Coons Jr. Takes Feature Event Win at Eldora
Team Mopar's USAC National Sprint Car Series contingent kicked off the 2006 racing season in a big way at Eldora Speedway on Saturday night, as Hoffman Auto Racing's Jerry Coons Jr. picked up the feature event win. The victory marked Coons Jr.'s first triumph at the legendary half-mile facility. Coons, Jr., and the No. 69 team also picked up a heat race win during the evening.
Hoffman Auto Racing also claimed the second finishing position on the night, as Tracy Hines drove the No. 69 to a second-place finish. Hines also took top qualifier honors for the event. Coons Jr., and Hines came away from the weekend in first and second position in the USAC National Sprint Car Series Championship.
Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises' Josh Wise and Levi Jones also turned in solid performances for the weekend, as Wise qualified third quick en route to the feature event. The No. 20 machine was running in third position early on in the feature event, when a cut oil line sidelined Wise for the night. Jones and the No. 21 team earned a Top-10 finish in the season's first event, as he drove to a ninth-place finish in the feature. Jones is ranked eighth in the series points chase.
Team Mopar and the USAC National Sprint Car Series resume action on April 9 at Anderson Speedway. For more information regarding Coons Jr., Hines, Wise, Jones or USAC Racing, log on to jerrycoonsjr.com tracyhines.com, joshwiseracing.com, levijones.com or usacracing.com.
Mopar Runs Strong At Batesville
Paul McMahan, Sammy Swindell, Joey Saldana and Kevin Swindell drove their Mopar-powered machines in World of Outlaws Sprint Series competition over the weekend, to combine for one Top-three finish, four Top-10 finishes, one Top-five finish and two B-main event victories.
McMahan's No. 20 team had been strong all night, but a high number of laps in the A-main event caused fuel levels to become a concern. McMahan was running as high as third, when on the last lap, his machine ran out of fuel. He coasted to a 14th-place finish on the night. The team wrapped up the weekend winning the B-main event from deep in the field to make the feature event.
Swindell and the No. 5 Forbrook Motorsports team earned two Top-10 finishes on the weekend, as he drove to a seventh place finish on Friday night at Batesville Speedway. The No. 5 team followed that up with a solid eighth place outing at I-55 Raceway to wrap up their weekend. The younger Swindell [Kevin] won the B-main event on Friday night en route to a 23rd place feature in the A-main.
Saldana and the No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing team finished ninth on Friday night to set the tone for the rest of the weekend's action. The No. 9 team steadily made its way through Saturday night to set themselves up for a second place run on Saturday night. Saldana is currently ranked second in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series points championship.
McMahan, Sammy Swindell, Saldana and Kevin Swindell will resume World of Outlaws Sprint Series action on April 7-8 at Eldora Speedway. McMahan and the No. 20 will return to National Sprint Tour Series competition on April 15 at Outlaw Motor Speedway.
For more information regarding McMahan, Saldana, the Swindells, the World of Outlaws or the National Sprint Tour, log on to paulmcmahanracing.com, joeysaldana.com, swindellmotorsports.com, theworldofoutlaws.com or nationalsprinttour.com.
Mopar All-Star Showdown Headlines USAC Event
Mopar will sponsor the Mopar All-Star Showdown USAC racing event at Concord Motorsport Park in North Carolina, on Sunday, May 21. The doubleheader event will feature the stars of the USAC National Sprint Car and Midget Car Series as they do battle on the half-mile asphalt tri-oval.
"Sponsoring an event such as the Mopar All-Star Showdown is an opportunity for Mopar to showcase our authentic motorsports programs to a unique racing demographic," said Kevin Miller, Senior Manager, Mopar Brand, Performance and Motorsports. "A premier event such as the one at Concord Motorsport Park goes hand-in-hand with Mopar's success in the sport of open-wheel racing. We're pleased to sponsor an event that will continue to build our longevity within the sport."
The Mopar All-Star Showdown is expected to draw entrants from all over the country, as the event places open-wheel's best in the heart of NASCAR country. The event will mark the first appearance by USAC's two premier racing series at the facility. Expected entries include 2005 USAC National Midget Car Series champion Josh Wise and his Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises teammates Levi Jones and Kyle Nicholas. NASCAR Busch Grand National competitor Tracy Hines and Wilke-PAK Racing's Jerry Coons Jr., are also expected to compete.
The Mopar All-Star Showdown will showcase two 50-lap feature events for the USAC National Sprint and Midget Car Series. Gates are scheduled to open to the public at 2 p.m. EDT, with qualifying slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Racing will begin at 7 p.m. EDT.
For more information regarding Mopar, the Mopar All-Star Showdown, Metrolina Brand or USAC Racing, log on to moparspeed.com, mopar.com, MetrolinaBrand.com or usacracing.com.
Win $5,000 in Mopar's Virtual Dirt track Challenge
For anyone who thinks he or she can conquer the high banks of Eldora Speedway, Mopar has got the contest for you! Mopar is proud to announce the 2006 Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge. The competition, which will be hosted by Tim's Dirt Track Simulators at events across the country, will pay $5,000 to the winner of the A-main finale on Saturday, September 23, at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.
The Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge will see 60 virtual sprint car drivers clash head-to-head in the event finale at Eldora Speedway on September 23. Tim's Dirt Track Simulators will travel to various events throughout the 2006 racing season, where competitors can qualify for the Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge finale. Qualifying events will include USAC National Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Series events at Eldora Speedway and events at Ohio- Pennsylvania- and Indiana-based dirt track facilities.
Prizes presented by Mopar for the Mopar Virtual Dirt Track Challenge include $5,000 to the A-main event finale winner and $1,500 to the runner up. Kears Speedshop will present $200 Fast Time Awards. The University of Northwest Ohio will present $100 B-main awards, and Hoservilleohio.com will present a $75 C-main award. Heat Race awards of $50 will be presented by L&S Express, LLC, and Tim's Dirt Track Simulators will present $50 Hard Charger Awards during the event finale at Eldora Speedway on September 23.
The 60 eligible drivers must run five qualifying laps. Based on qualifying runs, they will be placed into six heat races, with 10 cars making up each two-round heat grouping. Top point totals from each heat grouping will transfer to the A-Main. The next overall twenty totals will transfer to the C-Main. Two C-Mains will be held, with the Top-five finishers from each C-Main transferring to the B-Main. The top four finishers from the B-Main will transfer to the 30-lap A-Main, which will start at 5 p.m. Saturday, September 23.
For more information, log on to moparspeed.com or mopar.com.
Eldora Speedway and Mopar Join For Huge USAC Payday
Eldora Speedway and Mopar have unveiled the second largest payoff in non-winged racing history. The Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4-Crown Nationals will feature $266,250 in prize money and bonuses up for grabs. The marquee September 22-23 event, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the historic 4-Crown Nationals, will offer an unprecedented $25,000 paycheck to the winner in each of USAC's premier divisions (Midget, Sprint, Silver Crown), and $2,500 to the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Modified victor.
Intensifying the event is a $100,000 bonus from Mopar to any driver able to sweep the three USAC non-winged events. Additionally, a $25,000 "Jack Hewitt Bonus" is being posted for a clean sweep victory in all four legs of the Mopar Thunder. This stunning feat was accomplished by Hewitt in 1998.
"We are happy to continue to build our relationship with the legendary Eldora Speedway and the race fans who support these first-class racing events," said Kevin Miller, Senior Manager, Mopar Brand, Performance and Motorsports. "Sponsoring events such as the Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4-Crown Nationals gives us a platform to build on our leadership position in the sport of open wheel racing. Working with a group such as Eldora Speedway allows Mopar the opportunity to showcase our authentic motorsports programs."
Tony Stewart, NASCAR Nextel Cup champion and owner of Eldora Speedway, explained, "Eldora has a long history of high-paying events. When I bought the track from Earl [Baltes], I knew I had big shoes to fill in following that reputation. We're ecstatic to promote such a marquee event with Mopar and celebrate what will be 25 years of the 4-Crown Nationals."
Tickets for the Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4-Crown Nationals will be available online at
www.eldoraspeedway.com beginning May 1. Race fans will also be able to purchase tickets at Eldora Speedway daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. The USAC Silver Crown finale from the Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event will be televised on The Outdoor Channel on September 30, 2006, at 5 p.m. EDT.
For more information regarding Eldora Speedway, Mopar, the Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event, USAC Racing or The Outdoor Channel, log on to eldoraspeedway.com, moparspeed.com, usacracing.com, outdoorchannel.com or mopar.com.
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