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USAC: Kahne takes 55th Budweiser 'Night Before the 500' Classic

30 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw, Wash. Won Saturday night's 55th Annual Budweiser "Night Before the 500" Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The victory boosted the 20-year-old into the MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series point lead going into the June 9 racing program at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kans.

Kahne passed teammate Dave Darland on the 15th lap and set sail in his Steve Lewis/Wynn's/Ford/ASE/Beast/PRI Special, leading the final 36 laps for his first USAC National feature win. He had previously won MCI WorldCom Western Midget Car events this year at Bakersfield, Madera and Stockton, Calif.

Ryan Newman finished second in the nationally-televised (ESPN2) race at IRP, followed by Ryan Scott, Michael Lewis and Brian Gerster. John Heydenreich led the first two laps, then Newman led the next seven and Darland led five before Kahne's charge. Newman was the fastest of 55 qualifiers and "qualifying races" were won by Michael Lang and John Nervo.

Jay Drake, who led the series points entering the IRP contest, finished eighth Saturday night, leaving him five points in arrears in the new standings.

USAC MCI WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Kasey Kahne 151
2. Jay Drake 146
3. Jimmy McCune 138
4. Ryan Newman 126
5. John Heydenreich 121
6. Dave Darland 118
7. Michael Lewis 116
8. Ryan Scott 108
9. A.J. Fike 103
10. Steve Paden 83

Text Provided By Dick Jordan

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