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 IRWINDALE,
CA (November 27) -- Dave Steele captured his third win of the season
in the season-ending race in the USAC National Midget Car Series on
Thanksgiving winning the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Steele passed Bobby
East on the tenth lap and led the remainder of the 100-lap event. The
race marked the close of yet another exciting season in the USAC
Series where history was made with J.J. Yeley capturing all three USAC
National titles. Yeley becomes only the second driver to win all three
championships in the same season. Tony Stewart was the first driver to
win all three titles in 1995 before going on to win the 2002 NASCAR
Winston Cup championship. Yeley has just recently signed a long-term
deal with Joe Gibbs Racing--the same team Tony Stewart races for.
Forty-two cars were entered in qualifying with Dave
Steele setting fast time among the talented group of open wheel
drivers. Steele circled the paved Irwindale 1/2-mile oval in 16.556
seconds followed by Jason Leffler, Jerome Rodela, Steve Paden and
Michael Lewis.
Twenty-nine drivers started the 100-lap race with
Bobby East taking the lead from the outset. East held the lead until
lap 10, when Dave Steele took over at the point. Steele dominated the
remainder of the race to take the win--his third of the season in the
series. Steele was followed to the line by last year's winner Michael
Lewis, Steve Paden, Teddy Beach and J.J. Yeley. Early race leader East
finished in sixth place.
Hoosier Product Manager Irish Saunders commented on
the 2003 season, "It was a special year in the USAC Series. What
J.J. (Yeley) did was nothing short of amazing." Saunders added,
"Looking ahead to 2004, we will see three new champions being
crowned which will make for an exciting season for everyone."
The USAC National Midget Car Series runs exclusively
on Hoosier tires.
Michael Lewis won the 40-lap USAC Western Sprint Car
race passing Aaron Pierce on the final lap to take the exciting win.
Lewis' car is owned by Hoosier Tire West's Rick Gerhardt.
Ryan Pace won the 30-lap USAC Ford Focus Midget Car
race defeating Garrett Boyden and Todd Hunsaker.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. was proud to partner with
the USAC Series during the 2003 season and looks forward to another
great year next season.
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