Rocky Mountain Region Aztec Prelim results 2005-06-03

Martin Holds off Herrera in ASCS Rocky Mountain Aztec Prelim

AZTEC, NM (June 3, 2005) -- Jason Martin fought off Johnny Herrera's persistent challenges in Friday night's 25-lap feature to top the opening night of the American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region's two-night stand at Aztec Speedway.

Martin outgunned polesitter Keith Rauch to take command at the drop of the green, with third-starter Herrera quickly moving in to challenge. Martin kept Herrera at bay in the early rounds, with the caution flying after eleven rounds when John Taylor and Joe Wagner spun simultaneously at opposite ends of the track.

The chase resumed with Martin up to all challenges, only to have the red flag fly after 23 rounds for C.J. Johnson, who junked his mount after contact with another car sent him headlong into the fronstretch wall. Johnson was uninjured.

With an open track for the two-lap dash to the checkered flag, Herrera tried to mount one last bid but Martin was up to the task and claimed his fifth career ASCS Rocky Mountain Region feature victory aboard the Kriner-powered Dan's Body Shop No. 36 Maxim.

Herrera settled for second, while Patrick Bourke ran a strong third throughout. Gary Taylor crossed the stripe fourth, with Jake Pierson maintaining his series point lead by advancing from 12th to round out the top five.

Defending series champion Rauch claimed sixth, with Bob Schaeffer, Bud Goodwin, Nick Haygood and 15th-starter Eric Miller completing the top ten.

Rauch, Martin and Bourke topped heat race action.

Results:

First Heat: 1. Keith Rauch, 2. Gary Taylor, 3. Joe Wagner, 4. Nick Haygood, 5. Jesse Baker, 6. Geoff Dodge, 7. John Taylor, 8. Josh Fellows.

Second Heat: 1. Jason Martin, 2. Johnny Herrera, 3. Bob Schaeffer, 4. Jake Pierson, 5. Scott Milan, 6. Bryan Jamison, 7. John Jacob, 8. Cyrus Perme.

Third Heat: 1. Patrick Bourke, 2. Jeff Heffner, 3. Bud Goodwin, 4. John Stroud, Jr., 5. Eric Miller, 6. Jace Pennetta, 7. C.J. Johnson.

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. Jason Martin, 2. Johnny Herrera, 3. Patrick Bourke, 4. Gary Taylor, 5. Jake Pierson, 6. Keith Rauch, 7. Bob Schaeffer, 8. Bud Goodwin, 9. Nick Haygood, 10. Eric Miller, 11. Jeff Heffner, 12. Geoff Dodge, 13. John Stroud, Jr., 14. Joe Wagner, 15. Jesse Baker, 16. Bryan Jamison, 17. Scott Milan, 18. Jace Pennetta, 19. John Jacob, 20. John Taylor, 21. Josh Fellows, 22. C.J. Johnson, 23. Cyrus Perme.

ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jake Pierson 704, 2. Gary Taylor 694, 3. Nick Haygood 692, 4. Eric Miller 684, 5. Bob Schaeffer 660, 6. Jeff Heffner 640, 7. Joe Wagner 624, 8. Scott Milan 606, 9. Josh Fellows 596, 10. Patrick Bourke 590.

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