Drake targeting Elliott Saturday at IRP

Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif. has his sights focused directly on Tony Elliott as he prepares for this Saturday night's USAC "doubleheader" program at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Drake, who has already won 10 times in Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car competition this season, has three more opportunities for victory, beginning with the IRP events, but he trails Elliott by only 23 points in the battle for the series championship. A total of 72 points are available at IRP as Drake tries to add to his three previous USAC series titles (1996 Western Midget Car and 1990-91 TQ Midget Car). Practice for IRP's program, which also includes the MCI WorldCom National Midget Cars, gets under way at 5 pm and qualifying starts at 6:30. The first race is slated for 8 and both feature events are 30 laps around IRP's .686-mile paved oval. Elliott, who has won twice this year, shares Drake's record of being shutout on the pavement so far in 2000. Elliott finished 11th at IRP on June 10 and third on July 15, while Drake's only IRP start this year produced a 10th-place finish on July 15. Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. appears to be the man to beat Saturday, having won both IRP Sprint Car features this year. He holds the 30-lap track record of 112.586 mph, while Dave Steele holds the 1-lap qualifying mark of 123.068 mph. set in 1997.

<pre> USAC STOOPS FREIGHTLINER SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Tony Elliott 1,219 2. Jay Drake 1,196 3. Tracy Hines 1,008 4. J.J. Yeley 974 5. Derek Davidson 966 6. Dave Darland 849 7. Bud Kaeding 832 8. Eric Gordon 755 9. Brian Tyler 688 10. Jonathan Vennard 606