Sam Stoecklin, ULMA Media Relations was proud to present James Rutledge with his Duel Showdown trophy (holding his son). Photo by: John Lee of High Fly'n Photos

 

James Rutledge Notches First Win and Takes Home the ULMA Duel Showdown Championship!

Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Media Relations
Warrensburg, MO
May 29, 2007

With the first-ever United Late Model Association (ULMA) special event now in the books, California, Missouri late model ace James Rutledge walked away from last weekend’s race action as the ULMA Duel Showdown Champion. The duel consisted of two nights of competition for ULMA member drivers, which started Friday night at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri and then commenced at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg, Missouri on Saturday night May 26th. Valley Speedway welcomed 21 late models to the track, (16 of which were ULMA members), last Friday night for the first-annual Mike Brockert Memorial, which also served as night one of the showdown. Mike Brockert, one of the most successful local limited late model competitors in the greater Kansas City area, passed away during the off season after a long battle with cancer. The car count for the late models at Valley Speedway was the best-ever for regular racing at the facility and promoter Mark Evinger had the track in lightning quick shape for the drivers on hand. Fans in the stands were on their feet cheering their favorite drivers right until the checkered flag flew, bringing night one of the showdown to a close.

It took three 7-car heat races to sort out the lineup for the 25-lap Brockert Memorial race. Jim Adkins raced his way to victory lane in heat one over Brett Rollert. In heat race two, Jon Binning outgunned Kevin Coyne and Chad Frewalt while Jamie Wineland took the checkered flag in heat three over James Rutledge and Derek Nevels. Adkins and Binning started on the front row at the start of the feature event with Wineland and Rollert close behind as the field headed off into turns one and two. Sixth-starting Rutledge got loose heading into turn one and spun in the marbles while nearly the entire field tried to miss him. Soon after Rutledge’s spin, drivers heading down the backstretch trying to slow down for the race restart couldn’t get slowed down in time and a huge chain reaction incident took out several strong competitors; including Jason Estes, Allen Perryman and Adkins. Once the field was sorted out and realigned, with Rutledge starting tailback, the race finally got underway with Binning showing the way. By lap 12 Brett Rollert was right on Binning’s bumper challenging for the lead and as the two came off of turn four on lap 14 they touched, with Rollert spinning to the infield. Binning was able to continue initially but wound up taking his car to the pits with a flat tire and ultimately finishing in 12th position, Rollert was credited with 11th. The final 10 laps were extremely exciting as Jamie Wineland did all he could to fend of the challenges of Kevin Coyne and Rutledge, who had made a big surge through the field late in the event. Lap after lap the three jockeyed for position with Rutledge finally making the move for the lead off of turn four late in the race. Rutledge was never challenged again as Coyne and Wineland’s battle continued for second spot over the final few laps. Wineland eventually edged Coyne at the line for second with a consistent and patient running Danny Lorton winding up crossing the line in fourth.

On Saturday night at CMS, there were 15 late models signed in to compete, 12 of which were ULMA members. Jason Estes rebounded from his disappointing run the night before to post a second-place run. Another consistent run by David Angell led to an outstanding third-place run by the first-year late model driver. Jeremy Watts and Danny Lorton also used strategic driving and patience to post top six finishes. James Rutledge went on to win the Duel Showdown championship over Kevin Coyne by the slimmest of margins despite not completing the race. His ninth place finish was enough to hold off Coyne who had the duel championship in his sights by running in the top five until the white flag was set to fly in the 20-lap feature event. Unfortunately for Coyne, he lost a motor and had to settle for second in the duel final standings after being credited with a seventh place run in the feature event. With his win and ninth place finish, Rutledge added to his early season overall point’s lead; he now has 10 starts so far this season, more than any other ULMA competitor. Complete rundowns of the final ULMA Duel Showdown standings and regular point standings appear at the end of this press release.

Unfortunately Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri, was rained out on Friday the 25th; however, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri was able to run their racing program last Saturday night with a strong field of drivers on hand. All total there were eight member drivers present of the 21 late models competing. Defending Lucas Oil Speedway track champion, Kevin Kaiser, recorded his best finish of the year with a valiant run to second position. Kaiser’s consistency and ability to finish races has led to his rise in the standings this week to seventh overall with only six starts! Jeff Schlup had a nice run in fourth in the final feature rundown with Donnie Gemes finishing eighth. All four affiliated tracks will be back in action this coming weekend on Friday, June 1st at Callaway Raceway and Valley Speedway and again on Saturday, June 2nd at Lucas Oil Speedway and Central Missouri Speedway.

There are still at least 30 possible points nights left for current and hopeful ULMA members. It is definitely NOT too late to join this growing association of drivers focused on securing a future for weekly late model racing. Membership to the association is an incredibly low $50 to join! Drivers on the circuit this year are competing for total contingency and bonus money in excess of $8,000 in the association’s first year of existence! In just seven short months ULMA has garnered the attention of many drivers and has definitely had a positive impact on car counts at its affiliated tracks. After 15 officially scored points-earning events, drivers will begin replacing their lowest point nights with improved results. For further information be sure to visit the official ULMA Website at www.ulmaracing.com or you may address any questions you may have to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. Official ULMA embroidered hats are now available for $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers, the hat can be viewed and ordered from the Website. ULMA t-shirts will be available soon so be sure to check the Website for more information and availability. Affiliate membership to the ULMA is only $10; affiliate members receive a free ULMA sticker and discounts on ULMA merchandise. Don’t get left behind in the dust … racing with ULMA is a must!

ULMA thanks all of its sponsors for the 2007 season. When you visit our great sponsors tell them you heard about them through the ULMA and thank them for their support of dirt-track racing!

TITLE SPONSOR: WK Chevrolet, Sedalia, Missouri.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Foster’s Transmission & Repair, Imhoff Construction Inc., Schroeder Rotary Drilling and Pump Company

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: INCE Race Cars, Bodee’s Race Bodies, Fast Shafts, Schroeder Rotary Drilling and Pump Company, J & T Racing, Mike Crump Racing Supply, Randy’s Race Mart, Photography by Shelly Payne, Ken Dake-Attorney at Law.