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For Immediate Release-Contact Bob Sargent at 217-764-3200 for additional details


Indianapolis, IN (May 11, 2015)-by Jay Hardin, Track Enterprises

The prestige of the Hoosier Hundred and the history of USAC’s Silver Crown Series are luring former drivers and car owners out of retirement for the annual 100-mile event before the 99th Indianapolis 500. A popular former driver and car owner have teamed to make a formidable combination for the May 21 event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, while another former car owner is said to be teaming with a two-time Hoosier Hundred winner for an assault on the series.

Parma, Michigan’s Brian Tyler is second on the all-time Silver Crown win list with 17, just six behind series leader Jack Hewitt but his career was in jeopardy after losing a ride midway through last year. The former USAC Sprint Car Champion has a deal that has excited everyone heading into 2015, teaming with former car owner Ray “Junior” Kurtz. Tyler has victories on the dirt miles at Springfield and DuQuoin but is still in search of his first win on the tricky Indiana dirt mile. He has a Beast chassis at his disposal for the Hoosier Hundred.

If Tyler’s return has fans radar up, the return of car owner Kurtz to the series has many more on edge. From 1980-1992 Kurtz owned what many thought was the most beautiful dirt track championship car ever constructed, a Watson designed chassis with a traditional hood, belly pan and chrome grille. The car dubbed the “Plastic Express” made its series debut in 1980 with Bill Vukovich at the wheel and would also be driven by Rick Hood, eventually being paired with California veteran Chuck Gurney in 1982. The car and driver were nearly unbeatable, winning 10 times, all on one mile dirt tracks. Kurtz retired the machine after the 1992 season but came back as a car owner in the 1990’s for a brief period.

Last year Kurtz revealed that he was constructing a ‘new’ version of the Plastic Express, taking the Watson design and making a totally new, but old style Silver Crown car. The car will not be done in time for the Hoosier Hundred but is slated to make its maiden voyage later in the year.

Fellow former car owner Bob Galas was also known for building traditional style championship dirt cars and as the car owner/chief mechanic for the late Gary Bettenhausen. Galas is also working toward a series return and is said to be reuniting with 1991 and 1993 Hoosier Hundred winner Jeff Swindell. Between them Galas and Kurtz have three USAC Silver Crown titles and five Hoosier Hundred victories.

Fans can watch the past come to life at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Thursday May 21. Fans can save $5 by purchasing advance tickets by calling 217-764-3200. Kody Swanson won last year’s race and is slated to return to defend his title.