Nazareth: Event preview

Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. will try to give his Dynamics, Inc. racing team a USAC record 52nd career feature victory when the Stoops Freightliner Sprint Cars compete in this weekend's Firestone Indy 225 events at the Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway.

Hines scored the 51st victory for the Hoffman Auto Racing Team (Dynamics, Inc.) in the April 7 race at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and a victory in this Saturday's 25-mile feature at the 1-mile paved Nazareth oval will boost the team past Steve Stapp, who shares the record at present.

Hines will face stiff competition in the Sprint car portion of the Nazareth weekend, which also includes the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series, USAC National Midget Car Series and the Indy Racing League.

Defending Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Champion J.J. Yeley of Phoenix, Ariz. is also entered, as are former series champions Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. and Tony Elliott of Kokomo, Ind. and former series runners-up Eric Gordon of Indianapolis, Ind. and Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif.

Former USAC Western Sprint Car Champions Jeff Gardner of Fresno, Calif. and Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. are also among entries at Nazareth, as well as 2001 series 'Rookie of the Year" Ed Carpenter.

Friday's Sprint Car practices commence at 9:20 am and 1:20 pm, with Sprint Car qualifying set for 4:45 pm. Saturday's 10-lap Sprint Car qualifying race starts at 2 pm and the 25-mile Sprint Car feature gets under way at 3:15 pm.

USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series standings
1. Tracy Hines 65
2. A.J. Fike 63
3. Dave Steele 62
4. Aaron Fike 61
5. Derek Davidson 49
6. Jay Drake 47
7. Dave Darland 45
8. J.J. Yeley 42
9. Bud Kaeding 42
10. Brandon Petty 36

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