[SC12]

Several USAC Pilots Looking For First DuQuoin Triumph


By Jay Hardin of Track Enterprises
DuQuoin, IL August 26, 2012-Sunday night September 2 the lights of the “Magic Mile” are turned on for the 61st running of the Ted Horn 100 for the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series machines. The mighty uprights enter the event honoring the three time AAA National Champion with Olney, Illinois native Levi Jones still searching for his first ever one mile dirt track win. Fellow Illini A.J. Fike of Galesburg joins Jones as one of the favorites entering the Ted Horn 100 on the heels of his convincing triumph in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 18

Jones, a two time and defending USAC Silver Crown champion, stands fourth in the current points (following the Springfield event) and like three time series champ Bud Kaeding of Campbell, California, still has yet to win one of the traditional 100-mile events on the schedule. Another former champion in search of his first DuQuoin win is 2008 Silver Crown titlist Jerry Coons, Jr. of Tucson, Arizona. Coons however has two 100-mile wins, the most recent in the May Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

In fact the RW Motorsports team that Coons drives for has won four of the five races held to date on the schedule. Even with their domination the driver atop the 2012 standings drives for a rival Toyota team and is the 2010 Ted Horn 10o winner. Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, California is atop the USAC standings despite not having a win on the 2012 campaign. He is in search of his first USAC Silver Crown title. Fellow former Ted Horn 100 winner (2008) Brian Tyler joins Swanson and Swanson’s brother Tanner on the 6R Toyota team.

Last year Kyle Larson was just 4 days past his 19th birthday when he led the final 78 laps to become the youngest championship race winner at DuQuoin. He also became just the fifth rookie to win the Ted Horn 100 since 1949. The 2011 win plus a clean sweep of the Four Crown at Eldora gained him national acclaim and Larson has been doing some stock car racing as a development driver. His status for the Horn 100 at press time is unknown.

Illini drivers and owners add interest to the Ted Horn 100 with local shoes “Sugar” Shane Cockrum of Benton and Randy Bateman of Murphysboro expected to enter the Horn 100. Cockrum had fine run at the Hoosier Hundred in May qualifying ninth and may join A.J. Fike as drivers pulling double duty in championship cars and stock cars over the weekend.
Chris Urish of Elkhart joins the entry list along with two cars out of the McQuinn stable in Springfield, one for Springfield’s Joey Moughan and the other for former Horn 100 winner Shane Cottle.

The 61st Ted Horn 100 should feature an Indy 500 veteran as Bryan Clauson joins Coons on the RW Motorsports team. Two time Ted Horn 100 winner Tracy Hines (2005 & 2006) should be part of the 61st Ted Horn 100 field and 1997 winner Russ Gamester joins the fray as well. 1997 series champ Dave Darland has the most consecutive starts of any driver in the field (17) and needs to add a win at DuQuoin to complete a tri fecta of wins on the three dirt miles of the Midwest.

Adding to the intrigue of the Ted Horn 100 is the role that Illinois farmers are playing in supporting the event. For the first time in history the entire field will be using corn based ethanol fuel as Ignite Ethanol has signed on as the official fuel of the USAC Silver Crown Series.

Practice for the Silver Crown machines is slated for around 5 p.m. Sunday night with the 61st Ted Horn 100 slated to take the green flag at approximately 8.

[koolaid89]

Might have the opportunity to swing over to DuQuoin and take in my first champ car dirt mile race on my way back to Michigan from STL. Can anyone tell me approximately how long these races last?

[RGraves]

1st year that I will miss it in 20+ years. Silver Crown series is on life support and USAC is to dumb to see why.

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[miledirt]

Originally Posted by SC12 Several USAC Pilots Looking For First DuQuoin Triumph By Jay Hardin of Track Enterprises DuQuoin, IL August 26, 2012-Sunday night September 2 the lights of the “Magic Mile” are turned on for the 61st running of the Ted Horn 100 for the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series machines. The mighty uprights enter the event honoring the three time AAA National Champion with Olney, Illinois native Levi Jones still searching for his first ever one mile dirt track win. Fellow Illini A.J. Fike of Galesburg joins Jones as one of the favorites entering the Ted Horn 100 on the heels of his convincing triumph in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 18 Jones, a two time and defending USAC Silver Crown champion, stands fourth in the current points (following the Springfield event) and like three time series champ Bud Kaeding of Campbell, California, still has yet to win one of the traditional 100-mile events on the schedule. Another former champion in search of his first DuQuoin win is 2008 Silver Crown titlist Jerry Coons, Jr. of Tucson, Arizona. Coons however has two 100-mile wins, the most recent in the May Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. In fact the RW Motorsports team that Coons drives for has won four of the five races held to date on the schedule. Even with their domination the driver atop the 2012 standings drives for a rival Toyota team and is the 2010 Ted Horn 10o winner. Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, California is atop the USAC standings despite not having a win on the 2012 campaign. He is in search of his first USAC Silver Crown title. Fellow former Ted Horn 100 winner (2008) Brian Tyler joins Swanson and Swanson’s brother Tanner on the 6R Toyota team. Last year Kyle Larson was just 4 days past his 19th birthday when he led the final 78 laps to become the youngest championship race winner at DuQuoin. He also became just the fifth rookie to win the Ted Horn 100 since 1949. The 2011 win plus a clean sweep of the Four Crown at Eldora gained him national acclaim and Larson has been doing some stock car racing as a development driver. His status for the Horn 100 at press time is unknown. Illini drivers and owners add interest to the Ted Horn 100 with local shoes “Sugar” Shane Cockrum of Benton and Randy Bateman of Murphysboro expected to enter the Horn 100. Cockrum had fine run at the Hoosier Hundred in May qualifying ninth and may join A.J. Fike as drivers pulling double duty in championship cars and stock cars over the weekend. Chris Urish of Elkhart joins the entry list along with two cars out of the McQuinn stable in Springfield, one for Springfield’s Joey Moughan and the other for former Horn 100 winner Shane Cottle. The 61st Ted Horn 100 should feature an Indy 500 veteran as Bryan Clauson joins Coons on the RW Motorsports team. Two time Ted Horn 100 winner Tracy Hines (2005 & 2006) should be part of the 61st Ted Horn 100 field and 1997 winner Russ Gamester joins the fray as well. 1997 series champ Dave Darland has the most consecutive starts of any driver in the field (17) and needs to add a win at DuQuoin to complete a tri fecta of wins on the three dirt miles of the Midwest. Adding to the intrigue of the Ted Horn 100 is the role that Illinois farmers are playing in supporting the event. For the first time in history the entire field will be using corn based ethanol fuel as Ignite Ethanol has signed on as the official fuel of the USAC Silver Crown Series. Practice for the Silver Crown machines is slated for around 5 p.m. Sunday night with the 61st Ted Horn 100 slated to take the green flag at approximately 8.

Don't connect the good farming people of Illinois to this horrible mess USAC has gotten this series into. Most Illinois farmers don't have clue or connection with this Ignite / USAC partnership that's helped to kill the car count.

"Adding to the intrigue... " Oh brother, really?

[Mud Packer]

Originally Posted by koolaid89 Might have the opportunity to swing over to DuQuoin and take in my first champ car dirt mile race on my way back to Michigan from STL. Can anyone tell me approximately how long these races last?

I would plan on being out of there by around 10:00 PM or so. It will depend on if they run on time which USAC is not very good at. Racing is suppose to start at 8:00 PM so plan on a couple of hours give or take.

[ISF]

Originally Posted by miledirt Don't connect the good farming people of Illinois to this horrible mess USAC has gotten this series into. Most Illinois farmers don't have clue or connection with this Ignite / USAC partnership that's helped to kill the car count. "Adding to the intrigue... " Oh brother, really?

Well sir, I'm an Illinois farmer and the majority of farmers in my area do know of the USAC Silver Crown fuel deal. I'm not sure how, or why, but many of them are aware of it.

Of the farmers that I come in contact with on a regular basis there are several that aren't up to speed as to the problems that have arisen from the usage of ethanol but they know about it.

If I remember correctly, the USAC Silver Crown ethanol deal was mentioned and explained in an informational flyer that was sent out by the Illinois Corn Growers Association. I suspect that is where many farmers were made aware of the deal.

I know several farmers from my area that were at Springfield for the Bettenhausen Memorial, I don't think the ethanol deal was the reason why they were there but they were there nevertheless. I doubt any of those same guys will be at Du Quoin for the Horn Memorial, we're the only fans in our area who make the 5.5 hour trip down to The Magic Mile.

[midnightrider]

Originally Posted by Mud Packer I would plan on being out of there by around 10:00 PM or so. It will depend on if they run on time which USAC is not very good at. Racing is suppose to start at 8:00 PM so plan on a couple of hours give or take.

Bob Sargent starts on time. Obviously, there will be no semi so it should be over by 10. Duquoin is an awesome facility and watching the big cars under the lights is truly magical.

[miledirt]

Alright, I stand corrected ISF. Just wish the partnership would have worked out better for all.

It just seemed odd to be that the ethanol deal would be used to promote the race, when apparently this may be one part of the reason as to why car counts have become dangerously low

Nonetheless, my apologies

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[GregD]

Are they planning on running the 100 laps without the break?

[bmemmer]

yep on usac web page under owners garage