By Don Holbrook
Ft. Morgan, CO. (May 8th, 2010) – The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) rolled into I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, CO with great car count Saturday night for their season opener with defending Driver Champion Keith Rauch taking the gold in the 25 Lap “A” Feature on a dry, slick, abrasive track.
With cold and windy conditions, Rauch driving the IMM, AAI, Peterson Fluid Systems Spike/Mopar Petauro Racing entry started second row outside with Sprint Car ace CJ Johnson from Quinten, KS starting on the pole. On the start, Rauch took the lead with Johnson, Todd Plemons and Chris Sheil following. With several yellow flags for spinouts, Johnson fell back to the third position while Three-Time RMMRA Driver Champion Tony Rossi and Bob Harr were closing on the lead pack. Sheil made several attempts to pass Rauch for the led but was denied. Plemons failed victim to mechanical problems and retired to the pits. With about five laps to go, Johnson right rear tire expired and pulled into the pits. At the finish, it was Rauch leading all 25 Laps, Sheil, Rossi, Harr and 2009 RMMRA “Rookie of the Year” Brian Postle rounding out the top five positions.
Heat Race winners were Chris Sheil, Keith Rauch, and CJ Johnson. In the Third Heat action, second year Midget driver Mike Boesel and Brain Postle made contact going into turn one. Boesel flipped a few times. Boesel was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.
The next round for the RMMRA visit the new 1/3 Mile Dirt oval at Colorado Motorsports Park east of Denver in Byers, CO. on Sunday afternoon May 23.
Results: I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO. 05-08-10
Heat One (8 Laps) – Chris Sheil, Todd Plemons, Bob Harr, Kyle Rayburn, Cory Mallo (r), Butch Middleton (DNS).
Heat Two (8 Laps) – Keith Rauch, Julee Jamison, Cole Wood (r), Steve Newman, Scott Fennell, Justin Mallo (DNF).
Heat Three (8 Laps) – CJ Johnson, Tony Rossi, Greg Schaefer, Brian Postle, Mike Boesel (DNF).
A Feature (25 Laps) – Rauch, Sheil, Rossi, Harr, Postle, Schaefer, Rayburn, Fennell, J. Mallo, Jamison (DNF), Johnson (DNF), Wood (r) (DNF), Plemons (DNF), C. Mallo (r) (DNF), Newman (DNS)