November Sprint Finales

CLAYTON POLISHES OFF "FALL HARVEST TONY HULMAN CLASSIC" FIELDS

The USAC National Sprint Car Series is taking the next four weeks off to get ready for the season-ending "tripleheaders" in California and Arizona in early-November.

The 11th annual "Budweiser Oval Nationals" presented by Temecula Valley Pipe and Supply is slated Nov. 2-4 at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, to be followed by the 39th Annual Checker Auto Parts/Budweiser "Western World Championships" presented by The ParkerStore Nov. 9-11 at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. Both events offer three consecutive nights of racing and a grand total of $159,150 in prize money has been posted.

Tony Stewart Racing teammates Josh Wise and Levi Jones continue to lead the series standings going into the events which will also offer points toward the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series championship. USAC/CRA point leaders Damion Gardner and Cory Kruseman will continue their torrid point race in the two weekends of activity.

Daron Clayton of Sikeston, Mo. virtually dominated the competition in last weekend's "Fall Harvest Tony Hulman Classic" action at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track. Clayton won both Friday's 20-lap "Fall Harvest Classic" and Saturday's 30-lap 36th annual "Tony Hulman Classic" in his Clayton Fabrication/Weld Racing Maxim/Foxco.

On Friday, Clayton passed Jon Stanbrough on lap eight and led the final 13 laps of one of the greatest duels ever witnessed at the storied oval. Stanbrough was second ahead of Jerry Coons Jr., Wise and Dave Darland. On Saturday, Clayton passed Shane Cottle on the second lap and held on to again defeat Stanbrough, who was followed by Dustin Morgan, Cottle and Coons.

Jay Drake suffered bruises in a jarring crash while battling for the lead in Saturday's semi-feature. He was released from Terre Haute Regional Hospital after scans proved negative Saturday night.

USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

      1.
     Josh Wise
     1,490
      
     6.
     Darren Hagen
     1,181
     
      2.
     Levi Jones
     1,377
      
     7.
     Jerry Coons Jr.,
     1,043
     
      3.
     Dave Darland
     1,332
      
     8.
     Jon Stanbrough
     836
     
      4.
     Mat Neely
     1,300
      
     9.
     Brady Short
     823
     
      5.
     Bryan Clauson
     1,196
      
     10.
     Jay Drake
     800