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USAC: Noffsinger Wins at Irwindale; Ellison Takes Western Sprint Title

17 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Brad Noffsinger of Concord, N.C. captured Saturday night's USAC Western Sprint Car finale at the Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway, while Todd Ellison of West Jordan, Utah emerged as USAC's 2000 driving champion.

Noffsinger battled Tracy Hines for most of Saturday night's 40-lap race before moving to the front for the final time on lap 34. He then led the final seven laps in his Nor-Cal Testing machine to beat John Ryals, Scott Hansen, Bud Kaeding and Ellison to the checkered flag. Hines ended up sixth.

Ellison finished the series with a 74-point cushion over runner-up Tony Hunt, who finished 14th at Irwindale but nosed out Burney Lamar by 10 points in the final standings. Lamar escaped injury in a multi-car crash during the 40-lap race.

Mike Boat led the opening lap of the hotly-contested race, then Hines took over for the next 21. Noffsinger led briefly on lap 23, then Hines returned to lead the next five laps. Noffsinger was back in front for laps 29 and 30, then yielded to Hines for three laps before finally taking the lead for good.

Noffsinger was also the fastest qualifier but finished second to Hines in the opening heat race. Shauna Hogg, Troy Cline and Kaeding also won heats and Hunt won the semi.

FINAL USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Todd Ellison 812
2. Tony Hunt 738
3. Burney Lamar 728
4. Jeff Gardner 703
5. Mike Boat 693
6. Davey Hamilton 690
7. Kevin Kierce 627
8. Rick Williams 510
9. Jimmy Sills 455
10. Shauna Hogg 438

Text Provided By Dick Jordan

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