is the track record holder at Meridian with a quick lap of 13.145 seconds and is the series leader with 23 Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Awards.

More than 20 of the regions top race car drivers are expected for this special two-day event featuring full racing programs both nights including qualifying, heat races, and main events.

CarbonX, the world leader in fire protective clothing, is in its fifth season as title sponsor of the RMCS. Along with Century Boatland based in Twin Falls, the two companies provide significant event and series support. Since 1985, Century Boatland has been the Magic Valley headquarters for new and used recreational, pleasure, and fishing boats.

The RMCS utilizes a racing format not found in ANY other regional touring series around the country. The RMCS inverts up to the top 20 from qualifying putting the fast qualifiers at the back to start each 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 12th 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.

The series is supported by a great family of sponsors including: CarbonX, Century Boatland, Project Filter, ESI, A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning, Sharp Powder Coating, Five Star Racing Bodies, Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank's Radios, Performance Solutions, Kidd's Performance and Dyno, Joes Racing Products, PPG Paint, Circle Racing Wheels, and Mike Minegar's Auto Body.

Various RMCS Historical Statistics: *The average starting position by the winner throughout the history of the series is 12th (83 races)
*57% of the time the winner has started outside the top 10 (47 times)
*45% of the time the winner has started inside the top 10 (37 times)
*27% of the time the winner has started in positions 6-10 (22 times)
*Only 9% of the time has the winner has started inside the top 5 (8 times in 83 races) of those starts two have started 2nd, three have started 3rd, one started 4th, and two started 5th
*27% of the time the winner has started between positions 15-20 (22 times)
***No winner has ever started from the pole position

CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series at Meridian Speedway Facts
*There have been 11 previous series events at Meridian Speedway
*Dave Minegar is the only two-time series winner at Meridian
*Meridian is one of Americas historic racetracks with continuous operation dating back to the 1940's
*Adam Nelson is a second generation promoter at Meridian
*Jeff Jefferson started deepest to win in 2009 from the 17th place starting position
*The winner has started in the 11th position three times
*The closest to the front a winner has started is third.
*Five of the last six RMCS races at Meridian the winner has started outside the top ten
*Dave Minegar is the qualifying record holder with a lap of 13.145 seconds
*Craig Bell and John Nesmith each have six top five finishes at Meridian to lead all drivers
*Drivers to get their only career series victory at Meridian include: Chad Cannon, Tyler Monroe, Brett Thompson, Jeff Jefferson

Spectator gates open at 3pm with a full compliment of racing action on tap starting at around 5pm. For ticket information please log onto www.meridianspeedwayonline.com for complete details.

About The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series
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. CarbonX FR fabrics are the non-flammable fabrics that save lives-accept no substitute. Log onto www.carbonx.com  for full details.