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USAC: Western Sprint Car Tour a Big Success

28 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The recently-completed USAC Western Sprint Car Tour to tracks in Arizona, New Mexico and Kansas has left fans and participants wanting for more and that's just what they can expect in the year 2001.

"I am extremely pleased with the results of our swing," said USAC VP/Western Operations Tommy Hunt from his Rancho Cordova, Calif. office. "We were able to christen one brand-new facility as well as make our debut at another and we look forward to more of the same next season. Our car counts were good and fan turnout was tremendous. We're excited about the future prospects for expansion of our series as a result."

The tour began June 10 at Tucson Raceway Park in Arizona and continued with stops at Sandia Motorsports Park in Albuquerque and the brand-new Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas. Todd Ellison, Jeff Gardner and Tony Hunt scored feature wins, but all three races were hotly-contested. Ellison led the final nine laps at Tucson after passing Hunt, while Gardner passed Troy Cline on the final lap for the win at Albuquerque and Hunt caught Cline only four laps from the checkered flag at Dodge City.

"I'm truly pleased with the overall picture we developed from the tour," added Tommy Hunt. Seven of our participants averaged over $1,000 per race in prize money, topped by Ken Pierson's $6,675 total. We had a total of 27 race cars, 18 of which which ran all three events, all of which earned a minimum of $480 per event. Our race organizers, Dave Deery, Larry Pittsley, Dawn Freeze and Gary Sokola, offered substantial purses, paying a minimum of $450, including tow money, just to start the features.

"The inaugural races at Albuquerque and Dodge City exposed our series to new fans and they responded with enthusiasm, so we look forward to return engagements at both those tracks," added Hunt. "The Albuquerque event was the first for USAC in the State of New Mexico since 1964!"

The 27 race cars which made the nearly-3,500-mile tow to attend the three events included all of the series point leaders, including series point leader Davey Hamilton, the only driver who has started every race in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series!

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Davey Hamilton 502
2. Todd Ellison 493
3. Jeff Gardner 468
4. Tony Hunt 452
5. Burney Lamar 448
6. Mike Boat 418
7. Kevin Kierce 367
8. Troy Cline 280
9. Amy Barnes 269
10. Jimmy Sills 257

Text provided by Dick Jordan

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.