USAC Silver Crown - Pikes Peak

DRAKE GABS "ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC" 100-MILER VICTORY IS RECORD 15TH FOR CAR OWNER GEORGE SNIDER Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. wheeled his Team Mopar Beast to victory in Friday's 100-mile "Rocky Mountain Classic" Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship race at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo. The win was a record 15th for car owner George Snider, who co-owns Drake's car with NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart.

Drake took the lead from series point leader J.J. Yeley on the ninth lap and never looked back, leading the final 92 miles around the 1-mile paved oval for his second career win in the series. He previously won at Knoxville, Iowa in 2001. Yeley started on the pole with a speed of 141.559 mph but lost the early lead to former series champion Paul White at the start. He regained the lead on lap six but yielded to Drake on lap nine.

Yeley eventually finished 20th, three laps down after two pit stops. His series point lead slipped to 15 points over runnerup Dave Steele who finished seventh Friday. The series resumes July 31 with the "J.D. Byrider 100" at Indianapolis Raceway Park, part of the track's Kroger Speedfest. Eric Gordon of Indianapolis, Ind. posted his best finish of the season, a second, followed by Chet Fillip, Tracy Hines and Dave Darland, who came from 25th starting position after winning Friday's 15-mile "qualifying race."

Drake averaged 115.102 mph for the 100 miles, which were interrupted by only three caution periods.

USAC WELD RACING SILVER CROWN SERIES STANDINGS 1. J.J. Yeley 301 2. Dave Steele 286 3. Tracy Hines 274 4. Dave Darland 257 5. Jay Drake 237 6. Brian Tyler 203 7. Paul White 185 8. Tyler Walker 154 9. Chet Fillip 147 10. A.J. Fike 139

1. (9) Jay Drake, 100, $17,000, Time: 52:07.65, Speed: 115.102 mph.
2. (6) Eric Gordon, 100, $9,000.
3. (18) Chet Fillip, 100, $5,500.
4. (2) Tracy Hines, 100, $4,300.
5. (25) Dave Darland, 100, $3,800.
6. (10) Dane Carter, 100, $2,875.
7. (4) Dave Steele, 99, $2,550.
8. (28) Bentley Warren, 99, $2,350.
9. (5) Aaron Fike, 99, $2,100.
10. (24) Teddy Beach, 99, $1,950.
11. (19) Donny Schatz, 99, $1,850.
12. (23) Ron Gregory, 99, $1,750.
13. (7) Eric Butze, 99, $1,650.
14. (12) Rich Tobias, Jr., 99, $1,600.
15. (26) Jimmy Kite, 99, $1,550.
16. (21) Brian Tyler, 99 $1,500.
17. (30) Lance Kobusch, 98, $1,450.
18. (16) Michael Lewis, 98, $1,400.
19. (14) A.J. Fike, 98, $1,350.
20. (1) J.J. Yeley, 97, $2,100.
21. (22) Bud Kaeding, 89, Ignition, $1,275.
22. (15) Brad Noffsinger, 82, Fuel Pump, $1,250.
23. (8) Jason McCord, 68, Drive Line, $1,225.
24. (27) John Heydenreich, 52, Handling, $1,200.
25. (13) Tyler Walker, 43, Engine, $1,175.
26. (29) Jonathan Vennard, 38, Overheating, $1,150.
27. (20) David Gough, 31, Overheating, $1,150
28. (17) John Starks, 30, Suspension, $1,150.
29 (11) Bobby East, 29, Engine, $1,150.
30. (3) Paul White, 25, Engine, $1,150.
Average Speed: 115.102 mph.
Time of Race: 52:07.65
Caution Flags: 3 for 19 laps.
Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: White 1-5, Yeley 6-8, Drake 9-100.
Fastest Qualifier: J.J. Yeley - 25.431 seconds - 141.559 mph.
Qualifying Race Winner: (15 laps) .Dave Darland.
Next Weld Racing Silver Crown Race: July 31 - Indianapolis, Ind. - Indianapolis Raceway Park - "J.D. Byrider 100"

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