Sloan overcomes blown engine, to take second!

Sloan overcomes blown engine, to take second!

Jimmy Sloan, 23, Palm Desert, Calif. had the engine of his Scott Ruder Mortgage Lending
superstock come apart during his qualifying effort for the race Saturday
night at Irwindale Speedway.

During the first lap of Sloan's qualifying effort, he turned the third
fastest time.  During his second lap though, the engine blew. Sloan
hit the wall as a result of the blown engine, damaging the rear end and
right front suspension of the car.

The Ruark Racing crew immediately jumped into action, replacing the engine
with a spare and repairing the necessary parts of the car. In only three and
a half hours, the crew completely rebuilt the car just in time for the
pre-race technical inspection.

"This is a championship winning team," said Brent Cusick, fellow
Irwindale driver who assisted the team in the rebuild.

Sloan then started the race third and battled a poor handling car to
take home yet another podium finish.

"I am so incredibly proud of my team for what they accomplished,"
Sloan said. "After the day we had, taking a second place finish was
astonishing. So many teams and drivers at Irwindale rallied around
us to help and we appreciate that so much. Not only did we get help putting
the car back together, but we actually had offers to loan us cars to keep
our championship hopes alive. I could not ask to race with a better group of
people."

Sloan's second place finish moved him to within four points of championship
leader, Robin Bourgeois.

Sloan will compete in the three remaining super stock races at
Irwindale this season including a double points race at the end of
the season. The next race is September 10, 2005.

For more information please visit jimmysloan.com or contact Katie
Ruark, PR/Media Relations at (602) 750-9092 or katie@jimmysloan.com.