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USAC: Newman Captures Winchester 50-Lapper, Takes Points Lead

8 June 1999

Ryan Newman of South Bend, Ind. won Sunday afternoon's 50-lap MCI WorldCom USAC National Midget Car race at the Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, the longest USAC Midget Car race in Winchester history.

Newman's victory, in his C.E. Lewis Racing Team Drinan Brayton, vaulted him into the lead in the MCI WorldCom Midget Car standings, 12 points ahead of runner-up Ricky Shelton going into a June 16 race at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.

Newman saved his tires for the late stages of Sunday's race and led the final 16 laps after passing Dave Steele. "My power steering went out on the 42nd lap and my hands were pretty weak at the end," he admitted in victory lane. "That loosened up the car, though, and helped me in the closing laps."

Newman's car builder, Dan Drinan, took second after leading earlier in the race. A.J. Fike, Shelton and Steele rounded out the "top-five" at the finish. Jason Leffler, the defending series champion and point leader entering the event, elected not to compete after test laps due to a hand injury suffered in the May 28 Silver Bullet race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Lady drivers earned special recognition during Sunday's Winchester program. Sarah McCune of Perrysburg, Ohio became the first lady driver to score a USAC heat race victory at the storied track when she beat Steele and Drinan to win the fourth heat. Sarah Fisher of Ashville, Ohio led the third heat before finishing second behind Brian Gerster. They finished seventh and 20th respectively in the 50-lapper.

MCI WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR STANDINGS

1. Ryan Newman 120 6. Dave Steele 62
2. Ricky Shelton 108 7. Dan Drinan 53
3. Jason Leffler 99 8. Brian Gerster 53
4. Jerry Coons, Jr. 71 9. Ed Carpenter 48
5. Tracy Hines 67 10. John Heydenreich 47

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