Little Horespower, No Problem For Logan Ruffin At Motor Mile

RADFORD, Va, (July 17, 2010) - Logan Ruffin and his No. 31 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet team entered Motor Mile (Va.) Speedway ready to continue their string of three top-five efforts, prior to the month long break in the USARacing Pro Cup Series schedule.

The day at the Radford, Virginia short track wouldn’t be easy for the 16-year-old. After unloading, motor issues hindered the team and allowed Ruffin to only complete one full-speed lap on the track during two separate practice sessions.

The Turner Motorsports team worked feverishly to repair the issues before qualifying. Ruffin laid down a solid lap during Saturday afternoon’s time trials, placing the No. 31 Impala in the 15th starting position for the Heritage Truck Centers 250. Unfortunately due to adjustments that needed to be made, Ruffin had to start the 250-lap event from the rear of the field.

Starting from the last row on the grid, Ruffin began working his way through the field as the leaders quickly caught up to the young gun. On lap 44, Ruffin went a lap down to the leaders, but the second caution waved on lap 56, allowing the teenager to receive the free pass award. Ruffin restarted on lap 66 from 10th-place on the lead lap.

Ruffin made his first pit stop of the night on lap 86 for fuel only. After making his stop under the night’s second caution, Ruffin remained in the 10th position. By lap 142, the Tennessee native had fallen one lap down to the leaders, while running in ninth-place. 

The caution was displayed once again on lap 181, as Ruffin was scored in the eighth position and continued to overcome his issues. Ruffin was awarded the free pass award once again, but the Turner Motorsports team declined as Ruffin came to pit road for four fresh tires.

By lap 200, Ruffin was still one lap down to the leaders but was the first car in line to receive the free pass award when the next caution slowed the pace. That needed caution came on lap 229 for debris, with Ruffin scored in the seventh position.

Ruffin restarted on lap 235 from fifth-place and over the final 15 laps, the youngster held his ground to capture another top-five finish. This was Ruffin’s third consecutive top-five finish, dating back to Langley (Va.) Speedway in May and fourth overall top-five finish of the 2010 season.