USAC: Kahne is first repeat 'Night Before' winner since Jeff Gordon
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 29, 2001
Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw, Wash. led all 50 laps on Sunday night's 56th "Night Before the 500" Classic National Midget Car race at Indianapolis (Ind.) Raceway Park. The victory was his second in a row in the series and elevated him to third in the new standings going into June 22-23 races at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Kahne became the first driver since Jeff Gordon (1989-90) to put together back-to-back victories in the prestigious "Night Before the 500" race. He was trailed to the checkered flag by teammate Dave Darland, fast qualifier A.J. Fike, Jimmy McCune and Jerry Coons, Jr.
Fike's finish boosted him to the lead in the WorldCom National standings, 16 points ahead of Jay Drake, who finished 10th Sunday night.
The IRP race was originally scheduled for Saturday night but was postponed to Sunday night by rain.
Kahne piloted the Ford/ASE/Beast/Performance Racing Industry machine to the win, his eighth in National Midget Car competition. Thomas Meseraull and J.J. Yeley won the two 12-lap "qualifying races" which preceded the 50-lap feature.
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. A.J. Fike 193
2. Jay Drake 177
3. Kasey Kahne 171
4. Dave Darland 168
5. Aaron Fike 161
6. Michael Lewis 157
7. Jerry Coons, Jr. 152
8. Aaron Pollock 142
9. J.J. Yeley 137
10. Jimmy McCune 132
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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