Ruppel Podiums Twice at Bark River – Moves into Second Place in Championship Standings

Chetek, WI (July 16, 2008) – Ruppel Motorsports needed to put together two strong finishes to get into serious contention for the 2008 WSORR Super Truck Championship title. Eric Ruppel did not disappoint his large following of fans, as he enjoyed podium celebrations, both Saturday and Sunday.

Stock Truck
Round V
Eric Ruppel and his #837 PHILS INC.COM Art Carr Transmission BFGoodrich Tires Ford F-150 Stock Truck came out of the land rush start, behind Mitch Dorr and leader Craig Metz. The top three trucks ran very closely together until lap six, when leader Metz experienced transmission problems, allowing Dorr and Eric to move up a position. The rest of the way, Eric could catch Dorr but couldn’t make a clean move to capture the top spot. At the finish, it was Mitch Dorr – 1st, Eric Ruppel – 2nd, and Scott Beauchamp – 3rd.

“We really had fun today,” commented Eric Ruppel. “Once Metz spun I thought I had a chance for the win. Mitch ran a heck of a race, congrats to him on his first win. Today, the truck was handling just awesome, the BFGoodrich tires really allowed me to try different lines, and that Art Carr tranny, once again, never missed a beat. Maybe tomorrow we can get the top spot.”

Kramer and the crew went to work prepping the PHILSINC.COM Ford looking for any loose bolts, fluid leaks, or anything out of the ordinary. The white #837 was race ready by 9pm Saturday night.

Round VI
The land rush start had Eric and his #837 Ford coming out of the first turn in sixth place. By lap three, the Chetek, Wisconsin native was in third place, right behind #817 Dorr. The two trucks ran side by side, nose to tail, until lap eight when Eric was able to make the pass stick, for second place. At the finish, it was Al Konitzer – 1st , Eric Ruppel – 2nd, and Mitch Dorr – 3rd.

The back to back runner-up finishes moved Eric Ruppel into second place in the 2008 WSORR Stock Truck Championship standings. He is only five points out of first place.

“Today’s start put us back farther than we wanted, but we got through in one piece,” stated Eric Ruppel. “The truck handled awesome all weekend long. The Fox Shox and the Deaver springs were set up perfect. Our BFGoodrich tires kept us up front all weekend. Of course, the bulletproof transmission from Art Carr never fails. Hats off to Mitch Dorr, we ran together all weekend and were still talking to one another. He may be a rookie, but runs like a veteran. This class is so competitive; I think seven or eight guys still have a shot at the championship.”

In fact, the top eight Stock Truck drivers are within twenty eight points of the leader, Craig Metz.

The next race for Eric Ruppel is under the lights, July 25-26 at the Oshkosh Speedzone in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Ruppel Motorsports thanks all his supporters, including:
Art Carr Transmission,
Chetek Off-Road,
Phil’s Inc. – Auto Parts Warehouse,
BFGoodrich Tires,
Beards Super Seats,
Halama Synthetics – AMSOIL,
Optima Batteries, KC Hilites, True Flow Air Filters, Fox Shox, Trail Ready Beadlocks, R & R Crane Services, Ringers Gloves, MSD Ignition, Team Tech Motorsports, and Summit Racing.

Eric Ruppel still has sponsorship opportunities available for the 2008 World Series of Off-Road Racing. For more information, email: rupe@chibardun.net 
www.ericruppel.com

-Mike Reusche, marketing – MT Graphics. mike@mt-graphics.com