Anderson: Glen Niebel Classic preview

Sunday's "Glen Niebel Classic" at Anderson opens USAC's Midget calendar in the Midwest

The third "Glen Niebel Classic" at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway Sunday will mark the opening of USAC racing in the midwest for 2002 and showcases the USAC National Midget Car Series and the Stoops Freightliner Sprint Cars.

A 50-lap feature is on tap for each series at the 1/4-mile paved oval, following complete prelims for each series. Practice starts at 10:30 am, followed by qualifying at 12:30 pm and racing at 2. Jerry Coons, Jr. won last year's "Niebel Classic" Midget feature while Jay Drake captured the inaugural in 2000.

Defending USAC National Midget Car Champion Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. will try to grab the Midget Car series point lead from Phoenix, Ariz. "Copper World Classic" winner Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. Darland finished second to Steele at Phoenix.

Both Steele and Darland and the rest of the Midget participants will be shooting for Jason Leffler's 1-lap track qualifying record of 11.406 seconds, set in 1998. Leffler is also expected to compete at Anderson, driving the potent Keith Kunz entry. Leffler won back-to-back-to-back National Midget titles in 1997-1998-1999.

Teaming with Darland in Steve Lewis machines at Anderson will be 2001 USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Champion J.J. Yeley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind., last year's USAC National Midget Car "Rookie of the Year."

USAC National Midget Car Series Standings

1. Dave Steele 66
2. Dave Darland 57
3. James Chesson 56
4. Kasey Kahne 51
5. J.J. Yeley 48
6. Aaron Fike 45
7. Steve Paden 42
8. Aaron Pollock 39
9. Ryan Scott 36
10. Steve Barth 31

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