By Dick Jordan
Two-time defending USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. enters this weekend’s AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car “special event” at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., with a 96-point lead over the idle Levi Jones.
Tracy Hines ranks third in the latest NDC standings, just six behind Jones, while Darren Hagen is fourth and Dave Darland fifth in the rankings.
Clauson finished second in last Saturday night’s AMSOIL National Sprint race at West Memphis, Ark. While Jones’ season-ending neck surgery precluded his participation. Hines finished 19th at West Memphis, while Hagen did not compete. Darland was 10th in the race at Riverside International Raceway.
2012 USAC National Drivers Championship Standings
1-Bryan Clauson-1,070, 2-Levi Jones-974, 3-Tracy Hines-968, 4-Darren Hagen-943, 5-Dave Darland-933, 6-Jon Stanbrough-912, 7-Jerry Coons Jr.-870, 8-Chris Windom-862, 9-Damion gardner-784, 10-Chase Stockon-706.