USAC: Darland Takes Tri-City; Sprints Split IRP Bill With Midget Cars

14 September 1999

Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car point leader Dave Darland of Kokomo, Ind. scored his third victory of the 1999 campaign Saturday night, winning the 30-lap feature at the Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. He led all 30 laps in his Kroger/Pringles/Sunny Delight Special.

Darland continues to lead the series standings as he prepares for this Saturday night's "Arby's Season Finale" program at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Stoops Freightliner Sprint Cars are joined by the MCI WorldCom Midget Cars for a "doubleheader" at the .686-mile paved oval, with 30-lap features on tap for both series. Practice starts at 5 pm, followed by qualifying at 6:30 and racing at 8.

Trailing Darland at Tri-City's 1/2-mile dirt track were Jay Drake, Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Tony Elliott, Tracy Hines and Bill Rose. Rose, Rusty McClure and Hines won heat races and Jamie Smith won the True Value semi. Doug Kekich escaped injury when he flipped onto a catch fence during practice. Drivers will aim at Dave Steele's 1-lap track qualifying record of 123.068 mph when time trials commence at IRP Saturday. Steele broke Tracy Hines' three-race Sprint car winning streak at IRP with his August 11 victory. A Steele victory Saturday would tie him with Mike Bliss for the most career USAC Sprint Car wins (5) at the .686-mile paved oval.

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR STANDINGS

1. Dave Darland 1,590 6. Robbie Rice 778
2. Tracy Hines 1,333 7. Billy Puterbaugh, Jr. 732
3. Tony Elliott 1,281 8. Brian Gerster 671
4. Brian Tyler 900 9. Jack Hewitt 621
5. Eric Gordon 798 10. Derek Davidson 605

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