ALMS in 19th year

ROSSBURG – It was back in 1995, and with an alphabet soup of Late Model sanctioning bodies traveling throughout the country, that Eldora Speedway’s Earl Baltes decided local racers needed a series in their back yard. 

One that didn’t involve intensified traveling. He joined forces with Gene Frankart (Attica Raceway Park) and Ken Langhals (Limaland Speedway) to establish the American Late Model Series (ALMS) as a taste of chasing a series title for local Late Model racers. 

That theory continues to this date, as the Sunoco sponsored and UMP DIRTcar sanctioned Late Model tour continues into year No. 19 at Eldora on Saturday in a tripleheader program joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and Eldora Stock cars. The original trio of founders has since bowed out, leaving UMP DIRTcar as the driving force behind the unique and popular series. 

Over the past 18 years, 67 ALMS races have been contested up Eldora’s half-mile clay oval, with 31 drivers placing their names upon the win list. Heading that list is Jeep VanWormer with six checkered flags, while perennial contenders Matt Miller and defending champion Brian Ruhlman are in close pursuit with their five victories. All three are expected to be in the fold Saturday in Eldora’s lid-lifting event for ALMS.