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 TERRE
HAUTE, IN (September 25) -- Dave Darland won the USAC National Midget
Series race at the Terre Haute Action Track on Thursday leading the
final 25 laps in the 100-lap Hut Hundred. It was his fifth win of the
season in the USAC National Midget Series which uses a Hoosier
"tire-rule" on all four corners of the cars regardless of
whether the series competes on dirt or pavement. The series has just
six events left on its 2003 schedule heading into Friday night's
"Mopar Twin 25's" at IRP where $50,000 is offered to any
driver able to win both 25-lap segments of the event. Last season,
Dave Steele won the $50,000 payout after he won both races after
having to start the second race from the rear of the field.
Forty-five cars were entered in qualifying with 41
cars posting times. Jerry Coons, Jr. turned in the fastest time with a
20.315 second lap around the Terre Haute 1/2-mile dirt oval. Previous
race winner Tracy Hines was second fastest with a lap of 20.631
seconds. Current series points leader J.J. Yeley was third followed by
Bobby East and Jay Drake.
In the 100-lap feature, outside pole sitter J.J. Yeley
immediately jumped into the race lead over fellow front row starter
Jerry Coons, Jr. Yeley was in command the first three quarters of the
race before giving way to Dave Darland on lap 76. Darland led the
final 25 circuits to post his fifth win of the season in the series.
J.J. Yeley settled for second, while Bobby East rounded out the top
three.
Mike Hess finished in forth, with Boston Reid, Aaron
Fike, Teddy Beach, Paul Ferrell, Marc Dailey and Ryan Durst completing
the list of top ten finishers.
Johnny Summers, of Hoosier Tire Midwest, attended the
race and reported that despite the race's 100-lap length, most of the
competitors opted to run the softest compound available to the series'
competitors--the SP2. The Midget drivers have three right side
compound choices when competing on dirt--the SP2, SP3 and the SP4
compound.
J.J. Yeley increased his point lead in the driver
standings over Tracy Hines to 53 points. Bobby East in in third
place--85 points behind Yeley who is attempting to become only the
second USAC National Triple Crown winner. Tony Stewart, Yeley's car
owner, accomplished the feat in 1995.
The USAC National Midget Series returns to action
Friday night, September 26, at Indianapolis Raceway Park for the
running of the "Mopar Twin 25's" which boasts a $50,000
payout to any driver able to win both 25-lap segments.
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