USAC: Aaron Fike becomes youngest winner in Coors Light Silver Bullet history

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 1, 2001

Aaron Fike, at age 18, became the youngest winner in the history of the USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Saturday evening as he won the "Dominic's of New York 100" at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Fike surpasses Jeff Gordon, who at age 19, won a similar race at Phoenix, Ariz. in 1991.

"I was really conservative," he admitted after the race. "The first 60 laps I was just cruising around. This win is great. I'll be celebrating by running two Midget races tomorrow - one in the afternoon and one at night!"

Fike started eighth in the McGladrey & Pullen/Azer Clinic/Weld/Hoosier/Sparco Foxco/Beast and bolted into the "top-five" on lap 12. He slipped out of the top-five, then returned on lap 47.By lap 80 he had joined leaders Dave Steele and Tyler Walker in a three-car battle for the lead.

Walker got by Steele on lap 91 but four laps later spun out, allowing Fike, who had passed Steele on lap 92, to assume the lead on the final restart. Fike's final margin of victory over series point leader Russ Gamester was just over a second, with Steele taking third ahead of Jason McCord and Paul White.

Tracy Hines won the pole with a new track record speed of 133.935 mph but a right rear tire forced him out of the race on lap 94 while running in the "top-10."

Brad Noffsinger won the 15-lap "qualifying race" which preceded the 100-lap feature.

A crowd of near 30,000 was on hand for the race, which was followed by the SunTrust Indy Challenge Indy Racing Northern Light Series event at the 3/4-mile paved oval.

Richmond, Va. - Results Saturday (June 30) from the running of the Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Race at Richmond International Raceway, with starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, reason out if any and money won:

1. (8) Aaron Fike, Galesburg, Ill., 100, $15,700, 90.228 mph.
2. (12) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 100, $8,100.
3. (2) Dave Steele, Tampa, Fla., 100, $5,600.
4. (6) Jason McCord, Anderson, Ind., 100, $4,200.
5. (19) Paul White, Temple, Texas, 100, $3,400.
6. (5) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 100, $2,875.
7. (25) Brad Noffsinger, Concord, N.C., 100, $2,575.
8. (15) Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 100, $2,400.
9. (10) Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind., 100, $2,200.
10. (22) Robby Flock, Murrieta, Calif., 99, $1,999.
11. (23) Dane Carter, Brownsburg, Ind., 99, $1,899.
12. (26) Billy Puterbaugh, Jr., Brownsburg, Ind., 99, $1,799.
13. (16) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 99, $1,699.
14. (27) Rich Tobias, Jr., Annville, Pa., 99, $1,649.
15. (28) Carl Edwards, Columbia, Mo., 99, $1,599.
16. (30) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind., 99, $1,549.
17. (18) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 98, Front Drive, $1,498.
18. (21) Chet Fillip, San Angelo, Texas, 98, $1,398.
19. (7) Ed Carpenter, Indianapolis, Ind., 98, $1,348.
20. (29) John Nervo, Akron, Ohio, 97, $1,297.
21. (4) Tyler Walker, Charlotte, N.C., 95, Engine, $1,270.
22. (1) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 93, RR Tire, $2,243.
23. (9) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 86, Brake Line, $1,211.
24. (24) P.J. Jones, Cornelius, N.C., 64, Handling, $1,164.
25. (17) J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 42, Ignition, $1,117.
26. (20) Jonathan Vennard, Vincennes, Ind., 37, Fuel Leak, $1,087.
27. (13) Bud Kaeding, Campbell, Calif., 33, Accident, $1,058.
28. (3) Mike Bliss, Milwaukie, Ore., 20, Fuel Leak, $1,020.
29. (14) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif., 17, Oil Leak, $1,017.
30. (11) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa., 15, Drive Line, $1,015.

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.