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WEST VALLEY CITY — Rocky Mountain Raceways, an ASA member track, commenced its 16th season of racing on Saturday, May 5 with feature wins from two veteran racers.
Championed racer Lynn Hardy did double duty on Saturday night, racing in the Maverik Modified's 50-lap feature and the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models' 100-lap feature. #4 Hardy put up a competitive fight in the Maverik Modifieds, pushing his way to the front of the field. He quickly made it to the top-5 where he set his sights on #41 Michael Haddenham and #01 Michael Hale. Hardy made it the second position before being caught up in a caution mid-race and would not return for the remainder of the race.
#01 Michael Hale continued on as the leader, with strong competition from #00 Tyler Whetstone close at his rear. Hale and Whetstone had several close side-by-side chases on a series of restarts throughout the race. Hale kept to the outside and was able to push through for the win. "Tyler was awesome on the starts, he is always a great competitor," says Hale. Hale and Whetstone were both solid contenders for the 2011 Maverik Modified championship, with Hale taking it by mere points ahead of Whetstone. Hale also won the Maverik Modified Season Opener in 2011.
#00 Tyler Whetstone came in second, #20 Dan McCoy in third, #50 Roger Wilson in fourth and #79 Jeffrey Webster rounded out the top-5. The Maverik Modifieds will be an attention-grabbing class in 2012 with several challengers pushing for the 2012 RMR Championship.
Although Hardy had difficulty in the Maverik Modifieds he stood up to his name, Lynn "The Hammer" Hardy in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models. Hardy pressed through the field and claimed the feature win, his third RMCS win at Rocky Mountain Raceways. He took home his first Rocky Mountain Raceways RMCS wins in 2004 and another in 2006. "To get a win is something else, these are some really great racers," says Hardy.
#03 Steve Jones took second, #92 Bruce Quale in third, #84 Zan Sharp in fourth and #09 Thane Alderman in fifth. The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models will return to Rocky Mountain Raceways on Saturday, June 2.
Tonight's winners included: #01 Michael Hale (Maverik Modifieds,) #4 Lynn Hardy (Carbon X RMCS Late Models,) #28 Travis Walker (Super Stocks,) #18 Daniel Calligaro (Hornets) and #13 Train Six Feet Under (H&R Equipment Figure-8 Trains.)
ASA Weekly Racing will continue on Saturday, May 12 with Horsepower Heaven. Fans can view the best of both worlds as Rocky Mountain Raceways runs the America First Credit Union ASA Super Oval and IHRA Drag Strip on the same night. Classes on the oval include Winged Sprints, Focus Midgets, ASA Pro Trucks and H&R Equipment Figure-Trains. The IHRA Drag Strip will feature Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, IHRA Box and Jet Cars.
