Ruble Gets Long, Overdue Outlaws Victory at 5 Flags; Barber Surges into Pure Stocks Lead

7/8/2023

Five Flags Speedway

Ruble Gets Long, Overdue Outlaws Victory at 5 Flags; Barber Surges into Pure Stocks Lead

By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter

Korey Ruble is a proven wheelman at Five Flags Speedway and other legendary short-track cathedrals.
No matter what the ride, chances are high the 37-year-old will contend for the win. Ruble was once a feared Pro Late Model driver, winning the Baby Rattler at South Alabama Speedway twice and nearly captured the 2006 Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 at Five Flags when the Headland, Ala., native sat on the pole. Ruble has also found success in open-wheel Modifieds.
These days, he’s finding his footing in the Faith Chapel Outlaws. Ruble scored his first Outlaws victory of the year at the famed half-mile asphalt oval by dominating the 40-lap feature Friday night.
“We’ve had a tough year so far, but a really fast car,” said Ruble, who became the fourth different feature winner this year. “Tonight, was one of those nights where everything worked out.

“These (Outlaws) are a lotta fun. They drive similar to a Pro Late Model but still different. It’s a super tough division with some great competitors.”
Bubba Winslow, another winner this season, finished runner-up and Timothy Watson still found his way to the podium despite not scoring his third straight victory. Winslow battled from his 10th-starting spot to be in the mix and even led a lap in the middle of the race before Ruble reclaimed it for good.
“Second is not where we want to be, but I’m as happy as I can be for second,” Winslow said. “My guys, I can’t say enough. There’s no quit in them. With people like that, it’s only a matter of time before we’re back dominating.”
Watson acknowledged that he and his father had work to do to get their white No. 28 back in Victory Lane.
“We were really fast tonight, but just not on our ‘A’ game,” he said. “You can’t win them all. We’ll be back next time, just a little bit faster.”

The Dock on Pensacola Beach Sportsmen
Jonathan Langham was brutally honest about his performance last month at Five Flags Speedway.
“We stunk,” the Irvington, Ala., driver said.
Langham’s admission came easy Friday night at Five Flags, confessing his previous struggles from Victory Lane. There were no struggles for Langham en route to his first The Dock on Pensacola Beach Sportsmen 25-lap feature victory of the season.

He battled in the top-three all night, focusing most of his energy on Sportsmen points leader Chad Robinson. Robinson was better on the exits of turns, but Langham closed the gap each time through the center.
Langham finally slid under Robinson at the start of Lap 20 and took the lead for good.
“We went to the shop and worked for hours,” Langham said of his team’s efforts following their disappointing performance previously. “This is our first one this year. We got a run on (Robinson) and then started to get squeezed. It was either the wall or let him know he had to make some room. We got it done tonight,”
BJ Leytham finished runner-up and Robinson came home third to maintain his points advantage.
“We missed the setup on it,” Robinson explained. “It went a little free. It’s racing. We’ll go back and work on it.”
That proved a winning strategy for Langham on Friday.

Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks
Robert Barber made sure this victory counted.
The Mobile driver got his first win at Five Flags Speedway earlier this season, but it was considered a non-points feature race for the Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks.
Barber enjoyed a second bite of the apple when it mattered most Friday night back at the famed half-mile asphalt oval. He passed Geno Denmark on Lap 5 and never looked back despite a caution. Barber’s roots on dirt pave an exciting brand of racing on asphalt.
“Sideways is the dirt track coming outta me,” he said. “Asphalt is pretty cool right now, though. I have to thank everybody that helps me with this thing.”
Denmark finished second to his teammate and Mason Johnston rounded out the podium.

“Me and Robert race outta the same shop,” Denmark said. “He helps me on mine, I help on his. I missed it tonight. I couldn’t come off the corner smooth enough. I ’bout hit the wall.”
Barber broke a tie with Johnston and took the outright division points lead with the victory.
“We had a bad, fast racecar,” Johnston said. “It was just bad luck struck again.”

Story & Bleich Crown Stocks
Ryan Bleich Sr. added another victory and padded his lead Friday night at Five Flags Speedway.
This trip to Victory Lane, though, was different than his first two this season for the Story & Bleich Crown Stocks, a rookie class at Pensacola’s high banks in 2023. Bleich unofficially finished second to Dave Nolen in the 15-lap feature. However, Nolen was disqualified in post-race technical inspection. That delivered Bleich his third checkered flag in seven races.

Tommy Lowery finished runner-up and Steve Sidner took home third-place honors. Lowery barely made it to the podium, as his right front tire was shards of rubber hanging on as the driver posed for photos.
“It felt good during the first part,” said Lowery, who led laps early. “Then, (the car) started vibrating halfway in. Those last laps, I was hanging on for dear life.