“4-CROWN” SPRINTS FEATURE NATIONAL POINT BATTLE;CLAYTON GRABS TRI-STATE’S $10,000 PRIZE
Drivers Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough and Bryan Clauson are prepared for an all-out assault on the Eldora Speedway Saturday as they continue their torrid battle for the 2012 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car championship.
Darland holds a 15-point lead, while Clauson, the USAC National Drivers Championship leader for the third straight year, trails Stanbrough by 45. A total of 74 points are available at Eldora.
Daron Clayton of Sikeston, Mo. emerged from a very competitive 40-lap feature to claim the $10,000 winner’s share at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. Saturday night. Driving the Sign Express Stickers/Ray Morgan Motorsports Spike/Chevy, he led the last five laps after a fierce duel with 2011 “4-Crown” Sprint king Kyle Larson.
Larson finished second after leading 12 laps in three stints and he was followed by Robert Ballou, Darland and Chris Windom. Six lead changes occurred during the 40 laps involving Clayton, Larson and Hunter Schuerenberg.
Darland has five feature wins this season, while Stanbrough has just two. Clauson, on the other hand, leads all drivers with six 2012 victories, including two in his last five starts.
Kyle Larson won last year’s “4-Crown” on his way to a race “sweep” of the three Eldora USAC features.