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USAC: Hines Wins 'Opperman Memorial'; Gerster Scores at Louisville

11 May 1999

STOOPS SPRINT CARS VISIT SALEM SPEEDWAY SUNDAY

Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. and Brian Gerster of Indianapolis, Ind. scored Stoops Freightliner/USAC Sprint Car "firsts" over the past weekend and now prepare for the series' visit Sunday afternoon to the Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

Hines notched his first dirt-track Sprint car win in Saturday night's 30-lap "Jan Opperman Memorial" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track driving the Willoughby Racing/Stealth/Shaver/Hoosier Tire Special. The win was also the first in the series for car owner Pete Willoughby of Columbus, Ind. Gerster's first-ever series win came in Wednesday night's nationally-televised (ESPN2) 30-lap feature at the Louisville (Ky.) Motor Speedway, driving the BWB Racing/Hannig Construction/Bailey's One-Stop Special.

Derek Davidson of Lafayette, Ind., with a third at Louisville and a ninth at Terre Haute, takes an eight-point lead over Dave Darland (10th and 2nd respectively in the two races), into Sunday's racing program at the 1/2-mile paved Salem oval. Practice there starts at 11 am, followed by qualifying at 12:30 pm and racing at 2. A 30-lap feature is on tap.

Hines passed Rusty McClure on the 19th lap at Terre Haute and led the rest of the way to beat Darland, Tony Elliott, Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Jerry Coons, jr. and McClure. Gerster got by Stan Butler on the 23rd lap at Louisville and held on to beat Ryan Newman, Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Derek Davidson, Brian Tyler and Matt Jewell.

Jack Hewitt of Troy Ohio and Harry Shepherd III of Terre Haute escaped injury in separate flips during the Terre Haute program.

True Value semis went to Denny England at Louisville and Terry Pletch at Terre Haute.

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR STANDINGS

1. Derek Davidson 348 6. Brian Gerster 215
2. Dave Darland 340 7. Eric Gordon 190
3. Brian Tyler 315 8. Ryan Newman 182
4. Tracy Hines 309 9. Robbie Rice 181
5. Tony Elliott 301 10. Bill Rose 178

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.