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USAC: Kane, Hines & Lewis Named 'Rookies of the Year'

3 December 1998

Todd Kane of Powell, Ohio, Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. and Michael Lewis of Noblesville, Ind. have been named USAC National "Rookies of the Year" in their respective racing series and will be honored at the USAC National Awards Dinner January 8, 1999 at the Westin Hotel in downton Indianapolis, Ind.

Kane finished 20th in the USAC Silver Crown Championship Series standings and collected Turbines, Inc. "Rookie of the Race" awards at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in May, Memphis Motor Speedway in June and Eldora Speedway in September. His best finish was a third in the "Sumar Classic 100" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track in July.

Hines was 10th in the final Stoops Freightliner/USAC Sprint Car standings and scored victories in the July 1 and September 19 races at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the former televised nationally by ESPN2. He added a second at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway in June and three thirds during the campaign.

Lewis fought off the challenges of three other top candidates to earn the National Midget Series honors with his ninth-place ranking, recording top-12 finishes in his final three starts. His best outing came in the "Night Before the 500" classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park when he was sixth. Lewis, like Hines, is a former Indianapolis Speedrome Midget Series "Rookie of the Year."

Turbines, Inc. will present Kane a check for $1,000, while similar checks will be presented to Hines by True Value and Lewis by the Wynn Oil Company. Each will also receive a distinctive plaque in recognition of their accomplishment. The National Midget award honors the late Bob Stroud who supervised over 1,000 USAC events during his tenure as USAC Midget Series Supervisor.