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USAC: Elliott tops Darland at DuQuoin, Eyes Terre Haute

8 September 1999

Tony Elliott of Kokomo, Ind., who scored his initial USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet victory last year at Terre Haute, Ind., is looking forward to returning to the Terre Haute Action Track September 17 after winning Monday's "Southern Illinoisan 100" at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds. "It don't get no better than this," said Elliott after his DuQuoin victory.

"We were fast all day and we keep getting better and better. This is fun."

Elliott led the final 61 miles on the 1-mile dirt oval in his Centennial Sales/Columbus Container/Moody Auto Special. He started fourth and caught early leader Eric Gordon on the 40th lap, then held off a determined Dave Darland in the closing laps. Gordon took third, ahead of defending race winner Jimmy Sills and Brian Tyler.

The 100-miler was interrupted by two red flags and one yellow. Chuck Leary clipped the outside wall in turn two on the 26th lap and overturned, then Billy Puterbaugh, Jr.'s car erupted in flames on the 83rd lap and stopped in turn one. Neither driver was injured. Jack Hewitt also spun while running third on lap 90.

Russ Gamester of Peru, Ind. passed Ryan Newman of South Bend, Ind. for the series point lead. Gamester was seventh and Newman 13th in Monday's race and Gamester leads by three points going into the September 17 race at Terre Haute. Rich Tobias, Jr. earned the Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Race" award for his 11th-place DuQuoin finish.

1999 USAC COORS LIGHT SILVER BULLET SERIES STANDINGS

1. Russ Gamester 465 6. Dave Darland 306
2. Ryan Newman 462 7. J.J. Yeley 285
3. Brian Tyler 377 8. Tony Elliott 271
4. Tracy Hines 339 9. Gary Hieber 255
5. Jack Hewitt 333 10. Jason Leffler 253

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