Stateline Speedway
Ruhlman outduels Blair for IRS win at Stateline
By Glenn Slocum
Stateline Speedway
Chad Ruhlman tunes up at Stateline. (Todd Battin)
BUSTI, N.Y. (July 19) — Sixth-starting Chad Ruhlman of Bemus Point, N.Y., overtook Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., on the 12th lap, then fought off challenges from Blair the rest of the way at Stateline Speedway for his first Independent Racing Series victory. Ruhlman, who nearly lost the lead to Blair with two laps remaining in the Neil's Propane 50, held on for a narrow victory worth $5,000. The polesitting Blair, the series points leader, was followed across the finish line by Chris Hackett of Erie, Pa., Rich Gardner of Waterford, Pa., and Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind. Dutch Davies of Warren, Pa., led the first seven laps but faded to finish 11th. Blair led laps 8-11.
Notes: Ruhlman's car is sponsored by St. Henry Nite Club and U.S. Foodservice. ... IRS competitors skipped time trials after rain early in the evening. ... Track points leader Doug Eck and Dick Barton got together on an early restart, knocking Barton out of the race; Eck pulled out on the 41st lap. ... Heat race winner Wally Fox and Jason Dupont tangled on lap 45 for the race's final caution. ... The next IRS event is July 26 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.
IRS @ Stateline: (1) Chad Ruhlman, (2) Robbie Blair, (3) Chris Hackett, (4) Rich Gardner, (5) David Scott, (6) Chad Valone, (7) Mike Knight, (8) Ron Davies, (9) Duane Chamberlain, (10) Andy Boozel, (11) Bump Hedman, (11) Dutch Davies, (12) Rod Maloy, (13) Kirk Bradley, (14) Boom Briggs, (15) Darrell Bossard, (16) Wally Fox, (17) Merle Terry, (18) Rick Aukland, (19) Dave Hess Jr., (20) Randy Lobb, (21) Jason Dupont, (22) Doug Eck, (23) John Lobb, (24) Andy Kania, (25) George LaBarbera, (26) Greg Johnson, (27) Dick Barton. Heat race winners: Blair, D. Davies, Fox, R. Davies. Consolation winners: Dupont, J. Lobb. Dash winner: Blair.
