Millstream Speedway
Chinn takes finale as Schlenk grabs ALMS title
From track and correspondent reports
Chinn and teammates enjoy victory lane. (Dustin Jarrett)
FINDLAY, Ohio (Sept. 28) — Wayne Chinn of Bradford, Ohio, fought off several challenges from Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., to capture the 20-lap season finale on the Sunoco American Late Model Series at Millstream Speedway.
"I saw his nose and got kinda of conservative in lapped traffic," said Chinn, who earned $2,000 for his first-ever ALMS victory. "If he would have gotten closer we had something more for him."
Chinn, who started outside the front row, dueled with polesitter Wayne Maffett Jr. of Mansfield, Ohio, the first few laps, then had his hands full with Schlenk the final 16 circuits in a race slowed by three cautions. Schlenk pulled alongside on the 11th lap and the frontrunners battled side-by-side before Chinn quelled the charge. Rick DeLong of Whitehouse, Ohio, finished third followed by two more Ohio drivers, Keith Berner of Millersburg and Dusty Moore of Swanton on a rough track surface.
Although Schlenk settled for second in the race, he grabbed his second ALMS championship, making up an 18-point deficit on Brian Ruhlman with his runner-up finish. Ruhlman, last year's champion, finished eighth.
“It’s a great feeling, especially the way everything played out this year," said Schlenk, who won the title for Lawrence Motorsports after winning the 2006 title in his own equipment. "If you’d have asked me if we were going to win in about June, I think I would have said no. I started out pretty rough and we’ve had ups and downs. I should’ve had the (ALMS points) lead about three times now, but we didn’t lead the points until the last night and that’s all that counts."
Notes: Chinn's Rayburn Race Car is sponsored by Sugar Creek Packaging along with Erwin Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep of Troy. ... Steve Casebolt (who won his first career Late Model feature at Millstream) and Matt Miller were among the drivers electing not to run heats because of rough track conditions. ... Brian Ruhlman's title chances were hurt when he was caught up in a first-lap wreck in his heat. He didn't suffer any damage but finished third while Schlenk won his heat. ... Schlenk actually took the lead on the first start when Chinn jumped the cushion, but Justin Paxton's spin forced a complete restart. ... Among the drivers banged up in heat races were Jon Henry, Tyler Boggs, and Kris Patterson. Henry and Patterson were in transfer positions when damage forced them pitside.
Sunoco ALMS @ Millstream: (1) Wayne Chinn, (2) Rusty Schlenk, (3) Rick DeLong, (4) Keith Berner, (5) Dusty Moore, (6) Wayne Maffett Jr., (7) Rusty Seaver, (8) Brian Ruhlman, (9) George Lee, (10) Kris Patterson, (11) Jerry Bowersock, (12) Scott Orr, (13) Brad Eitniear, (14) Tyler Boggs, (15) Justin Paxton, (16) Dan Wallace, (17) Devin Shiels, (18) Ernie Haynes, (19) Larry Kingseed, (20) Curtis Deisenroth, (21) Aaron Scott. Heat race winners (among 38 cars): DeLong, Schlenk, Chinn, Maffett. Consolation winners: Deisenroth, Patterson. Provisional starter: Boggs.
