Tyler, Toyota Win Richmond Silver Crown

Brian Tyler took the lead on Lap 87 of 100 and went on to give Toyota its first USAC Silver Crown victory of the 2009 campaign Saturday night at the Richmond International Raceway.

After qualifying fifth, Tyler moved his Team 6-R Racing Lucas Oil/Fatheadz Sunglasses Toyota through the field before he eventually caught race-leader Bobby East on Lap 87. He made the race-winning pass going into Turn Three and led the final 14 laps on the three-quarter mile Virginia track. Tyler has now scored all three of Toyota’s Silver Crown victories since the manufacturer entered the series early last season.

Joining Tyler in the top-10 was Jacob Wilson, who placed seventh in the WBR/Team 6-Racing Toyota. Wilson had an overall solid weekend with a ninth in Friday’s qualifying. Unfortunately, the rest of the Toyota contingent didn’t fare nearly as well in the race. Reigning series champion Jerry Coons, Jr. placed 15th, Kody Swanson was 17th and Shane Hmiel finished 18th.

The weekend began with a strong effort in qualifying on Friday with four of the five Toyota-powered entries earning top-10 starting positions. In addition to Tyler’s fifth and Wilson’s ninth, reigning series champion Coons qualified sixth and his RW Motorsports teammate Shane Hmiel was 10th. Kody Swanson placed 19th.

With his victory, Tyler climbed up to third in the series point standings, while Hmeil and Coons join him in the top-10 in sixth and eighth, respectively.

The USAC Silver Crown Series resumes at the Terre Haute Action Track on July 23.