Knoxville recap, Indiana Midget week next

MIDGET WEEK LOOMS JUNE 10-14 IN INDIANA; SWINDELL, HINES GRAB KNOXVILLE VICTORIES; McDANIEL SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES IN FRIDAY ACCIDENT

"Indiana Midget Week" is next up for the USAC Mopar National Midget Series, slated June 10-14 at five tracks in Indiana. Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. leads the series standings after a pair of "top-10" finishes in last weekend's "Knoxville Midget Nationals" events in Iowa.

Kevin Swindell of Germantown, Tenn. and Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. starred in last weekend's 8th Pepsi "Knoxville Midget Nationals" at Knoxville (Ia.) Raceway.

Swindell won Saturday night's 30-lap USAC Mopar National and USAC/SMRS Great Plains finale at the 1/2-mile dirt oval, passing Jerry Coons Jr. on the white-flag lap with a daring pass on the inside berm in turn three. He then led to the checkered flag in his Keith Kunz Motorsports Bullet Chassis/Advanced Racing Bullet/Esslinger Ford. Coons passed defending race winner Brad Sweet on lap three and led for 21 laps before yielding the top spot to Swindell. Sweet finished third ahead of new series point leader Darren Hagen and 2008 series champion Cole Whitt. Brad Kuhn was Saturday's fastest qualifier. Swindell and Hagen won heats and Brady Bacon won the semi.

Hines won Friday night's 20-lap "King Doodlebug Classic". Hines grabbed the lead from Brad Kuhn on lap six and never looked back in his Tony Stewart Racing Chevy/Bass Pro Shops Spike/Chevy. Coons finished second, followed by Kuhn, Levi Jones and Ricky Ehrgott.

Drivers Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa and Chad McDaniel of Concordia, Kans. were injured in an 18th-lap accident during Friday night's feature. McDaniel, 34, of Concordia, Kans., succumbed to his injuries. Ray suffered a broken kneecap and was treated at Knoxville Hospital and released.

McDaniel, who is survived by his wife Trish and children Trevor and Taylor, was leading the USAC/SMRS series standings at the time of his accident, having recorded five "top-10" finishes in six starts this season.

"On behalf on the entire USAC Racing community, we are deeply saddened and carry heavy hearts today with the passing of Chad McDaniel" stated Kevin Miller, CEO of USAC Racing. "Our sport has lost a passionate racer today, and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his family during these most difficult times."

"He was not only a friend, but a gentleman who loved his family and his sport," said John Stewart, President/CEO of USAC/SMRS Racing. "He will be deeply missed by all of us."

A full investigation to determine the cause of the injuries is underway by USAC. While the United States Auto Club Benevolent Fund is addressing the family's immediate needs, USAC has established a charitable fund for the family and is asking the racing community for their support. Donations can be made online at usacracing.com/store. or mailed to USAC offices at 4910 West 16th Street Speedway, Indiana 46224.

-crdit: usac