JRCS: Sears Point Story

McQuarrie Wins Twice in USAC Formula Russell Championship Weekend

Sonoma, CA - Tyler McQuarrie of Walnut Creek CA added two more first place trophies to his mantel this weekend during Round 7 of the USAC Formula Russell Championship at Sears Point Raceway. This gives McQuarrie eight firsts and four seconds in 14 races. McQuarrie won one of Saturday's three heat races after a long battle with three other drivers for the top step on the podium. Sunday he started from the pole and lead flag to flag putting a little more distance between himself and Jury Swanson.

Swanson is back 58 points holding 174 markers to McQuarrie's 232 giving him the second place slot in the championship hunt. Swanson started from the pole but lost the lead on the second lap when McQuarrie muscled his way along side going into Turn 2. Swanson held on to second until he tangled with McQuarrie in Turn 7 resulting in a 7th place finish. On Sunday, he was off pole and dropped to third at the start but regained second after Steve Hill spun exiting the carousel corner. Swanson beat on McQuarrie's gearbox all race long but was never able to pull along side to make a pass.

Dave McEntee sits 52 points behind Swanson in third with 122 after setting the fastest lap in both Saturday and Sunday events. McEntee started from the back of the pack and sliced his way through the field all the way to fourth before spinning and only collecting a point finishing ninth. On Sunday he started fifth and methodically picked through two other drivers to take a solid third.

McQuarrie, Swanson, and McEntee will meet again on September 19 with 35 other drivers to contest the top three prizes of trips to England to compete in the Jim Russell World Scholarships in November. The winner of the Formula Russell Championship receives a fully funded ride in the 1999 Russell/USAC Triple Crown Pro Series.

USAC Formula Russell Championship After 14 of 18 races

1  Tyler McQuarrie      232
2  Jury Swanson         174
3  Dave McEntee         122
4  Brent Sherman        113
5  Steve Hill           105
6  Pierre Ehret         90
   Peter Ponder Pistor  90
8  David Farley         86
9  Kazuto Yagi          82
   Chase Mart           82
   Pat McDowell         82

Drivers finishing in the top three of six heat races were:

Saturday Race 1: 1st Yutaro Goto, 2nd Barry Kirk, 3rd Jim Graber Race 2: 1st Tyler McQuarrie, 2nd Brent Sherman, 3rd Peter Ponder Pistor Race 3: 1st Leonardo Maia, 2nd Claude Amezine, 3rd Martin Abate

Sunday Race 1: 1st Brad Ivanchuk, 2nd Mark Sakeris, 3rd Claude Amezine Race 2: 1st Chris Miller, 2nd Chris Pettet, 3rd Barry Kirk Race 3: 1st Tyler McQuarrie, 2nd Jury Swanson, 3rd Dave McEntee