Richmond preview

SPRINTS HEAD FOR RIR'S FRIDAY "SHOOTOUT"

Tony Stewart Racing's Levi Jones leads the Lucas Oil USAC Sprint Cars to Richmond (Va.) International Raceway as part of the track's "SunTrust Indy Challenge" this weekend. A 60-lap feature event is scheduled for the Sprint cars on Friday.

Jones, of Olney, Ill., holds a 25-point lead over Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif., going into Friday's race, the fourth for USAC's "Thunder & Lightning" sprint cars at the 3/4-mile oval. Jones already has four feature victories this season, including one on the pavement at Anderson, Ind.

In 2005 Bobby East set the 1-lap track qualifying record of 139.911 mph drivers will aim for during qualifications which are slated for 5:30 pm after 11 am and 2:30 pm practices. The 60-lap feature is set for an 8:40 pm green flag.

Jason McCord, Ron Gregory and Brian Tyler won the 2004-2006 USAC Sprint races at RIR and two of them are expected to compete Friday. McCord has retired as a driver, but Gregory and Tyler will try to repeat their earlier wins.

Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive Tony Stewart team cars, two of at least five drivers competing in entries filed by owners with NASCAR ties. Kasey Kahne entries will be piloted by Brady Bacon and Kevin Swindell, while Damion Gardner will drive a car fielded by Jason Leffler.

-credit: usac