Cole Whitt of Alpine, California was in the spotlight Thursday night at the 34th "Copper World Classic" USAC K & N Silver Crown Series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway.  Whitt led the final 83 laps to win the race in the Johnny Vance Racing Team Aristocrat Products Beast/Gaerte. 

 

 

 

Starting sixth in Johnny Vance’s car, Whitt passed polesitter, Jason Leffler on Lap 18 and led the final 83 laps to take the victory.  The win was Whitt’s first under the USAC sanction on pavement, in only his first ever start in the series. He previously won the “Tony Bettenhausen 100” at Springfield, Ill. in August.  Whitt also performed double duty finishing 5th in the USAC National Midget portion of the night’s races.

 

 

 

“I didn’t even have a ride for this race until a couple of weeks ago when Johnny called so I can’t thank this team enough,” said Whitt.  “I would like to thank Johnny Vance for giving me this opportunity and it’s an honor to give him another win to add to his already impressive resume.  To win my first pavement race at PIR is awesome!”

 

Cole Whitt in the 67k Keith Kunz Motorsports National Sprint car had a strong showing at Tulare Thunder Bowl Raceway qualifying the final night with a quick time and winning the heat race.  Whitt would start the feature in the 6th position but suffered a broken steering and was unable to finish the main event.   Whitt was able to gain valuable points and move into the 2nd position in the USAC National point standings.  The team will now prepare for the final event of the season, the 69th running of Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota’s Irwindale Speedway, Thursday, November 26, 2009.