Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (22 June 2013) – When the Trans Am Series returned to legendary Road America as part of the big NASCAR Nationwide Series event over the weekend, Amy Ruman had been targeting a strong result in the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette and had shown strong pace all weekend, but her race did not go as planned.

The team’s countless hours preparing the No. 23 McNichols Corvette had finally paid off when Ruman was immediately quick right off the trailer. After three test sessions on Thursday, the No. 23 McNichols Corvette led the only official Trans Am practice of the weekend with Ruman posting a fast time of 2:08.297.

Unfortunately, Ruman would not have the chance to show the speed of the Corvette in qualifying when rain moved into the area on Friday and washed out the session. Instead, the huge 36-car grid was set by the championship point order and Ruman would start the race on the outside of Row 2 in fourth.

The rain moved out in time for the race and at the drop of the green flag, Ruman wasted no time in moving forward as she slotted into second place. Just laps into the 101.2-mile race, Ruman encountered a mechanical problem and was forced to bring the No. 23 machine to pit road.

Despite quick work by the crew, the time spent in the pits saw Ruman lose valuable track position and she returned to the track 25^th in the order. Fortunately, yellow flag conditions came out shortly after her return, which bunched the field back up.

When the green flag flew for the restart, Ruman masterfully maneuvered through the field to improve 13 positions and run 12^th in line within just five laps. But that forward movement was halted when contact between the No. 23 McNichols Corvette and the No. 3 Camaro saw Ruman off track in Turn 5. The No. 23 machine sustained right front suspension damage and Ruman was forced to retire from the race early.

“I really had a fast car this weekend,” said Ruman, who was credited a 12^th place finish. “It was too bad we had an early mechanical problem which put us back in the pack. When you are trying to slice through traffic, these things can happen. Regrettably, I have been on the receiving end of contact in two races this year.”

Ruman remains fourth in the championship as Trans Am next visits Ruman Racing’s home track of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 17. The team will be targeting a strong run at the central Ohio road course as many friends, family and hometown fans will be in attendance to cheer on the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette.

“The season is not over yet, so don’t count us out. We are poised and focused to turn it around in the second half of the season. I’m on a mission!” exclaimed Ruman.

Sponsors: McNICHOLS Nationwide Service Centers is the nation’s largest distributor of Perforated and Expanded Metals; Wire Mesh; Bar, Plank, and Safety Gratings; Stair Treads; Matting; and more. Products are carried in all styles and materials–stocked for 24 hour shipment. “Inspired to Serve”™ 800.237.3820 mcnichols.com.Goodyear Tire & Rubber is a Ruman Racing sponsor as well as the Series sponsor.

For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow Ruman Racing and the Trans-Am Series on Twitter @rumanracing and@gotransam. Be sure to “Like” our official pages on Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and Go Trans Am.

Race Info/Scoring/Results: www.gotransam.com
Live Timing: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: Round 6 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (August 17 || Round 7 – Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota (September 1)

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.