RUTZ HITS PAYDIRT TWICE, WINS 410 AND 360 MAINS

Source: Skagit Speedway Media/kh
Date: 07/27/2008

ALGER, Washington - Travis Rutz made the absolute most of round 12 of the Foothills Toyota Tundra Series at Skagit Speedway, winning both the Outlaw 410 Sprint and Budweiser 360 main events. In the Outlaw 410 Sprints, Rutz started 6th and on the initial start put his right rear tire against the turn two wall as he drove around 3 cars to take the third spot. Rutz made quick work of Eric Fisher and set sail for race leader Steve Kilcup. Kilcup seemed to have a car capable of winning, but around lap 16 his nose wing folded up on him, making his front end loose. Rutz saw his opportunity and dove underneath Kilcup on a lap 17 restart to take the lead and the win 8 laps later in his Rudeen Racing #26. Eric Fisher finished second in the J&R Paving #59. Heat race wins went to Barry Martinez in the Artisan Homes #66 and Rutz. Nick Engberg set quick time in the Dri-Eaz #4.

Rutz had things much easier in the Budweiser 360 main. From his pole position, Rutz beat Danny Kirkpatrick into turn one and stretched out to a comfortable lead. Rutz had the hammer down full time, perpetually adding to his lead en route to taking home another big trophy on the night in the Rudeen Racing #26. Cory Chamberlain finished second in the Classic Rock 92.9 #69. Third went to Alan Munn in the Munn Construction #42. Points leader Brian Kirkpatrick had issue in time trials, but recovered nicely in the main racing from 16th to 6th. Heat wins went to Jason Bloodgood in the Big John Motorsports #38 and Munn. Robby Vaughn set quick time.

It pays to be a veteran in the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprints. Paul Burdick controlled the race from the outset, leading the first 16 laps until he encountered lapped traffic. As he came upon the slower cars, Burdick hesitated coming out of turn two, which opened the door for Kelsey Carpenter. Carpenter pinned Burdick behind a slower car and raced around the top to take the lead and the win in the 20 lap feature in the Precious Care 4 U #79k. Burdick brought his National Reservation Bureau #9 home second with Kyle Oman racing his way to third in the NW Cruisin Coffee #6k. Heat race wins went to Ryan Nootenboom in the Hertz Rentals #01 and Devin Barnes in the Ken's Redmond Auto Body #22.

The night belonged to the Swatzina brothers in the Wilson Auto Broker's Outlaw Hornets. Cory Swatzina and his brother Wade ran 1st and 2nd the duration of the main event that had a thrilling conclusion. Wade took the lead on lap 15, pinning Cory behind lapped traffic but the lead was short lived as a caution flag flew shortly thereafter, setting up a green - white - checkered finish. On the restart, Cory dove low as the brothers went side by side for the final circuits. Entering turn 3 on the final lap, Cory found better bite and beat Wade to the stripe to earn the victory. Wade brought home second and Ron Holtrop finished third. The heat races were also won by the Swatzina Brothers in their Carl's Towing sponsored cars.

The Bob's Burgers and Brew 360 Nationals kick off Friday at Skagit Speedway with the Saturday finale paying $10,000 to the winner and $60,000 overall. Ticket information is available at www.skagitspeedway.com

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