Indiana Open Wheel - 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100

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Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISF (Post 293754)

Checked the calender for September of 1996 and Jack Hewitt would have been at Eldora for the World Hundred on the weekend of the rain date for the '96 Bettenhausen. Jack must have been way out of contention for the Silver Crown points championship to have skipped the Bettenhausen for the World.

I remember Sarge ran the Illinois Fall Nationals for the late model mud taxi's on Sunday following the Bettenhausen rain date that year. Can't remember if Jack was there driving a modified/late model on Sunday but he might have if he didn't get in the World.

We got to the fairgrounds campground with the camper Friday evening and got set up, it was a fun weekend. Went over to Frannies across Sangamon Avenue from the Fairgrounds and drank beer and watched the Illini football game on Saturday night following the Bettenhausen.

Speakin' of the infamous "Hewitt at Macon interview", we were at Mighty Macon that night. Took 'bout 3 of 'em to keep Ol' Jack from gettin' to Shipman. I'm bettin' you could have fried an egg on the back of Jack's neck right about then.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there another car mixed up in that deal with Jack on the backstretch? And didn't it end up going through the infield and hitting and demolishing a 4-wheeler parked behind the flagman's platform. I know that happened during a midget show at Macon but not positive it was in the same deal with Jack.

I think the car that hit the four wheeler is the one that hit Jack,then ended up against the flag stand! I think Jack was at Eldora helping promote the AMA flat track race when they ran the rainout.

Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wendel (Post 293790)

I think the car that hit the four wheeler is the one that hit Jack,then ended up against the flag stand! I think Jack was at Eldora helping promote the AMA flat track race when they ran the rainout.

Yep, you're absolutely correct on both counts.

As I stated before I looked up the 1996 calendar and still got it wrong. It would appear that I'm not able to count the days on a calender. The World Hundred is always the weekend after Labor Day.

In regards to the Macon incident that 4-wheeler was a wadded up pile of junk, for sure. I would have bet serious money that Billy Shipman would have looked worse than that crumpled up 4-wheeler if Ol' Jack would have gotten a hold of him that night.

Thanks guys for setting this feebly erroneous memory straight.

Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

ISF - Jack Hewitt was 7th in points in the SC standings at the time of the 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100.

And....Mike Bliss was 3rd in points, Tony Stewart was 6th in points, Dave Steele was 9th in points.

I am sure, as was previously stated in this post by IOW readers the 4 drivers listed above were off doing other racing related activities.

I for one always looked for Jack Hewitt as well. He was a fan favorite and crowd pleaser by all means. I also missed Johnny Parsons whom finished 4th in the 1995 Tony Bettenhausen 100.

Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

I think Stewart was doing a IRL race that weekend.

Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

ISF, now that you've mentioned Franny's, I'll have to stop there for a brew today.

Re: 1996 Tony Bettenhausen 100 - 40 SC's time tria

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpfldMile (Post 293865)

ISF, now that you've mentioned Franny's, I'll have to stop there for a brew today.

Sorry I spelled Franny's wrong. It's a good old neighborhood bar. We walk over and have a couple just about every year while camped at the Fairgrounds for the State Fair and the races.