USAC: Leffler Annexes Nazareth Silver Bullet '100'; Boomstran's Condition Guarded after Brake Line Fire

20 July 1999

Jason Leffler of Long Beach, Calif. became the sixth winner in six USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet races this year by winning Saturday's 100-mile race at the Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway.

Leffler started alongside pole winner Jimmy Sills but trailed him through the first 43 laps. When Sills' car started overheating on lap 44, Leffler took command and led the rest of the distance in his Team ASE/Beast/Tony Stewart Special despite late-race pressure from Sills' teammate, Mike Bliss, who finished second. Chuck Leary, Brian Tyler and Pennsylvania favorite Gary Hieber rounded out the "top-five" at the checkered flag.

"My car was tight early," said Leffler after the race, "then the tires wore out and everything got warmed up and the car got pretty loose at the end. I just made sure we kept the car straight and didn't burn the tires off. My crew kept telling me Bliss was catching me, so it was time to go and not worry about the tires."

Series point leader Ryan Newman was also a victim of the opressive heat, with temperatures near 100. His car overheated after 60 laps and although he failed to finish the race he retained the point lead by 11 points over Russ Gamester, who finished 10th.

Rebel Jackson, Jr. earned the race's Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Race" Award for his sixth-place finish.

Eric Gordon of Indianapolis, Ind. won the 15-mile "qualifying race," during which Johnny Parsons of Indianapolis hit the wall. Parsons was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown, Pa. for a precautionary check. He suffered leg and rib contusions and was treated and released.

There was no time or speed for the 100-mile race due to a red flag which flew on lap 30 after Kevin Bloomstran of Lebanon, Ohio broke a brake line and stopped on the backstretch. A fire ensued and he was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital Burn Center in Allentown. He was awake and alert and was listed in "guarded" condition Sunday. He is expected to remain at Lehigh Valley Hospital for a period of 4-6 weeks to undergo skin grafts on both hands, although his general health is good.

1999 USAC COORS LIGHT SILVER BULLET SERIES STANDINGS

1. Ryan Newman 290 6. Jason Leffler 169
2. Russ Gamester 279 7. Robby Flock 168
3. Brian Tyler 273 8. Jack Hewitt 158
4. J.J. Yeley 198 9. Chet Fillip 157
5. Tracy Hines 186 10. Gary Hieber 155

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