Brian Tyler wins USAC Silver Crown event at Springfield!

jdearing

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Springfield, IL August 16, 2008-Parma, Michigan's Brian Tyler put his name and Toyota's in the auto racing history books as he cruised to victory in the 48th Tony Bettenhausen 100 for the USAC K&N Filters Silver Crown championship series today at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The win marked the first 100-mile dirt track win for a Toyota powered car.

Shane Hollingsworth of Indianapolis won the pole position in official qualification runs with a 30.280 lap (118.867 MPH) after five drivers were under the existing in the early practice session. Tyler, however took the lead in the second corner of the first lap and was never passed although several drivers made charges through the field.

Tyler, who won here in 2004 and 2005, became the ninth driver in 74 years to win at least three championship dirt car races on the storied fairgrounds mile and the 15th to lead all 100 laps of the Illinois State Fair championship race. The race was slowed by two caution flags and stopped by a red flag on lap 24 for an accident and fuel leak involving the car of Johnny Parsons. No one was injured in the mishap.

Dave Darland of Kokomo, Indiana was second and gained ground in his quest for a second national championship on point leader Jerry Coons who came from 25th to 6th. Hollingsworth finished third, followed by Ricky Stenhouse and two-time series champ Bud Kaeding. A.J. Fike of Galesburg led the Illinois contingent finishing 12, followed by Olney's Levi Jones (13th), Robinson's Mat Neely (15th), Champaign's Patrick Bruns (16th) Murphysboro's Randy Bateman (17th), two Springfield drivers, Jeff Leka (20th) and Donnie Beechler (22nd) and Elkhart's Chris Urish (23rd). The series moves to DuQuoin for the Ted Horn 100 August 31.

The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series Best Western Challenge was won by Nick Gullata who held off Indiana's Steve Christman at the finish line in an event that saw three lead changes in the 30-mile event and no caution flags.

Tony Bettenhausen 100 finish
1-Brian Tyler
2-Dave Darland
3-Shane Hollingsworth
4-Ricky Stenhouse
5-Bud Kaeding
6-Jerry Coons
7-Shane Cottle
8-Tom Capie
9-Kody Swanson
10-Jon Stanbrough
11-Tracy Hines
12-AJ Fike
13-Levi Jones
14-Russ Gamester
15-Mat Neely
16-Patrick Bruns
17-Randy Bateman
18-Craig Dori
19-Paul White
20-Jeff Leka
21-Johnny Parsons
22-Donnie Beechler
23-Chris Urish
24-Derek Hagar
25-Kevin Huntley
26-Mike Stroehle
 




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