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Robert Ballou makes it into B-main at Gold Cup
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - September 11, 2007... Rocklin, CA native Robert Ballou returned to his racing roots this past weekend as he competed with a wing for just the second time this season during the 54th running of the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. For the weekend Robert sat behind the wheel of the Circle Racing Wheels, Wheels Vintiques, J.L. Best Construction No. 83b owned by Fresno’s Mike Stallings.
Robert’s qualifying night was Friday and he began the Gold Cup by qualifying 35th fastest out of 56 cars. The sub par qualifying time stuck the 18 year-old way back in ninth for his heat race, but the hard charger didn’t let that phase him and he gassed it up just a bit more. Robert was on the move from the rear of the field as he ran the high side of the Silver Dollar bullring and got up into a transfer spot with a few laps remaining.
The final couple laps saw Robert hold off rival Ronnie Day to earn the fifth and final transfer spot into the main event. After the checkered flag Robert caught the cushion and it sent him for a tumble in turn two. The car was able to be repaired and he got out for the 30 lap feature where he was involved in a spin and finished the race in 23rd.
When Saturday came about Robert found himself in the C-main starting from the 13th position, but he moved forward quickly. The youngster put his elbows up and drove forward to put himself in position to transfer with a just a few laps left in the 15 lap contest. With the checkered flag in sight he let it all hang out and was able to get by WOO driver Kerry Madsen at the line to score the second and final transfer spot into the B-main. Early in the B-main however, he was involved in a collision and wasn’t able to finish the 20 lap event.
Robert’s only ran limited events with a wing this season, but he definitely showed glimpses of his old self at the Gold Cup. As Bobby Gerould said in his positivity column on HammerdownUSA, "Robert Ballou added excitement to the Gold Cup with his hard driving." The Rocklin Rocket certainly had the Circle Racing Wheels machine going fast and put on a good show in the process.
For more news and info regarding 18 year-old Robert Ballou visit
http://www.balloumotorsports.com
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