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Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (Aug 22) Randy Ruhlman, in the #49 Performed Line Products/Coyote Closure Chevrolet Corvette, used his setup from yesterday's test day to give the Jaguars a run for their money early in the first session, running third with a 2:10.804, just behind the Jaguars of Scott Pruett and John Miller.
With just three laps remaining in the session, Ruhlman suddenly lost engine power and pulled into the pits with a burned valve. Unable to defend the time, Ruhlman fell to sixth in the session. The team set about working to replace the Chevrolet 310 c.i.d. short-deck engine for the afternoon session.
Ruhlman made the start of the second session, running a brand new engine, and immediately clicked off another half second off his morning time. This put him fourth in the session with a 2:10.497. 'The track was definitely improving and the new engine was great,' said Ruhlman. 'I know we have a lot more time left in the car, but all of a sudden on lap 6, I was coming up the front straight felt the power go away completely. I coasted into the pits and that was the end for our session. Apparently, the crankshaft on the new engine had failed. There wasn't anything we could do, except headed back to the paddock and change the motor again for qualifying.'
'We have a strong car and a great setup, so I know that we will do well in the race,' continued Ruhlman. 'For qualifying, we will just have to go out there and get going right away. We are in the fast group for qualifying, so we should have a good idea of how we stand. I do think we have something for these guys.'
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