Rossburg Eldora Speedway preview

"4-CROWN" SPRINT WEIGHS HEAVILY ON 2009 TITLE CHASE

Saturday's "4-Crown Nationals" USAC National Sprint race at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio is pivotal in the battle for the 2009 series championship, with Levi Jones only 25 points ahead of Dave Darland and 74 points available.

Jones won the 2005 "4-Crown" Sprint, while Darland won the 1999 running. Both drivers have three feature wins so far this season.

Jones and Tony Stewart Racing teammate Tracy Hines will form a formidable team Saturday, despite Hines' two 2009 wins having come on the pavement. Hines has nine career wins at his team owner's track, just one behind Darland.

Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. will try to repeat his win earlier this year at Eldora in an effort to extend his car owner, Dynamics, Inc.'s all-time USAC win record to 74. Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, Calif. is the defending winner of the "4-Crown" Sprint feature.

Former "4-Crown" Sprint champs Robert Ballou and Bud Kaeding will also be in attendance Saturday.

Darland was the fastest qualifier at Eldora in April and finished second to Coons in the 30-lap feature. Saturday's Sprint main event is 30 laps.

-credit: usac