George Ruark, 43, of Hemet, Calif. finished eighth with the GR Underground #19 Late Model at Irwindale Speedway Saturday night.
Ruark was involved in a minor incident in the late model race but was able to recover and take home his fourth top ten in a row.
"With all these top tens we really feel like we have the late model tuned in," Ruark said. "Crew chief Tom McMichal and the rest of the crew have worked really hard to get it to be such a great car. Our crew and our sponsor, GR Underground, Kasco Pipe and Supply, Utility Vault Company, Barker's Auto Body and HRH Insurance made this car what it is."
The result of the late model race moved Ruark up one position in points standings and is still climbing.
Ruark also competed for the first time in the Autozone Elite Division Southwest Tour Race with the GR Underground #8 Tour Car and finished twenty-second.
He was involved in several minor incidents before a large crash in the last fifteen laps took him out of the race. Ruark is fine, but the car suffered severe front end damage.
"The spin was wild, but it was quite a learning experience," said Ruark. "It was great to race with those guys who run the tour and I was able to learn so much about the car and the series through this race."
Ruark added that the Southwest Tour car race gave the crew the experience of infield pitting and learning the NASCAR tour rules for the next race.
"It was something new and it was really exciting for the entire Ruark Racing team," said fellow driver and crew member Jimmy Sloan. "George did a great job driving, he was able to hold his own in that race and we know that the next one will be even better."
Ruark will race the #19 Late Model again July 2, 2005 and the #8 Tour car in August of this year.
For more information please contact Katie Ruark, Media/Public Relations at (602)750-9092 or info@georgeruark.com or visit georgeruark.com.
