Ruman Explodes to 5th Trans Am Win of the Season
July 6, 2015
Munroe Falls, Ohio – Amy Ruman and team headed North over the 4th of July holiday weekend for Round 6 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR). She had one mission in mind – to gain as many points as possible in the Championship and she did just that. Ruman’s win at the Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic was her fifth triumph this season out of the first six races on the schedule, also marking the tenth victory in her Trans Am career.
Ruman dominated most of the weekend in her No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette leading both official practices and falling just shy of the pole position in qualifying, taking second to Peterson on the grid. It was a hot, humid, sunny day at BIR as the three Trans Am classes took the green at 1:50 in the afternoon.
On the start, Peterson and Ruman lead the field to the green. The two went side-by-side down the straight with Ruman tucking in behind Peterson heading into turn 4. Ruman slotted into a close second. On lap 5, Ruman saw an opportunity and took it, sliding under Peterson in turn 6 as the two drag raced to turn 7. Ruman went deep into the brake zone on the outside, and Peterson was too hot into the corner, locking up the front brakes. Ruman crossed back and made the pass stick, and never looked back. After a late race caution, Ebben got past Peterson and made a charge for Ruman, but she controlled the gap for the rest of the race to come out on top.
“This McNichols 23 car has just been awesome all year long,” said Ruman. “I just waited patiently and set Doug up for that pass, and we made it stick. I thought Cliff had something for us at the end, but I just tried to focus and stay out front, and to God be the Glory on this one, because they threw everything at us; it was hot, it was dirty, it was grimy, it was slick, and it was just a long race— but luckily we prevailed.”
Ruman’s consistency and strength opened a 37-point gap in the battle for the Championship over second place points runner Paul Fix, who had contact with another competitor early on in the race and was unable to continue. Heading into the last 6 races, Ruman stands in the lead with 193, Fix in second with 156, and Peterson in third at 144.
“We were hoping to come into this weekend and try and gain as many points as we could and thankfully that happened for us,” said Ruman. “Unfortunately for Paul things didn’t turn out well, but we’ll take the points. We really want to win this championship; there are six races to go yet and it’s a long season. We’re not going to take anything for granted, and we’ll take that momentum into our hometrack at Mid-Ohio next round.”
Fans can tune in and catch all the action from Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic at Brainerd International Raceway, which will be tape delayed and broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Saturday, July 25, 12:00 p.m. EST.
Sponsor: McNICHOLS CO. is the nation’s largest distributor of Perforated and Expanded Metals; Wire Mesh; Bar, Plank, and Safety Gratings; Stair Treads; Matting; and more. Products are carried in all styles and materials–stocked for 24 hour shipment. “Inspired to Serve”™ 800.237.3820 mcnichols.com.
For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow Ruman Racing and the Trans Am Series on Twitter: @rumanracing and @gotransam. Be sure to “Like” our official pages on Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and Go Trans Am.
