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USAC: Tyler wins at Memphis, Hines claims 1st USAC Championship

31 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Brian Tyler won the race and Tracy Hines won the championship as the USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series capped its 14-race season with a competitive "Memphis 100" finale Sunday afternoon at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Tyler took the lead when Ryan Newman's clutch broke after 75 laps, then led the final 25 laps in his Kroger/Pringles/Sunny Delight Special to win the 100-lap race on the 3/4-mile paved oval. He was the fourth race leader of the day.

"The car was perfect at the start," said Tyler in victory lane. "But a left front shock cover broke and let the car drag on the track which caused me to fall back." When the the red flag came out for a three-car accident in turn one involving John Heydenreich, Bobby McMahan and Jimmy Sills, Tyler's team fixed the problem. "That helped," said Tyler. "The car was a rocket again and we were able to move back up in the field. I saw some smoke from Ryan's car and knew he was in trouble. Race traffic was no problem the rest of the way." There were no injuries in the accident.

Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. overhauled Dave Darland for the series championship, finishing second in the race and ending with a 29-point margin as Tyler took third in the standings. Darland ran out of the "top-10" most of the race and spun out on the white flag lap. "I only wish we could have won the title," added Tyler.

Trailing Tyler and Hines at the finish were pole starter Russ Gamester, Oliver Trucking "Rookie of the Race" Kasey Kahne and Derek Davidson. Jack Hewitt won Saturday's 15-lap "qualifying race."

FINAL USAC COORS LIGHT SILVER BULLET SERIES STANDINGS

1. Tracy Hines 603
2. Dave Darland 574
3. Brian Tyler 563
4. J.J. Yeley 490
5. Brad Noffsinger 483
6. Russ Gamester 453
7. Tony Elliott 435
8. John Heydenreich 429
9. Paul White 419
10. Kasey Kahne 409

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.