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USAC: Coons Shows the Way at Richmond
Written by: Robin Miller   
06/28/2008 - 06:09 AM
Richmond, Va.
 
Jerry Coons Jr. (Hoffman Auto Racing photo) ยป More Photos

Jerry Coons Jr. snatched the lead at the halfway point Friday night and cruised to victory in the 60-lap USAC Silver Crown race at Richmond Speedway.

Starting second, Coons swept past Shane Hmeil on Lap 28 and finished 10 car lengths ahead of Tracy Hines.

"I think Shane had some problems because he slowed down drastically and from that point we had a real good race car," said Coons. "I'm just glad we were finally able to get No. 70 for Dick and his guys."

HIs reference was to Dick Hoffman, whose family has now captured 70 open wheel victories in Triple AAA and USAC. Started 80 years ago by patriarch Gus Hoffman, this Milford, Ohio team have fielded cars for everyone from Eddie Sachs to Rich Vogler to Hines.

"We've been fortunate to win a lot of races because we've had a lot of good drivers,
like these two guys sitting next to me," said Hoffman, whose father fielded cars in Triple AAA, USAC and also at Indianapolis.

"I hope to be able to stick around long enough to win 100 of these things."

Coons, a two-time USAC midget champion, moved into second place in the point standings and gained ground of leader Cole Witt, who at 16 is not permitted to run here this weekend due to the tobacco law (Team Penske is sponsored by Phillip Morris and any driver under age 18 is not allowed to compete).

Brad Sweet, who had started third, was running fourth when his car caught fire and he dove out and rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames. He suffered minor burns on his legs.

The USAC Silver Crown cars run a 100-lapper today prior to the IRL race.
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