Eldora II preview

COONS CONTINUES PURSUIT OF WISE IN THIS WEEKEND'S "4-CROWN NATIONALS"

Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. has thrust himself into the chase for the 2005 USAC National Midget Championship as a result of recent successes. He continues his pursuit of series point leader Josh Wise this weekend as the series competes as part of the Silver Anniversary "4-Crown Nationals" at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Wise leads Coons by 68 points. In June the pair finished second (Coons) and third (Wise) behind "Buckeye Nationals" feature winner Dave Darland at the 1/2-mile dirt oval. Coons' recent successes included his victory at the prestigious Belleville (Kan.) Midget Nationals in July.

A 25-lap feature for the Midgets will complete the Midget portion of this weekend's program, presented by the Home Depot, which also includes USAC's Weld Racing Silver Crown and Valvoline National Sprint Car Series, plus Modifieds.

Darland obviously bears watching this weekend, since he also won last year's "4-Crown Nationals" Midget feature.

Preiminaries are slated at Eldora Friday night, with semi-features and all four feature events set for Saturday.

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Josh Wise-869
2.-Jerry Coons Jr.-801
3.-Brad Kuhn-616
4.-Ron Gregory-549
5.-Teddy Beach-531
6.-Tom Hessert III-523
7.-Darren Hagen-479
8.-Cole Carter-472
9.-Bobby East-429
10.-Jay Drake-394

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