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USAC: Leffler on the pole for Copper World Classic in Phoenix

5 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Jason Leffler of Long Beach, Calif. captured the pole position for Sunday's "Copper World Classic" USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet race at Phoenix International Raceway, breaking the track qualifying record during Saturday's time trials at the 1-mile Arizona oval.

Leffler clocked in at 140.806 mph in his Team ASE/Wynn's Beast Special co-owned by Tony Stewart and Bob East. That broke Dave Steele's mark of 138.451 mph set in 1998.

"I was surprised we won the pole," said Leffler, "even though we ran faster during practice. The car was good, though, and I knew it was a good lap. My plan tomorrow is just to get out front and stay there!"

Defending series champion Ryan Newman of South Bend, Ind. shares the front row in Sunday's 30-car field with Leffler after posting a speed of 139.216 mph.

Saturday's 10-mile Silver Bullet "consolation" race was won by Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio.

In other "Copper World Classic" action, Leffler just missed winning the pole for the MCI WorldCom Midget Car race and will start alongside pole-winner Newman.

Stewart, making an infrequent open-wheel appearance, qualified third in the Midget Car field and won the pole for Sunday's 25-mile Supermodified Racing League event at a speed of over 148 mph.

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Phoenix, Ariz. - Results Saturday afternoon (February 5) from qualifications for the February 6 23rd "Copper World Classic" Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Race at Phoenix International Raceway, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown and speed:

1. (9) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif., 140.806 mph.
2. (1) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind., 139.216.
3. (37) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 139.184.
4. (2) Kenny Irwin, Charlotte, N.C., 138.691.
5. (4) Jason McCord, Anderson, Ind., 138.493.
6. (69) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 138.339.
7. (333) Dan Drinan, Indianapolis, Ind., 137.809.
8. (40) Brad Noffsinger, Concord, N.C., 137.735.
9. (51) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 137.530.
10. (100) Paul White, Temple, Texas, 137.504.
11. (30) Chuck Leary, Greenfield, Ind., 137.478.
12. (81) Tony Hunt, Fair Oaks, Calif., 137.252.
13. (67) Chuck Leary, Greenfield, Ind., 137.059.
14. (29) Bentley Warren, Kennebunkport, Maine, 137.012.
15. (11) Jimmy Sills, Placerville, C1lif., 136.882.
16. (66) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa., 136.856.
17. (77) Chet Fillip, San Angelo, Texas, 136.851.
18. (56) Dave Darland, Kokomo, Ind., 136.508.
19. (41) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind., 136.472.
20. (99) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 136.147.
21. (20) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 135.987.
22. (16) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill., 135.741.
23. (6) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif., 135.623.
24. (52) Jon Herb, Indianapolis, Ind., 135.241.
25. (23) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio, Winner-Qualifying race.
26. (111) Ed Carpenter, Indianapolis, Ind., 2nd-Qualifying race.
27. (01) Pat Abold, Pennellville, N.Y., 3rd-Qualifying race.
28. (90) Ken Hamilton, Boise, Ida., 4th-Qualifying race.
29. (98) Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif., 5th-Qualifying race.
30. (74) Rich Tobias, Jr., Annville, Pa., 6th-Qualifying race.

Text Provided by USAC

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