Hartford, MI (Friday, August 13, 2021) - An impressive field of 24 Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP cars unloaded Friday night at Hartford Speedway during autograph night to put on another impressive show. A nice crowd was on hand to watch as Ryan Ruhl increased his win total to five on the season.
The first competitive laps of the night were for the Ti22 Performance Fast Qualifier Award. Linden Jones broke the track record set just last season when he turned in a lap of 14.919. Jones was the only driver to dip into the 14-second bracket for the entire night.
Chase Ridenour and Danny Sams led the field to the green flag ahead of the 25 lap main event. Ridenour found a home out front for the first five rotations before fourth starting Ruhl caught the 2016 Series Champion. The pair swapped the lead four times before the caution came out with 16 laps to go when Keith Sheffer, Jr, Levi Poortenga, and Ryan Coniam all get together in turns three and four.
On the restart, Ruhl picked up right where he left off opening up a nice lead over Ridenour, but was quickly slowed again as RJ Payne spun in turn three. The race was slowed another time when Nick Hull lost a left rear tire coming back to the green.
With 15 laps to go, Ruhl set the pace again out front with Ridenour in second as the battle waged for third. Sams held the third spot but points leader Max Stambaugh, who was coming from ninth, wanted the spot. The pair exchanged slide jobs and crossovers for two laps, with the biggest moment coming off turn four when Sams’ front bumper made contact with the tail tank of Stambaugh, pointing Stambaugh toward the infield momentarily. Both drivers recovered and continued to race for third when the final caution flag flew with nine to go when Jett Mann spun in turn two.
On the final restart, the first two positions remained unchanged with Ruhl and Ridenour staying out front. Stambaugh eventually lost the third spot to Dustin Daggett and Gregg Dalman rounded out the top five.
For more information on the Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP log onto www.GreatLakesSprints.com or find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
Story - Zach Hiser, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - Jim DenHamer