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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Sept. 27, 2003) – Postponed one night due to rain, the 2nd Annual Mopar Twin 25’s Indianapolis saw a large, enthusiastic and international crowd watch 20-year-old Aaron Fike take the first 25-lap race in his attempt to capture the ARP $50,000 bonus paid to the winner of both feature races. But last year’s big winner, Mopar’s Dave Steele, took the second 25-lap feature race, denying Fike the chance to claim the big purse.
Still, in a spectacular run, Fike managed to pass 18 cars in the 25 laps of the second feature race, finishing sixth. According to the unique Mopar Twin 25’s format, the winner of the first feature race starts dead last in the second.
The first 25-lapper was an official USAC points-paying event, which saw Midget series points leader J.J. Yeley finish second, followed by his teammate Bobby East in third. Fike’s brother A.J was fourth with Jay Drake in fifth. Fike drove a Beast chassis with an Ed Pink Ford motor.
Taking second in the final event was fellow Mopar driver Tracy Hines, with Cole Carter earning third, Bobby East in fourth and J.J. Yeley rounding out the top five. Steele drove a Beast Mopar.
Total prize money available totaled more than $87,000. Without the ARP $50,000 bonus, the drivers will split approximately $37,000 in purse, lap, and passing funds, plus Racer Magazine bonuses.
“We had a good car tonight,” said Fike. “We did well here at IRP the Night Before the 500 Midget race, too. We always seem to have a good set-up at this track.” Fike said the car’s “stagger shrank” in the second feature, which hampered his challenge to the front.
Starting 24th, Fike was on the move in the second 25-lapper, which saw three cautions that helped to bunch up the field and improve Fike’s chances. But Steele proved to be too tough. Steele won both events last year and took the $50,000 bonus, but finished only seventh in the first Twin 25 tonight.
“Fike really had an incredible evening,” said Steve Lewis, producer of the Mopar Twin 25’s, “and it was really great to see him run through the field as he attempted to earn that ARP $50,000 prize.
“It was also great to see all the fans come out on Saturday night after we had to postpone our original Friday night date,” Lewis continued. “These folks are real USAC Midget enthusiasts, and we hope they enjoyed the show. We’re glad to be a part of the U.S. Grand Prix weekend.”
Automotive Racing Products (ARP) sponsored tonight’s $50,000 Bonus Prize. Additional Associate Sponsors included Team ASE, K&N Engineering, Racer Magazine, MSD Ignition, Beyer Trailers, Calico Coatings and Turbines, Inc.
The 3rd Annual Mopar Twin 25’s will return to Indianapolis Raceway Park on the Friday night before the 2004 USGP, on June 18th.
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