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ARCA: In ARCA Midgets, McCune takes Auto City, Gibson takes title

3 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Clio, MI- Third generation driver Jimmy McCune held off rookie Travis Miniea to win the 30 lap main event at Auto City Speedway Saturday while veteran Gene Lee Gibson, by virtue of a third place finish, clinched his third consecutive ARCA Auto Value Midget Series championship.

McCune, who set the bar right off with the Hoosier Tire Quick Time award, started eighth in the Bisbee Travel Brayton and steadily maneuvered his way towards the front. By lap 10, the Sylvania, Ohio driver began pressing Miniea for the lead and made the winning pass on lap 15. From there, the eventual winner held on to earn his eighth career ARCA Midget victory while Miniea trailed in second three lengths away. Gibson crossed the final stripe next in front of Jason Fuller who steered his way home in fourth. Larry Gibson, the 1995 ARCA Midget champion, completed the top five.

"The car was pretty good right off the trailer," said McCune. "And fortunately for us, it got better throughout the night because the inversion started us outside row four, and there were a lot of good cars in front of us. Id like to congratulate Gene Lee (Gibson) for another championship. In this league hes as tough as it gets."

Gibson, who in just three years on the ARCA Midget tour, won 19 times and became the first driver to win three consecutive ARCA Midget championships since the late Les Scott took a trio of consecutive titles in 1980, 81 and 82. In addition, the Richwood, Ohio driver also secured the 2000 UMARA Midget championship becoming the first driver in open-wheel history to win an ARCA Midget title as well as the UMARA crown in the same season. "Its quite an honor to win both championships," said the second generation driver. "Id like to thank everybody who helps on the deal and especially my father (Todd Gibson). Hes really the brains of the outfit. He designed and built the car, and sets it up on race night. Without his expertise, we wouldnt be here thats for sure. Id like to thank ARCA and UMARA for first class outfits, and ARCAs title sponsor Auto Value Parts Stores for all their support. And if everything goes well, well be back to defend the titles. Wed like to be the first to win the ARCA deal four years in a row." Gibson will officially be crowned king of the ARCA Midgets at the championship awards banquet in Toledo, Ohio at the Radisson Hotel on Saturday, November 11.

Gary Harrell, Kevin Newton, Dave Baumgartner, Mike Astrauskas and Chris OConnell completed the top-10 finishers respectively.

Text Provided By ARCA

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