4/22/2024
Preston Ruh
PRESTON RUH RACING RELEASES 2024 CAR DEDICATED TO CLEVELAND FAMILY
PRESTON RUH RACING RELEASES 2024 CAR DEDICATED TO CLEVELAND FAMILY
By: Madeline Schultz
Elkhart Lake, WI
Preston Ruh and Madeline Schultz are proud to release their 2024 IRA Sprint Car dedicated to Gracie Cleveland and Family. Gracie Cleveland and family have been friends of the Ruh family since summer of 2021. Gracie and I instantly became friends after Gracie spent some time with us in the pits that summer. Our team has changed for the better with her and her family in it.
We have plenty of memorable moments with the Cleveland family, and some specific moments that stand out to Preston and I are one night at Angell Park and another at 141 Speedway. One time, when Keith and Angela went to drop Preston’s sister Ella off at college in Indiana, we had a race at Angell Park. We asked Scott Cleveland to pull the trailer with our truck, as he has experience with semis at his job. Of course Preston and I had asked him to drive our rig on the busiest day of the year in the small town of Sun Prairie, because it was the weekend of Corn Fest. I remember trying to give directions and navigate the tricky roads of this small town and eventually finding the hidden entrance of the pits to the race track. When we unloaded the car, we all laughed as a team at our awful navigation skills and lack of direction.
Another stand out moment was last season at 141 Speedway. Gracie and I were in the pits both doing our respective jobs. Preston was racing through the field starting maybe around 15th (or so), and he had gotten up to fighting for 6th or 7th (maybe). I say “or so” or “maybe” because what I remember most about that night was cheering for Preston alongside my best friend. We were both hitting each other, laughing, and screaming at the top of our lungs for Preston. There was a slight clip shown of this in the 2023 IRA banquet video.
Race days are so much better with her as part of the IRA Sprint Car Team. Not only does Gracie specialize in keeping me and others cool, calm, and collected-but she has extremely elevated our presence on social media. The IRA Sprint Car pages have received a much-needed makeover with her help. She is constantly running around making sure the sponsors of our races are seen on the winner boards. She is updating lineups for drivers, and posting instant twitter updates throughout the night. She is a great example of someone who is dedicated to the sport of racing.
This season, we are honoring the Cleveland Family by converting our well-known Red, White, and Blue car to black, white, and green. The green on our car represents Gracie’s cancer ribbon in support of her fight against Lymphoma.
The Cleveland family does not fight alone. This season, we will be collecting donations to help off-set the family’s medical bills. This additionally includes gas money for the trips down to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, and some food costs along the way for the family. There will be QR codes and other ways to donate all season long at our trailer.
Article Credit: Madeline Schultz
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