Winchester preview

"KENNY IRWIN CLASSIC" UNFOLDS SUNDAY AT WINCHESTER

A fitting tribute to the late USAC driving champion Kenny Irwin will unfold this Sunday at the Winchester (Ind.) Speedway as the "Thunder & Lightning" Sprint Cars compete in the "Kenny Irwin Classic" at one of America's most storied ovals.

Irwin, USAC's 1996 National Midget Champion, was victorious at Winchester in both USAC Sprints and Midgets, winning a 1995 Sprint race and Midget features in 1992 and 1993. He suffered fatal injuries during practice for a NASCAR race at Loudon, N.H. in 2000.

Defending series champion Levi Jones holds a 35-point edge over teammate Josh Wise in the current standings, while Bryan Clauson, whose victory in the "Rich Vogler Classic" at Winchester this April made him the youngest USAC Sprint race winner ever at age 16, ranks third in the standings, 73 back of the leader. A total of 74 points are up for grabs Sunday.

Sunday's race will be the 134th for USAC Sprint cars at the 1/2-mile paved oval. Eddie Sachs won the 1956 debut and the track's list of USAC race winners reads like a who's-who of American open-wheel racing.

Drivers will be aiming at the 1-lap track qualifying record of 128.333 mph set by Dave Steele in 2002.

-credit: usac