06-01-2005 | TruckSeries.com Report
Team Mopar's USAC National Sprint Car Series drivers got a taste of both the dirt and the pavement during last week's USAC Racing events. Hoffman Auto Racing's Tracy Hines kicked off the week at Anderson Speedway in Indiana on May 25 with a victory in the 50-lap USAC National Sprint Car Series event. Hines qualified the No. 69 entry in third position and fought his way through a one-groove field to earn the win. He was followed by Nicholas Motorsports' Dave Steele, who was able to pilot the No. 02 into the fourth position by the conclusion of the race. Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises' Josh Wise and Jay Drake also turned in solid performances at Anderson, as Drake drove the No. 21 to a sixth-place finish. Wise, who was involved in an on-track altercation during the feature event, was credited with a 13th-place finish after having to rejoin the tail of the field. Team Mopar also ran well at Eldora Speedway on Sunday night, picking up two Top-10 finishes in the feature event. Hines captured a second-place finish again behind the wheel of the No. 69 entry for Hoffman Auto Racing, while his teammate, Jerry Coons Jr. qualified the No. 69x second quickest on the night. Coons Jr., was credited with a 24th-place finish in the feature event after pulling in with mechanical issues shortly after the green flag was dropped. Wise drove the No. 20 Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises machine to a sixth-place finish in the feature event, capping off his fantastic week of racing in USAC's three divisions. Drake also put a solid finish in the books at Eldora, bringing the No. 21 machine across the line in the 12th position despite having to work with a poorly packed race surface. Drake is currently second in the USAC National Sprint Car Series point standings, followed by Hines in sixth position. Wise is currently ranked eighth, while Coons Jr., is ninth overall. The series resumes action this Friday, June 3, at I-69 Gas City Speedway in Indiana with the second leg of the "Border Wars" competition. For more information regarding Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises, Hoffman Auto Racing, Nicholas Racing or the USAC National Sprint Car Series, log on to tonystewart.com, hoffmanracing.com, davesteele.com or usacracing.com.