Salem: Race report

Steele Takes Salem's "James/O'Connor Classic" #Rain Postpones Sprint Race at Lake Erie

Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. captured Saturday night's 50-lap "Joe James/Pat O'Connor Classic" and now prepares to defend his 2003 victory at the Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway when the series returns there August 27-28.

Steele completed a "clean sweep" of the 45th Jasper Engines & Transmissions USAC "doubleheader" following his 30-lap National Midget Car victory with the 50-lap Sprint car triumph in the Tony Stewart Racing Mopar/Vital Express Beast/Stanton Mopar. He took the lead from Brian Tyler on lap 29 and led the rest of the way despite a late-race charge by Marc Jessup, who finished second. Tyler was third, ahead of Aaron pierce and fast qualifier Michael Lewis.

Jay Drake, seventh at Salem, continues to lead the Valvoline National Sprint Car standings going into the Nazareth weekend.

Tyler led the first 28 laps of Saturday night's Salem feature.

Rain forced postponement of Friday night's scheduled Valvoline National Sprint Car race at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pa. Track and USAC officials are working to reschedule the race later this season.

VALVOLINE USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Jay Drake-1119
2.-Bud Kaeding-957
3.-Cory Kruseman-951
4.-Levi Jones-918
5.-Dave Darland-753
6.-Josh Ford-670
7.-Brian Tyler-668
8.-Tony Elliott-649
9.-Josh Wise-553
10.-Dickie Gaines-531

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