By Dick Jordan
The USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars head for Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway Friday night for the “Larry Rice Classic” following Saturday night’s rainout at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind.
Saturday’s “Billy Marvel Classic” fell victim to rain and USAC and track officials are discussing possible reschedule dates for the event honoring the former USAC Sprint racer.
The past seven USAC Sprint races at Bloomington have yielded seven different winners, five of whom are expected to be in Friday’s field. Included are 2009 winner Bryan Clauson, 2008 winner Jerry Coons Jr., 2007 winner Dave Darland, 2006 winner Brady Short and 2005 winner Tracy Hines.
Drivers will be aiming at J.J. Yeley’s 1-lap USAC Sprint track qualifying record at the quarter-mile dirt Bloomington oval, which he set in 2002 at 11.068 seconds.
AMSOIL series point leader Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. hopes to better last year’s Bloomington finish of 12th in order to retain his lead, which stands at 12 points over Coons heading into Friday’s race.
The “Larry Rice Classic,” presented by Indiana Stoneworks, honors the late USAC Silver Crown and Midget Champion who was also the 1979 Indianapolis 500 co-Rookie of the Year. Rice passed away last year following a bout with cancer.
USAC AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Damion Gardner-459, 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-447, 3-Levi Jones-404, 4-Bryan Clauson-387, 5-Tracy Hines-380, 6-Robert Ballou-376, 7-Chris Windom-359, 8-Henry Clarke-359, 9-Dave Darland-266, 10-Jon Stanbrough-241.