"Border Wars XI" preview

DRAKE TO DEFEND "BORDER WARS" TITLE AT GAS CITY, ELDORA
INCLEMENT WEATHER FORCES WINCHESTER POSTPONEMENT

Defending Valvoline National Sprint Car Champion Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. is set to defend his "Border Wars" championship too this weekend as the series makes its 2005 dirt-track debuts at Gas City, Ind. and Rossburg, Ohio.

Drake is fourth in the 2005 standings after one event but trails leader Aaron Pierce by only nine points. A 30-lap feature caps both Friday night's program at the Gas City I-69 Speedway and Saturday night's "Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic" program at the Eldora Speedway.

"Border Wars XI" continues a tradition started in 1995 when Tony Stewart captured the inaugural title. In the ensuing years Brian Tyler has claimed four titles, Tracy Hines three and J.J. Yeley one.

In the previous 20 "Border Wars" races, 14 different race winners have emerged! Challenging Drake this weekend will be 2004 Valvoline "Indiana Sprint Week" Champ Levi Jones, USAC Triple Crown Champ Dave Darland, Hoosier Auto Racing Fans "Driver of the Year" Jon Stanbrough, 2004 USAC Sprint Car "Rookies of the Year" Josh Wise and Josh Ford and 2004 USAC Sprint Car "Most Improved Driver" and point runner-up Bud Kaeding.

Inclement weather, with temperatures reaching the 20's, forced postponement of Sunday's "Rich Vogler Classic" at the Winchester (Ind.) Speedway. The race was rescheduled for Oct. 16. The next USAC race at Winchester is the "Kenny Irwin Memorial" June 12.

USAC VALVOLINE NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Aaron Pierce-64
2.-Dave Steele-62
3.-Bobby East-61
4.-Jay Drake-55
5.-Tom Hessert III-50
6.-Bud Kaeding-47
7.-Marc Jessup-46
8.-Jonathan Vennard-42
9.-Mat Neely-41
10.-Dave Darland-38

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