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Ballou rides to Eldora 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..
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USAC SPRINT BORDER WARS
USAC SPRINTS - 35 cars
Fast Time: Tracy Hines 15.712
Heat 1: Tracy Hines, Chris Windom, Brady Short, Jon Stanbrough, Mike Brecht, Jesse Hockett, Jimmy Light, Jake Martens, Don Droud, Jr.
Heat 2: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Jerry Coons, Jr., Shane Hollingsworth, Dave Darland, Shane Cottle, Levi Jones, Brett Mellenberendt, Donnie Ray Crawford
Heat 3: Daron Clayton, Kevin Swindell, Brady Bacon, Mat Neeley, Ron Dennis, Cody White, Danny Williams, Jr., Damion Gardner
Heat 4: Robert Ballow, Darren Hagen, Hunter Schuerenberg, Dustin Morgan, John Heydenreich, Mike Miller, Bill Rose
B-Main: Jesse Hockett, Damion Gardner, Levi Jones, Shane Cottle, Ron Dennis, Bill Rose, Mike Miller, Bret Mellenbernet, Cody White, Jake Martens, Jimmy Light, Donnie Ray Crawford, Mike Brecht, John Heydenreich, Don Droud, Jr.
25-lap A-Main
1)Robert Ballou 2)Jerry Coons, Jr. 3)Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. 4)Jon Stanbrough 5)Brady Short 6)Damion Gardner 7)Darren Hagen 8)Jesse Hockett 9)Tracy Hines 10)Dave Darland 11)Shane Hollingsworth 12)Bill Rose 13)Dustin Morgan 14)Brady Bacon 15)Mat Neeley 16)Donnie Ray Crawford 17)Daron Clayton 18)Levi Jones 19)Hunter Schuerenberg 20)Kevin Swindell 21)Shane Cottle 22)Chris Windom 23)Ron Dennis
UMP MODIFIEDS - 33 cars
Heat 1: Scott Orr, Doug Hewitt, Jr., Shaun Smith, Tim Richardson, Tom Treon, Warren Shingleton, Mike Dirksen, Jack Waldfogel, Davey Gantt
Heat 2: Stan Smith, Rob Williams, Gary Richard, Chad Rosenbeck, Tony Anderson, Brad McLeod, Brian Ruhlman, Bill Lewis
Heat 3: Chad Ruhlman, Bob Burch, Mark Kowarsch, Justin Matson, Rob Trent, Zach Walkup, Jim Haager, David Treon, Jr.
Heat 4: Steve Shute, Todd Sherman, Todd Sanders, Mike Roediger, John Brooks, Lenny Guyton, Jeremy Grover, Shane Unger
B-Main 1: David Treon, Jr., Warren Shingleton, Brian Ruhlman, Brad McLeod, Tony Anderson, Bill Lewis, Mike Dirksen
B-Main 2: John Brooks, Rob Trent, Lenny Guyton, Shane Unger, Zach Walkup, Jeremy Grover
A-Main: Todd Sherman, Chad Ruhlman, Mike Roediger, Stan Smith, Mark Kowarsch, Scott orr, Shaun Smith, Brian Ruhlman, Rob Trent, Lenny Guyton, Warren Shingleton, Justin Matson, Todd Sanders, Steve Shute, Bob Burch, Tom Treon, Doug Hewitt, Rob Williams, John Brooks, Tim Richardson, Chad Rosenbeck, Gary Richard
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STOCK CARS = 41 cars
Heat 1: Bob Burch, Jerry Butler, Kevin Gossard, Ryan Sutter, Luke Timmerman, Earnie Woodard, John Phlipot, Dan Everman, Josh Morton, Shawn Wildermuth
Heat 2: Barney Craig, Shawn Phillippi, John Brooks, Jeff Hatcher, Rob Shaner, Gabe Wombolt, Jamie Heiser, Brad Conover
Heat 3: Tony Anderson, Tim Rostorfer, David Hollon, Doug Matheny, Tim Bowen, Jason Kinney, Josh Greber, Doug Thieman, Adam Schaeff, Chad Barr
Heat 4: Jeff Babcock, Matt Phlipot, Brandy Schultz, Glenn Knick, Brad Jessup, Mike Barr, Paul Wagner, Larry Jones, Gene Smith
B-Main 1: Brad Conover, Earnie Woodard, Gabe Wombolt, Jamie Heiser, John Phlipot, Luke Timmerman, Ed Shaner, Shawn Wildermuth, Dan Everman, Josh Morton, Mike Dirksen
B-Main 2: Chad Barr, Josh Greber, Tim Bowen, Paul Wagner, Jason Kinner, Brad Jessup, Mike Barr, Larry Jones, Doug Thieman, Adam Schaeff, Gene Smith
A-Main: Jeff Babcock, Bob Burch, Earnie Woodard, David Hollon, Tim Bowen, Tim Rostorfer, Ryan Sutter, Shawn Phillippi, John Brooks, Gabe Wombolt, Tony Anderson, Glenn Knick, Josh Greber, Barney Craig, Jerry Butler, Doug Matheny, Matt Phlipot, Jim Hatcher, Brad Conover, Jamie Heiser, Chad Barr, Brandy Schultz.
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