FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 12, 2011

50/50 CHANCE OF A DIFFERENT ALMS WINNER AT ELDORA

ROSSBURG, OH (April 12) – While veteran drivers have ruled supreme over the last three years of the season’s initial appearance of the Sunoco sponsored American Late Model Series (ALMS) at Eldora Speedway, history dictates a 50/50 chance of either a rookie winner or even a new name to be added to the win list.

When the regional series invades Eldora’s one-half mile clay oval this Saturday evening (April 16), it will mark the 61st appearance since its debut in 1995. Of the 60 events completed to date, there have been 29 different winners, with 16 of those wins going to drivers accomplishing their first-ever Eldora triumph.

Former Eldora Late Model champion Jeep VanWormer has a strong run going in ALMS action at Eldora, with wins in three of the four past seasons, including the opening night wins in each of the past two years. Although he has yet to wear an ALMS crown, the highly popular Michigan speedster currently sits in a tie with 6-time ALMS champion Kris Patterson for the most Eldora/ALMS wins at five each. A victory Saturday could catapult him to the top of the list.

Defending ALMS champion Brian Ruhlman is the other veteran to have dominated recent opening night action with his 2008 conquest, and a repeat performance Saturday could move him into a three-way tie for that position above the win list. He currently has four to his name.

Ironically the most recent driver to capture his first-ever Eldora win while under the Sunoco sponsored ALMS banner was Rusty Schlenk last May. Schlenk went on to win the national championship for UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Late Models. UMP is the sanctioning body for the ALMS series.

Joining the ALMS tour Saturday evening will be the companion UMP Modifieds as they attempt to get their first full program of the season into the record books, along with the Eldora Stock Cars. Race time is 7:30 PM and full event details may be found on the track’s website www.eldoraspeedway.com