Road America: Randy Ruhlman qualifying notes

RUHLMAN TO START ON OUTSIDE OF FRONT ROW FOR ROAD AMERICA TRANS-AM RACE

ELKHART LAKE, Wisc. (Aug. 20, 2005) -- Randy Ruhlman, the driver of the #49 Preformed Line Products Corvette, will start on the front row tomorrow for the Rumble at the Road Trans-Am race at Road America. Ruhlman, who has been suffering from the flu all weekend, managed to post the fourth fastest qualifying time of 2:10.538 and secure the front row start on the invert.

Ruhlman had high expectations for qualifying after setting the fastest laps in both practice sessions yesterday. "Last year, we took the pole, and I really wanted it again here. After being the fastest yesterday, I thought we had it, but he car felt a little off this morning and so did I. The crew guys did everything they could to make us fast, unfortunately, I just couldn't get any more speed than yesterday. I'll be starting on the front row and that is always a good place. We lost some points to Klaus when he got the pole, but I think we can get him back in the race, I just hope I feel a lot better tomorrow," said Ruhlman.

The current points battle for the 2005 Driver's Championship heated up in qualifying and two points now separate the two leaders, Ruhlman and Graf. Graf took the advantage by gaining three points for the pole. With two races left in the season, both drivers have two wins. Ruhlman won at Long Beach and Cleveland, and Graf at Denver and Portland, where Ruhlman finished second.

-cb