Coons joins list of Triple Crown champions

COONS JOINS EXCLUSIVE LIST OF "TRIPLE CROWN" CHAMPIONS

Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. is now one of only five drivers to claim USAC's "Triple Crown" after locking down a pair of National Championships over the past weekend.

Coons emerged from Thursday's 33rd "Copper World Classic" presented by Fast Signs at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway with the 2008 USAC K & N Silver Crown title, then clinched the 2008 USAC National Sprint Car Championship the following night in the 41st NAPA Auto Parts/Budwesier/Parker Store "Western World Championships" at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix.

The two titles, coupled with 2006 and 2007 USAC National Midget crowns, put Coons in company with former USAC "Triple Crown" titlists Pancho Carter, Tony Stewart, Dave Darland and J.J. Yeley. Stewart (1995) and Yeley (2003) remain the only two win sweep all three titles in a single season.

This was Coons' 10th season of Silver Crown and Sprint racing under the USAC banner. His previous best point rankings came in 2006 (fifth in Sprints) and 2007 (fourth in Silver Crown).

Ironically, Coons may end up as one of two drivers to accomplish the career feat this season. Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. is on the threshold of the "Triple Crown," needing only to win the National Midget title. He leads Cole Whitt by 17 points entering the series finale November 27 at Irwindale, Calif. Hines won the Silver Crown title in 2000 and the Sprint Car title in 2002. His best previous Midget ranking was second in 1996, 1997 and 2003.

-credit: --USAC--