Brian Ruhlman took over sole possession of the American Late Model Series presented by Sunoco points lead over Rusty Schlenk and Aaron Scott with his feature win at Oakshade Raceway Saturday night.
Oakshade was the second stop of a four day Memorial Day weekend for the American Late Model Series. Ruhlman came into the night tied with Aaron Scott for the points lead with Rusty Schlenk just three points back in third.
Ruhlman took command from the start of the 30-lap ALMS feature after starting on the pole. He pulled away from the rest of the field until the first caution flag flew for debris on lap 22.
Schlenk, winner of the past two consecutive Late Model features at Oakshade, had worked his way up to second by lap 14 and with the field closed back up under the caution; he had his first legitimate chance to challenge for the lead.
Although, it turned out to be Rick Delong he had to contend with after the restart as Delong challenged Schlenk for second. Schlenk held off the challenge and reeled in Ruhlman in the final few laps.
Ruhlman came up on the slower car of Dean Anderson and was held up just enough for Schlenk to mount a charge on the final lap. Ruhlman went high and Schlenk dove to the inside as they split by the lapped car, but Ruhlman had the momentum coming off the final corner up high to be first to the checkered flag and to win the $2,000.
Delong held on to finish third with Hillard Miller and Aaron Scott rounding out the top five finishers.
Ray Klawitter grabbed the lead of the Sportsman feature event after starting on the outside of the front row and would never surrender it.
A great battle for second ensued much of the race between Chris Keller, Tim Fisher and Josh Steinacker. Steinacker spun on lap 15, did a 360 and managed to not stop, but Mike Jessen who was running fifth came to a stop to avoid him and brought out the caution forcing Jessen to restart in the rear.
Shortly after that caution, Keller, Fisher and Steinacker were back at it three wide for second. Steinacker was on the inside and made contact with Fisher as they came off turn four. Fisher spun and brought out the caution ending his chances of winning.
Klawitter went on to hold off the Steinacker and Keller who finished second and third respectively. Bruce Stuart took fourth and Evan Myers was fifth.
Much like the first two features of the night, the Bomber A Main featured a flag to flag lead.
Chuck Leininger started on the pole and jumped out to the lead over Gary Domoe. Domoe was able to put limited pressure on Leininger on a couple restarts after cautions, but Leininger held on to win his second A Main of this young season.
Domoe held off Kevin Cole to finish second and Joe Smith crossed the line fourth.
Danny Hogrefe made it four for four in commanding performances in the features in the Bomber B Main, taking the lead from the start and not looking back until the checkered flag flew.
A lot of great racing just behind Hogrefe ended up with Chris Joy taking second away from Shane Stuckey in the end. Karl Spoores finished fourth after occupying the second position for much of the race.
The final race of the night, the Bomber C Main, was marred by a number of cautions. Jesse Burgett and Gene Potridge were involved in one of those incidents when they got together coming off turn two while battling for second on lap two.
Burgett lost control and slammed into the water barrel barrier in front of the light pole which ended his night. Potridge continued on and finished second behind Jeff Potridge.
Dan Shaffer, Terry Dempewolf and Robert Blanton all finished the race in the top five.
Saturday, June 4, Oakshade Raceway returns to action with a regular racing program of UMP Late Models, Sportsman/Trucks and Bombers.
