Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at lor
 

7/15/14 4:56 PM “STRONG” FIELD EXPECTED FOR “J.D. BYRIDER 100” AT LOR

http://usacracing.com/news/silver-cr...der-100-at-lor

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“STRONG” FIELD EXPECTED FOR “J.D. BYRIDER 100” AT LOR

Renewed enthusiasm in USAC’s Silver Crown Championship Series presented by TRAXXAS has resulted in what promises to be a strong field of cars for the July 24 J.D. Byrider “Rich Vogler Classic” at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind.

Highlighted by defending series champion Bobby East and former USAC Champion Ken Schrader piloting cars entered by Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, the field already includes a number of USAC Champions and could, by race time, include additional notable stars.

Following the 19-car field at Lucas Oil Raceway in May, several additional car owners have committed to compete in the July 24 race. That comes amid a strong and focused effort by USAC and new series coordinator Andy Hillenburg to augment the car counts on both the pavement and dirt races in 2014 and beyond.

Defending J.D. Byrider champion Tanner Swanson, who also won this year’s USAC “Hall of Fame” Classic at LOR, is among early entries for round five of the series. He is joined by drivers from nine states and Canada who will compete in the 100-lap race on the .686-mile paved oval.

Drivers Kody Swanson and Bobby Santos, both already winners in the 2014 Silver Crown series, are also in the field, along with Tracy Hines, the winningest USAC driver in LOR history, plus current “Indiana Sprint Week” point leader Dave Darland and ISW point runner-up Chris Windom.

Throw in Canadian standout Ryan Litt, Sprint car standout C.J. Leary and leading west coast Midget rookie Jarid Blondel and the return to Silver Crown competition of long-time car owner Gene Nolen and his driver, USAC Triple Crown Champion Jerry Coons Jr., and you have what amounts to a versatile field certain to produce a spectacular race.

“We are really excited as this race builds toward what we expect to be a stellar field of cars and drivers,” says USAC President Kevin Miller. While acknowledging the increased interest in the Silver Crown series, he also points out that the decline in terms of Midget pavement participation has led to removing that portion of the originally-scheduled double-header. “We want to make sure this event represents the type of quality entertainment our race fans deserve, hence our decision to exclude the Midgets from this event.”

Drivers will be challenging the late Jason Leffler’s one-lap track qualifying record of 121.667 mph during the July 24 activities.

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Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Good news! How about the Midget total? Or did I miss something.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Read closer

. While acknowledging the increased interest in the Silver Crown series, he also points out that the decline in terms of Midget pavement participation has led to removing that portion of the originally-scheduled double-header. “

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Which is why its the JD Byrider Rich Vogler Classic. The Vogler race was originally supposed to be the midget race.

Is this the unofficial end of usac pavement midget racing???

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

No, I believe that happened May 24th of this year.:13:

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

IMO, Kevin Miller should be fired!
Immediately if not sooner!

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Pavement racing is declining everywhere. I wish it wasn't but it is. A couple of years ago everyone was going on and on about Must See Racing. How many cars are they getting these days. If there was enough interest it would still happen, but there is not.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

It's amazing how many people ignore that fact.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

It's the law of supply and demand! If you have a good show, there WILL be interest. Regardless if it's pavement or dirt.
USAC has done NOTHING to make it better on the pavement side, more affordable to get more cars, well thought out promotion, etc.
And ultimately, that fault lies on Kevin's shoulders. Again IMO...
Check out the attendance for the Little 500. That is a pavement race. And I am certainly happy that it's out of USAC hands now or that race would be doomed too.
Poor, poor leadership. And greed!

I wonder when Crankin will weigh in on this one?

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

...and they had 33 cars at Anderson for the Little 500....not the 40 plus they used to have. 11 midgets at the last STARS race at Grundy. These are the facts.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

So what does the Silver Crown Entry List look like? Here is a list I put together based on who ran the last race there and the drivers mentioned in the press release. Any others?

1. Tanner Swanson
2. Tracy Hines
3. David Byrne
4. Jacob Wilson
5. Bobby Santos
6. Taylor Ferns
7. Caleb Armstrong
8. Chris Windom
9. Kyle O’Gara
10. Jarett Andretti
11. A.J. Fike
12. Bobby East
13. Shane Cockrum
14. Cale Thomas
15. Davey Ray
16. John Hunt
18. Kody Swanson
19. Dave Darland
20. Jerry Coons Jr
21. Ken Schrader
22. CJ Leary
23. Ryan Litt
24. Jarid Blondel

There comes a certain point that responsibility falls on all the parties involved. The pavement series doesn't pay much per race or overall for the points. But at the same time USAC can't funnel more money into something that cars don't show up for. There are several affordable pavement cars out there, so it doesn't really seem like that's the hold up. But as it's been pointed out, car counts are down across the board so it's hard to point at one specific cause,

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Why? Are you offended Craig didn't call you personally and ask you to respond?

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

First and foremost many thanks to Andy Hillenburg for all his hard work attempting to get the series up and running strong again.

I believe the decline in pavement racing is a reflection of the times or as the political strategist James Carville so eloquently said it: "It's the economy, stupid."

We would field a 2nd car some of the time if our pockets could support it but instead we feel lucky to get to race as much as we do. Thanks to everyone who supports our passion.

Hope to see a great field of cars and grandstands full of fans ready for a great night of racing next Thursday.

Let's just hope the silver crown series just keeps gaining steam even if it's one car at a time.

Let's not forget the great things Mr. Miller has done for The midgets. Brought in Mopar back in 08 or 09. Great presenting sponsor that provided nice vehicles and really nice trailer wraps.
It was just last year that the Honda came on board to be the presenting sponsor of the midgets. Have you seen those real nice Hondas and the large Honda billboard on 16th st!
If Mr. Miller cared about midgets or racing in general perhaps some of this money if there is any would be given back to the racers, unfortunately that's not the case, and never will be.

Mr. Miller views USAC as a marketing entity for Honda, Amsoil, and Traxxas and the racing is a by product of that.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

:18: Seeing as how they (USAC) has scratched the midget part of the program, I wonder what they will put in to take it's place?

USSA is trying hard to bring back Non-Wing Pavement Sprint Car racing. I hope they have a great show next weekend at Angola!

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Again,
In my opinion, the sprints cars first and then the midget pavement series could have lived. There was NOTHING done proactively to revive them. USAC used to be the "leader" and most sanctioning bodies kind of followed. Not any longer because the leadership at USAC has failed to lead for many, many years.
USAC should be changed to USDC. United States Dirt Cars
Has very little to do with the economy...

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

Why not winged sprints? Neither of the winged clubs are racing that night and they would be a great show for some that might not see them regularly. Mr. Miller could make a phone call and it could still happen by Thursday.

Re: Usac: “strong” field expected for “j.d. Byrider 100” at
 

That would be an excellent show and it's an excellent idea, but I don't think enough winged cars would show up....