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Ruble Hopes Boyhood Dreams Continue to Come True at Five Flags

Chuck Corder

Hearing Korey Ruble’s vivid memories of his first trips to Five Flags Speedway give you Goosebumps.

The recently-turned 26 year old began making the winter Pensacola pilgrimage with his grandfather, Jackie Haisten, for the annual Snowball Derby when he was around 10.

From listening on radio scanners to leafing through the event’s programs, Ruble soaked in every bit of the experience.

But it was seeing those drivers up close and personal that made the biggest impression on the fresh-faced kid.

“They were like gods and my heroes,� said Ruble of drivers, such as Dave Mader, who would go on and drive for Haisten a few years later. “Watching ’em out at track, I knew one day I wanted to race out there.�

The Dothan, Ala., native has turned his childhood dreams into today’s reality.

Ruble is your consummate wheelman and races in both the Allen Turner Pro Late Model and the Modified series at the famed, half-mile asphalt oval.

He currently sits inside the top five in both series points races.

While he’ll sit out Friday’s Azera 100 because of much-need car repairs, Ruble will compete in the Modifieds 35-Lap feature.

Despite being a familiar face since the mid-2000s, Ruble remains hungry for his first win of any kind at Five Flags.

“It’d definitely be special to get a win there,� he said. “I love Pensacola. There’s so much tradition down there.�

The Sportsmen and Bombers also battle on what promises to be a huge night for them. With tight races in both divisions, their annual Double Points Night surely will not disappoint.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday with admission as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 2 p.m. with passes costing $25.

Ruble has three top-10s in the Allen Turner Pro Late Model series this season to claim fifth in the standings and three more top-fives inside his No. 66 Modified ride, which is good enough for third overall behind leader Todd Jones and Gerald Wilkerson.

He was determined to continue his double duty this week, but the wear and tear to his popular pro car forced him to park it. He hopes to have it ready by the Allen Turner Snowflake Tune Up 100 on Oct. 9.

“We were just chasing it and chasing it,� Ruble said. “We had the opportunity on a good buy for a new chassis and that’s direction we went.

“Plus, because of our struggles with the late model, the modified has struggled as a result. We wanna come down and get everything back right like it was at the end of last year.�

It was at the Derby, in fact, where Ruble set a new track record for the Modifieds.

As special as the Derby was to Ruble in his formative days, it has been equally as memorable since he began his racing career.

He sat on the Snowflake pole in 2006 and led for much of the race before finishing second.

“I thought after that race, ‘We’ll get ’em next year,’ � Ruble said. “We haven’t had the chance at it yet. The next time, I get in that situation I want to take that opportunity and capitalize on it.�

He’d love to start this Friday.

It’d be quite a way to cap off a week that saw him celebrate another birthday Monday.

“That would definitely be pretty cool,� Ruble said. “Of course we want to pursue the win, but getting the car capable of being at end, that’s what we’re shooting for too. It’s the mentality you have to have to win the Derby.�

Derby, Derby, Derby — the boy has a one-track mind.

Can you blame him?

 

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