Eldora "4-Crown" race notes

J.J. Yeley of Phoenix, Ariz. captured Saturday night's 50-lap USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series feature at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, capping a great night for him at the "4-Crown Nationals." He also won the 25-lap Midget Car feature and was second to Bud Kaeding in the 30-lap Sprint Car race.

He now ranks fourth in the standings going into this Friday night's series finale at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. A.J. Foyt's True Value "Hulman/Hoosier Hundred" gets under way with practice at 5 pm and qualifying at 6. A 15-mile "qualifying race" starts at 7 and the 30-car field for the 100-mile race takes the green flag at 8.

Tony Elliott of Kokomo, Ind., who finished fifth in Saturday night's "4-Crown" feature, is the defending champion of Friday night's "Hulman/Hoosier Hundred." Johnny Parsons of Indianapolis, also expected to compete, holds the 1-lap track qualifying record of 114.726 mph set in 1995.

Yeley emerged the victor at Eldora in a race interrupted by four yellow flags and two reds, but no drivers were seriously injured during the 50-lapper. After winning the pole starting spot, he trailed Ed Carpenter for the first 13 laps until Carpenter scraped the wall in turn three. On the restart he led the rest of the way in his Team ASE Beast to beat Jay Drake, Paul White, Rich Tobias, Jr. and Tony Elliott.

"When Brad Noffsinger crashed on the opening lap, I thought I hit Brad and hurt the rear-end, but I guess it was OK," said Yeley. "I hit Roger Rager when he flipped and it affected the header, but we survived that one too. I had a heck of a night."

Paul White of Temple, Texas now leads Russ Gamester of Peru, Ind. by 42 points going into Friday night's race. He needs to finish 14th or better to clinch his first USAC National driving championship.

A.J. Foyt IV of Hockley, Texas will be among drivers trying to earn a starting berth in Friday night's race. He is the grandson of six-time "Hoosier Hundred: winner A.J. Foyt. A.J. IV made his initial USAC appearance at Springfield, Ill. August 18 but was unable to start the 100-mile race there due to an accident on his second qualifying lap after posting a speed on his first qualifying lap which would have assured him of a starting spot. <pre> USAC COORS LIGHT SILVER BULLET SERIES STANDINGS

1. Paul White 553 2. Russ Gamester 511 3. Dave Steele 459 4. J.J. Yeley 436 5. Jason McCord 387 6. Brian Tyler 373 7. Jerry Coons, Jr. 373 8. Tracy Hines 361 9. Ed Carpenter 335 10. Aaron Fike 329

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