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USAC: J.J. Yeley captures '4-Crown Nationals' Coors Light Silver Bullet race

2 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

J.J. Yeley of Phoenix, Ariz. captured Saturday night's 50-lap "4-Crown Nationals" Coors Light Silver Bullet race at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Yeley's victory was the second in a row for the Snider/Foyt Racing Team, who put Jimmy Sills in victory lane in this race last year.

Sills was pressing Yeley for the lead when he flipped on the backstretch on the 44th lap. He was uninjured.

Trailing Yeley to the checkered flag was new series point leader Dave Darland, who emerged with an eight-point lead over Tracy Hines in the new standings. Hines finished fifth in the 50-lap race. Greg Wilson, Brad Noffsinger and Hines rounded out the "top-five" at the checkered flag.

"I knew Darland was behind me, but I knew he couldn't get by me without a great slide job," said Yeley in victory lane. "I didn't know Jimmy (Sills) crashed, but I figured I could stay ahead of him if I held my line. It's nice to win this race, it's a big one."

Brad Fox, who finished 12th, earned the Oliver Trucking "Rookie of the Race" Award. Russ Gamester won the 20-lap "qualifying race" and Yeley was the fastest qualifier in his True Value Special.

Winners of the other "4-Crown Nationals" events were; Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw, Wash. (Midget Cars), Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. (Sprint Cars) and Jim Shereck of St. Charles, Mo. (Modifieds).

Rossburg, Ohio - Results Saturday night (September 30) from the running of the 20th Annual "4-Crown Nationals" Coors Light Silver Bullet Series Race at the Eldora Speedway, with starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, reason out if any and money won:

1. (1) J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 50, $8,500, No Speed due to red flag.
2. (17) Dave Darland, Kokomo, Ind., 50, $4,300.
3. (15) Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, Ohio, 50, $2,350.
4. (9) Brad Noffsinger, Concord, N.C., 50, $1,500.
5. (8) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 50, $1,200.
6. (7) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio, 50, $1,050.
7. (3) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 50, $950.
8. (14) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 50, $800.
9. (22) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 50, $750.
10. (2) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 50, $700.
11. (19) Paul White, Temple, Texas, 49, $650.
12. (10) Brad Fox, Avon, Ind., 49, $1,125.
13. (16) Terry Pletch, Frankfort, Ind., 49, $600.
14. (21) Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 49, $575.
15. (13) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 49, $550.
16. (4) Jimmy Sills, Placerville, Calif., 43, Accident, $525.
17. (5) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif., 39, Accident, $500.
18. (20) Kasey Kahne, Indianapolis, Ind., 30, Accident, $475.
19. (24) Rob Chaney, Millersburg, Ohio, 23, $450.
20. (18) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind., 21, Oil Pump, $925.
21. (6) Bill Rose, Plainfield, Ind., 21, Engine, $400.
22. (23) Robbie Rice, Brownsburg, Ind., 20, RR Tire, $400.
23. (11) Todd Kane, Powell, Ohio, 9, Handling, $400.
24. (12) Ed Carpenter, Indianapolis, Ind., 3, Accident, $400.

Average Speed: None-Red Flag.
Time of Race: None-Red Flag.
Caution Flags: 5, plus one Red Flag.
Lead Changes: 2 among 2 drivers
Lap Leaders: Laps 1-3 Tyler, laps 4-50 Yeley.

Fastest Qualifier (Sept. 29): J.J. Yeley - 16.667 seconds, 107.997 mph. Qualifying Race Winner: (20 laps-Sept. 30) Russ Gamester. Oliver Trucking "Rookie of the Race:" Brad Fox.

Coors Light Silver Bullet Point Standings: 1-Darland-452; 2-Hines-444; 3-Tyler-422; 4-Noffsinger-398; 5-Yeley-388; 6-Hewitt-364; 7-Heydenreich-360; 8-Elliott-339; 9-Gamester-306; 10-Kahne-302.

Next Coors Light Silver Bullet Race: October 7 - CalExpo State Fairgrounds - Sacramento, Calif.

Text Provided By Dick Jordan

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