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NATIONAL MIDGET SERIES NEWMAN STARS IN IRP MIDGET 30-LAPPER DRAKE SLIPS BEHIND LEFFLER WITH "4-CROWN" THIS WEEKEND

Ryan Newman of South Bend, Ind. and Jason Leffler of Long Beach, Calif. took center stage Saturday night at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Newman winning the "Arby's IRP Season Finale" 30-lap feature and Leffler riding his second-place finish to a 19-point lead in the USAC National Midget Series standings over Jay Drake. Drake was the first driver to exit Saturday night's 30-lapper with mechanical problems.

Leffler and Drake renew their battle for the 1998 title in this weekend's 18th Annual "4-Crown Nationals" at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, a race Drake won last year. Friday night's practice starts at 6:30, with preliminary races for three USAC racing series and UMP modifieds to follow. Saturday night's finales on the 1/2-mile dirt oval include a 25-lapper for the Midgets.

Ricky Shelton, third in the series points, led the first three laps of Saturday night's race before Leffler moved to the front. Jason then yielded to Newman on the 19th lap and Newman led the rest of the way in his Drinan/LCI Telecommunications Brayton-powered machine. Leffler was followed by Dan Drinan, Shelton and Ronnie Johncox.

Dane Carter, son of former USAC champion Pancho Carter, posted fast qualifying time for Saturday night's IRP Midget race.

National Midget Standings: 1-Jason Leffler-809; 2-Jay Drake-790; 3-Ricky Shelton-733; 4-Jerry Coons, Jr.-573; 5-Jimmy McCune-507; 6-Tracy Hines-506; 7-Ronnie Johncox-321; 8-Travis Welpott-305; 9-Michael Lewis-264; 10-Dave Steele-243.