[Midwest Connection]

Found this program in my 'piles' of racing stuff. The souvenir program from the 1997 Inaugural Twin 100's at Gateway Intl. Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Fourty two Silver Crowners for this race on 12 thru 14 September 1997.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

42 Silver Crowns
12 Andy Michener
333 Dan Drinan
53 Tracy Hines
9 Chuck Gurney
83 Eric Gordon
50 Wally Pankratz
20 Jim Keeker
86 Donnie Lehmann
39 Ryan Newman
2 Kenny Irwin, Jr
38 Mike Mosley Jr.
32 Don Carter Jr
56 Dave Darland
173 Pat Bliss
65 Mike Gregg
37 Johnny Parsons Jr
18 Jason McCord
58 JJ Yelley
51 Russ Gamester
10 Jeff Mitrisin
26 Dave Steele
94 Robby Flock
111 Davey Hamilton
66 Gary Heiber
27 Kevin Thomas
11 Tony Stewart
16 Ricky Logan
75 Jimmy Sills
61 Mike Bliss
8 Doug Kalitta
80 John Heydenreich
48 Gary Irvin
00 Don O'Keefe
34 Jimmy McCune
63 Jack Hewitt
30 Chuck Leary - Fast Qualifier 31.746
69 Pat Abold
29 Bentley Warren
96 Randy Bateman
73 Brian Tyler
31 Dave McGough
87 Ronnie Burke

Last Chance: - 15 laps
50 Pankrtaz 18 McCord
65 Gregg 16 Logan
8 Kalitta 87 Burke
58 Yelley 2 Irwin Jr -
173 Bliss 96 Bateman
34 McCune 32 Carter
61 Michener 8 Mosley Jr
86 Lehmann 00 O'Keefe

Last Chance Finish Top 6 - 2, 65, 50, 16, 18, 87

1997 Gateway 100 for Silver Crowners:
30 Leary 69 Abold
75 Sills 11 Stewart
26 Steele 94 Flock
63 Hewitt 111 Hamilton
61 Irwin Jr 333 Drinan
9 Gurney 39 Newman
27 Thomas 53 Hines
37 Parsons Jr 51 Gamester
66 Heiber 20 Keeker
29 Warren 56 Darland
73 Tyler 83 Gordon
48 Irvin 2 Irwin Jr
65 Gregg 50 Pankratz
18 McCord 16 Logan
87 Burke 80 Beechler - car qualified by John Heydenreich

Gateway 100 Finish Top 6:
69 Pat Abold
26 Dave Steele
333 Dan Drinan
2 Irwin Jr - from 24th starting spot
94 Flock
11 Stewart

[chrismattlin]

Are there even that many SC cars in existence anymore? It's quite a shame the series has become as disshelved as it has. THE top drivers in all of open wheel racing once coveted a ride in a silver crown car- but no more. These races used to be events that could not be missed- but no more. It seems these days, a silver crown race either A) needs a strong support show, or B) is the support show.
Sorry for the negativeness, but I miss the sexy and regal big cars.

[Midwest Connection]

chrismattlin,

I suppose Silver Crown racing or Champ Car racin', whatever, has changed through the times . But, I still get as big a kick out of watching the Silver Crown cars today, as I did the Champ Cars back in the late 50's and 60's when Andretti, Foyt, Ward, Branson, Ruby, the Unser's, etc., were racing. Watching Cole Whitt at the Bettenhausen 100 this past year was pretty impressive, at least I think so anyway. Jerry Coons Jr, Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough, Shane Hollingsworth, Levi Jones, Tracy Hines, etc., just to name a few, are as talented as any driver I have seen over the years.

I just go the races and have a good time still to this day. I will be supporting the Silver Crown races as long as I physically can and as long as there is a Silver Crown race to go to.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich