Milwaukee: Round six preview

STEELE, UNDEFEATED ON PAVEMENT THIS YEAR
READY TO EXPAND LAPS LED RECORD AT MILWAUKEE

Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. is the all-time leader in terms of USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown laps led and hopes to expand that record this weekend when the series visits the famed Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin.

Steele has led 1,643 laps, which includes 260 of 300 this year. He surpassed Jimmy Sills' series record of 1,584 by leading 60 at Fountain, Colo. July 3. He also leads in terms of raced led, with 36 since his series debut at Milwaukee in 1993. He scored wire-to-wire victories at Phoenix, Ariz. and Richmond, Va. in addition to his win at Pikes Peak International Raceway, and a victory by Steele at Milwaukee Saturday would make him the first driver in series history to win four consecutive races on pavement.

Saturday's 100-mile race will mark the fifth appearance of the series at the storied oval. Jay Drake won last year, while George Snider won in 1988, Eric Gordon in 1990 and Mike Bliss in 1993.

Remarkably Steele holds neither the one or 100-mile track records at the 1-mile oval. Bobby East set the 1-lap qualifying standard of 128.585 mph last year, while Gordon set the 100-mile race record of 107.370 mph in 1990.

Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday, with Saturday's race set for a green flag at 4:30 pm. The USAC National Midget Car Series is also part of Milwaukee's ABC Supply A.J. Foyt 225 Indy Racing League weekend, with practice and qualifying on Friday and a 30-mile feature at 2 pm Saturday.

Steele, who drives for Bob East and Tony Stewart, is the defending USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Champion and holds a 45-point lead over runner-up Josh Wise, one of three drivers in the Tony Stewart Racing stable. Bud Kaeding ranks third in the standings, ahead of Stewart's other driver, Drake.

Milwaukee track record holders Gordon and East will return this weekend, along with 2004 USAC Sprint Car Champ and defending Milwaukee winner Jay Drake, USAC Triple Crown Champion Dave Darland, 2005 "Hoosier Hundred" winner Teddy Beach and standouts Brian Tyler, Wise and Tony Elliott. USAC's only female driving champion, Sondi Eden, is also entered. Sondi won last year's Indianapolis Speedrome Midget title.

USAC WELD RACING SILVER CROWN SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Dave Steele-246
2.-Josh Wise-201
3.-Bud Kaeding-188
4.-Jay Drake-181
5.-Brian Tyler-181
6.-Russ Gamester-163
7.-Wayne Reutimann, Jr.-138
8.-John Heydenreich-128
9.-Teddy Beach-125
10.-Tracy Hines-115

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