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SportsJuly 15, 1997

BENTON -- Eric Harris has become the driver to beat in the Pure Streets division at Missouri International Racepark. The Burfordville driver notched his third win in a row and fifth victory of the season during action Saturday night. Keith Brugger of Jackson started on the outside of the first row and took the lead from pole sitter Cline Myers Jr. on the first lap. Brugger set the pace for 13 laps before Harris started to make the move on the high side...

BENTON -- Eric Harris has become the driver to beat in the Pure Streets division at Missouri International Racepark.

The Burfordville driver notched his third win in a row and fifth victory of the season during action Saturday night.

Keith Brugger of Jackson started on the outside of the first row and took the lead from pole sitter Cline Myers Jr. on the first lap. Brugger set the pace for 13 laps before Harris started to make the move on the high side.

On the 14th circuit, Harris moved around Brugger but the move did not hold as Brugger slid back into the lead. Joey Mack hit the wall on the front stretch, bringing out the caution and setting up a final lap showdown between Harris and Brugger.

On the restart, Harris moved around Brugger and led the final lap, picking up his fifth feature win of the year. Brugger finished second, with Myers Jr. third.

Shawn King of Cape Girardeau seldom loses the lead once he is out in front but the MIR points leader could not hold off hard-charging Todd Rowland. Rowland worked on passing King for five laps before making the pass on the high side.

King was running the bottom of the track while Rowland was making big progress on the top as he closed in on the leader. On lap 6, Rowland made the pass around King and led the remaining 19 laps.

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The 25-lap feature win was worth $1,200 for the Jackson racer. Rowland, the 1996 MIR points champion, ended his year-long winless slump.

Kenny Carlton provided the most excitement of the night when the Advance racer slammed against the wall in the middle of turn three and four. Carlton never let off the throttle and finished the race -- damaged car and all -- in third place.

Tennessee traveler Mike Hampton made his 1997 MIR debut to finish fourth. Billy Clayton of Sikeston was fifth.

Scott City racer Greg Gross earned his first feature win of the season in the Super Street class. Gross dominated all 15 laps to pick up the $300 win.

Billy James, Greg King, Larry Hull and Kevin Sawyer rounded out the top five.

Johnny Wyatt of Scott City ended his winless season in dominant fashion by leading all but one lap of the Modified feature event.

Terry Johnson set the pace on the first lap but could not hold off Wyatt. Wyatt, utilizing the low groove, moved to a half-lap advantage on Johnson.

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