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USAC: Davidson Leads Stoops Sprints to Anderson, Eldora

25 May 1999

Derek Davidson of Lafayette, Ind. hopes to protect his lead in the 1999 Stoops Freightliner USAC Sprint Car standings this week as the series heads for back-to-back paved and dirt venues.

Davidson leads Dave Darland of Kokomo, Ind. by 14 points going into Wednesday night's "Tyson 50" at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, scheduled for live national telecast on ESPN2's popular "Thunder" program. A 50-lap feature event is on tap at the 1/4-mile paved oval. Practice starts at 6, followed by qualifying at 7 and racing at 8.

The 1/2-mile dirt Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, where Davidson has swept two previous 1999 USAC races, hosts Sunday night's events, including a 30-lap feature. Practice at 6:30 pm precedes qualifying at 7. Racing gets under way at 8.

In seven previous 1999 starts Davidson has never finished worse than ninth and six of his finishes have been in the "top-5." The third-ranking driver in the past two Stoops Freightliner campaigns, he would like to improve a couple of positions this year. He recorded his initial series victories at Paragon, Ind. and Sumner, Ill. last year and has quickly doubled that total already this year.

Drivers, including Tracy Hines, who has posted fast qualifying time for both previous 1999 Eldora events, will aim for Jimmy Sills' 1-lap Eldora record of 117.555 mph. Dave Steele holds the 1-lap Anderson track record of 11.437 seconds.

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR STANDINGS

1. Derek Davidson 405 6. Brian Gerster 273
2. Dave Darland 391 7. Eric Gordon 255
3. Tracy Hines 378 8. Robbie Rice 204
4. Brian Tyler 371 9. Ryan Newman 201
5. Tony Elliott 339 10. Steve Surniak 195

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