Bell Eager to Get Back On-Track at Idaho 200 Weekend
Minegar Racing's two-car effort will be out in force this weekend at the Idaho 200 in search of win's in the 100-lap Carbon X Rocky Mountain Challenge Series and the Idaho 200. One half of the team, Craig Bell, is hoping to turn around a tough season with a good run at Stateline Speedway.
Courtesy: BodyBuilding.com/Minegar Racing Media Relations
BOISE, IDAHO–Craig Bell out of Kuna, Idaho and driver of the BodyBuilding.Com/Minegar Racing Chevrolet is looking to get his season back on track as he and the team head North this weekend for one of the biggest races in the state of Idaho. The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series will headline the Saturday NAPA Auto Parts Duel for the “200” at Stateline Stadium Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho then fill the field on Sunday for the prestigious Idaho “200” on Sunday. Bell finished fourth in the “Duel” and third in the “200” last season and is looking to improve in this year’s event.
Coming off a disappointing outing down in Salt Lake two weeks ago, Bell is determined to get BodyBuilding.Com team back into the championship hunt with just four races to go in the 2009 campaign. “We struggled last race because we got away from what I know works for me,” Bell said. “I am going back to a basic setup that I have used for years and that I am comfortable with. We ran really well at Stateline last season and I know we have a great chance this year for the win.”
The RMCS utilizes a racing format that rewards total performance; a format that Bell really likes. “When you have a good night in the RMCS you have a really good night,” Bell stated. “The series rewards the drivers who have the best overall performance and that means you have to be fast, pass cars, and finish the race. I like it. It has made me a better driver and forced me to manage the car differently than I did when I ran a weekly show. The fans in North Idaho will see a great show like they did last year and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
If Bell is to take the top spot at Stateline, he will need to get by point leaders John Dillon, Jeff Jefferson, and John Newhouse, as well as defending race winner Thane Alderman. “We have a lot of really talented drivers in the series,” Bell said. “You have to be on your game and fortunately for me we have a great team Minegar Racing and sponsor in BodyBuilding.Com that provides us the ability to be competitive at every event. We were good last season at Stateline and we plan to be a whole lot better this time around.”
“I think we have a good shot at the win,” Bell said. “Last year was the first time I ever saw the track so I think the experience will definitely help. Stateline is a fun track to drive and the fans up there are awesome. Winning at Stateline would go a long way for the team and would certainly be one of the highlights of my racing career.”
With the help of his teammate and two-time series champion, Dave Minegar, Bell approaches each race a little differently now. “Dave and I like different setups in the car but Dave has taught me how to manage the tires,” Bell said. “Tire management is key in the series and that is where Dave has really excelled. I have always just gone flat out but it has cost me several times in the past so we are really focused on tire management this weekend. We need to race hard but save a little for the last 25-laps. My goal is to qualify in the top three and be in the top three during the final laps in position for the win.”
Bell currently sits fourth in the RMCS standings heading into the Duel for the “200”, just twenty points out of third and 122 points behind Dillon for the top spot. Bell has competed in 46 RMCS races (3rd all-time) dating back to 2004. He has three career RMCS victories, 29 career top five finishes (1st all-time), 37 career top ten finishes (2nd all-time), and is 2nd all-time in laps completed in the series.
Minegar Racing is sponsored by BodyBuilding.com, Redline, Ultimate Nutrition, Supreme Nutrition, Muscletech, SciFit, Gaspari Nutrition, A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning, and Dillon Auto Craft. Both Minegar and Bell are in their sixth season in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series. Bell’s teammate Dave Minegar will be on the sidelines this weekend as he and his wife Heidi are expecting their first child due this week. For the latest news about the series log onto to www.rmcsracing.com and please visit www.bodybuilding.com for all of your exercise and nutrition needs.
About
Minegar Racing
Minegar Racing is a first-class two car race team featuring drivers Dave Minegar
and Craig Bell. The team is owned by Pat Minegar and is based in Boise, Idaho.
The team competes in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, an
intermountain west based stock car series that competes primarily in Idaho and
Utah. Minegar Racing has competed on the RMCS for six seasons and has won two
series championships, scored nine wins, claimed 22 fast time awards, completed
over 8,685 laps in competition, and has 50 top five and 77 top ten finishes
along with numerous track records.
About BodyBuilding.Com
Bodybuilding.com is the world's most visited bodybuilding website for sports nutrition products to customers around the world. Bodybuilding.com boasts impressive numbers and ranking with these achievements:
- Most Visited Bodybuilding And Fitness Site In The World
- #1 Sports Nutrition E-Retailer
- 2-Time Inc. 500 Company 2005-2006
- Ranked Number 1391 On Alexa's Most Visited Web Sites
- 200,000+ Unique Daily Visitors
- One of America's Top 500 E-Retailers, and;
- One of the Top 75 Companies of the Idaho Private 75
