Post by LMR on 05/26/13 at 11:09pm
ALMS Late Models
Eldora Speedway
May 26, 2013
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Babcock scores first ALMS Late Model victory at Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, OH (May 26) – A pair of new names were etched into the Johnny Appleseed Classic by Miller Lite record books Sunday night at Eldora Speedway, while another pair of veterans returned to familiar roots on the coveted Eldora stage. Ruling over a jammed pit area of 129 race teams were Jeff Babcock (Sunoco American Late Model Series) and Ron Blair (NRA Sprint Invaders) for their initial wins, while Brian Ruhlman (UMP DIRTcar Modifieds) and Paul Pardo (Stock Cars) added to their Eldora win totals.
The Sunoco ALMS 25-lap chase was slowed by only one caution, but for young sensation Jacob Hawkins that was one caution too many. After chasing down and reeling in early race leader, and eventual winner, Babock, Hawkins had just completed a well executed pass for the lead when defending UMP DIRTcar Late Model champion Rusty Schlenk dropped off the pass and looped it in turn three.
With scoring reverting back to the previously completed lap, Babcock re-inherited the top spot. A double-file restart line-up gave Hawkins a second chance, but with Babcock taking the more preferred high line on the .500-mile clay oval on the restart, he was able to get the jump on the reappearing green flag. He took with him Jonathan Davenport as Hawkins slipped back to third.
That set up a wild three-car battle for the victory bragging rights, as no less than six cars engaged in a similar chase behind them.
Babcock maintained a smooth line through lapped traffic as the checkered flag approached and it couldn’t come any sooner, as Hawkins finally cleared Davenport with two laps remaining and had his sights on taking back the premier position. Time ran out, allowing Babcock to get his initial ALMS win at Eldora. Hawkins registered his best-ever Eldora Late Model run for runner-up honors, followed in close pursuit by Davenport, defending Eldora Late Model champion Jeep VanWormer and Kent Robinson.
A-Main
1 2 1J Jeff Babcock
2 4 20H Jacob Hawkins
3 5 49D Jonathan Davenport
4 9 55 Jeep Van Wormer
5 13 7R Kent Robinson
6 12 95J Jerry Bowersock
7 6 88 Andrew Reaume
8 8 3 Matt Miller
9 1 49 Brian Ruhlman
10 3 13 JR Hotovy
11 16 15H Jon Henry
12 18 89 Mike Spatola
13 11 75M Dusty Moore
14 7 32S Chad Stapleton
15 10 1N Casey Noonan
16 15 77K Steve Kester
17 14 M14 Brandon Thirlby
18 20 19 Chad Smith
19 22 15A Phil Ausra
20 17 46 Tim Rivers
21 19 2 Justin Chance
22 21 91S Rusty Schlenk
B-Main #1
1 46 Tim Rivers
2 2 Justin Chance
3 91S Rusty Schlenk
4 25S Jason Smith
5 00K Chris Keller
6 11S Ryan Sutter
7 36 Matt Irey
8 79U Shane Unger
9 4S Rob Starkey
10 33 Don Gordon
11 87 Richard Neiser
12 42* Bob Mayer
B-Main #2
1 89 Mike Spatola
2 19 Chad Smith
3 20C Duane Chamberlain
4 13G Andy Galgoci
5 555 Justin Coulter
6 34R Herb Reich
7 15A Phil Ausra
8 21B Rich Bell
9 RH21 Gregg Haskell
10 11R James Rice
11 9G Larry Greer
12 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr
Heat #1
1 49 Brian Ruhlman
2 49D Jonathan Davenport
3 55 Jeep Van Wormer
4 7R Kent Robinson
5 46 Tim Rivers
6 25S Jason Smith
7 00K Chris Keller
8 4S Rob Starkey
9 36 Matt Irey
10 91S Rusty Schlenk
Heat #2
1 1J Jeff Babcock
2 88 Andrew Reaume
3 1N Casey Noonan
4 M14 Brandon Thirlby
5 19 Chad Smith
6 15A Phil Ausra
7 20C Duane Chamberlain
8 21B Rich Bell
9 13G Andy Galgoci
10 34R Herb Reich
Heat #3
1 13 Jr Hotovy
2 32S Chad Stapleton
3 75M Dusty Moore
4 77K Steve Kester
5 2 Justin Chance
6 33 Don Gordon
7 79U Shane Unger
8 87 Richard Neiser
9 11S Ryan Sutter
10 42* Bob Mayer
Heat #4
1 20H Jacob Hawkins
2 3 Matt Miller
3 95J Jerry Bowersock
4 15H Jon Henry
5 89 Mike Spatola
6 11R James Rice
7 9G Larry Greer
8 RH21 Gregg Haskell
9 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr
10 555 Justin Coulter
Event Photos courtesy of Jim Denhamer
