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USAC: Brian Tyler wins Coors Light Silver Bullet race at Walt Disney World

30 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Orlando, FL: Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. outran defending USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Champion Ryan Newman to win Saturday's 50-mile series opener at Walt Disney World Speedway. Tyler's victory in the race which immediately followed the Delphi Indy 200 IRL opener on the WDWS 1-mile paved oval, was worth $12,350 from the total purse of $73.212.

"It's always fun to race with Ryan," said Tyler after the race. "You can trust him." Tyler had few laps on the track before Saturday's race. Rain forced cancellation of Friday's scheduled qualifying and Tyler's crew had to replace a fuel pump after just a few practice laps.

Tyler started next to pole starter Dave Darland and led the opening lap in his Kroger/Pringles/Sunny Delight Special. On lap two he yielded to 1998 series champion Jason Leffler, who led the next 13 laps. Newman caught Leffler on lap 15 and led for 27 laps before Tyler made his winning move in turn one on lap 42. Tyler led the final eight laps to beat Newman by about six car lengths but lap 46 provided some of the best competition all day. Tyler led down the home stretch but Newman ducked beneath him in turn one. Exiting turn one, Tyler regained the lead. "We were running short on fuel," admitted Newman.

Six yellow flags and one red flag interrupted the 50-lap event. There were no injuries in any of the incidents.

Trailing Tyler and Newman at the checkered flag were Gary Hieber, Brad Noffsinger and Chet Fillip.

Saturday's race offered the largest starting field in series history, 43. The original 30-car field was expanded to 43 when rains forced cancellation of the planned qualifications and last chance race.

Orlando, Fla. - Results Saturday afternoon (January 29) from the running of the "Silver Crown 50" Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Race at Walt Disney World Speedway, with starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, reason out if any and money won:

1. (2) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 50, $12,350, No Speed-Red Flag.
2. (6) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind., 50, $8,550.
3. (11) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa., 50, $6,050.
4. (19) Brad Noffsinger, Concord, N.C., 50, $4,050.
5. (14) Chet Fillip, San Angelo, Texas, 50, $3,050.
6. (1) Dave Darland, Walton, Ind., 50, $2,550.
7. (13) Paul White, Temple, Texas, 50, $2,050.
8. (4) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 50, $1,850.
9. (7) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 50, $1,750.
10. (37) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind., 50, $1,650.
11. (3) J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 50, $1,550.
12. (12) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif., 50, $1,450.
13. (24) Ricky Logan, Little Rock, Ark., 50, $1,350.
14. (29) Dan Drinan, Indianapolis, Ind., 50, $1,250.
15. (26) Rich Tobias, Jr., Lebanon, Pa., 50, $1,150.
16. (39) Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, Ohio, 50, $1,150.
17. (15) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 50, $1,150.
18. (16) Todd Kane, Delaware, Ohio, 50, $1,150.
19. (28) Dane Carter, Brownsburg, Ind., 50, $1,050.
20. (9) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio, 50, $1,000.
21. (40) Ray Bragg, Tampa, Fla., 50, $1,000.
22. (33) Brian Gerster, Indianapolis, Ind., 50, $950.
23. (38) Pat Abold, Pennellville, N.Y., 50, $950.
24. (22) Bobby McMahan, Rio Linda, Calif., 40, Rear end, $940.
25. (30) Billy Whittaker, Central Square, N.Y., 39, Engine, $939.
26. (18) Jason McCord, Anderson, Ind., 37, Engine, $937.
27. (5) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif., 35, Brakes, $935.
28. (25) Brad Armstrong, New Palestine, Ind., 34, Engine, $934.
29. (8) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 28, Magneto, $928.
30. (32) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 26, Accident, $926.
31. (17) Bentley Warren, Kennebunkport, Maine, 15, Engine, $515.
32. (36) Robin Bank/Pittsburgh, Pa., 13, Engine, $513.
33. (20) Chuck Leary, Greenfield, Ind., 13, Fuel Pump, $513.
34. (42) Gene Lee Gibson, Richwood, Ohio, 11, Black Flagged, $511.
35. (10) Jimmy Sills, Placerville, Calif., 9, Engine, $509.
36. (21) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill., 9, RR Tire, $509.
37. (23) Jimmy Kite, Atlanta, Ga., 9, Accident, $509.
38. (34) Brian Paulus, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 9, Accident, $509.
39. (27) Troy Vaccaro, Sandusky, Ohio, 9, Accident, $509.
40. (31) Jimmy McCune, Toledo, Ohio, 8, Engine, $508.
41. (35) Randy Bateman, Murphysboro, Ill., 7, Engine, $507.
42. (41) Tom Capie, Trevose, Pa., 6, Black Flagged, $506.
43. (43) Mike Lauterborn, Rochester, N.Y., 5, Black Flagged, $505.

Average Speed: None-Red Flag.

Time of Race: None-Red Flag.

Caution Flags: 6

Lead Changes: 4 among 3 drivers.

Lap Leaders: Tyler 1, Leffler 2-14, Newman 15-41, Tyler 42-50.

Fastest Qualifier: Qualifying rained out.

Qualifying Race Winner: (15 laps) Rained out.

Coors Light Silver Bullet Point Standings: 1-Tyler-60; 2-Newman-60; 3-Hieber-54; 4-Noffsinger-51; 5-Fillip-48; 6-Darland-45; 7-White-42; 8-Hines-39; 9-Elliott-36; 10-Gordon-33.

Next Coors Light Silver Bullet Race: February 4-6 - Phoenix (AZ) International Raceway - 23rd "Copper World Classic"

Text Provided by USAC

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