DODSON'S 1ST SILVER CROWN WIN COMES AT PHOENIX

Cameron Dodson of Greenfield, Ind. scored his initial K & N USAC Silver Crown Championship race victory Thursday night at Phoenix International Raceway, winning the 100-mile 32nd Annual "Copper World Classic" on the 1-mile paved oval.

            Dodson started alongside pole starter Jerry Coons Jr. and led the first 25 laps, then yielded to Coons, who led the next 28. J.J. Yeley took over on lap 54 and was leading when he spun on lap 84, allowing Dodson to regain the lead he never relinquished in his Carl Edwards-owned RE Technologies/Red Line Oil C & R/Ford.

            Coons finished second ahead of Pablo Donoso, Tim Barber and Dave Darland. Yeley rejoined the race two laps down and eventually finished ninth.

            Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. finished 12th and clinched his second consecutive K & N Silver Crown driving title.

            The race was slowed five times during caution periods and Dodson's average speed was 96.734 mph