With the USAC National Sprint and Midget Car Series seasons firmly underway, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) is on full point in its quest to earn the team’s fifth straight national series title.
The team has won three USAC National Sprint Car Series championships, as well as a USAC National Midget Car Series title. J.J. Yeley earned the first USAC National Sprint Car Series title in 2003, and current team manager, Jay Drake, earned the second championship in 2004. Josh Wise earned TSR’s first USAC National Midget Car Series title in 2005 and followed it up with the USAC National Sprint Car Series championship in 2006.
With veteran drivers Levi Jones and Tracy Hines at the wheel for TSR in 2007, the team has high hopes for a fifth consecutive title. But first, they’re looking to earn the team’s third USAC Border Wars championship.
Jones struck the first blow in the battle for the 2007 USAC National Sprint Car Series title winning in decisive fashion at Lawrenceburg Speedway on April 21. He’ll be looking to add to his hardware collection in this weekend’s USAC Border Wars doubleheader, as the 2005 series champion is no stranger to the winner’s circle at Gas City (Ind. ) I-69 Speedway or Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Jones enters this weekend’s USAC Border Wars competition ranked second in the USAC National Sprint Car Series Championship. He is only two points behind series leader Kevin Swindell.
Hines is a proverbial favorite as TSR heads to Gas City I-69 and Eldora this weekend, as he’ll be seeking his fourth USAC Border Wars title. Having won the event in 1999, 2002 and 2003, Hines will look to put himself in the record books as one of two four-time USAC Border Wars Champions.
Hines enters this weekend’s events currently ranked fourth in the USAC National Sprint Car Series Championship standings with 98 points, only 14 markers out of first place.
TSR team owner Stewart – also a former USAC Border Wars champion – won the title in 1995 en route to winning the elusive USAC “Triple Crown” – where he became the first driver to win all three USAC National Series titles in the same season. Team manager Drake, who also has two event titles to his credit, won back-to-back USAC Border Wars titles for TSR in 2004 and 2005.
Quotes from Levi Jones, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Chevrolet/Maxim
You haven’t won a USAC Border Wars title thus far in your career. Do you think this year with TSR may be your best shot yet?
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