Defending USAC National Sprint Car Series champion Tracy Hines held off hard-charging J.J. Yeley by less than a car length to win the USAC sprint car feature during the second round of the Mopar Buckeye Nationals at Fremont Speedway.
Hines started the Hoffman No. 69 fourth on what was an unseasonably cold night, and took the lead from Bud Kaeding on the sixth lap. Hines blasted into lapped traffic on the 12th tour of the third-mile oval.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Yeley, who with 13 USAC victories in his pocket already this season, was making his way forward.
Yeley attempted to slide under Hines in the first turn on lap 29. Hines held the lead and moved to the low groove on the final lap, ending Yeley’s run to the front.
Yeley finished second, with Kaeding third.
Dave Darland topped the companion USAC midget feature.
This story appeared in the Feb. 28 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
