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USAC Sprints: Drake, Elliott trade victories and point lead

29 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

SPRINT CARS RETURN TO HAWKEYE DOWNS FRIDAY NIGHT

Tony Elliott and Jay Drake take their torrid battle for the Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car championship to Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this Friday night, separated by only 14 points.

Drake won last Friday night's 30-lapper at Attica, Ohio and Elliott won Saturday night's 30-lap "Danny Milburn Classic" at Lawrenceburg, Ind., Drake snatching the point lead Friday but relinquishing it Saturday.

Drake trailed Elliott for the first 15 laps at Attica Raceway Park, then led the final 15 in his KECO/Hoosier Tire Special to beat Elliott, Derek Davidson, Terry Pletch and Greg Wilson. Jay also was the Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier and won the True Value semi. Dave Darland escaped injury when he flipped on the 10th lap of the feature.

Elliott returned to lead all 30 laps of Saturday's race at the Lawrenceburg Speedway in his WorldBestBuy.com/Hoosier Tire/Jam It In Storage Special, beating Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Kevin Briscoe to the checkered flag. Pletch, Kevin Thomas and Bud Kaeding rounded out the "top-five". Todd Kane and Jeff Wilson escaped injury in separate flips.

Drivers will be aiming at Tracy Hines' 1-lap qualifying record when Turbines, Inc. qualifying commences at Cedar Rapids Friday. Brian Tyler won the May 12 race at the 1/2-mile paved oval. Practice starts at 5:30 pm, with qualifying slated at 6:30 and racing at 7:30.

USAC STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Tony Elliott 1174
2. Jay Drake 1160
3. Tracy Hines 941
4. Derek Davidson 938
5. J.J. Yeley 929
6. Bud Kaeding 832
7. Dave Darland 784
8.. Eric Gordon 703
9. Brian Tyler 631
10. Jack Hewitt 596

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.