USAC Silver Crown: Leffler Wins DuPont 100 at IRP
30 July 1998
INDIANAPOLIS - Jason Leffler of Long Beach, Calif. extended his lead in the USAC Silver Crown Series standings Wednesday night by leading wire-to-wire to capture the "DuPont 100" at Indianapolis Raceway Park, round eight of the 1998 series and the opening event of IRP's "Kroger SpeedFest."Leffler won the pole position with a speed of 116.380 mph and led every lap in his Action Performance/Beast Special despite late-race pressure from runner-up Dave Steele and third-place Russ Gamester. Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart, who came from 21st starting spot after winning the "qualifying race," rounded out the top-five at the checkered flag.
"It feels good," said Leffler, whose victory was his first in Silver Crown racing. "I never dreamed it would happen here. And with all the big dogs here too! The car had a bad puch aout mid-race but we overcame it and held on."
The race was red-flagged on the 89th lap when John heydenreich of Bloomsburg, Pa. crashed on the front straightaway and was taken to the track's care center suffering from a concussion. He was transported to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital but no further report on his condition was immediately available.
Brad Armstrong was named Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Race" after finishing 19th.
Results Wednesday night (July 29) from the running of the "DuPont 100" USAC Silver Crown Championship Race at Indianapolis Raceway Park, with starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, reason out if any and money won:
1. (1) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif., 100, $9,600.
2. (2) Dave Steele, Tampa, Fla., 100, $4,500.
3. (3) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 100, $3,000.
4. (4) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind.100, $2,000.
5. (21) Tony Stewart, Rushville, Ind., 100, $1,800.
6. (6) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 100, $1,600.
7. (11) Robby Flock, Murrieta, Calif., 100, $1,400.
8. (9) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio, 100, $1,200.
9. (16) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind., 100, $1,100.
10. (12) Dan Drinan, Indianapolis, Ind., 99, $1,000.
11. (18) Dave Darland, Walton, Ind., 99, $1,500.
12. (15) Pat Abold, Pennellville, N.Y., 99, $800.
13. (22) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 99, $700.
14. (14) Billy Puterbaugh, Jr., Brownsburg, Ind., 99, $600.
15. (17) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill., 99, $500.
16. (23) Bentley Warren, Kennebunkport, Maine, 99, $500.
17. (10) Jimmy Sills, Placerville, Calif., 99, $500.
18. (20) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa., 98, $500.
19. (27) Brad Armstrong, New Palestine, Ind., 98, $750.
20. (7) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa., 87, Accident,$500.
21. (19) Chet Fillip, Speedway, Ind., 83, Brakes, $400.
22. (24) Mike Brooks, Knoxville, Iowa, 78, Accident, $400.
23. (5) Mike Bliss, Milwaukie, Ore., 48, RF Tire, $400.
24. (26) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 43, Brakes, $400.
25. (25) Doug Didero, Mooresville, N.C., 36, Vibration,$300.
26. (29) Bill Baue, Indianapolis, Ind., 35, Engine, $300.
27. (13) Brian Gerster, Indianapolis, Ind., 33, Oil Leak,$300.
28. (30) Lou Cicconi, Jr., Aston, Pa., 30, Handling, $300.
29. (8) Dave Blaney, Cortland, Ohio, 24, Handling, $300.
30. (28) Johnny Parsons, Indianapolis, Ind., 23, Brakes,$300.
Average Speed: NONE-Red Flag.
Time of Race: NONE-Red Flag.
Caution Flags: Laps 16-21, Brooks spun in turn 2; Laps 82-86, Brooks hit
wall in turn 2 and had flat tire; Red flag on lap 89, Heydenreich spun and
hit wall on frontstretch.
Lead Changes: 0
Lap Leaders: Leffler 1-100.
Fastest Qualifier: Jason Leffler, 21.220 seconds - 116.380 mph.
Qualifying Race Winner: Tony Stewart.
New Silver Crown Point Standings: 1-Leffler-388; 2-Tyler-351;3-Newman-337;
4-Sills-282; 5-Steele-259; 6-Darland-225; 7-Gamester-220; 8-J.J.Yeley-219;
9-Flock-218; 10-Hewitt-210.
Next Silver Crown Race: August 22 - Springfield, IL - Illinois State
Fairgrounds - "Tony Bettenhausen 100"
