50TH JOE JAMES/PAT O’CONNOR MEMORIAL SATURDAY AT SALEM


USAC’s National Sprint Car Series resumes action Tuesday night (Aug. 11) at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where the Casey’s General Stores “Ultimate Challenge” offers a $15,000 winner’s paycheck.


 


This Saturday, the series heads for the high banks of Salem (Ind.) Speedway and the Golden Anniversary (50th) running of the “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.” The USAC Mopar National Midgets augment the Salem program.


 


Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., who trails series point leader Levi Jones by 50 points, is the defending “Ultimate Challenge” champion, while Jacob Wilson of Crawfordsville, Ind. is the defending winner of the Salem classic.


 


Rains forced cancellation of Sunday’s scheduled “Knoxville USAC Non-Winged Nationals” at the Knoxville (Ia.) Raceway.


 


A total of 142 points are available in this week’s races, so third-ranking Cole Whitt also eyes the series point lead, trailing Jones by 136.


 


Darland is among former “James/O’Connor” winners expected to compete Saturday at Salem. He won the prestigious race in 1999.