Idaho Racing News

Meridian Speedway
News release
June 13, 2009

By Jon Brown
MERIDIAN, Idaho -- A rainy night at the racetrack didn't dampen fans' spirits or the fortitude of wacky Hornet drivers during the Project Filter 150 at ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway.
The Hornets dodged construction barrels, cones and large tires for 60 laps -- three times longer than was scheduled -- in a Main Street Construction race to entertain fans during a rain-shortened evening.
Points leader Vern Cornish of Nampa, Idaho, kept his Eagle Talon in one piece to win the marathon on a soaked track.
“It was better than watching push trucks go ’round and ’round,” Cornish said, referring to the traditional attempt of using non-race vehicles to dry out a track.
“That was the best Hornet race ever right there.”
In the Mini Stock trophy dash devised for only the bravest of racers, Quentin Ward recovered from an early spin in the rain to beat Tommy Downes. The pair were the only ones who took the challenge. Ward passed Downes on the second-to-last lap and rode the high groove around the track to a six-lap victory. Ward received the trophy from his grandson.
There was one other main event squeezed into the soggy night -- the ASA Modifieds, which were scheduled to run two mains during the night.
In the first feature race of the night, Nampa's Dustin Stephenson took advantage of another racer's bad luck early and then rode to a victory in a 30-lap event.
Stephenson led the final 21 laps of the 30-lap race and shook off an aggressive move from Meridian, Idaho's Chris Fenton. Fenton tried to pass on the inside on Turn 4 of Lap 27, but lost traction and had to back off to save his second-place finish.
Stephenson moved to the front on Lap 9 when Rod Cummings' 2009 debut ended early. Cummings rolled out to the early lead, but slowed while crossing the start/finish line for the ninth lap. Stephenson tapped the rear of Cummings' car and spun him out. On the restart, Stephenson assumed the lead while Cummings retired with mechanical problems that occurred before his contact with Stephenson.
The original plan, before Mother Nature intervened, was to run an ASA Modifieds double main as part of the speedway's plan to get its modified drivers the mandatory 14 main events to qualify for the ASA Joe Gibbs Driven National Member Track Championship. The driver with the top score among more than 30 ASA-sanctioned tracks wins the championship and a trip to the Joe Gibbs Racing garage for a tour and a test drive.
Meridian Speedway driver Rus Ward entered Saturday night ranked second in the nation, according to Meridian co-operator Adam Nelson.
Main events that were cancelled included a 50-lap Late Model race, which would have marked the return to Meridian Speedway of hometown driver Phil Dugan. Dugan, who is a Project Filter team member, recently earned a ride in the Camping World NASCAR West Tour.
The second ASA Modifieds main, a 35-lapper, was washed out as was features for Late Model Lites and Mini Stocks.
Meridian Speedway takes next weekend off to make room for Meridian Dairy Days. The racing resumes on Saturday, June 27 with Winged Sprints, Non-winged Sprints, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Legends and Thunder Dogs.

As an American Speed Association-sanctioned track, Meridian Speedway is part of the ASA Member Track National Championship for the Modified division.
The goal of the ASA Short Track National Championship is to activate a measuring system that takes into account many variables, such as field size, inversion, wins and number of races in a season, and create a level playing field to determine who is the ‘best-of-the-best’ of the ASA Member Track Champions Nationwide.
The ASA Joe Gibbs Driven National Member Track Champion Award was designed to give the National Champion exposure with one of the top teams in racing — Joe Gibbs Racing. Joe Gibbs Driven Oil, a division of Joe Gibbs Racing, sells the actual oil products developed and used by Joe Gibbs Racing to racers at all levels. More information can be found at www.joegibbsdriven.com.
The ASA Member Track program is comprised of a network of short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.

Meridian Speedway
Meridian, Idaho
Saturday's results
Project Filter 150
ASA Modifieds
First main -- 1. Dustin Stephenson, Nampa, Idaho; 2. Chris Fenton, Meridian; 3. Dylan Caldwell, Nampa; 4. Jeff Hill, Meridian; 5. Charlie Ham, Boise, Idaho
Fast time, first main -- Rus Ward, Boise, Idaho, 14.537
Fast time, Project Filter 35 -- Rick Fowble, Twin Falls, Idaho, 14.525

Hornets
Main Street Construction race -- 1. Vern Cornish, Nampa, Idaho; 2. Art Heath, Nampa; 3. Mike Davis, Boise, Idaho; 4. Taylor Saxton, Payette, Idaho; 5. Eric Harry, Boise
A Heat -- 1. Cornish; 2. Saxton; 3. Davis; 4. Tony Johns, Boise; 5. Harry
B Heat -- 1. Heath; 2. Chris Carlson, Boise; 3. Fred Nagele; 4. Jason Becker; 5. Danny Canington, Nampa
C Heat -- 1. Collin Parker; 2. Andy Stote; 3. Nikki Harris, Boise; 4. Ryan Bailey; 5. Heather Mobberley, Boise
Fast time -- Cornish, 17.350

Late Models
Fast time -- John Nesmith, Meridian, Idaho, 14.039 seconds

Late Model Lites
Fast time -- Joe Barton, Nampa, Idaho, 14.419

Mini Stocks
Trophy Dash -- 1. Quentin Ward; 2. Tommy Downes
Fast time -- Jason Lampman, 16.323

Domino's Pizza
Bandoleros
Fast time -- Andrew Clark, Boise, 16.374