By Dick Jordan
Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. and Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. head to the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fair for the September 4 “Ted Horn 100” separated by just three points in the latest USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series standings after they finished second (Jones) and third (Coons) in last Saturday’s “Tony Bettenhausen 100” at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Coons won the 2008 Silver Crown title and Jones was last year’s champion. They have 42 and 39-point leads respectively over third-place Bud Kaeding, who is trying to win a fourth series title.
Bryan Tyler of Mount Pleasant, N.C. started 14th in Saturday’s “Tony Bettenhausen 100,” but it didn’t take long for him to become a factor and he recorded his fourth victory in the classic 100-miler in his Toyota/Team 6R Beast. It was Tyler’s fourth win at Springfield in the last seven events!
He moved into the “top-five on lap five, passed Levi Jones for fourth on lap six, caught Bryan Clauson for third on lap 12, Tracy Hines for second on lap 14, and one lap later motored by leader Coons going into turn three. The race was halted for a mid-race pause on lap 51 but Tyler resumed his lead after the stop.
Jones came from fourth after the stop to take second at the checkered flag, ahead of early race leader Coons, Kyle Larson and pole starter Hines. Springfield favorite Donnie Beechler escaped injury when he flipped during a four-car tangle on lap 81.
Tanner Swanson, tied with Coons for the series point lead entering Springfield, suffered through a disappointing day and finished 25th.
USAC TRAXXAS SILVER CROWN POINT STANDINGS
1-Jerry Coons Jr.-255; 2-Levi Jones-252; 3-Bud Kaeding-213; 4-Tanner Swanson-209; 5-Bobby East-207; 6-Brian Tyler-205; 7-Tracy Hines-203; 8-Kyle Larson-191; 9-Bobby Santos III-156; 10-A.J. Fike-125.