USAC: Hines takes 'Joe James/Pat O'Connor' 50 lapper at Salem
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 14, 2001SPRINT CARS RETURN TO ANDERSON FRIDAY NIGHT
Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. captured Saturday night's 50-lap "Joe James/Pat O'Connor Classic" at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and is preparing for another 50-lapper this Friday night at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. The Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car series suffered a rainout in May at Anderson and drivers are looking forward to their return to the 1/4-mile paved oval. Practice starts at 5 pm, with qualifying slated at 6 and racing at 7.
Hines ran out of the "top-five" for the first half of the Salem race before making his move to the front in his Northside Propane Gaerte/Beast. He passed defending race winner Eric Gordon on the 38th lap and led the rest of the way to beat Gordon, Derek Davidson, Tony Elliott and Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Dave Darland.
Defending Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Champion Elliott led the first 36 laps of the Salem feature before slipping to fourth at the checkered flag.
Darland emerged from the Salem race with an 87-point lead over Jay Drake in the series standings going into this Friday's Anderson race. Drake failed to finish the Salem feature and was credited with 15th position.
Derek Davidson, currently seventh in the series points, holds the 1-lap track qualifying record drivers will aim at Friday. He toured the Anderson oval in 11.406 seconds in April before winning that night's 50-lap feature.
STOOPS FREIGHTLINER USAC SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Dave Darland 1,132
2. Jay Drake 1,045
3. J.J. Yeley 1,024
4. Tony Elliott 963
5. Tracy Hines 846
6. Bud Kaeding 761
7. Derek Davidson 685
8. Robbie Rice 655
9. Bill Rose 647
10. Brian Tyler 589
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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