Salem (IN) Speedway Report

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR SERIES TYLER, DRAKE WIN SALEM'S 30-LAP, 50-LAP FEATURES; POINT LEAD IS 28

Jay Drake of Canyon Country, Calif. and Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. shared the spotlight Sunday in Stoops Freightliner/USAC Sprint Car action at the Salem (Ind.) Speedway. Drake led all 50 laps to win the Emge "Joe James/Pat O'Connor Classic" in the CED Motorsports/ARS Special, while Tyler won the 30-lap "Six Sigma Open Wheel Classic" main event which had been postponed from May 31 because of rain. Tyler led the last seven laps in his Loggers Inc./R.Booe & Son Hardwoods Special. Series point leaders Kevin Thomas and Tony Elliott recorded "top-10" finishes in both features and Thomas leads Elliott by 28 points going into this Saturday night's "Danny Milburn Classic" program at the Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway. Practice at the 1/4-mile dirt Lawrenceburg track starts at 6 p.m., with qualifying set for 7 and racing at 8. The feature is a 30-lapper. Thomas was eighth and ninth at Salem, while Elliott was seventh and 10th. Trailing Turbines, Inc. fast qualifier Tyler at the checkered flag in Sunday's 30-lapper were Brad Armstrong, Tracy Hines, Tim Cox and Derek Davidson. Jason McCord led the first 23 laps before he and Tyler tangled exiting turn four. Tyler was able to continue, inheriting the lead. Drake was followed in the 50-lap finale by McCord, Tyler, Davidson and Pat Abold. Defending race winner Dave Steele was eliminated with engine problems during practice and a crash during practice also eliminated Chet Fillip, another former race winner.

Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Point Standings: 1-Kevin Thomas-1,596; 2-Tony Elliott-1,568; 3-Derek Davidson-1,347; 4-J.J. Yeley-1,189; 5-Tim Cox-1,175; 6-Dave Darland-1,143; 7-Jason McCord-1,099; 8-Brian Tyler-1,037; 9-Kevin Doty-1,020; 10-Brian Hayden-977.