May 4, 2008

For Immediate Release

Another Milestone for Rudolph at ACE

Friday May 2 saw Dane Rudolph from Australia competing in the NASCAR Whelen LMSC race at Ace Speedway tick another box in his rapid learning program on Oval Track racing in the USA. With the race scheduled for 75 laps, Rudolph for the first time finished on the lead lap, completing all 75 laps.

In only his 4th race start in short track oval racing driving in the Number 18 Sellers Racing Chevrolet, the record now stands at 3 race finishes, and a DNF. Starting from the 13th grid slot, Rudolph was quick to point out he still has a bit of work to do in terms of qualifying speed, "During the week when we go testing I can run faster laps, I am just struggling a bit at the moment doing it in the high pressure 1 lap runoff format, I just need to do a bit more practice on this, I am sure I can get there in the next couple of races" said Rudolph following his Qualifying run.

With little or no expectations and plenty of cause for concern being back in the pack, Rudolph set out on a 75 lap test session to try to understand where some of the missing speed was with nothing to really lose. "I am pretty sure a lot of the time is in me, I need to be more fluent in the car through the turns, so I have got 75 laps to work on that" said Dane just prior to race time. True to his word, Dane slowly but surely worked his way forward passing cars for the first time since his debut meeting on March 28. "For the first time since I started I felt something I tried actually made a difference, and I am really starting to feel comfortable in the car now, it was great to pass cars and not be lapped" continue Rudolph following the event.

Finishing 8th and leading rookie home, Rudolph is looking forward to next weekends event. "Hopefully with another test scheduled before race day we can start to work on the qualifying speed now that I am starting to understand the car ab it better" continued Rudolph.

The race was won by Speedy Faucette, Rodney Cook 2nd, and last weeks winner Dean Fogleman in 3rd.

Dane Rudolph is now 9th in the season standings, 40 points from the series lead.

The next race is scheduled for 75 laps is this coming Friday Night May 9th.