Richmomd: Round four preview

"TIMES-DISPATCH 100" FEATURES TOP-NAME DRIVERS & OWNERS COMPETING AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

This weekend's "Richmond Times-Dispatch 100" at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway is round four of the 2005 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series. Not only are many of the nation's top drivers entered, but some of the biggest names in other forms of motorsports are also involved.

Josh Wise of Riverside, Calif., fresh from his initial series triumph at Terre Haute, Ind. leads the series standings, piloting one of three cars entered by NASCAR star Tony Stewart, a former USAC "Triple Crown" Champion. Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. will pilot a second Stewart entry at Richmond.

Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. trails Wise by only 15 points going in to Saturday's 100-lap race on the 3/4-mile paved RIR oval. Steele won at Richmond in 2002 and 2003 and pilots a car co-entered by Stewart and noted car builder Bob East.

Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind., the son of Steele's car owner, is the defending champion of the Richmond race and is a threat to repeat his 2004 victory.

Kasey Kahne, who won the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at RIR in May, also has a pair olf cars entered this weekend, with drivers Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. and Erin Crocker of Wilbraham, Mass. Kaeding ranks third in the current standings while Crocker is hoping to improve on her 18th-place finish in the series opener at Phoenix, Ariz. in January.

Drivers will be aiming at Steele's track record of 142.197 mph, but will have an eye focused on the ultimate series qualifying mark of 143.093 mph set by Brad Noffsinger at Gateway International Raceway's 1.25-mile oval near St. Louis, Mo. in 2000.

<pre> USAC WELD RACING SILVER CROWN SERIES STANDINGS 1. Josh Wise 132 2. Dave Steele 117 3. Bud Kaeding 116 4. Brian Tyler 111 5. Teddy Beach 110 6. Tracy Hines 108 7. Dave Darland 107 8. Jay Drake 103 9. Wayne Reutimann, Jr 102 10. Russ Gamester 92

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