Jerry Coons Jr. in Gatorade Victory Lane.

            Jerry Coons Jr. won the 60-Lap USAC National Sprint Car Series "Showdown at Sundown" at Richmond International Raceway Friday night. He started on the outside front row, only to see Shane Hmiel grab an early lead. Coons Jr came back to take the lead just before the half way mark and held on through the second 30-lap portion of the race for the win.

            Coons Jr., driving the #69 Dynamics, Inc machine said, "My car was really good. I made an air pressure adjustment at the break and I had a real consistent car throughout the race." This was also the 70^th Sprint Car Feature win for Coons Jr's car owner, Dick Hoffman, extending a national record.

            Tracy Hines finished second after starting 6^th in his #21 Tony Stewart Racing Beast.

"We didn't have the best car,” Hines said. “I didn't know if we had anything for Jerry. We made a little adjustment during the break. The car went from tight to loose. I was just hanging on at the end. We thought some guys were running way too hard early. 60 laps is tough on tires here."

            Rounding out the top 5 were #71 Damion Gardner, #20 Levi Jones and #80 Mike Murgoitio.

Starting from the outside of row two, Shane Hmiel took a commanding lead early in tonight's USAC Sprint Car Series 60-Lap National Sprint Car Feature.

After clawing his way up from the 10^th starting position to the top 5, Hmiel's teammate Darren Hagen caused a yellow flag period when his machine started dropping oil on the track.

            Once the race returned to green, Jerry Coons Jr. ran down the leading Hmiel and grabbed the lead, just moments before the scheduled competition yellow at lap 30. The top seven running order at the break was #69 Jerry Coons Jr., #67k Shane Hmiel, #9 Brad Sweet, #07 Jacob Wilson, #21 Tracy Hines, # 71 Damion Gardner and #80 Mike Murgoitio. Teams were able to make adjustments and refuel their machines during the 10 minute break.

            After the green flag waved on the second session, #9 Brad Sweet returned to the pits in flames. Sweet bailed out of his still moving car and crew members immediately dowsed him in water to put out any fire on his suit. Safety crews were able to put out the fire on his car before significant damage was done to his machine.

            The #07 machine of Jacob Wilson brought out another caution when the right-rear suspension failed.

The open wheel racing weekend continues Saturday at Richmond International Raceway with the USAC Silver Crown Series James River Ground 100. The SunTrust Indy Challenge will follow.

The SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series race is the headlining event of an exciting weekend of open-wheel racing at Richmond International Raceway June 27-28. On Saturday, June 28, the James River Grounds 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race precedes the SunTrust Indy Challenge. Tickets for the SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series race are available by calling 866-455-RACE (7223) or clicking here. Reserved seats are $35 and general admission seats are $30. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission sections with a ticketed adult. Saturday’s ticket also includes a seat for the James River Grounds 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race, which will precede the IndyCar Series event. Weekend-long garage passes are available for adults 18 and older for only $35. Dress code: long pants must be worn; no open-toe shoes; no sleeveless shirts.