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USAC: Darland continues Midget Car domination in '4-Crown'

28 September 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Dave Darland of Kokomo, Ind. added the "4-Crown Nationals" to his impressive resume of 1999 MCI WorldCom USAC National Midget Car triumphs, winning Saturday night's 25-lap feature at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Darland previously won the "Belleville Midget Nationals" in Kansas and the "Hut Hundred" at Terre Haute, Ind. and caught Tracy Hines on the 10th lap of Saturday night's race. He then led the rest of the way in his Wynn's/ASE/Beat/Ford to beat J.J. Yeley, Jay Drake, Hines and Tony Elliott.

Yeley was Friday night's fastest qualifier and won the first heat race. Dean Franklin won the "non-qualifiers" race and Darland, Jerry Coons, Jr. and Mark Freeland also won heats. Hines won Saturday's 12-lap semi. Five drivers flipped during the Midget Car events at the 1/2-mile dirt oval but there were no injuries.

The MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series resumes action on October 24 with the annual "Sammy Sessions Classic" at the Winchester (Ind.) Speedway. Series point leader Jason Leffler, headed for a record-tying third consecutive National championship, did not compete at Rossburg due to other racing commitments.

MCI WORLDCOM USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR STANDINGS

1. Jason Leffler 481 6. Dave Darland 216
2. Ryan Newman 337 7. Brian Gerster 192
3. Jerry Coons, Jr. 332 8. A.J. Fike 188
4. Tracy Hines 236 9. Michael Lewis 187
5. Jay Drake 235 10. Clay Klepper 182

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