Eldora recap, Terre Haute preview

"HULMAN CLASSIC" AT TERRE HAUTE THIS WEEKEND
LEVI JONES MASTERS "4-CROWN" SPRINTS

The 35th running of the "Tony Hulman Fall Harvest Classic" unfolds this weekend at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track and Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. has thrust himself into the spotlight as the odd-on favorite.

Jones extended his Valvoline National Sprint Car Series point lead Saturday night with a 30-lap triumph in the "4-Crown Nationals" feature at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Jones caught Jerry Coons Jr. on lap 24 and led the rest of the way in his Lucas Oil/Karavan Trailer Maxim/Gaerte to beat Shane Cottle, Dave Darland, Coons and Bryan Clauson. The win left him clutching a 46-point lead over Darland going into this weekend's Terre Haute activities.

A 20-lap preliminary feature caps Friday's program at the 1/2-mile dirt Terre Haute oval, while Saturday night's 30-lap "Tony Hulman Fall Harvest Classic" main event continues a 35-year tradition. The "Tony Hulman Classic" was rained out on its original May date.

Jones also set a new Eldora qualifying track record of 122.034 mph on Friday and was spectacular in his rim-riding heat race effort, which resulted in a second-place finish behind Daron Clayton. Kyle Stuchell and Mitch Wissmiller won "qualifying races" and Clayton, Cottle, Coons and Jay Drake won heats. Kevin Huntley won the semi.

Drake remains in the 2005 title chase in defense of his 2004 series title. He trails Jones by 68 points, with 134 available this weekend.

USAC VALVOLINE NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Levi Jones-1,144
2.-Dave Darland-1,098
3.-Jay Drake-1,076
4.-Josh Wise-985
5.-Bud Kaeding-948
6.-Mat Neely-796
7.-Jon Stanbrough-678
8.-Darren Hagen-569
9.-Justin Marvel-526
10.-Shane Cottle-522

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