Weekend report 2000-06-26

Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. Continued his incredible winning ways Sunday afternoon, driving the Ralph's Muffler & Brake Shops Special to victory in the 30-lap MCI WorldCom National Midget Car race at the Salem (Ind.) Speedway. The victory left him 27 points behind series point leader Kasey Kahne going into this Friday night's nationally-televised race at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. Practice at Anderson's ¼-mile high-banked oval begins at 4:30 pm and qualifying gets under way at 5:30. The first race starts at 7 and the feature is scheduled for 40 laps. Drake, who won at Anderson on April 2, fought off a determined challenge from Ed Carpenter to win at Salem. Carpenter led the first nine laps before yielding to Tracy Hines, but Carpenter and Drake both passed Hines, putting Drake in the lead on lap 22. Three laps from the finish, Carpenter passed Drake coming out of turn two but Drake was able to retake the lead going down the backstretch and held on for the victory. Carpenter finished second ahead of Hines, Dave Darland and Sarah McCune. Dane Carter posted the fastest qualifying time of 16.234 seconds but was among drivers involved in a multi-car tangle on the 10th lap which included flips by Ryan Scott and Kevin Besecker. Neither driver was injured. A.J. Fike, Clay Klepper and John Heydenreich won heats and Carpenter won the semi.

<pre> USAC MCI WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Kasey Kahne 307 2. Jay Drake 280 3. Dave Darland 262 4. Michael Lewis 227 5. A.J. Fike 214 6. Jimmy McCune 204 7. Ryan newman 192 8. John Heydenreich 175 9. Ed Carpenter 162 10. Ryan Scott 161