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USAC: Tony Stewart beats Newman in 'Copper World Classic' Thriller Midget Car Race

7 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Tony Stewart of Rushville, Ind. captured Sundays 25-mile MCI WorldCom USAC National/Western Midget Car series opener at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway. The victory in the 23rd "Copper World Classic" came in the Wynns/Ford/ASE/Performance Racing Industry Beast.

Stewart battled new track record holder Ryan Newman the entire race and passed him on the white-flag lap to lead the final two circuits around the 1-mile paved oval. Newman finished second after leading 21 of the 25 laps. Dave Darland, A.J. Fike and Steve Paden rounded out the "top-five" at the checkered flag.

Newman had won the pole starting spot on Saturday at 135.358 mph and now leads both the National and Western Midget Car series standings after the series opener.

Jay Drake won Saturdays 10-lap consolation race.

The National series resumes action April 2 at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, while the Western series resumes action March 11 at Bakersfield, Calif.

MCI WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Ryan Newman 65
2. Dave Darland 57
3. A.J. Fike 53
4. Steve Paden 48
5. John Heydenreich 45
6. Jay Drake 42
7. Jimmy McCune 39
8. Clay Klepper 36
9. Ryan Scott 33
10. Ronnie Johncox 31

MCI WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Ryan Newman 65
2. Dave Darland 57
3. A.J. Fike 53
4. Steve Paden 48
5. John Heydenreich 45
6. Jay Drake 42
7. Jimmy McCune 39
8. Clay Klepper 36
9. Ryan Scott 33
10. Ronnie Johncox 31

Text Provided by USAC

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