USAC: Stanbrough, Drake grab 'Indiana Sprint Week' openers

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 28, 2001

Defending Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week" Champion Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif., leads the standings after the first two races of the 2001 competition, with races scheduled Tuesday at North Vernon, Thursday at Lawrenceburg, Friday at Bloomington, Saturday at Terre Haute and Sunday at Kokomo.

Drake, the fastest qualifier, led the final 18 laps of Sunday night's 30-lapper at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. in his WorldBestBuy.com/KECO Coatings/Hoosier Tire Gaerte/Stealth after passing Derek Davidson on lap 13. Dave Darland, after starting 21st, finished second ahead of Davidson, with Tony Elliott fourth and Kevin Thomas fifth. Robbie Rice led the first six laps before Davidson led 7-12.

Drake's victory left him seven points ahead of Darland in the Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week" standings, and only three points behind Darland in the Stoops Freightliner National standings.

Jon Stanbrough of Danville, Ind. captured Saturday night's 30-lapper at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. after a late-race duel with Darland, who started 13th. Brian Hayden, Drake and Cory Kruseman trailed at the checkered flag. The race features eight lead changes, including one on each of the final four laps! Levi Jones was the Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier.

Practice at North Vernon's Twin Cities Raceway Park Tuesday starts at 6 pm, with qualifying at 7 and racing at 8. Thursday's "Robbie Stanley Classic" timetable at Lawrenceburg Speedway has practice at 6, qualifying at 6:30 and racing at 7:30. Bloomington Speedway's "Larry Rice Classic" Friday gets under way with practice at 6:30, qualifying at 7 and race at 8. The "Jan Opperman Classic" Saturday at the Terre Haute Action Track begins with practice at 6, qualifying at 7 and racing at 8, while Sunday's Kokomo Speedway finale has practice at 6, qualifying at 6:30 and racing at 7:30.

Drivers are competing for a projected point fund of $16,000, plus special additional awards to be distributed Friday at Bloomington by Eleanor Vogler. Bloomington feature lap leaders will split $1,800 (spread over the top three drivers each lap) and "Hard Luck" and "Hard Charger" awards will also be presented.

The 2001 Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week" Champion will be crowned Sunday night at the conclusion of the racing program at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER USAC SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Dave Darland 876
2. Jay Drake 873
3. J.J. Yeley 755
4. Tony Elliott 718
5. Tracy Hines 705
6. Derek Davidson 608
7. Robbie Rice 559
8. Bill Rose 543
9. Bud Kaeding 515
10. Brian Tyler 407

PENNZOIL "INDIANA SPRINT WEEK®" STANDINGS

1. Jey Drake 127
2. Dave Darland 120
3. Brian Hayden 107
4. Tony Elliott 98
5. Derek Davidson 91
6. Cory Kruseman 80
7. Bill Rose 80
8. Jon Stanbrough 80
9. Levi Jones 76
10. Jason Knoke 67

Text provided by Dick Jordan

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