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USAC: Spectacular 50th Speedrome Victory for Michael Lang

11 June 1999

Michael Lang went Danny Sullivan one better Wednesday night! Sullivan's "spin and win" in the 1985 Indianapolis 500 is well documented but Lang's "flip and win" at the Speedrome marked the first time in 278 USAC Midget Car events at the 1/5-mile paved oval that a driver had recovered from a flip to win the 50-lap feature!

Lang's win was a historic 50th in a career which includes four Speedrome Midget Car Championships and it boosted him into the 1999 series point lead in search of a fifth title.

Defending series champion John Sluss was leading when he and Lang tangled in turn three, rolling Lang onto his side. Sluss was unable to restart but Lang came from 16th position on the restart to fourth by lap 40 when Daryl Campbell oiled down the track. After the restart leader Norm Young ran out of fuel on lap 41 and Lang led the rest of the way in his Stebbins Aviation/AdTech Floor Care/Keco/IFI/Symbol Mattress Fontana.

"That's one goal down and one to go," said Lang after the race. "I wanted 50 wins and five titles and now I've got the first. Hopefully I'll get the second too."

Trailing Lang at the checkered flag were Brad Kuhn, Gregg Cory, David Fuhrman and Blake Chinn. Kuhn and Lang won the preliminary heat races. The Speedrome Midget Car Series continues next Wednesday night, June 16 with another 50-lapper on tap.

USAC INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME MIDGET CAR STANDINGS

1. Michael Lang 3,250 6. David Fuhrman 900
2. Norm Young 3,200 7. Ron Hamm 830
3. A.J. Davis 2,010 8. Jeff McCloud 580
4. Gregg Cory 1,560 9. Mike Schuyler 570
5. Brad Kuhn 1,300 10. Ed Hair 520

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery
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