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 PHOENIX,
AZ (March 21-23) -- The United States Auto Club Series (USAC) began
its 2003 campaign in both the Midget Car and Silver Crown Series over
the weekend at Phoenix International Raceway with the 26th annual
Copper World Classic. The 25-lap Midget Car Series race was won by
Aaron Pollock of Troy, OH. It was Pollock's 2nd career USAC win. In
the Silver Crown Series race, Dave Steele dominated the race leading
85 of the 100 race laps en route to the win. The USAC Series uses
Hoosier tires exclusively when competing on asphalt surfaces as was
the case this past weekend.
MIDGET CAR SERIES
Thirty cars were on hand for qualifying. J.J. Yelley set fast time
after his lap of 26.653 seconds around the 1-mile oval. He was
followed by Dave Steele, Bobby East, Tracy Hines, and Dave Darland, in
second through fifth, respectively.
The 25-lap feature had seven race leaders among five
different drivers. Aaron Pollock led the final seven laps to take the
win over J.J. Yeley, Dave Darland, Ron Gregory and Bobby East.
After one event, the USAC National Midget Car Series
points standings has J.J. Yeley in first place with 65 points followed
by Aaron Pollock with 60 points and Dave Darland in third with 56
points.
The next race on the National Midget Car Series is on
March 30, at Stockton CA.
SILVER CROWN SERIES
Forty-eight cars were on hand trying to make it into the 31-car field
for the 26th Copper World Classic. Tampa, Florida's Dave Steele
started the event on the pole with defending series champion J.J.
Yeley alongside. Steele's time in qualifying was 25.963 seconds which
earned him the Fastest Qualifier Award.
The race had J.J. Yeley jumping out into the lead at
the drop of the green flag. It took only two circuits for the top
qualifier to move into the race lead. Dave Steele maintained the race
lead until lap 21, when Yeley took over the lead once again. On lap
34, Steele regained the lead for good leading the final 67 laps en
route to the win and a $25,025 payday.
Tracy Hines wound up second collecting $11,602. Dave
Darland settled for third, with J.J. Yeley and Chet Fillip rounding
out the top five. Fillip charged from 20th to finish in fifth place.
Ageless Bentley Warren also had a great run finishing
seventh after starting 21st.
After one event, Dave Steele is in first place in the
points standings with 66 markers followed by Tracy Hines with 57 and
Dave Darland with 54 points.
The next race on the Silver Crown Series schedule is
May 10, at IRP.
Hoosier Manager of Contract Sales Irish Saunders
attended the 3-day Copper World Classic in Phoenix. Irish was there to
answer questions and monitor tire performance.
The USAC Series competes on both dirt and asphalt
surfaces and has been a launching ground for stars such as Jeff
Gordon, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. The series uses Hoosier tires
exclusively when competing on asphalt surfaces.
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