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Eldora Fact Sheet

Eldora Silver Crown Quick Facts What: The 18th Annual "4-Crown Nationals" 11th of 13 races in the 1998 USAC Silver Crown Series (Also joined by the USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series, USAC National Midget Series and UMP Modifieds) ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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Eldora Silver Crown Quick Facts

What: The 18th Annual "4-Crown Nationals" 11th of 13 races in the 1998 USAC Silver Crown Series (Also joined by the USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series, USAC National Midget Series and UMP Modifieds)

Where: Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio 1/2-mile high-banked dirt oval

When: Friday & Saturday, September 25-26, 1998 Friday: Practice: 6:30 p.m.; Qualifying: following practice sessions Saturday: 20-lap Qualifying Race: following sprint and midget preliminaries which begin at 7:30 p.m., with features to follow.

Distance: 25 miles/50 laps

Tickets: Ticket information available by calling the track at (937) 338-3815

Posted Awards: More than $31,000 (winner receives $8,500 minimum)

1997 Race Winner: Kevin Huntley

1997 Series Champion: Dave Darland

Current Points Leader: Jason Leffler

Track Records: (Qualifying) Jimmy Sills, 16.378 seconds, 109.904 mph, September 19, 1997 (Race) Steve Butler, 16 minutes, 30.53 seconds, September 30, 1990 Average speed: 90.861 mph

Race Notes:

This will be the Eldora Silver Crown debut for current point leader Jason Leffler. His closest pursuers both had solid performances in this event last year. Brian Tyler led most of the event before a tire problem relegated him to sixth, while Ryan Newman finished a season-best second.

Ohio connection. . .There are three Ohio drivers currently entered for this event, including "Mr. Eldora" himself, Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio. Hewitt, now an Indianapolis 500 veteran, has won this event a record seven times. The other Ohio drivers are Rusty McClure (Ashland) and Todd Kane (Powell). Both drivers are seeking their first series victory and Kane is in a close fight with Jerry Coons, Jr. for Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Year" honors.

Three 1998 Indianapolis 500 participants are entered in this event: Donnie Beechler, Jack Hewitt and J.J. Yeley.

There are two Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Year" candidates entered for this event: Jerry Coons, Jr. and Todd Kane.

Tony Elliott is one of only two drivers to win a 1998 feature in the Silver Crown, Stoops Freightliner Sprint and National Midget Series. Dave Steele joins Tony on that exclusive list, but not on the entry list for this event. Elliott is a serious threat for all three USAC features on Saturday evening.

Series Notes:

So far in 1998 there have been nine different winners in 10 events. One more different winner would break the series record. The current record of nine winners has been attained in four seasons, including Jeff Gordon's 1990 championship year in which there were nine winners in nine events.

Jimmy Sills, the only three-time series champion, could set yet another mark Saturday. He is closing in on Chuck Gurney for the most career laps led in the series. Gurney holds the record with 1,328. Sills, with his win at DuQuoin, now sits at 1,311.

Jack Hewitt looks to add to yet another USAC career milestone. Jack has the most career starts in Silver Crown history with 127. George Snider is close behind with 126.

Series Statistics:

Silver Crown Point Standings                1998 Series Winners
        1.        Jason Leffler        442        Tony Stewart        (2)
        2.        Brian Tyler        432         Donnie Beechler        (1)
        3.        Ryan Newman        385         Tony Elliott        (1)
        4.        Jimmy Sills        360         Russ Gamester        (1)
        5.        Dave Darland        309         John Heydenreich(1)
        6.        Russ Gamester        305         Jason Leffler        (1)
        7.        Jack Hewitt        287        Jimmy Sills        (1)
        8.        J.J. Yeley        280         Dave Steele        (1)
        9.        Robby Flock        279         Brian Tyler        (1)
        10.        Dave Steele        259

Turbines, Inc."Rookies of the Race" 1998 Lap Leaders (839 total laps) Jerry Coons, Jr.(3) Jason Leffler 156 Todd Kane (3) Dave Steele 137 Brad Armstrong (1) Russ Gamester 127 Randy Bauer (1) Tony Stewart 118 Doug Didero (1) Jimmy Sills 82 Troy Regier (1) Tony Elliott 62 J.J. Yeley 38 Robby Flock 33 John Heydenreich 33 Pat Abold 16 Ryan Newman 13 Donnie Beechler 9 Kenny Irwin 9 George Snider 4 Brian Tyler 2

Media Contacts:

Dick Jordan, USAC Director of Communications, (317) 247-5151 Rob Clendening, USAC Communications & Marketing Assistant, (317) 247-5151 Larry Boos, Eldora Speedway Public Relations Director, (937) 338-3815

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