USAC: Drake stays hot--takes Topeka 30-lapper
13 June 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
NATIONAL/WESTERN MIDGET CARS INVADE PPIR THIS WEEKEND
Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. trails Kasey Kahne by just one point in the new MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series standings after winning Friday night's 30-lap feature event at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kans.
The National and Western Midget Cars are now headed for this weekend's events at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo. Part of the Indy Racing Northern Light Series' Radisson Indy 200 activities on the 1-mile paved oval, the Midget Cars are set for a 25-mile feature Sunday at 11:30 am.
Drake led the first five laps of the race in his Ralph's Muffler & Brake Shops Special, then trailed fast qualifier A.J. Fike for the next 22 laps before re-passing him with three laps remaining on the 3/8-mile dirt track. Fike finished second, ahead of Kahne, Phil Heavelow and Travis Welpott. Keith Rauch won the non-qualifiers race, while heats went to Fike, Dave Darland, Kahne and Donnie Lehmann. Drake won the semi.
MCI WorldCom Western Midget Car point leader Bobby Boone encountered mechanical problems and did not start the feature at Topeka. He continues to lead the Western series standings going into this weekend's Pikes Peak program.
Saturday's PPIR timetable calls for Midget practice from 9-9:50 am and 11:35 am-12:15 pm. Midget Car qualifying on Saturday commences at 2 pm. A 10-lap "qualifying race" at 10 am precedes Sunday's 25-mile feature.
Drivers at PPIR will be aiming at Ryan Newman's all-time Midget Car qualifying record of 139.265 mph, established in 1997.
USAC MCI WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Kasey Kahne 211
2. Jay Drake 210
3. A.J. Fike 172
4. Jimmy McCune 170
5. Dave Darland 169
6. Ryan Scott 131
7. Ryan Newman 126
8. John Heydenreich 121
9. Michael Lewis 120
10. Steve Paden 117
USAC MCI WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Bobby Boone 412
2. Danny Ebberts 376
3. Wally Pankratz 359
4. Rick Hendrix 357
5. Steve Paden 343
6. Thomas Meseraull 343
7. Shane Scully 338
8. Kasye Kahne 293
9. Josh Wise 283
10. Bryan Stanfill 280
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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