Mixed Results For Ross Rankine At The Indianapolis Speedrome

Brownsburg, Indiana (July 13, 2011) — New London, Ohio's Ross Rankine returned to the Bryant Heating & Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome for another night of USAC Midwest Ford Focus racing action with high expectations as a result of his consistent top-two finishes in recent weeks.

Driving the National Pride Equipment-sponsored Nine Racing Ford Focus midget, Ross was quick in practice and ran a strong third in his heat race. Because Ross is leading in Speedrome points, he was assigned to start 6th in the 40-lap Ford Focus main event. At the wave of the green flag Ross immediately went to work and started to pass cars. Before the first lap could conclude, a couple of cars tangled in front of Ross, which left him with no room to get by. He was collected in the crash, which ended his evening.

"My crew chief Glenn Martin gave me another great car tonight and I was really confident that I could quickly get to the front after passing two cars at the start,” said Ross Rankine. “Then suddenly everything changed when the track was blocked because of a two-car incident and I had nowhere to go. My car was too damaged to continue the race. I will be back here at the Speedrome next week and try again to get my first win here."

Ross has been able to establish a strong points cushion for the USAC Midwest Ford Focus Championship and now has a 177-point lead for the 2011 Championship. Ross’s next USAC Midwest Ford Focus race in the #9 midget outing will be on Friday, July 15, at Kil-Kare Raceway, in Xenia, Ohio.

Nine Racing’s 2011 sponsor lineup includes K&N Engineering, Eibach Springs, Weld Racing, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Friction Brakes, ASE, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, SSi Decals, PJ1, and Hoosier Racing Tire.