Results from IRP: Clark Mel Kenyon Classic and Jack's Tool Rental Race of Champions
14 August 1997
NEWMAN VICTORIOUS IN CLARK MEL KENYON CLASSIC AT IRP; STEWART WINS JACK'S TOOL RENTAL RACE OF CHAMPIONS Ryan Newman captured the 40-lap Clark Racing Series Mel Kenyon Classic in USAC National Midget Series competition tonight at Indianapolis Raceway Park, after spending much of the race chasing down polesitter Chris Shultz. Newman started the race in sixth position in the Dan Drinan-built LCI midget, but patiently worked his way around Doug Kalitta, Jay Drake and Jason Leffler early in the race, and was in second by Lap 11. Shultz had a healthy lead until lapped traffic and fading handling allowed Newman to catch him on Lap 33. Shultz finished a respectable second, but is still searching for his first-ever USAC midget victory. Newman's first victory in USAC competition also came this year at IRP, when he won the prestigious Budweiser Night Before the 500 on May 25. "I've got thank LCI and my crew for giving me the opportunity to be successful here," said Newman. "My good fortune at IRP this year has been a big boost to my career." Current USAC National Midget Series points leader Jason Leffler finished third in the feature, giving him an amazing 20 consecutive top-five finishes in USAC midget competition. Two new track records were set tonight. Shultz broke Dan Drinan's two-year-old qualifying record by posting a time and speed of 20.373 seconds, 121.219 mph. In addition, Tony Stewart set a new ten lap track record when he ran away from the field and won his third Jack's Tool Rental Race of Champions event, earning $4,000 of the $10,000 total purse. Finishing second to Stewart in the Jack's Tool Rental was Jimmy McCune, with Leffler third, Newman fourth and Tracy Hines fifth. Heat race winners were Andy Michner and McCune. Michner crashed hard in Turn 2 on the final lap of the feature, but was not hurt. Stewart, who won the Mel Kenyon Classic in 1996, was not able to compete due to car damage that could not be repaired in time for the feature. Nine electric car race teams from universities all over the United States participated in the Indy Electric Classic. 100-mph electric cars designed and built by college students competed in a 10-lap race which was won by driver Craig Taylor and The Ohio State University team. Results from Indianapolis Raceway Park "$10,000 Jack's Tool Rental Race of Champions," and "Clark Midget Series Mel Kenyon Classic," August 13, 1997, featuring the USAC National Midget Series and the ABB University Spec Series Electric Race Cars: $10,000 Jack's Tool Rental Race of Champions: 1. Tony Stewart (Wins $4,000); 2. Jimmy McCune ($2,000); 3. Jason Leffler ($1,000); 4. Ryan Newman ($800); 5. Tracy Hines ($600); 6. Dan Drinan ($450); 7. Andy Michner ($350); 8. Chris Shultz ($300); 9. Jay Drake ($250); 10. Tony Elliot ($250); 3:30.63* *New Ten Lap track record USAC National Midget Qualifying: 1. Chris Shultz, 20.373 secs., 121.219 mph*; 2. Dan Drinan; 3. Ryan Newman; 4. Doug Kalitta; 5. Jason Leffler; 6. Kenneth Nichols; 7. Tracy Hines; 8. Jay Drake; 9. Andy Michner; 10. Tony Stewart; 11. Steve Barth; 12. Ronnie Johncox; 13. Dave Steele; 14. Jimmy McCune; 15. Jimmy Kite; 16. John Heydenreich; 17. Tony Elliot; 18. Chuck Leary; 19. Robby Flock; 20. Todd Domark; 21. Ted Hines; 22. Michael Lewis; 23. Mark Boice; 24. Mel Kenyon; 25. Nick Fornoro, Jr; 26. Jeff Sands; 27. Larry Gibson; 28. Roger Corrigan; 29. Jon Capps; 30. Kevin Blue; 31. David Bridges (DNF); 32. Ron Sallman (DNF); 33. Pat Bliss (DNF) *New USAC Midget track record Qualifying Race #1: 1. Michner; 2. Barth; 3. Steele; 4. Kite; 5. Flock; 6. Ted Hines; 7. Fornoro; 8. Elliot; 9. Boice; 10. Gibson; 11. Capps; 12. Bridges; 3:35.84 Qualifying Race #2: 1. McCune; 2. Stewart; 3. Leary; 4. Johncox; 5. Heydenreich; 6. Domark; 7. Lewis; 8. Sands; 9. Bliss; 10. Corrigan; 11. Kenyon; 12. Blue; 3:33.70 "Clark Mel Kenyon Classic" Feature: (40 Laps) 1. Newman; 2. Shultz; 3. Leffler; 4. Nichols; 5. Drake; 6. Barth; 7. Tracy Hines; 8. Kalitta; 9. Drinan; 10. Michner; 11. McCune; 12. Steele; 13. Leary; 14. Kite; 15. Lewis; 16. Elliot; 17. Flock; 18. Ted Hines; 19. Heydenreich; 20. Domark; 21. Johncox; 22. Fornoro ABB University Spec Series Feature: Results not available. Next event at IRP: The 43rd Annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, part of the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, Wednesday, August 27 - Monday September 1. Tickets still available by calling NHRA Ticketing at (800) 884-6472.
