USAC: Steele grabs Cedar Rapids sprint; Rain halts North Vernon
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 11, 2001Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. captured Sunday's nationally-televised (ESPN2) "Hat World Hawkeye Sprint Classic" at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, leading the final 11 laps of the 30-lap race in his Northside Propane/Lamers/Hoosier Tire Gaerte/Beast.
Steele trailed Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series point leader Dave Darland for the first 19 laps before Darland, under pressure from Steele, spun in turn three. Dave restarted and eventually finished 14th but his point lead over runner-up J.J. Yeley slipped to 63 points going into this Saturday's "Tom Bigelow Classic" at Indianapolis Raceway Park, part of the track's United Way Volunteer Appreciation Night also featuring the USAC WorldCom Midget Cars. A 30-lap Sprint Car feature and 30-lap Midget Car feature cap Saturday's IRP program, with the Sprint Car race saluting the career of Tom Bigelow, whose 52 career victories lead the all-time USAC standings for the series. Practice at IRP begins at 5 pm, with qualifying set for 6:30 and racing at 8.
Brian Tyler, in a bid for the Hoffman Auto Racing Team's record-tying 51st USAC Sprint Car feature win, finished second at Cedar Rapids and was followed at the checkered flag by Tracy Hines, Ed Carpenter and J.J. Yeley. The Hoffman Team will be attempting to tie Steve Stapp's all-time leading total in the series at IRP Saturday.
Jonathan Vennard earned the Turbines, Inc. Fast Qualifier Award at Cedar Rapids and finished sixth.
Rain forced cancellation of Friday night's "Racin' With D.O. Racin' Fest 2001" events at Twin Cities Raceway Park in North Vernon, Ind. and subsequent cancellation of the Saturday night events, which included a USAC Sprint Car Special Event and the USAC Dirt-Track Regional Midget Car Series at the 3/8-mile dirt track.
STOOPS FREIGHTLINER USAC SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Dave Darland 1,267
2. J.J. Yeley 1,204
3. Jay Drake 1,191
4. Tony Elliott 1,115
5. Tracy Hines 985
6. Bud Kaeding 890
7. Derek Davidson 779
8. Robbie Rice 775
9. Brian Tyler 703
10. Bill Rose 647
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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