Ruevers Roars to Elko Coca-Cola Victory Lane
June 19, 2004

Elko, MN- Donny Ruevers returned to Elko Speedway Saturday Night in style as he worked the inside lane past early race leader Steve Murgic to claim his first NASCAR Budweiser Super Late Model feature victory of the season.  Sportsmen competition witnessed Steve Schultz win in dominating fashion for his second win of 2004, Conrad Jorgenson slid past a melee of lead pack cars to take top honors for Coca-Cola Thunder Cars, Dustin Mann made it two wins in a row in ACDelco Power Stock action with Todd Wilson and Troy Tuma besting Winged Figure 8 action.

The green flag flew with Steve Murgic jumping to the point during the Coca-Cola 40 with Jon Lemke, Donny Ruevers, Jeff Martin and Rick Burns in tow.  Murgic motored through the first half of the race with Lemke, Ruevers and Martin two wide attempting to make a run on the Twin Cities Champ.  Ruevers would be the first to get a good run on Murgic after multiple unsuccessful attempts by Lemke.  With thirteen laps remaining Ruevers rocketed into the lead only to have Lemke reel him in as the laps wound down.  On this night Ruevers would best Lemke, followed by last week’s feature winner Jake Ryan, Martin and Brian Johnson.

Once the field settled down during the Elko Sportsmen feature, Mike Skaja found himself with a rearview mirror full of his competitors.  Former division Champion Steve Schultz shot into the lead creating a sizeable advantage over his foes with fifteen laps remaining.  Doug Brown, Skaja and Duane Halvorson found themselves in a dog fight for second when the caution flag flew for a multiple car accident in turn one.  Brown restarted inside Schultz and mounted a strong effort to overtake the top spot, but Schultz had the field covered.  Halvorson battled into second at the finish, Skaja, Brown and Dean Leffler posted top five finishes.

A heated battle amongst the top ten Thunder Car drivers saw the lead change hands multiple times between Dave Sellner, Jr and Michael Crilly with Ted Ruevers, Matt Carlander and Dave Franek hounding the two leaders.  After multiple restarts Crilly and Sellner touched, opening the door for defending Coca-Cola Thunder Car Champion Conrad Jorgenson with just two laps to go.  Ruevers would work his way into second as the checkered flag waved, Crilly settled for third with Kevin Turek and Raymond Sandgren rounding out the top five.

Chad Tuma looked to be on his way to a feature victory during the ACDelco Power Stock feature, that was until Cliff Adee shot to his inside in turn three.  Adee and Tuma tapped in four and made heavy contact coming out of turn four sending Adee around and into the hard charging Jeff Partington, sending the Partington machine into a shower of sparks.  On the restart Bud Kane looked to have the advantage, while Dustin Mann and Robert Clingingsmith were on the outside looking in.  Mann moved to the outside in his quest for a second straight feature win.  Mann made the move work, Kane was second, Clingingsmith third, Brock Weber finished fourth and Scott King got a top five finish for his efforts. 

Feature number one of the Winged Figure 8’s saw Todd Wilson best Ricky Martin as they sliced their way through the X.  Troy Tuma managed to hold off Phil Jones in the second Winged Figure 8 feature to receive the victory honors.

NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action resumes next Saturday night during Round one of the ACDelco Super Summer Series.  The NASCAR Budweiser Super Late Model drivers will be joined by top regional drivers including defending ASA National Champion Kevin Cywinski in Twin 40 lap features.  Elko Sportsmen, Coca-Cola Thunder Cars and ACDelco Power Stocks are also on the card.  Gates open at 5:30, Qualifying begins at 6 with the first big race at 7.  Adult general admission tickets are $12 day of the race or $10 in advance, ages 5-12 are $5 with children 4 and under admitted free.  Elko Speedway is located one mile west of I-35 exit 76, ten miles south of Burnsville.  For additional information call the Elko Speedway Box Office at 952-461-RACE or visit www.goelkospeedway.com.