Source: Skagit Speedway Media
Date: 04/28/2008

ALGER, Washington – Rudeen Racing swept Skagit Speedway’s opening night of 2008 in impressive fashion. The historic 3/10 mile clay oval provided race fans with a 410 main for the ages. Colton Heath had the pole for the 25 lap feature, flanked by former World of Outlaws Star Jason Solwold. It was the up and comer Heath who beat Solwold to the line, and raced out to a six car advantage before losing the handle on the Oudman Racing 7o out of turn 2 on lap five, causing a yellow. Solwold assumed the lead on the restart, but his advantage was short lived as former 410 Champion Barry Martinez put a monster slide job on him out of turn 4 and took the lead on lap six. Martinez would lead until lap 14 when Travis Rutz made his move, putting a similar slidejob on Martinez to what he served Solwold earlier. For the laps that followed, Rutz would trade slides with Martinez , while Martinez simultaneously held of challenges from Solwold and Seth Bergman. In the end, Rutz held on for his first win under the Rudeen Racing banner, followed by Bergman then Martinez . Fans were still shaking their heads exiting the track, remarking on the huge amount of passing the occurred in the top five. Rutz was fast time and won his heat race, completing his 410 sweep of the night. Jared Ridge and Solwold won the other heats.

Taylor Malsam, the other member of the Rudeen Racing team, brought home his first career win in the Budweiser 360 Series. Following the theme of big turn four slidejobs, Malsam executed a textbook slide on returning veteran Alan Munn on lap nine and was virtually unchallenged the rest of the way. Munn and Brock Lemley staged an epic three lap battle for second near the end of the race, with Munn powering around the outside of Lemley on the final corner to retain second place. Rod Perkins and Danielle Huson won the heat races. Malsam set fast time.

Kelsey Carpenter returned from a year + hiatus to win the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprints. Carpenter used an inside move on race leader Todd Rork on lap four, pinning the second year driver behind a lap car to make the pass. Carpenter then used the outside lane around the track to hold off a charging Devin Madonia to bring home the win. Heat race wins went to Carpenter and Marc Schutte.

The Wilson Auto Brokers Outlaw Hornets main event winner was Cory Swatzina, but it didn’t come easy. Swatzina ran second most of the race, behind Ashley Lewellen, Ben Gunderson, and Tyler Ketchum at various points in time. His break finally came on lap 13 when Ketchum appeared to expire a motor, handing the win to Swatzina. Counting last year’s hornet nationals, it was Swatzina’s second win in a row. Swatzina also won his heat race. Ketchum won the other hornet heat.

All four classes will be in action next week at Skagit Speedway. Opening Ceremonies are schedule for 7pm. For more information or advance ticket sales for the Dirt Cup, 360 Nationals, or World of Outlaws, log on to www.skagitspeedway.com

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