From Dick Jordan
AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car racing makes its debut in the Cornhusker State Friday when the series visits Eagle Raceway near Lincoln, Neb.
Friday’s Eagle race will feature a battle for the 2012 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car point lead between leader Jon Stanbrough and defending five-time series champion Levi Jones, who are separated by only six points.
Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind., the winningest active driver in terms of USAC National feature victories, will continue to chase the all-time leader in terms of USAC National Sprint wins in Friday’s race at the one-third-mile dirt oval. Hines has 42 wins in the series and trails all-time leader Tom Bigelow by 10.
Hines leads all USAC drivers with three wins in the 24 Midget races held in Nebraska since 1974. The first was at Midwest Speedway in Lincoln and Hines won at Eagle in 1996, 2002 and 2003.
The Eagle race kicks off an ambitious five-night Mid-America swing which includes races Saturday night at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo. and Sunday night at U.S. 36 Raceway in Cameron, Mo., followed by Monday and Tuesday night “special events” at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
USAC racing in Nebraska has included Midget races at Midwest Speedway in Lincoln, Sunset Speedway in Omaha, Eagle Raceway, Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction and Butler County Motorplex in Rising City.
Brady Bacon, this year’s “Hut Hundred” champion, and Brad Kuhn won the last USAC races in Nebraska, at McCool Junction in 2009.
2012 AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Jon Stanbrough-1,198, 2-Levi Jones-1,192, 3-Dave Darland-1,115, 4-Bryan Clauson-1,012, 5-Damion Gardner-1,010, 6-Tracy Hines-945, 7-Hunter Schuerenberg-893, 8-Robert Ballou-884, 9-Kevin Thomas Jr.-877, 10-Chase Stockon-876.