USAC: 'Coca-Cola 100" belongs to Mike Bliss
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 13, 2001
Mike Bliss of Milwaukie, Ore. dominated Saturday night's "Coca-Cola 100" presented by Crystal Flash at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He led all but the first nine laps and lapped everyone but second-place finisher Russ Gamester! The win in the USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet event was his record 11th in USAC competition at IRP.
"The car was flawless," he admitted in victory lane. "It was perfect. I didn't have a radio, so I wasn't sure who was behind me. Camera flashes made me think someone was close but I'm really happy with the win. I haven't been racing much this year. This series is a lot tougher than when I ran it three years ago."
Bliss caught Paul White on the 10th lap and led the rest of the way in his George Snider Racing Chevy/Beast. Russ Gamester, in a bid for his third consecutive series win, finished second, about 15 second behind. Defending series champion Tracy Hines, Derek Davidson and White rounded out the "top-five" at the checkered flag.
Gamester emerged from the race, run without a single caution light, with a 41-point series lead over Kasey Kahne, who was eighth in the 100-lapper.
Hines won the pole for the race and Brian Tyler won the 15-lap "qualifying race."
Indianapolis, Ind. - Results Saturday night (May 12) from the running of the "Coca-Cola 100" presented by Crystal Flash Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Race at Indianapolis Raceway Park, with starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, reason out if any and money won:
1. (5) Mike Bliss, Milwaukie, Ore., 100, $9,100.
2. (6) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 100 $4,700.
3. (1) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 99, $4,249.
4. (12) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 99, $2,199.
5. (2) Paul White, Temple, Texas, 99, $1,949.
6. (19) Ed Carpenter, Indianapolis, Ind., 99, $1,799.
7. (20) Jason McCord, Anderson, Ind., 99, $1,639.
8. (3) Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash., 99, $1,549.
9. (8) Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind., 99, $1,449.
10. (7) Chet Fillip, San Angelo, Texas, 98, $1,348.
11. (9) J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 98, $1,248.
12. (10) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif., 98, $1,198.
13. (21) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 98, $1,148.
14. (4) Dane Carter, Brownsburg, Ind., 98, $1,098.
15. (15) Brad Noffsinger, Concord, N.C., 98, $1048.
16. (17) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 97, $997.
17. (13) Bud Kaeding, Campbell, Calif., 97, $947.
18. (23) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 97, $897.
19. (27) Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 97, $872.
20. (18) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa., 97, $847.
21. (25) Michael Lewis, Noblesville, Ind., 96, $821.
22. (30) Bobby McMahan, Rio Linda, Calif., 96, $796.
23. (28) Jimmy McCune, Sylvania, Ohio, 87, Handling, $762.
24. (22) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind., 78, Suspension, $728.
25. (11) Dave Steele, Tampa, Fla., 62, RR Tire, $687.
26. (16) Brian Paulus, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 31, Handling, $631.
27. (24) Billy Puterbaugh, Jr., Brownsburg, Ind., 22, Handling, $622.
28. (26) Carl Edwards, Columbia, Mo., 10, Engine, $610.
29. (14) Tyler Walker, Charlotte, N.C., 1, Rear End, $601.
30. (29) Rich Tobias, Jr., Annville, Pa., 1, Suspension, $601.
Text provided by Dick Jordan
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery .