Coons Midget Lead in Jeopardy at Milwaukee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                  JULY 17, 2006

Contact: DICK JORDAN/MICHAEL HARKER                                                                                                       06-185

 

 

1_POINT COONS LEAD IN JEOPARDY AT MILWAUKEE

 

 

            Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. is just one point ahead of Bryan Clauson in the USAC National Midget Series standings going into this weekend's race at the Milwaukee (Wis.) Mile. Jay Drake is just 17 back, while Dave Darland is only 29 behind. A total of 68 points are up for grabs, so Saturday's 30-mile Midget feature could be pivotal in the battle for this year's championship.

 

            Coons, who drives for Wicsonsin's Wilke-Pak Racers team, has never won a USAC title but is enjoying a banner season after winning the prestigious "Belleville Midget Nationals" title in Kansas in 2005. So far this year he's recorded Midget victories in the Knoxville (Iowa) King Doodlebug Classic and at Eldon, Mo. on a night when he swept the USAC Midget and Sprint Car features.

 

            Midget practice and qualifying are slated at the Milwaukee Mile Friday and Saturday's 30-mile Midget race gets the green flag at 1:30 pm.

 

            Challengers for Coons will include Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass., winner of this year's "Night Before the 500" Midget classic at Indianapolis, Ind., plus USAC Triple Crown Champion Dave Darland, defending National Midget Champion Josh Wise, defending National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones, defending USAC Silver Crown Champion Dave Steele, Jay Drake and 2005 National Midget Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn.

 

            J.J. Yeley, the 2005 Milwaukee Midget race winner, holds the 1-lap track qualifying record of 127.384 mph, established in 2004.

 

 

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Jerry Coons Jr.
     394
      
     6.
     Bobby Santos III
     319
     
      2.
     Bryan Clauson
     393
      
     7.
     Brad Kuhn
     316
     
      3.
     Jay Drake
     377
      
     8.
     Levi Jones
     291
     
      4.
     Dave Darland
     365
      
     9.
     Josh Wise
     288
     
      5.
     Dave Steele
     335
      
     10.
     Michael Lewis
     284