Erick Rudolph Scores Fourth Consecutive Top-10 at Stafford Motor Speedway

Mooresville, N.C. (May 30, 2010) - Erick Rudolph, driver of the No. 98 Heinke-Baldwin Racing (HBR) Chevrolet, finished eighth in the TSI Harley-Davidson 125 at Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday. This marked Rudolph's second top-10 at Stafford Motor Speedway this season and his fourth consecutive top-10 finish at the Stafford, Conn., track over the past two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour seasons.

Rudolph and the HBR team had the fastest time through most of Friday's 90-minute practice session, but eventually settled for the sixth fastest spot with a time of 18.250 seconds. Rudolph went out early in qualifying, which hurt the team's effort as Rudolph laid down the 25th fastest time in the No. 98 H.D. Segur Insurance/Original Pizza Logs Chevrolet.

Rudolph steadily raced his way forward as the night progressed. Several cars chose to pit under the first caution on lap 35, but Rudolph followed the example of the race leaders and stayed out. Despite starting the race near the rear of the field, Rudolph had a strong car and did not have to make any adjustments over the course of the race.

The HBR development driver was able to avoid several incidents throughout the race and first moved into the top-10 on lap 114. Rudolph remained in the 10th spot through the remainder of the scheduled 125 laps. Rudolph was then able to take advantage of the first green-white-checker attempt, gaining a position. He also gained a position during the final green-white-checker attempt, finishing the race in eighth place.

"Going out early in qualifying didn't help us," Rudolph said. "The drivers that went out later in the time trials were really fast, so it did not put us in a good position to start the race. We were able to stay out through the whole race, and the car ran really well. We drove our way up to 8th place, so I was happy with our results."

Following the race at Stafford Motor Speedway, Rudolph returned to New York to race at Oswego Speedway on Saturday night. He finished in the 5th position in the RoC Richie Evans Memorial 75 presented by Parts Plus.

Rudolph, who gained one spot in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point standings this weekend, now sits in ninth position. Rudolph will return to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour this Sunday, June 6, in the Made In America Whelen 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

About Heinke-Baldwin Racing

Heinke-Baldwin Racing was formed in 2009 by H&H Motorsports owner Al Heinke and Tommy Baldwin Racing owner Tommy Baldwin. Both Baldwin and Heinke grew up racing in New England and saw an opportunity to work together to help young drivers pursue their dreams to race.

In 2010, the team's freshman year, HBR is fielding the No. 98H for driver Jimmy Phelps in the Super DIRTcar Series, with sponsorship from Wave Energy Drink. They will also be fielding the No. 98 for driver Erick Rudolph in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, with additional sponsorship from Pizza Logs, Brigham Concrete and PrimeTyme Motorsports.