Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

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Largest Silver Crown field in 3 years expected for Bettenhausen 100 at Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Kody Swanson, of Kingsburg, Calif. enters the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Aug. 16 with a 45-point lead over Tracy Hines in the USAC Silver Crown Championship series following his third victory of the season last Friday at Belleville, Kansas.

Swanson will lead a field of cars expected to eclipse the 30-car starting field. It could mark the largest Silver Crown field on dirt since the 2011 Hoosier Hundred in Indianapolis, Ind.

Friday’s Hustle on the High Banks 50-lapper at the Belleville High Banks saw Swanson catch Chris Windom on lap 45, and he led the final six laps around the half-mile oval in the Radio Hospital Maxim/Hampshire. Windom led the first 45 laps but encountered problems and was relegated to a ninth-place finish.

Tracy Hines, the 2013 Belleville winner, finished second ahead of Christopher Bell, Bobby East and Dave Darland. Swanson was the fastest qualifier and the win was his third of the campaign.

At Springfield, Swanson will try to improve on his seventh-place finish a year ago. Windom finished second last year at Springfield behind Illinois’ A.J. Fike, the Galesburg,Ill., dirt ace who has won back-to-back Bettenhausen 100’s.

For tickets, call 217-764-3200.

Silver Crown standings

Kody Swanson 345, 2. Tracy Hines 300, 3. Bobby East 291, 4. Chris Windom 243, 5. Jacob Wilson 195, 6. Jerry Coons Jr. 177, 7. Tanner Swanson. 165, 8. Bobby Santos 159, 9. Caleb Armtsrong 155, 10. David Byrne 147.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

I hope this hype turns out to be true but will remain cautiously optimistic.

30 would b awesome but a full field would b great !

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

18 cars used to be a full field. Not sure when that stopped. 2008? Earlier?

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Originally Posted by jmarsicano:
18 cars used to be a full field. Not sure when that stopped. 2008? Earlier?

Pretty sure they were starting 24 when dirt cars went from being part of the USAC Champ Trail to the Dirt Car (Silver Crown) Division.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

As a kid it was either 20 or 24, and the last 10 or 6 were filled in through a 15 mile last chance race. 30 cars was the norm for a starting field, with 45-50 total cars being normal.

30 has been a full field on the miles since the Mid 80s at least. Normally 24 on a half mile.

Just checked the book, 1971 and 1972 were 24 count fields. Starting 95 and 96 several races had 30 count fields while others were still 24.

I hope they have at least 24 cars . Boy ! You USAC guys r sticklers when it comes right down to it!

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

A little video from Ross Wece to get everyone a little more excited and maybe make it past hump day today.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

A Throwback Thursday video that shows the history of the Illinois State Fair and racing. This is the 1970 USAC Racing Silver Crown event, which was televised. #TBT #USAC #ISF

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

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Check out this Throwback Thursday inspired flier for the 53rd Annual Tony Bettenhausen 100 USAC Racing Silver Crown Series event at the Illinois State Fair. Too cool NOT to share. Practice starts at 9 AM, Silver Crown Qualifying at 10:25 AM, and the 53rd Tony Bettenhausen 100 goes green at 2 PM. All times are Central.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Feels good to be to the week of the race. Now to make it to Saturday.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

From Jon Stanbrough's facebook page.


Jon will be running the Foxco 56 Champ car this Sat at Springfield!!

That is great news. Seen Clauson and Bacon are now entered too.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Another sure sign that the end of the world is soon. The Springfield TV station, not exactly the most enthusiastic reporter on local motorsports, had a nice piece on Saturday's race on the evening news tonight. Seriously, it appears that someone is doing a good job of promoting. Hopefully this will lead to more local, casual fans showing up Saturday.

End of the world ? That's a gd one ! I wish we could go back in time to last Friday when practically nobody knew what a sprintcar even was !

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Originally Posted by DiehardRaceFan:


A Throwback Thursday video that shows the history of the Illinois State Fair and racing. This is the 1970 USAC Racing Silver Crown event, which was televised. #TBT #USAC #ISF

Cool this race was live on TV . wonder what they had to cut away for, since the race was running late not showing the ending.

I love usac, however the made tbd biggest mistake in racing history when they thought they had to build a car to run on mile and a half paved tracks. That move destroyed the silver crown class that were drawing great til that point. They were already producing the greatest drivers in the world doing what they were doing, why change? Just my humble opinion

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

A GREAT look at a USAC Racing Silver Crown Series Driver at work. This is from the Hoosier Hundred back in 2012 thanks to Ross Wece. The 53rd Tony Bettenhausen 100 is this Saturday with practice starting at 9 AM Central.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Here is a SWEET rear facing on-board on the car of Johnny "Hot Rod" Heydenriech in USAC Racing Silver Crown Series qualifying action. This is from the 2011 Hoosier Hundred. The Champ Cars return to the Illinois State Fair this Saturday for the 78th time in Fair History for the 53rd Annual Tony Bettenhausen 100. Practice starts at 9 AM Central.

Something else to consider on the racing menu, ASCS , sprint invader show Sunday night quincy il. It's a gd sprint car track .

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Definitely.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

A look somewhat behind the scenes as well as onboard with Sam Pierce. This is part 1 of 2.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Here is part 2/2 of this year's Hoosier Hundred through the eyes of Aaron Pierce.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

I have a road trip question. Okay, 2 questions.

1. Which is the best route to Springfield from, say, Terre Haute?

2. Is there any Illinois road construction that we dumb Hoosiers need to know about?

Thanks.

70 to 72 into Springfield . And 64 to 55 into Springfield . I've came back to Illinois both ways after partaking of some fine indiana nonwing action.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Considering doing the SC race, then the POWRi at Macon. Never been to Macon, but according to Google they suggest I64 to I55 to Springfield, then US36 to Macon. How about it dirt in ur beer, does that sound like a plan? According to Google, it is about 44 miles from Springfield to Macon. How about driving time and any issues I need to know about?

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Originally Posted by ronmil:
Considering doing the SC race, then the POWRi at Macon. Never been to Macon, but according to Google they suggest I64 to I55 to Springfield, then US36 to Macon. How about it dirt in ur beer, does that sound like a plan? According to Google, it is about 44 miles from Springfield to Macon. How about driving time and any issues I need to know about?

Macon is south of Decatur on US 51. Turn west at the gas station. When you leave Springfield take I 72 to US 51 south. Track is on the west side of town. Its hard to miss

Yep. That's the way to do it.

So,how is the weather looking for Saturday?

Yep... What they said. The weather ... Well it's a bit sketchy but no worries !! It's the state fair , u can still see the butter cow !!! The weather at Macon is a lock though!!' I've been rained out twice trying to get to see this show this yr. I got wet watching 1/2 a lap of the make up feature ! Guaranteed to get it in cause 3rd times a charm !!!!

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In the last 24 hours the forecast has changed from 50% during the day and 80% Saturday night to 80% day, 50% night to 80% day and night. Not all that promising. I have seen at least one race, and I believe two, this year when the forecast was 80% and we got the races in. However, I live 10 minutes or so from the track, so it is pretty easy for me to still be planning on going.
UPDATE: Both the local TV weatherman and National Weather Service have it down to 50%. At this rate it will be dry by Saturday.

Originally Posted by dirtnonwingfan:
In the last 24 hours the forecast has changed from 50% during the day and 80% Saturday night to 80% day, 50% night to 80% day and night. Not all that promising. I have seen at least one race, and I believe two, this year when the forecast was 80% and we got the races in. However, I live 10 minutes or so from the track, so it is pretty easy for me to still be planning on going.

I'm coming from just north of Louisville. Might be plan B.

Look at the forecast they had at knoxville for the 4 days it was this - 90%, 80% 60% and the best was Saturday at 40% ! It only rained out once and the tried that day !!!

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Originally Posted by dirt in ur beer:
Look at the forecast they had at knoxville for the 4 days it was this - 90%, 80% 60% and the best was Saturday at 40% ! It only rained out once and the tried that day !!!

Very true. It seems like each year, we get this one in the books no matter how bad it looks.

Curious , if it does rain when will they run it ? Cause I'm going to b there !!

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

Not sure. Last time one was claimed to rain was 2010. It wasn't made up. Not sure how USAC and the promotion team would handle it. Hopefully we are worrying about nothing.

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204599888383012 One last teaser video, this one from Ross Wece. Fly by pass by Kyle Larson back in 2011.

Re: Largest SC field in 3 years expected for TB 100 at IL SF
 

From Macon's Facebook and Website

Illini Pride ready top roll in USAC Tony Bettenhausen 100 at Illinois State Fair Saturday

By Jay Hardin

Track Enterprises Staff

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Saturday’s Tony Bettenhausen 100 USAC Silver Crown race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield marks the 80th anniversary of the first 100-mile national championship dirt track race on the stories Springfield Mile. That first event featured two-man Indianapolis cars and was won by the popular Billy Winn, who would win the second one as well. As the late Tony Bettenhausen of Tinley Park is remembered this year, along with members of the Bettenhausen racing family, the 53rd Bettenhausen 100 is marked by the largest Springfield entry list in seven years as evidenced by the large number of Illinois participants in the field.



“Illini Pride” has swelled the entry list this year with at least 8 drivers entered from the home state, plus an owner with two machines expected and yet another driver or owner perhaps in the mix to attempt to conquer the World’s Fastest Mile Dirt Track.



The Illinois contingent is led by two-time defending Bettenhausen 100 winner A.J. Fike of Galesburg in a machine owned by his father Don. A.J. nearly pulled off the impossible last year by winning on Saturday and then nearly winning the Allen Crowe 100 stock car race on Sunday, a feat performed only by Al Unser in 1972. Fike became the first home state driver in 29 years to win the Bettenhausen in 2012, the last before Fike was Gary Bettenhausen, the eldest son of Tony and also a Tinley Park native. Gary, who won his father’s race in 1978 and 1983, passed away earlier this year at the age of 72.



Another contender from the Prairie State is Canton’s Chris Windom in the RW Motorsports entry. Windom led 85 laps of last year’s race at Springfield before surrendering the lead to Fike and led late at DuQuoin two weeks later before running out of fuel. He did score his first win in the mighty uprights at Eldora in the USAC Silver Crown finale last year.



Yet a third Illinois driver could join Fike and Windom as Silver Crown victors and drivers pulling double duty over the weekend. Benton’s Shane Cockrum qualified fourth at Springfield last year after a practice crash and was in contention for a victory at DuQuoin until the car ran low on fuel. He, like Fike and Windom, should have an ARCA ride for Sunday as well.



Two other contenders from Illinois already have impressive resumes in and out of the series. Pocahontas driver Zach Daum was the 2009 USAC Rookie of the Year and leads the POWRi midget standings after winning the title last season. Elkhart’s Chris Urish scored an upset win at DuQuoin last Labor Day weekend and the driver should have plenty of fan support Saturday from his native Logan county.



Other Illinois drivers expected include series veteran Randy Bateman of Murphysboro, Patrick Lawson of Edwardsville and Jerry Bruce of Benton. Another possible entrant is Chris Fetter of DuQuoin who purchased not one but two of the machines over the winter.



Springfield’s Dennis McQuinn is a long time crew chief and car owner who provided cars for capitol city native Donnie Beechler. McQuinn is expected to return with two cars this year, one for Oklahoma hotshoe Brady Bacon and the other for third generation driver Steven Russell. Frequent entrant Ricky Nix of Benton is thought to be considering a series return with an as yet to be named driver.

Should the stars align one third of Saturday’s field will come from the home soil, a fact not lost on promoter Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises who greatly appreciates the support of the home contingent. “I really appreciate the support of all the competitors, drivers or car owners who call Illinois home.” “They add a lot of local flavor to the two Illinois dirt miles, they appreciate the history and what it means to compete on one of these historic tracks and they draw a lot of attention to our events.”



Fans wishing to see their local favorites should not wait until the last minute to arrive at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday. Practice for the Silver Crown Championship dirt cars starts at 9 a.m. with qualifications at 10:25 and the Bettenhausen 100 at around 2.