By ohnson 
In Clarklake, Michigan, which is a rather distant place from Volusia Speedway Park, Brian Ruhlman annually makes the long journey south to compete against modified drivers from all across the nation. Entering his 31st year of racing, he currently stands at the top of the points standings after two nights of the DIRTcar Nationals.
These UMP Modifieds are quite distinct from the big-blocks found in the Northeast, yet they are a national series. Although the frames may seem similar to those of the IMCA mods, the motors generate an astonishing amount of up to 800 horsepower. A competitive Modified typically costs anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000, with the motors ranging from $15,000 to $30,000. Ruhlman explained, “Whether it’s an IMCA, USRA, or any other series, they all have a bar front frame. There are countless such frames all over the country.”
Ruhlman hails from humble beginnings. He said, “I started at Stateline and Eriez Speedways (in northwestern Pennsylvania) and won seven or eight championships. I moved to Toledo (Ohio) in 1995 and began racing at Oak Shade and Eldora Speedways.” Admittedly, he enjoys “bigger tracks,” as evidenced by his five track titles at the legendary high banks of Eldora. He proudly talks about his achievements, stating, “I am the all-time feature race winner at Eldora, and overall, with the tracks I’ve raced, I have earned 20 track championships.”
The nightly fields at Volusia are some of the strongest in the nation. He remarked, “Half the field can win here on any given night.”
His first two nights in the Sunshine State haven’t been too bad. Looking back at night one, he said, “We had the fastest time and won our heat race. Then, we finished second in the feature race. I drove on the outside for the last couple of laps but couldn’t make it.” On Wednesday, he once again captured his heat and started a bit further back at the beginning of the 20-lap race, but gradually started picking up positions. Eventually, he settled for third place behind Nick Hoffman and David Stremme.
Ruhlman’s racing style is “smooth.” He noted, “I will race every opponent the same, as courtesy and respect are of utmost importance when out on the race track.” Money isn’t the sole draw to make the trip to Florida, as these cars usually race for $600 to $1,000 per weekly show, with special events offering a bit more. Brian explained, “This is a great opportunity for marketing for me,” and it’s also a chance to drum up business for his successful car building business.
Many race fans who follow this type of modified racing recognize the talent that Ruhlman possesses, but this isn’t his regular racing territory. He said, “I am still a Late Model enthusiast and I race them around 50 to 60 times a year, while I might race the Modified around 20 times.”