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Robert Ballou picks up first USAC win at Eldora
By Gary Thomas
May 2, 2007... Rocklin, California native Robert Ballou is known for his no fear driving style and it was put to test on Saturday night at the wicked fast Eldora Speedway ½ mile. As track conditions became very rough and choppy on the ultra fast dirt track, Robert kept his cool and did his job to pick up his first ever USAC National Sprint Car Series win. This was just Robert’s second career start at the intimidating track as he competed last September for the first time at Eldora during the 4 Crown Nationals and brought home a 14th place finish that night.
Robert came into this past weekend on the heels of a career best USAC finish of fourth place the previous Saturday in Lawrenceburg, and following a rain out at Gas City on Friday he was ready to tackle the Eldora Speedway.
The 18 year-old began the night by qualifying the MPHG Promotions, Ballou Motorsports, Gardemeyer, Finish, Carpentry No. 81 a solid eighth quick in the field of 35 cars. Robert then drove the Circle Racing Wheels, Swimming Pool Perfections, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Don Ott powered Maxim to a victory in the night’s final heat race to transfer him into the main event.
The 25 lap Border Wars USAC National Sprint Car main event saw Robert start from the eighth position. The carnage in the feature started immediately as Damion Gardner went over on the opening lap and it took four starts to get a lap completed.
After two laps were down a caution came out and Robert had already carved his way up to third aboard the Gliko Hardware & Construction, Schlage, Design 500, Bell Helmets, BSA Maxim. Lap five saw Kevin Swindell get upside down to bring out a red flag and Robert was still sitting in third, but after going back green, he made his move.
Robert moved in on Levi Jones and Brady Short and as they came off turn four on lap five he made the move in-between both Jones and Short to take the lead. The track was really rough but Robert didn’t have any problems with it and mashed his way around the ½ mile speedway. The youngster didn’t have any troubles the last part of the race and pulled away to pick up the win by over a straightaway. Last year Robert didn’t win his first race until June so it’s nice to pick up a win this early in the going and to do it at a track like Eldora is very special.
The race scheduled last Friday for the USAC National Sprint Car Series at Gas City Speedway, which was to open up the Border Wars weekend, has been re-scheduled for June 14 to conclude the Border Wars event.
Robert and the MPHG Promotions team will now look towards the 7/8 mile paved Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. This will be the second visit for USAC to the track which has a World Sprint Car qualifying speed record of 146.145 mph. Robert will look to take the momentum from Eldora into his second career pavement sprint car start. He’ll go into the night sitting seventh in the USAC National Sprint Car Series points, 30 behind leader Darren Hagen.
For more news on 18 year-old Robert Ballou visit http://www.balloumotorsports.com
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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