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USAC: Regional point race tight; Lang, Drake post wins

17 August 1999

Two of the tightest point races in USAC history are currently being waged for "regional" Midget Car championships in Indianapolis, Ind. The Indianapolis Speedrome series continues with this Wednesday night's 50-lapper at the 1/5-mile paved oval, while the 16th Street series resumes on September 11 with an MCI WorldCom National event on the 1/4-mile dirt.

Michael Lang is back in the lead in his quest for a record fifth Speedrome title after his victory in Wednesday night's 40-lap race at the Mount Lawn Speedway in New Castle, Ind., the only race in the series not conducted at the Speedrome facility. Michael passed J.R. Armstrong on the third lap and led the rest of the way in his Keco/AdTech Floor Care/IFI/Clark Tire/Stebbins Aviation Fontana-powered car. A.J. Davis took second, ahead of Daryl Campbell, Jim Sawyer and Mike Hurst. Norm Young, who trails Lang by only 95 points, with 1,000 available Wednesday, did not compete in the New Castle feature after encountering problems in his heat.

Critter Malone is atop the 16th Street Speedway standings after a spectacular night Saturday which saw him flip during practice but come back to take second in the night's 30-lap feature! Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. led the final 12 laps in the Ralph's Muffler & Brake Shops Gaerte to beat Malone, John Wolfe, Johnny Parsons III and Tony Reed to the checkered flag. Reed led the first 18 laps before yielding to Drake.

Malone's point lead is only a single point over Ron Smoker, who finished 16th in Saturday night's feature.

USAC INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME MIDGET CAR STANDINGS

1. Michael Lang 6,035 6. Ron Hamm 2,215
2. Norm Young 5,940 7. Adam Nuetzel 2,165
3. Daryl Campbell 4,635 8. David Fuhrman 2,065
4. Gregg Cory 3,415 9. Brad Kuhn 1,530
5. A.J. Davis 2,710 Sean Smith 1,530

16TH STREET SPEEDWAY MIDGET CAR STANDINGS

1. Critter Malone 168 6. Roy Caruthers 75
2. Ron Smoker 167 7. Rick Vaughn 74
3. John Wolfe 135 8. Michael Lang 61
4. Andy Pierce 116 9. Barry Reed 59
5. Steve Knepper 86 10. Tim Spindler 57

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