SPRINTS GEARING UP FOR TOLEDO/MANSFIELD WEEKEND JULY 8-9
GREGORY WINS RICHMOND'S "SHOWDOWN AT SUNDOWN"
JUNE 27, 2005
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The Valvoline USAC National Sprint Car Series is preparing for
back-to-back Ohio contests July 8-9 at Toledo and Mansfield following Ron
Gregory's victory in Saturday night's "Showdown at Sundown" at Richmond, Va.
Gregory, of Noblesville, Ind., posted his initial series
triumph in the BWB Racing Hannig Construction/First Financial Bank
Beast/Jones. He was proclaimed the winner following post-race technical
inspection during which the car driven by fast qualifier Bobby East failed
to pass and was disqualified. East had originally led all 60 laps around
the 3/4-mile paved oval.
Michael Lewis was officially credited with leading the first
41 laps at Richmond, with teammate Bobby Santos III leading the next 13
laps. Gregory then paced the final six circuits for the win.
Jay Drake, who failed to finish the Richmond race, continues
to lead the series standings going into the two Ohio races. He is 14 points
ahead of Dave Darland, who placed 11th in the Richmond feature.
The July 8 "Hemelgarn Racing Night" program at Toledo is
expected to attract numerous former USAC drivers, including Toledo's Rollie
Beale, USAC's 1973 National Sprint Car Champion, who have been invited as
special guests.
USAC VALVOLINE NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Jay Drake-479
2.-Dave Darland-465
3.-Levi Jones-446
4.-Bud Kaeding-416
5.-Josh Wise-370
6.-Mat Neely-345
7.-Jon Stanbrough-259
8.-Jerry Coons, Jr.-249
9. Dave Steele-245
10. Tom Hessert III-214