Phoenix: Race recap, Kaeding wins title

KAEDING EMERGES WITH 2ND K & N SILVER CROWN TITLE; DODSON WINS "COPPER WORLD" SILVER CROWN FINALE

Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. will be toasted as USAC's K & N Silver Crown driving champion for the second straight year when the champions gather for USAC's "Night of Champions" National Awards Dinner in January in Indianapolis, Ind.

Kaeding emerged as the 2007 champion following his 12th-place finish in Thursday night's "Copper World Classic" 100-mile feature at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway.

Cameron Dodson of Greenfield, Ind. gave car owners Carl Edwards and RE Technologies their second 2007 victory in the P.I.R. event, leading the final 17 miles after a spin by leader J.J. Yeley. Dodson averaged 96.734 mph in his Red Line Oil C & R./Ford. Dodson led the first 25 miles, then pole starter Jerry Coons Jr. paced the next 28 before Yeley moved to the front for 30 laps.

Coons eventually finished second ahead of Pablo Donoso, Tim Barber and Dave Darland.

Wayne Reutimann Jr., who finished sixth, claimed the runner-up spot in the final series standings as a result of his finish, with Barber ending up third in the final points. Coons, whose pole speed was 137.963 mph, finished fourth in the standings.

Dodson's winner's share of the $100,558 purse was $21,600.

FINAL K & N USAC SILVER CROWN SERIES STANDINGS

1. Bud Kaeding 543
2. Wayne Reutimann Jr. 505
3. Tim Barber 473
4. Jerry Coons Jr. 472
5. Mat Neely 464
6. Cameron Dodson 463
7. Brian Tyler 436
8. Billy Wease 429
9. Aaron Pierce 424
10. Pablo Donoso 421

-credit: usac