Mount Pleasant Speedway
Schlenk leads all 30 laps at Mount Pleasant
Rusty Schlenk heads for a 30-lap victory at Mount Pleasant. (Steve Datema)
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (May 24) — Two-time series champion Rusty Schlenk of Weston, Ohio, earned $2,000 Friday at Mount Pleasant Speedway by leading all 30 laps for a Sunoco American Late Model Series victory.
Schlenk, a Michigan native, repelled challenges from track points leader Eric Spangler of Lake City, Mich., and took the checkers ahead of Brian Ruhlman of Clarklake, Mich.
Spangler settled for third in the ALMS East event while Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., piloting a new all-black car, and Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., rounded out the top five.
Schlenk notched his first ALMS victory of the season and 16th of his career.
Notes: Schlenk’s Lazer Chassis is sponsored by Zeller Automotive, Main & Company Inc., and Bernheisel Race Cars. ... Schlenk has two previous ALMS victories at Mount Pleasant, one apiece for the last two seasons. ... Jeep Van Wormer had two spins in the feature before retiring. ... The four-race ALMS Memorial Day weekend continues at Oakshade Raceway in Wauson, Ohio, on Saturday. Sunday’s event is at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, while Macon (Ill.) Speedway races on Memorial Day. All events pay $2,000-to-win.
ALMS @ Mount Pleasant: (1) Rusty Schlenk, (2) Brian Ruhlman, (3) Eric Spangler, (4) Brandon Thirlby, (5) Dona Marcoullier, (6) Ryan VanderVeen, (7) Casey Noonan, (8) Phil Ausra, (9) Rich Neiser, (10) Chris Keller, (11) Devin Shiels, (12) Andy Galgoci, (13) Sam Epling, (14) Herb Reich, (15) Bill Bray, (16) Adam Thrush, (17) James Neff, (18) Blaine Hendrick, (19) Jeep Van Wormer, (20) Carl Ries. Heat race winners (among 20 cars): VanderBeen, Schlenk, Noonan.
Correction: Fixes fourth-sixth finishes; updates with complete finish.
