Eldora Speedway | 13929
St Route 118 | New Weston | OH | 45348
For immediate news release e-mail: mail@eldoraspeedway.com
BALLOU
ENTERS ELDORA RECORD BOOKS WITH FIRST WIN
ROSSBURG, OH (April 28) -- It
was a wild night of attrition, as heavy rains throughout the
week, took its toll on Eldora Speedway, but when the final checked
flag flew, it was Robert Ballou riding home with his first career
USAC (United States Auto Club) National Sprint Series victory.
In the companion UMP (United Modified Promoters) Modifieds main
event, it was another first-time winner, as Todd Sherman was
victorious, while Jeff Babock decimated the Advance Auto Parts
Stock Car finale.
After three aborted starts due
to minor skirmishes, Brady Short shot out into the early lead
of the 25-lap Sprint headliner, with Levi Jones and Ballou in
pursuit.
Two laps later, another yellow
bunting flew, this time for debris on the track.
Back under way, Jerry Coons, Jr.,
took to the high side of the track and was advancing forward
from mid-field, while Short continued to hold off Jones and
Ballow. Fast qualifier Tracy Hines hooked a rut in turn two
which dropped him back from fourth to sixth, as the field began
picking their lines.
A quick flip by Kevin Swindell
in turn four stopped the action, and two laps later Jones did
the same thing, whle battling for the lead.
Quick repairs by the teams under
the red flag situation allowed the field to readjust themselves
to the ever-changing track conditions.
It was on the restart that Ballou
went for all or nothing, as he went three wide off of turn two
and assumed the lead he was to hold to the finish.
A rash of cautions for varying
reasons slowed the pace of the race, but through it all, there
was no denying the determined Ballou. Coons attempted several
lanes around the massive one-half mile oval, but couldn’t
muster the combination to upset Ballou. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr,
rode home third, followed in order by Jon Stanbrough and Short.
The Modified feature provided
equal fireworks as well. The first 9 laps went smooth, as the
field used every inch of the track; however lap 9 brought about
8 consecutive laps of attrition. Through it all, Todd Sherman,
who is making his first full attempt towards an Eldora crown,
maintained his cool and rode to his first-ever win.
Defending champion Chad Ruhlman
drove a steady race from deep in the pack to finish second,
followed by Mike Roediger, Stan Smith and Mark Kowarsch.
Nothing fazed Babcock, as he simply
drove away from the rest of the Stock Cars. After taking the
leading from Bob Burch in a wild four lap battle, Babcock was
in a world of his own. He easily outdistanced Burch for the
win, with Earnie Woodard, Davod Hollon and Tim Bowen completing
the top five..
