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USAC: Drake, Lang share podium at North Vernon

19 September 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. scored his 17th USAC feature victory of the 2000 campaign Friday night at Twin Cities Raceway Park in North Vernon, Ind. Michael Lang also wrapped up a record seventh consecutive USAC driving championship in the final race of this year's USAC Regional Dirt-Track championship.

Drake posted the fastest qualifying time in his KECO/Hoosier Tire machine, then won his heat race. In the feature he passed National MCI WorldCom Midget Car point leader Kasey Kahne on lap two but spun out on lap nine and then proceeded to come from the back of the pack to re-pass Kahne on the 17th lap. His 30-lap victory left him just three shy of USAC's first 20-win season ever. A.J. Foyt in 1961 and Sleepy Tripp in 1988 each had 19 victories in a single year.

Trailing Drake at the checkered flag at North Vernon were Kahne, Chris Coers, Joe Justice and Barry Reed. Lang, who fought off a morning illness to compete at North Vernon, finished 10th in the 30-lap race and clinched the Regional Dirt-Track Midget Car championship in the process. Coupled with his 1994-95-96-97 and 99 Indianapolis Speedrome and 1998 16th Street titles, he becomes the first driver is USAC history to claim seven consecutive titles.

USAC DIRT-TRACK REGIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES FINAL STANDINGS

1. Michael Lang 263
2. Chris Coers 231
3. Rick Vaughn 206
4. A.J. Felker 181
5. Kasey Kahne 175
6. Shane Cottle 170
7. Andy Pierce 168
8. Critter Malone 166
9. Jay Drake 158
10. Clay Klepper 137

USAC INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME REGIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Daryl Campbell 2,464
2. Brad Kuhn 2,411
3. Rick Treadway 2,411
4. David Fuhrman 2,391
5. Eric Roberts 2,208
6. Joe Justice 2,126
7. Andy Anderson 2,064
8. Charles Bushor, Jr. 1,961
9. Jason Burgess 1,908
10. Jerry Frickman 1,639

Text Provided By Dick Jordan

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