Ignition Box Lands Ruble in Victory Lane as Garvey is Stripped of Win at South Alabama

Ignition Box Lands Ruble in Victory Lane as Garvey is Stripped of Win at South Alabama

New Crane Rule Now in Effect at SAS Starting July 7th
By Ryan McCollough, Speed51.com Correspondent

Mike Garvey smiled, conducted an interview, and took pictures in victory lane while giving the fans a “thumbs up” Saturday night at South Alabama Speedway.
But Garvey received a “thumbs down” in post-race inspection and was stripped of his sixth victory of 2012 in the Timber 100 Pro Late Model event. What fans didn't see was the real victory lane photos that were taking in tech after Garvey was bounced and Korey Ruble proved to be the first legal car by finishing second.

The win was taken away due to some tampering with the ignition system of the Tracy Goodson-owned No. 1 machine. At South Alabama Speedway, different types of engines are allowed different levels of rpms. Ford engines are allowed to turn 6300 rpms, while Chevrolet’s get 6500. Garvey’s Ford system was set to turn 6600.

South Alabama Speedway officials polled the drivers in the pre-race drivers meeting and they will be requiring teams run the new Crane Cams ignition box that had been implemented at several other tracks in the Deep South at its next event on July 7th. This race was a make-up event from a date originally scheduled prior to last week's ignition box rule deadline and several ignition boxes were in play.

“Due to SAS officials not requiring all competitors to run the Crane Cam Ignition Box at Saturday night’s event, I felt we were racing against bogus boxes that other drivers was or could be using,” said Garvey in a team-supplied press release after the incident. “I feel all drivers should be on equal terms and all track owners and officials should stick to the original rule that was to be effective as of June 22nd. This is my fault and we probably should have stayed home but we are trying to support all of our local tracks.”

The box was the same one that Garvey had used the night prior at the Allen Turner Pro Late Model event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. South Alabama Speedway chief technical inspector, Edward Berry, said he conversed with Five Flags head tech man Ricky Brooks prior to making his decision.

“When the cars left Pensacola last night, each one had a tech sticker on the box saying this it was ok,” Berry said. “When we checked Garvey’s system in post-race, the sticker had been removed and the box reset to 6600.”

Tracy Goodson, owner of Garvey’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings Ford, shared his driver’s opinion and felt they were at a disadvantage. “I am behind my driver 100% and I have no problem with him and his decision in doing what he felt he had to do to be competitive and win a race,” said Goodson via the press release. “We will now head to Gresham to compete in the World Crown 300 where we know for a fact the playing field will be equal.”

Ruble was the beneficiary after having finished second for the third time in as many races, and was aching for a win in front of his home track fans. While Ruble did take the win, he said it’s just not quite the same as winning it straight-up.
“I don’t like to win races in the tech shed, but at this point when you have finished second as many times as we have, you will take them anyway you can get them,” said Ruble. “It would mean a lot to take the checkered flag in front of the crowd, and stand down there and take the pictures with Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Debbie (Alfred and Debbie Gay, his car owners). We are going to take a couple of pictures up here tonight, but it’s just not the same.

With the win, Ruble took the points lead in the Viper Series and got another step closer to a championship season. “It really feels nice to have a points lead,” said Ruble. “I have been racing a long time and I have never won a points championship. We have always usually missed a couple races here or there. It would mean a lot to win the points, because that is something that stays with you forever.”

Drivers and teams will have a short turnaround as the next race in the Viper Series will take place this Saturday, July 7th.