Long Beach: Randy Ruhlman qualifying notes

RUHLMAN TO START ON FRONT ROW AT CYTOMAX CHALLENGE AT THE LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX

Long Beach, CA (April 9,2005)--Qualifying presented an exciting beginning to the 2005 Trans-Am Series season this morning, as veteran drivers vied for the top positions in a back and forth battle in Fast Five Qualifying®. The pole was captured by NASCAR driver and 2002 Trans-Am Champion Boris Said, but the top five will be inverted for the start, putting the Corvette of Ruhlman on the outside of the front row next to the Jaguar of former Trans-Am Champion Greg Pickett.

Ruhlman, the driver of the Preformed Line Products/COYOTE® Closure Corvette, jumped to the second position at the checkered flag, only to see his time eclipsed on the final lap by the Jaguar of Tommy Drissi, then the Jag of 2004 Trans-Am Champion Paul Gentilozzi. Ruhlman will be starting second on the grid in the inverted start with the fourth fastest qualifying time of 1:23.412.

The race is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, April 10 at 3:15PM following the Champ Car race. The television coverage will be on Sunday April 17th at 1:30PM ET ON SPEED Channel.

-rm-