[Racer Duck]

WEASE, STEWART ANNEX FORT WAYNE MIDGET VICTORIES


Billy Wease and Tony Stewart were victorious in the 10th "Rumble in Fort Wayne" USAC Midget races December 28-29 at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Wease, of Noblesville, Ind., won Friday night's 60-lap feature, while Stewart, of Rushville, Ind., took Saturday night's 60-lap main event. Stewart's win marked the 16th time in the last 17 calendar years he has won at least one USAC feature event, missing only in 1999 while he was concentrating on the NASCAR "Rookie of the Year" honors.

Wease emerged with a stunning last-corner victory. The last of five race leaders, he was running third on the last lap and inherited the win after leaders Dave Darland and Derek Bischak tangled in turn three! It marked the only lap led by Wease, whose last USAC victory came in May at Iowa Speedway. As Darland and Bischak untangled, Wease ducked underneath and sped to the checkered flag. Darland finished second, while Brandon Knupp eeked out third over Bischak.

The last-lap excitement concluded one of the most unpredictable USAC races in history. more...