Ruppel Finishes Third Overall in WSORR Stock Truck Championship

#837 Lands on Podium in Round 11

Chetek, WI (September 26, 2007) – Eric Ruppel along with his crew, Kent Kramer and Mark Ewert, made the long trek from Northwest Wisconsin to Wheatland, Missouri looking to make a statement and move into second place in the final 2007 WSORR Stock Truck Championship standings. After sweeping both days in Crandon, the team knew anything is possible.

The .82 mile track at Lucas Oil Speedway was very technical in design. The large jumps and never ending rhythm section would be a handful for the Stock Truck division to conquer. The limited suspension trucks would really have their suspension tested each and every lap.

Saturday – Round 11
Eric Ruppel and his #837 Art Carr Transmission Phil’s Inc Halama Synthetics A & J Landscaping BFGoodrich Tires Ford F-150 immediately grabbed the lead, with the green flag was dropped. On lap 4, Eric noticed his water temperature was rising. Not knowing what the problem could be, the Chetek, Wisconsin native backed off the throttle knowing he need to finish both days to have a chance at the second place year end standings. As the thirteen lap race concluded, Eric crossed the finish line in third place, just behind the winner, Scott Beauchamp and runner-up, Jason Bort.

Immediately after the race, Kramer and Ewert went to work, looking for the cause of the overheating. The team found a pin hole in the engine radiator. The leak was easily remedied and the truck was prepped for the final race of the year.

Sunday – Round 12
The land rush start saw the BFGoodrich Tire equipped Ford F-150, immediately take the lead. It looked like “Rupe” might just get the finish me needed, when the engine lost power. After just two laps, the distributor drive gear broke, ending the season for the team.

Eric Ruppel finished in third place in the 2007 Lucas Oil World Series of Off-road Racing Stock Truck Championship standings, just five points out of second place.

Final 2007 WSORR Stock Truck Championship Standings.
1st-Scott Beauchamp 207pts.
2nd-Jason Bort 170 pts.
3rd-Eric Ruppel 165 pts.
4th-Allan Konitzer 151pts.
5th-Dan Beauchamp 146pts.

“I really though we had a chance today,” commented Eric Ruppel. “We reworked the suspension halfway through the season, and it really made a difference. Third place for year is our best result since we started competing in Stock Truck. We’ll go home and take a few weeks off, and then start pulling the truck apart for next year. Thanks to all the companies that help us go racing: Art Carr Transmission, Phil’s Inc., BFGoodrich, True Flow, Halama Synthetics, AMSOIL, A & J Landscaping, R & R Dirt Works, Ringers Gloves, MSD, Dynamics, Fox Shox, TeamTech, Summit Racing, Trail Ready, and Optima Batteries. Thanks to the two guys that keep this truck going, Kent Kramer and Mark Ewert. Thanks to my wife, Deanne, for keeping me organized for every race, and all our family and friends that come out to the races to give us a hand.”

During the 2007 Eric Ruppel finished on the podium six times, three wins and three third place finishes.

Ruppel Motorsports thanks all his supporters, including:
Art Carr Transmission,
Chetek Off-Road,
Phil’s Inc. – Auto Parts Warehouse,
BFGoodrich Tires ,Halama Synthetics – AMSOIL,
Optima Batteries True Flow Air Filters, Fox Shox, Trail Ready Beadlocks, R & R Crane Services, Ringers Gloves, MSD Ignition,
Team Tech Motorsports, and Summit Racing.

-Mike Reusche, marketing - MTG