STEELE, UNDEFEATED ON PAVEMENT THIS YEAR READY TO EXPAND LAPS LED RECORD AT MILWAUKEE

JULY 18, 2005

             Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. is the all-time leader in terms of 
USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown laps led and hopes to expand that record this 
weekend when the series visits the famed Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin.

             Steele has led 1,643 laps, which includes 260 of 300 this 
year. He surpassed Jimmy Sills’ series record of 1,584 by leading 60 at 
Fountain, Colo. July 3. He also leads in terms of raced led, with 36 since 
his series debut at Milwaukee in 1993. He scored wire-to-wire victories at 
Phoenix, Ariz. and Richmond, Va. in addition to his win at Pikes Peak 
International Raceway, and a victory by Steele at Milwaukee Saturday would 
make him the first driver in series history to win four consecutive races 
on pavement.

             Saturday’s 100-mile race will mark the fifth appearance of the 
series at the storied oval. Jay Drake won last year, while George Snider 
won in 1988, Eric Gordon in 1990 and Mike Bliss in 1993.

             Remarkably Steele holds neither the one or 100-mile track 
records at the 1-mile oval. Bobby East set the 1-lap qualifying standard of 
128.585 mph last year, while Gordon set the 100-mile race record of 107.370 
mph in 1990.

             Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday, with 
Saturday’s race set for a green flag at 4:30 pm. The USAC National Midget 
Car Series is also part of Milwaukee’s ABC Supply ­ A.J. Foyt 225 Indy 
Racing League weekend, with practice and qualifying on Friday and a 30-mile 
feature at 2 pm Saturday.

             Steele, who drives for Bob East and Tony Stewart, is the 
defending USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Champion and holds a 45-point lead 
over runner-up Josh Wise, one of three drivers in the Tony Stewart Racing 
stable. Bud Kaeding ranks third in the standings, ahead of Stewart’s other 
driver, Drake.

             Milwaukee track record holders Gordon and East will return 
this weekend, along with 2004 USAC Sprint Car Champ and defending Milwaukee 
winner Jay Drake, USAC Triple Crown Champion Dave Darland, 2005 “Hoosier 
Hundred” winner Teddy Beach and standouts Brian Tyler, Wise and Tony 
Elliott. USAC’s only female driving champion, Sondi Eden, is also entered. 
Sondi won last year’s Indianapolis Speedrome Midget title.

USAC WELD RACING SILVER CROWN SERIES STANDINGS

1.-Dave Steele-246
2.-Josh Wise-201
3.-Bud Kaeding-188
4.-Jay Drake-181
5.-Brian Tyler-181
6.-Russ Gamester-163
7.-Wayne Reutimann, Jr.-138
8.-John Heydenreich-128
9.-Teddy Beach-125
10.-Tracy Hines-115