The breakdown:
• Jones leads Chris Windom by 16 points in the sprints.
• Jones leads Jerry Coons Jr. by six points in the Silver Crown.
• Bryan Clauson leads Darren Hagen by three points in midgets.
With such close points battles, a shake-up could come as USAC visits Eldora Speedway on Saturday for the 4-Crown Nationals. The World of Outlaws winged sprint cars and UMP modifieds race tonight, and USAC’s three divisions take the track the next day.
Saldana returns: Among the highlights tonight is the return of WoO driver Joey Saldana.
The Brownsburg, Ind., resident’s last ride at Eldora ended in an ambulance at the Kings Royal on July 16. Saldana — who drives for Kasey Kahne Racing — suffered a shattered right forearm, a punctured lung and broken ribs after getting collected — and sandwiched between two cars — in an early accident.
Saldana, who has missed the past nine weeks, returned to the WoO series on Wednesday with a triumphant win in Hartford, Mich.
“This was way more than I expected,” Saldana said on woo.sprint.com. “My family thought it was too soon but I kept telling them I was ready. ... I wanted to come back and be competitive and build something for next year. That’s why I came back for these races. I know and respect racing. Several drivers have been in accidents like mine and will never crawl back into a car. I’m very lucky and blessed to be here (Wednesday), and to come away with a win is huge.”
Also tonight, track owner Tony Stewart plans to race with the Outlaws. Stewart, currently No. 2 in NASCAR Sprint Cup points, has wins at Eldora in a late model, modified, midget and sprint car.
Track champs crowned: Two area tracks announced their 2011 champions:
• Shady Bowl Speedway: Bobby Justus (late models), Rob Yelton (modifieds), Rodney Roush (street stocks) and Kevin Flynn (compacts).
• Waynesfield Raceway Park: Matt Westfall (non-wing sprints), Zach Schroeder (UMP modifieds), Jeff Koz (stock cars), Devon Dobie (mini sprints), Mike Hicks (trucks), Jeff Kimes (compacts).
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