2003

Brian Ruhlman Racing and Mike Lawrence Motorsports would like to thank all of our 2003 sponsors. Please support the companies that support our sport. (And mention that you saw their name on our cars)

Here's a picture of Brian and Chad in UMP modifieds at Eldora at the Fall Nationals.

Chad will be driving the Sanning family owned #2J all season at the Big E in 2004.

Brian received his second consecutive Eldora Late Model Championship honors at the Eldora Speedway banquet this past weekend. Brian also finished 3rd in the modified division points winning all six feature events he competed in at the speedway.

This past weekend, Brian competed in the DTWC at Bluegrass Speedway. He qualified 22nd fast out of 151 cars. Starting 3rd in the 4th heat, Brian was pressuring Rodney Combs for the transfer spot when Combs slipped out of the groove while passing a lap car and spun. "Somehow" Combs was given his spot back after bringing out the caution and Brian ended up third,putting him on the pole for the 2nd B-main on Sunday.

In the B-main, Brian finished 3rd, one spot out of transferring to the feature. Brian was in the final transfer spot but a failed pass on leader, Rick Corbin, let Rick Aukland get by for second, ending our chances for a starting spot in the DTWC.

The Lawrence Motorsports team and Brian Ruhlman captured the 2003 Eldora Speedway Late model Championship this past week end with a 2nd place finish in the UMP Fall Nationals race at Eldora. This is the second straight late model championship for Brian at Eldora and the third straight championship for the Lawrence Motorsports team as they also won the title in 2001 with former driver Jerry Bowersock.

Brian also was the winner of the UMP Modified portion of the Fall Nationals in his own #49 Modified setting fast time over the 175 cars entered. Chad Ruhlman set 2nd fast time in the Sanning Motorsports #2J making history at the Big E by becoming the first brothers to qualify 1-2 at an event at the speedway. Chad suffered a flat tire while leading his heat race dropping him from the running.

The emod finished 2nd Friday night and broke while leading in Saturday's big race at the Pittsburgher.

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On the pole of the 30-lap feature event for the ALMS late models was the 3 of Rick DeLong and on the outside front row was Hillard Miller. From the drop of the green flag, Miller couldn't be touched. The battle was for the runner up position as Rick DeLong, Justin Paxton, Wayne Maffett, Jr., and Brian Ruhlman raced sometimes 4 wide for the second spot. Miller had it on cruise control as he picked up the A-Main victory. Second was Justin Paxton, third was Wayne Maffett, Jr., fourth was Rick DeLong, fifth was Brian Ruhlman, sixth was Duane Chamberlin, seventh was Kris Patterson, eighth was Jerry Bowersock, ninth was Scott Bowersock, and rounding out the top ten was Ronnie Perrine.

A very cool picture of the car just prior to lining up for our second qualifying lap.

News Release

BRIAN RUHLMAN RUHLS HARTFORD

HIGH BANKS IN UMP MODS

8-22-03

By: Dick Nevins

              They have been the most consistently exciting class at the “wicked half-mile” this
       season. With a good field of cars, there has also been a good mix of winners both local
       and visiting from Indiana and Illinois . They are the UMP Modifieds and they put on
       another great show at Hartford Speedway Park Friday Night.

            One particular dirt track star from exit 59 on the Ohio turnpike decided to travel to
       exit 46 on I-94. It was Brian Ruhlman from Maumee , OH., UMP Modifieds champ at
       Eldora Speedway and currently second in points in the Sunoco American Late Model
       series. Ruhlman made his Michigan trip worthwhile as he took the 25 lap feature and
       pocketed $1000.

            Hartford ’s’ “Doctor of Racentology” announcer Wayne Bunn told the crowd to “keep
       your eyes on the 49 car,” and it was good advice as tenth starting Ruhlman advanced
       through the pack. Hartford points leader Curt Spalding led from lap1 with Star City ,
       Indiana ’s Jesse Bitterling challenging every lap. By lap 11 Ruhlman was up to third and
       got by Bitterling on the outside on lap 15. With an inside move on lap 22, Ruhlman got by
       Spalding for good and blasted under the checkered flag with Spalding, Bitterling, Jeff
       Sayles, Tony Roland, Mick Roach, “Bub” Patrick and George Molter behind. Spalding
       took the first heat over Sayles and William Harrison took heat two over Bitterling.

Brian picked up the UMP Modified feature win at Hartford Speedway Park in Hartford , MI Friday night. He also finished 2nd in the #11 Lawrence Motorsports Late Model during the ALMS event.