8/5/2008

MECHANICAL FAILURE SIDELINES RUDOLPH AT SPENCER
BUSY WEEKEND LIES AHEAD

   Last Friday night Erick Rudolph of Ransomville and the DeLange Racing team competed in a 100-lap Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour event at Spencer Speedway in Williamson, New York. After qualifying in the first heat race, Rudolph lined up ninth on the feature starting grid in the #45 Original Pizza Logs/PrimeTyme Motorsports/Brigham Concrete Modified and patiently worked his way forward despite a power steering problem that made the car difficult to steer. The talented teenager was up to third by the halfway mark in the race and looked to be a strong contender for victory. But the power steering leak steadily worsened and under a caution on lap 80 Rudolph was sent to the pits by the RoC Tour officials, ending his night. He was credited with a disappointing 17^th place finish.
   This coming weekend will be a busy one for Erick and the DeLange team. On Friday they will travel east to Connecticut for the 18th Annual New England Dodge Dealers 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at famed Stafford Motor Speedway. Earlier in the 2008 season Rudolph competed twice in Whelen Tour events at Stafford, including a strong ninth place finish in a 150-lap event on Friday night, May 23. He hopes to build on that performance this Friday night.
   “We had a good racecar at Stafford the last time we were there,” admits Rudolph. “We ran well and also had some good luck, narrowly avoiding an accident early in the race. We’ve run twice at Stafford and improved each time, so we’re looking forward to returning for a third time this Friday. It’s always fun to race against the drivers and teams that follow the Tour – they’re among the best Modified racers anywhere and you test yourself and your team when you race against them. We enjoy the challenge.”
   Friday night will be the first half of a very aggressive doubleheader weekend for DeLange Racing. After racing at Stafford they will head west to compete at their home track on Saturday night – Dunn Tire Raceway Park in Lancaster, New York. The famed oval near Buffalo will be holding their 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring five different classes of racecars. The DeLange team will be doing double duty, racing both the #45 Modified in a 100-lap Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour event along with the #45 Original Pizza Logs/PrimeTyme Motorsports/Brigham Concrete SST in a 50-lap feature for the Lorigo Insurance SST Sportsman. It should be a memorable night to honor a half-century of racing excellence. Come join us in the celebration!

Source: Bruce Boucher/DeLange Racing PR
Posted: August 5, 2008