Sammy Sessions Memorial Preview

"SAMMY SESSIONS MEMORIAL" FEATURES CROWNING OF DARLAND

Dave Darland of Kokomo, Ind. finally wears the crown of Stoops Freightliner USAC Sprint Car Champion this Sunday when the series concludes its 1999 campaign at the Winchester (Ind.) Speedway. Darland could be among favorites to win the "Sammy Sessions Memorial" 33-lap feature too, based on his August victory in the 50-lap "Joe James/Pat O'Connor Classic" at Salem, Ind., the longest race on the calendar. The 1997 USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Champion hopes to start his 134th USAC Sprint race Sunday and will be seeking his 13th career series triumph. He's started every possible race this season and in his four previous Winchester starts has improved on his finish each time, posting an 11th, seventh, sixth and third. Sunday's program at the 1/2-mile paved oval also includes the USAC MCI WorldCom Midget Cars in their final 1999 midwestern appearance. Practice gets under way at 11 a.m. Qualifying commences at 1 p.m. and the racing action begins at 2. Darland's primary competition should include Ryan Newman of South Bend, Ind., the only driver to win in both Sprints and Midget Cars at Winchester this year. Dave Steele also owns two Sprint Car wins there in 1999 and Tracy Hines won the other 1999 Winchester Sprint Car event.

STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR STANDINGS

1. Dave Darland 1,716           6. Robbie Rice          813
2. Tracy Hines  1,456           7. Billy Puterbaugh, Jr.804
3. Tony Elliott 1,388           8. Brian Gerster        715
4. Brian Tyler  987             9. Rusty McClure        628
5. Eric Gordon  854             10.Jack Hewitt          622