IRP Story

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR SERIES Hines Earns 1st USAC Sprint Car Victory in IRP's ESPN2 30-Lapper

Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. scored his initial Stoops Freightliner/USAC Sprint Car feature victory Wednesday night in the nationally-televised "Jasper Engines & Transmissions Sprint Classic" at Indianapolis (Ind.) Raceway Park. He led all 30 laps in the Tom Cherry Muffler Special to beat John Heydenreich and Jason McCord to the checkered flag.

Kevin Thomas of Danville, Ind., despite an 18th-place finish in the IRP event, continues to lead the series standings going into the rich 7-race "Indiana Sprint Week," which begins July 18 at the Lawrenceburg Speedway.

Jay Drake, Wednesday night's Turbines, Inc. fastest qualifier, finished fourth and Dave Steele was fifth.

Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio was treated at Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital for a cut forehead and concussion after he was involved in a multi-car crash in turn one during the second heat race. Ron Koehler of South Bend, Ind. escaped injury when his car flipped into the track's catch fencing.

Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Point Standings: 1-Kevin Thomas-946; 2-Brian Tyler-879; 3-Tony Elliott-877; 4-Tim Cox-808; 5-Derek Davidson-780; 6-Jason McCord-774; 7-Brad Armstrong-689; 8-J.J. Yeley-671; 9-Dave Steele-642; 10-Kevin Doty-573.