[TEI PR]

Saturday August 20th 55th Annual Bettenhausen 100 USAC Silver Crown Series plus 23rd Illinois Sportsman Nationals Prelims

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 SPRINGFIELD TIMES:
7:00 AM Pits & Registration
9:00 AM Ticket Office & Grandstands
9:30 AM Drivers Meetings
10:00-11:10 AM Silver Crown Practice
11:30 AM Silver Crown Qualifying
12:00 PM Sportsman Hotlaps
12:30 PM Silver Crown B-Main
1:00 PM Sportsman Heats
1:30 PM Pre-Race Ceremonies
2:00 PM USAC Silver Crown 55th Annual Bettenhausen 100

RESERVED SEATING
Advance Tickets (Presale)
$25 Adults Per Day
$10 Children 11 & Under Per Day
Day Of Tickets (At Gate)
$30 Adults Per Day
$10 Children 11 & Under Per Day

INFIELD TICKETS
$20 Adults
$5 Children 11 & Under

PIT PASSES
$35 Adults Each Day
$20 Children 11 & Under Each Day
(4 Two Day Pit Passes @$40 Each Allowed Per Sportsman Team)

INFIELD PARKING
$7 For Those Parking On Infield With No Infield Or Pit Passes

For more information, follow Track Enterprises online at www.trackenterprises.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TrackEnterprises), and Twitter (@TEIRacing). Updates are also available by calling the Track Enterprises home office at 217-764-3200.

[TEI PR]

55th Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield Changed to Honor Family

By Jay Hardin (August 10, 2016)-Race fans attending the 55th Bettenhausen 100 USAC Silver Crown Series event at the Illinois State Fair on August 20 will notice a slight change to the name of the event. Instead of referring to the event as the “Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100” the event will now be referred to as the “Bettenhausen 100” in honor of one of the first families of American automobile racing.

The long running (since 1934) championship car race held on the last Saturday of the Illinois State Fair received its memorial designation in the summer of 1961, not long after the May Indianapolis Motor Speedway practice accident which claimed the life of Tony Bettenhausen. Bettenhausen, a Tinley Park, Illinois native, was one of the most popular racing drivers in the country and perhaps the best known driver from Illinois. His aggressive, bolt upright style won over a legion of fans including those in the capitol city who watched him become the first three-time championship race winner in Illinois State Fair history. Naming the championship race in his honor was the tribute bestowed upon the “Tinley Park Express” by the Illinois State Fair board in 1961.

Sons Gary, Merle and Tony Jr. followed their famous father into auto racing. Gary, like his father, gained numerous fans for his aggressive racing style winning two USAC Sprint Car titles in 1969 and 1970. He nearly won the 1972 Indianapolis 500 for Roger Penske, leading 138 laps before mechanical gremlins forced his car out of the event. He and Penske parted ways in 1974 when Gary flipped his championship dirt car out of the New York State Fairgrounds mile dirt oval seriously damaging an arm and putting his own career in jeopardy. He came back with a slightly different style with the use of only one good arm and won two USAC Silver Crown championships in the process as well as setting fast time in qualifying for the 1991 Indianapolis 500. Gary made 18 starts in his father’s race at Springfield winning twice. A very emotional win came in 1978 and an equally emotional and perhaps grittier win came in 1983 when he led all 100-miles in 100 degree heat. Gary passed away in 2014 at the age of 72.

Brother Merle was an aspiring racer in his own right running up front in USAC Midget races and joining Gary on the championship trail in 1970. In fact, his first national championship start was the 1970 Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Merle’s budding career was cut short in an accident during his third championship race at Michigan International Speedway in June of 1972. Merle’s car hit the outside retaining wall and burst into flames, he sustained burns and the loss of his right arm. Merle did return to racing briefly and ran midgets with the aid of a prosthetic device. He later went into business and remained close to the sport.

Tony Jr. began his career in stock cars racing in both the USAC and NASCAR ranks. He eventually turned his attention to Indianapolis making the 1981 race and nearly winning the Michigan 500 that same year in an old McLaren that had previously been driven by Tom Sneva. Tony made 11 starts at Indy before turning his attention to ownership and becoming a successful owner in the Championship Auto Racing Teams ranks. Sadly, Tony and his wife were among the victims in a February 2000 plane crash.

“This is a family that is known all over the world and has given so much to our sport”, said Illinois State Fair race promoter Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises. “The fair board paid Tony Bettenhausen the ultimate tribute in 1961 when they named the champ car race in his honor.” “When USAC and I got together over the winter, we decided to take that tribute one step further and I know fans will agree this is a great way honor one of America’s great racing families.” From this point we will be calling our USAC Silver Crown event, the Bettenhausen 100 in honor of the whole Bettenhausen family.”

The Saturday event is part of a two day race on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair that features USAC Silver Crown Saturday and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards on Sunday.

Saturday, August 20 registration and pits will open at 7:00 AM, grandstands and ticket office at 9:00, Silver Crown practice at 10:00, qualifying at 11:30, Sportsman hotlaps at 12:00 noon, Silver Crown semi at 12:30, Sportsman heats at 1:00, and the Bettenhausen 100 at 2:00.

Sunday, August 21st times are 5:30 AM for registration and pit gates, 8:30 for grandstands and ticket office, 9:00 for practice, ARCA qualifying at 11:15, Sportsman feature at 12:00 noon, an ARCA autograph session at 12:30, and the SuperChevyStores.com 100 presented by Jive Communications take the green at 1:35.

Advance reserved adult tickets can be purchased for either of the days for $25, a discount of $5. Children 11 and under are $10. Tickets may be purchased by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or by contacting either of the two fairgrounds ticket offices. Discount tickets for Sunday's ARCA event can also be purchased at Central Illinois Menards stores.

The host hotel for the State Fair event is the Carpenter Street Hotel. While the hotel is now totally booked for Saturday night, there are still some rooms available for Friday, August 19th, for those wanting to come in early for Saturday morning's festivities.

For more information, visit www.trackenterprises.com or call 217-764-3200.

[TEI PR]

Special From ARCA...

Double or nothing for AJ Fike at Springfield; corn dogs & concerts come later

TOLEDO, Ohio (August 10, 2016) – And now there's just one. Unless there's an entry out of nowhere, AJ Fike stands alone as the only driver who will attempt the "double" this year at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Mile Dirt.

The Galesburg, Illinois local favorite will take a run at both Illinois State Fair championship auto races this year, racing in Saturday's 55th Bettenhausen 100 in the USAC Silver Crown Series and in Sunday's grand finale, the 54th SuperChevyStores.com (Allen Crowe) 100 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

As it turns out, Fike is pretty good at both, winning the Bettenhausen 100 in 2012 and 2013 and the SuperChevyStores.com ARCA 100 last year. Fike joins A.J. Foyt, Rodger Ward, Al Unser, Len Sutton and Roger McCluskey as one of only six drivers to accomplish the feat. To give it more punch, Foyt, Unser and Ward combine for 10 Indy 500 wins. Only Unser, in 1972, has won both events on the same weekend.

"Now that we've won both, it'd be nice to win both on the same weekend," Fike said. "Now that we've finally won the ARCA race, I'm confident we can do it again."

Certainly no driver these days would understand how to win both more than Fike.

"Depending on track conditions, you run a similar line with the Silver Crown and ARCA cars, at least at Springfield. But the Silver Crown car is way more forgiving. In the ARCA car, you have to keep those straight, not overdrive it, take what the car gives you, take care of the car, take care of tires...be there at the end. Both are fun to drive."

Fike was more than "there at the end" last year. Fike had a seven second lead with 10 laps to go, then survived two late-race restarts, and still won by 10 lengths at the final stripe.

Fike considers Springfield his home track, being from Galesburg, less than a two hour drive away.

"I've always considered Springfield my home track. I don't know what it is, but I wanna win at Springfield more than any other track. It's added pressure for me because I want it that bad."

Fike enjoys the State Fair nearly as much as he does the racing.

"That's a big part of it...I really enjoy the fair. After the race, I take my daughter to the fair, get a lemon shake and a dog definitely. Usually always go to the concert after the race. Last year we saw the Brantley Gilbert concert...great way to celebrate the win. It's usually a corn dog, pork chop on a stick and a ribeye sandwich...I can eat all three after a race.

"There's just something really special about Springfield. I remember going to Springfield for the Silver Crown race every year since I've been eight...I think Chuck Gurney won that first one. Nothing compares to Springfield, not for me anyway."

Don Radebaugh
dradebaugh@arcaracing.com

Looking back on the championship Champ Car/Stock Car Double

By Jay Hardin - Since 1965, stock cars and championship dirt cars have shared the last weekend at the Illinois State Fair. In the last 51 years, just 14 drivers have managed to make the starting lineup for both the Bettenhausen 100 and the Allen Crowe 100 on the last weekend of the fair.

When stock cars joined the Illinois State Fair lineup on Friday, August 20, 1965, young Mario Andretti slid behind the wheel of a Ford for the third running of the Allen Crowe Memorial while his Dean Van Lines Kuzma championship dirt car waited for Saturday’s Tony Bettenhausen 100. Andretti finished 11th in the Zecol Ford, then ran third to A.J. Foyt on Saturday. Six years would pass before another driver would try the “double” and it was none other than Foyt himself. For the first time the stock cars ran Saturday and Foyt finished 14th, and on Sunday he won the Champ dirt car event.

Al Unser and Ralph Ligouri were the next to make both main events in 1972 with Unser becoming the first driver to win both races on the same weekend. Unser tried again in 1973 but was unable to take a checkered flag in either event. Larry Moore (’76), Ken Schrader (’81, ’82, ’83), Gary Bettenhausen (’85, ’87) and Tom Bigelow (’87, ’89) also made both races. In fact, Bigelow became the first to run three races in the same weekend making the feature for the Rex Easton midget race as well.AJ Fike win Springfield 2015

Sixteen years would pass before anyone would make both races again. Young Justin Allgaier put his name in the history books in 2005 and started a newer trend of open wheel racers crossing over into ARCA stock cars for the Sunday show. Fike, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Brian Tyler, Chris Windom and Shane Cockrum all followed Allgaier’s lead.

Fike is the driver with the most starts in both races in the last 51 years, with nine, the last seven consecutive.

A look at some of the Springfield Championship Stock Car Winners: Curtis Turner (’63), Don White (’66, ’67, ’72), Al Unser (’72), Jack Bowsher (’73), Roger McCluskey (’74), Ramo Stott (’76, ’77, ’80), AJ Foyt (’79), Joe Ruttman (’80), Dean Roper (’81, ’82, ’83, ’83, ’85, ’86), Bob Keselowski (’87, ’88, ’89, ’93), Bobby Bowsher (’91, ’92), Tim Steele (‘96, ’97), Ken Schrader (’98), Bill Baird (’99, ’04), Justin Allgaier (’06), Parker Kligerman (’09), Frank Kimmel (’00, ’01, ’02. ’03, ’05, ’07, ’08, ‘12), Kevin Swindell ('14) and AJ Fike ('15).

SuperChevyStores.com 100 Schedule
Practice for the SuperChevyStores.com 100 is scheduled from 9:00-10:00 a.m. with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell following at 11:15. The 54th annual Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100 starts at 1:30 p.m. All times are local.

[TEI PR]

CENTRAL ILLINOIS TEAM OWNERS HELP SURGING SILVER CROWN SERIES

Springfield, Illinois………While the focus on potential front runners for the Bettenhausen 100 USAC Silver Crown race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds has been primarily on the men who steer the machines car owners who are from the central part of the Prairie State are shooting for an appearance in victory lane on Saturday, August 20 as well. No less than four and perhaps as many as ten machines owned by teams from central Illinois are expected to be on the grounds for the 55th Bettenhausen 100.

Central Illinois has always been an auto racing ‘hotbed’ with numerous tracks located in various cities. Some like Fairbury, Macon, Danville and Jacksonville are still operational while others like Springfield Speedway, Champaign Motor Speedway and Shepp’s Speedway are long gone. When troops returned home from World War II many race tracks sprung up in central Illinois to accommodate midget and stock car racing. It was only natural that race car owners and drivers would also come from the central part of the state, some of whom moved on to national circuits as owners and drivers of sprint cars, midgets, stock cars and championship (Indy) cars. Springfield’s Bessie Lee Paoli fielded championship cars for Chuck Stevenson at a time women were not allowed in the pit area. Normal’s Bill Hendren has been trying since the mid 1970’s for a USAC or ARCA stock car win at Springfield.

Decatur’s David Hardy and Springfield’s Dennis McQuinn are much like Hendren. Each is a loyal follower of the USAC Silver Crown Series and each has fielded cars for a number of years at the Illinois State Fair in search of a victory. Hardy was associated with Forsyth’s Butch Garner in the USAC and ARCA stock cars that the popular Garner ran throughout the Midwest. Garner won numerous short track late model events but was unable to capture the grand prize for Hardy, a victory at Springfield. Hardy left the sport but returned in 2011 partnering with his sons to form the Hardy Boys racing team. As second generation driver Shane Cockrum gained experience in the Hardy dirt cars the team upgraded their equipment and by 2014 they were a serious threat to win on the dirt miles. A practice crash at Springfield hindered their 2014 run but they pulled off a popular victory at DuQuoin later in the year. Last year in a car purchased from Tony Stewart, Cockrum led the first 41 miles of the Bettenhausen 100 before tire issues dropped him from contention. Again the team rebounded winning a second straight Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin.

McQuinn’s history goes back to days of sprint cars at the defunct Springfield Speedway wrenching cars for popular Dean Shirley and Jerry Russell. The first time a McQuinn owned entry appears at Springfield looks to be 1990 with Russell at the wheel. Over the years Johnny Parsons, Dave Darland, Jarrett Andretti, Brady Bacon, Chase Stockon and Steven Russell have wheeled McQuinn race cars. Four-time Bettenhausen 100 winner Brian Tyler was slated to Drive for McQuinn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in May but Canton’s Chris Windom substituted and drove to 5th. It is possible that McQuinn will field 2 cars at Springfield.

Springfield’s Moughan Racing and Bland Brothers are relatively new to Silver Crown ownership but not new to the sport. Joey Moughan is a third generation driver following in the footsteps of grandfather Jim Sr. who ran sprint cars and stock cars and Jim Jr. who ran sprint cars and Silver Crown cars. Like Joey Moughan, J.C. Bland cut his teeth in the local sprint car scene joining the Silver Crown series last season in a car painted to resemble A.J. Foyt’s 1960 Bowes Seal Fast Special.

Galesburg’s Don Fike put a Bettenhausen 100 trophy on his mantle in 2012 after nearly ten seasons of trying courtesy of son A.J.’s long awaited trip to victory lane. A.J. followed up with a repeat win in 2013 on a track he terms his “home track, one I want to win on more than anything”. Not only has A.J. won two Bettenhausen races he became just the fifth driver in Illinois State Fair history with a dirt car and stock car victory winning the Allen Crowe 100 last year.

Two other potential entrants within shouting distance of Springfield are Decatur’s Terry Babb and Elkhart’s Chris Urish. Babb is a long-time open wheel campaigner in USAC, POWRI and local sprint car events while Urish won the 2013 Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin and runs selected USAC and MOWA sprint car races when not working in farm fields.

USAC Silver Crown car owners from other parts of Illinois exist as well. Murphysboro’s Patty Bateman is the listed entrant for the machine formerly driven by husband Randy and now occupied by Casey Shuman while Edwardsville’s Patrick Lawson and Granite City’s Tad Roach pilot machines they own.

The 55th Bettenhausen 100 is part of a two-day race on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair that features USAC Silver Crown championship dirt cars Saturday and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards on Sunday. On Saturday, August 20 registration and pits will open at 7:00 AM, grandstands and ticket office at 9:00, Silver Crown practice at 10:00, qualifying at 11:30, UMP Sportsman hot laps at 12:00 noon, Silver Crown semi at 12:30, UMP Sportsman heats at 1:00, and the Bettenhausen 100 at 2:00.

JAY HARDIN – TRACK ENTERPRISES

[TEI PR]

Youth exhibition of speed to accompany the "Big Cars" and Sportsman Saturday at the Springfield Mile.

Quarter Midgets ready for the Mile during the USAC Bettenhausen 100

The Inaugural Quarter Midget exhibition during the running of the USAC Bettenhausen 100 has drawn interest from teams all over the Midwest. Pictures of kids and parents alike have surfaced on Social Media sights of the cars being waxed, painted, lettered, and so forth. Over 30 teams have shared interest in attending this prestigious event and more are expected to arrive the day of. For this one lap in history, the famous one mile track will have never looked so big.

Teams can start arriving and registering as early as 7am. Race teams are encouraged to use gates 7 or 8. Upon arrival, there will be a section of the infield cordoned off that will be Quarter Midget trailers only.
Everyone must purchase an infield ticket in order to get in. The car, driver, and all safety gear will be inspected at by a representative walking around in the cordoned off area. For every car participating, there will be one free grandstand ticket for the days race given after inspection.

All personal safety gear must be worn during the lap so please plan of bringing all appropriate items. A drivers meeting will be held where all details will be given. We are thankful to Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises for allowing such a memorable and wonderful opportunity for the kids. This will surely be something that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Any questions regarding this exhibition please contact Bruce Dulgar at (217) 619-4624.

For more information about the Illinois State Fair races and other Track Enterprises upcoming events, follow Track Enterprises online at www.trackenterprises.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TrackEnterprises) and Twitter (@TEIRacing). Updates are also available by calling the Track Enterprises home office at 217-764-3200.

[Macon Racing]

BETTENHAUSEN 100 SATURDAY AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR; SWANSON TAKES “JAMES/O’CONNOR MEMORIAL” AT SALEM

It’s been a quarter of a century since anybody has won three consecutive “Bettenhausen 100s” at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. On Saturday, Aug. 20, two-time defending USAC Silver Crown Series Champion and point leader Kody Swanson will try to do just that. The 2014 and 2015 race winner will try to match Chuck Gurney (1989-90-91), the only other driver ever to accomplish the feat, in a race with tradition which dates back to 1934!

Swanson carries a 13-point lead over Illinois driver Chris Windom into Saturday’s race in search of his third consecutive series championship. Kody has won the last two series races, including Saturday’s 57th “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial” at the Salem (Ind.) Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery.

Saturday’s race featured a spirited duel between Swanson and Aaron Pierce, who led 50 laps before spinning on lap 61, allowing Swanson to lead the final 15 laps for the 75-lap victory. The race marked USAC’s first Silver Crown race at Salem since Bob Frey won there in 1988.

Swanson also won the ProSource pole for Saturday’s Salem race with a new track record. but Windom’s second-place finish kept him in the battle for the 2016 title. Jerry Coons Jr. completed the podium at Salem, while Bobby Santos and Justin Grant rounded out the “top-five” at the checkered flag. Pierce rebounded to finish sixth. Windom’s finish earned him the race’s KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award.

Former “Bettenhausen 100” race winners expected to compete Saturday include Swanson, A.J. Fike (2012-13), Dave Darland (1997-99-2003) and Brian Tyler (2004-05-08-11).

Illinois veterans in the field in addition to Windom (Canton) and Fike (Galesburg) are Patrick Lawson (Edwardsville), J.C. Bland (Springfield), Zach Daum (Pocahontas), Joey Moughan (Springfield) and Shane Cockrum of Benton.

Swanson’s victory at Salem was his 15th in Silver Crown competition, tied with J.J. Yeley for fourth on the all-time series list. Saturday’s Salem race was the 400th in Silver Crown history.

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UPCOMING USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT:

DATE: Saturday, August 20, 2016

SERIES: USAC Silver Crown Championship

TRACK: Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois) – 1-mile dirt oval

EVENT: “Bettenhausen 100” featuring the USAC Silver Crown Championship and Sportsman

STARTING TIMES: Practice: 10am. ProSource Qualifying: 11:30am., Sportsman races: Noon. “Bettenhausen 100:” 2pm.

TICKETS: Tickets are on sale at the Illinois State Fair ticket office at (217) 782-1979 or call Track Enterprises at (217) 764-3200.

TRACK ADDRESS: 801 E. Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL 62706

TRACK PHONE: (217) 782-1979 or (217) 764-3200.

TRACK WEBSITE: http://trackenterprises.com/

MEDIA COVERAGE: Live updates on https://www.facebook.com/usacracing/ and https://twitter.com/USACNation

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ALL-TIME CHAMP CAR WINNERS AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS:

1934: Billy Winn, 1935: Billy Winn, 1936: Wilbur Shaw, 1937: Mauri Rose, 1938: Tony Willman, 1939: Emil Andres, 1940: Rex Mays, 1947: Tony Bettenhausen, 1948: Ted Horn & Myron Fohr, 1949: Mel Hansen & Johnnie Parsons, 1950: Paul Russo & Tony Bettenhausen, 1951: Tony Bettenhausen, 1952: Bill Schindler, 1953: Rodger Ward & Sam Hanks, 1954: Jimmy Davies, 1955: Jimmy Bryan, 1956: Jimmy Bryan, 1957: Rodger Ward, 1958: Johnny Thomson, 1959: Len Sutton, 1960: Jim Packard, 1961: Jim Hurtubise, 1962: Jim Hurtubise, 1963: Rodger Ward, 1964: A.J. Foyt, 1965: A.J. Foyt, 1966: Don Branson, 1967: A.J. Foyt, 1968: Roger McCluskey, 1969: Mario Andretti, 1970: Al Unser, 1971: A.J. Foyt, 1972: Al Unser, 1973: Mario Andretti, 1974: Mario Andretti, 1975: Al Unser, 1976: Tom Bigelow, 1977: Larry Rice, 1978: Gary Bettenhausen, 1979: Bobby Olivero, 1980: Pancho Carter, 1981: George Snider, 1982: Larry Dickson & Bobby Olivero, 1983: Gary Bettenhausen, 1984: Chuck Gurney, 1985: Chuck Gurney, 1986: Jack Hewitt, 1987: Jack Hewitt, 1988: Steve Chassey, 1989: Chuck Gurney, 1990: Chuck Gurney, 1991: Chuck Gurney, 1992: Jimmy Sills, 1993: Jack Hewitt, 1994: Chuck Gurney, 1995: Kenny Irwin, Jr., 1996: Chuck Gurney, 1997: Dave Darland, 1998: Russ Gamester, 1999: Dave Darland, 2000: Jack Hewitt, 2001: Paul White, 2002: J.J. Yeley, 2003: Dave Darland, 2004: Brian Tyler, 2005: Brian Tyler, 2006: Tracy Hines, 2007: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., 2008: Brian Tyler, 2009: Cole Whitt, 2011: Brian Tyler, 2012: A.J. Fike, 2013: A.J. Fike, 2014: Kody Swanson, 2015: Kody Swanson.

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2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (458) Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, CA)
2. (445) Chris Windom (Canton, IL)
3. (382) Justin Grant (Ione, CA)
4. (364) Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)
5. (326) David Byrne (Shullsburg, WI)
6. (317) Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN)
7. (305) Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ)
8. (288) Austin Nemire (Sylvania, OH)
9. (235) Joe Liguori (Tampa, FL)
10. (213) Tanner Swanson (Kingsburg, CA)

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2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP “ROOKIE” DRIVER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (305) Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ)
2. (235) Joe Liguori (Tampa, FL)
3. (101) Mark Smith (Sunbury, PA)
4. (95) Joe Axsom (Franklin, IN)
5. (65) Neil Shepherd (Warsaw, IN)
6. (61) Robert Stout (Brownsburg, IN)
7. (49) Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)
8. (37) Kevin Studley (Plainfield, IN)
9. (36) J.C. Bland (Springfield, IL)
10. (29) Dave Berkheimer (Mechanicsburg, PA)

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2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP OWNER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (458) DePalma Motorsports #63
2. (397) RPM/Fred Gormly #98
3. (382) Chris Carli #8
4. (364) Nolen Racing #20
5. (326) Byrne Racing #40
6. (317) Curtis Williams #81
7. (305) Patty Bateman #55
8. (294) RPM/Fred Gormly #99
9. (288) Hemelgarn Enterprises #91
10. (213) Bowman Racing #02

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2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & RESULTS:
Apr 3: Terre Haute, IN - Terre Haute Action Track
WINNER: C.J. Leary
Apr 30: Toledo, OH - Toledo Speedway
WINNER: Rained Out
May 26: Indianapolis, IN - Indiana State Fairgrounds
WINNER: Kody Swanson
May 27: Brownsburg, IN - Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
WINNER: Tanner Swanson
Jun 10: Mechanicsburg, PA - Williams Grove Speedway
WINNER: Chris Windom
Jun 25: @ Madison, IL - Gateway Motorsports Park
WINNER: Tanner Swanson
Jul 21: Brownsburg, IN - Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
WINNER: Kody Swanson
Aug 13: Salem, IN - Salem Speedway
WINNER: Kody Swanson
Aug 20: @ Springfield, IL - Illinois State Fairgrounds
Sep 3: Du Quoin, IL – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds
Sep 24: Rossburg, OH - Eldora Speedway
**Races noted with @ represent an afternoon race.

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2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS:
RACE WINS:
1. (3) Kody Swanson (Indiana State Fairgrounds on May 26, Lucas Oil Raceway on July 21 & Salem Speedway on Aug. 13)
2. (2) Tanner Swanson (Lucas Oil Raceway on May 27 & Gateway Motorsports Park on June 25)
2. (1) C.J. Leary (Terre Haute Action Track on April 3)
(1) Chris Windom (Williams Grove Speedway on June 10)

LAPS LED:
1. (159) Kody Swanson
2. (101) Justin Grant
3. (88) Chris Windom
4. (80) Bobby Santos
5. (55) Tanner Swanson
6. (50) Aaron Pierce
7. (36) C.J. Leary
8. (32) Jerry Coons, Jr.
9. (25) Brady Bacon
10. (9) Shane Cottle

TOP-FIVE FINISHES:
1. (7) Chris Windom
2. (6) Kody Swanson
3. (3) Jerry Coons, Jr., Justin Grant & Tanner Swanson
6. (2) Brady Bacon, Bryan Clauson & Bobby Santos
9. (1) David Byrne, Shane Cottle, C.J. Leary, Joe Liguori, Austin Nemire, Aaron Pierce & Robert Stout

TOP-TEN FINISHES:
1. (7) Chris Windom
2. (6) Jerry Coons, Jr., Justin Grant & Kody Swanson
5. (4) David Byrne, Shane Cottle & Joe Liguori
8. (3) Bryan Clauson, Casey Shuman & Tanner Swanson
11. (2) Joe Axsom, Brady Bacon, Shane Cockrum, Dave Darland, C.J. Leary, Aaron Pierce, Bobby Santos & Mark Smith
17. (1) Steve Buckwalter, Patrick Lawson, Austin Nemire, Ryan Newman, Davey Ray, Hunter Schuerenberg, Robert Stout & Jacob Wilson

PROSOURCE FAST QUALIFYING TIMES:
1. (2) Kody Swanson
2. (1) Brady Bacon, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Bobby Santos & Tanner Swanson

RACE STARTS:
1. (7) David Byrne, Jerry Coons, Jr., Justin Grant, Casey Shuman, Kody Swanson & Chris Windom
7. (6) Shane Cottle, Joe Liguori & Austin Nemire
10. (5) Shane Cockrum
11. (4) Patrick Lawson
12. (3) Brady Bacon, Steve Buckwalter, Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland, C.J. Leary, Aaron Pierce, Billy Puterbaugh, Jr., Bobby Santos, Tanner Swanson & Jacob Wilson
22. (2) Joe Axsom, Terry Babb, J.C. Bland, Terry James, Neil Shepherd & Mark Smith
28. (1) Robert Ballou, Dave Berkheimer, Chris Fetter, A.J. Fike, Russ Gamester, John Heydenreich, Danny Long, Joey Moughan, Ryan Newman, Billy Pauch, Jr., Davey Ray, Tad Roach, Hunter Schuerenberg, Robert Stout, Kevin Studley, Jeff Swindell & Mitch Wissmiller

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TOP “ROOKIE” FINISHER OF THE RACE:
Apr. 3: Terre Haute Action Track – Casey Shuman (12th)
May 26: Indiana State Fairgrounds – Mark Smith (9th)
May 27: Lucas Oil Raceway – Robert Stout (4th)
June 10: Williams Grove Speedway – Mark Smith (6th)
June 25: Gateway Motorsports Park – Joe Liguori (5th)
July 21: Lucas Oil Raceway – Joe Axsom (9th)
Aug. 13: Salem Speedway – Joe Liguori (8th)

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KSE RACING PRODUCTS “HARD CHARGER” OF THE RACE:
Apr. 3: Terre Haute Action Track – Bryan Clauson (6 positions)
May 26: Indiana State Fairgrounds – Terry James (13 positions)
May 27: Lucas Oil Raceway – Shane Cockrum (7 positions)
June 10: Williams Grove Speedway – Bryan Clauson (14 positions)
June 25: Gateway Motorsports Park – Joe Liguori (4 positions)
July 21: Lucas Oil Raceway – Casey Shuman (4 positions)
Aug. 13: Salem Speedway – Chris Windom (4 positions)

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WINS:
1. [23 wins] Jack Hewitt
2. [17 wins] Brian Tyler
3. [16 wins] Dave Steele
4. [15 wins] Kody Swanson & J.J. Yeley
6. [14 wins] Dave Darland & Chuck Gurney
8. [12 wins] Jimmy Sills
9. [11 wins] Bobby East
10. [10 wins] Gary Bettenhausen & Mike Bliss
12. [9 wins] Tracy Hines
13. [7 wins] Jerry Coons Jr., Rick Hood, George Snider & Tanner Swanson
17. [6 wins] Tom Bigelow, Russ Gamester, Kenny Irwin Jr., Jason Leffler, Bobby Santos, Ken Schrader & Al Unser
24. [5 wins] Mario Andretti, Donnie Beechler, Pancho Carter, Jay Drake, Tony Elliott, Bud Kaeding, Sheldon Kinser, Larry Rice
32. [4 wins] Jeff Swindell & Rich Vogler
34. [3 wins] Steve Butler, Shane Cockrum, Cameron Dodson, A.J. Fike, Levi Jones, Kasey Kahne, Jim Keeker, Steve Kinser, Bobby Olivero, Johnny Parsons, Aaron Pierce, Ron Shuman, Tony Stewart, Tyler Walker, Paul White & Chris Windom
50. [2 wins] Pat Abold, Steve Chassey, Bryan Clauson, Larry Dickson, Bill Engelhart, A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Larson, Ryan Newman, Joe Saldana, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cole Whitt, Josh Wise & Doug Wolfgang
64. [1 win] Teddy Beach, Christopher Bell, Jeff Bloom, David Byrne, Marvin Carman, Shane Carson, Bob Cicconi, Herb Copeland, Shane Cottle, Bruce Field, Aaron Fike, Chet Fillip, Bob Frey, Eric Gordon, John Heydenreich, Gary Hieber, Shane Hmiel, Shane Hollingsworth, Jimmy Horton, Jackie Howerton, Kevin Huntley, Kenny Jacobs, Bubby Jones, Keith Kauffman, Jimmy Kite, Chuck Leary, C.J. Leary, Eddie Leavitt, Jason McCord, Jim McElreath, Lealand McSpadden, Mat Neely, Brad Noffsinger, Stevie Reeves, Wayne Reutimann Jr., Danny Smith, Kevin Thomas, Rich Tobias Jr., Chris Urish & Billy Vukovich

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER CHAMPIONS:
1971: George Snider; 1972: A.J. Foyt; 1973: Al Unser; 1974: Mario Andretti; 1975: Jimmy Caruthers; 1976: Billy Cassella; 1977: Larry Rice; 1978: Pancho Carter; 1979: Bobby Olivero; 1980: Gary Bettenhausen; 1981: Larry Rice; 1982: Ken Schrader; 1983: Gary Bettenhausen; 1984: Dave Blaney; 1985: Rick Hood; 1986: Jack Hewitt; 1987: Jack Hewitt; 1988: Steve Butler; 1989: Chuck Gurney; 1990: Jimmy Sills; 1991: Jeff Gordon; 1992: Steve Butler; 1993: Mike Bliss; 1994: Jimmy Sills; 1995: Tony Stewart; 1996: Jimmy Sills; 1997: Dave Darland; 1998: Jason Leffler; 1999: Ryan Newman; 2000: Tracy Hines; 2001: Paul White; 2002: J.J. Yeley; 2003: J.J. Yeley; 2004: Dave Steele; 2005: Dave Steele; 2006: Bud Kaeding; 2007: Bud Kaeding; 2008: Jerry Coons Jr.; 2009: Bud Kaeding; 2010: Levi Jones; 2011: Levi Jones; 2012: Bobby East; 2013: Bobby East; 2014: Kody Swanson; 2015: Kody Swanson

[TEI PR]

Three Illini Among Those Looking to Stop Swanson at Springfield

Springfield, IL (August 16, 2016)-Kody Swanson enters Saturday’s 55th running of the Bettenhausen 100 on a history making run in the 2016 USAC Silver Crown Series slate. One Illinois driver currently in the top 10 in the USAC Silver Crown title chase and one just outside the top 10 along with one past winner of the event from Illinois are among the drivers favored to de-rail the “Swanson Express”.

California’s Swanson enters the Bettenhausen with the past two USAC Silver Crown national championships in his pocket. He currently leads the point standings with a reasonable chance at three consecutive championships, something no driver has accomplished since the championship dirt cars split from the national trail in 1971. He won his third consecutive Hoosier Hundred in May joining Jimmy Bryan and Al Unser as the only men to win three in a row. Swanson can join the late Tony Bettenhausen and Chuck Gurney as the only drivers to win three consecutive championship races at Springfield should he win Saturday. And, in 2014 he became just the 14th driver since 1953 to be able to claim he had won the Hoosier Hundred, Bettenhausen 100 and Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin. Even fewer men (Jimmy Bryan, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Jack Hewitt) can claim they won all three in the same year.

Swanson has had that opportunity for the past two years with only DuQuoin eluding his grasp. He comes to Springfield with a chance at claiming all three again. However, the driver trailing him in the Silver Crown title chase along with the driver currently 11th in the point standings have an excellent chance at winning Saturday’s classic.

Canton’s Chris Windom won the event at Williams Grove and is currently second in points just 13 behind Swanson. All of Windom’s series wins have come on half-mile tracks and the west-central Illinois driver would like nothing better than to capture one of the prestigious mile fairground events. Windom ran second for a portion of last year’s race and led 17 laps before Swanson scooted by for the win. The driver who led the first 40 laps of the 2015 Bettenhausen can’t be counted out either. Shane Cockrum of Benton is 11th in points running a limited schedule in 2016. He has three series victories, one at Terre Haute in the 2015 Sumar Classic and his 2014-2015 victories at DuQuoin mark as some of the most emotional and memorable in series history.

Two-time Bettenhausen (2012-13) victor A.J. Fike of Galesburg became an Illinois State Fair favorite when he became the first central Illinois driver since 1966 to claim the Bettenhausen 100. Not only does Fike enter his favorite track with a good chance to claim his third Bettenhausen win, he made history last year when he became just the fifth driver to post a dirt car and stock car win at Springfield by winning the Allen Crowe 100 on Sunday.

Other former winners expected for the Bettenhausen include Russ Gamester (1998) and Brian Tyler (2004-05-08-11) who returns driving for long time entrant Bob Galas. USAC regulars expected include last year’s Bettenhausen 100 polesitter Justin Grant, two-time Hoosier Hundred winner Jerry Coons Jr., 2007 Ted Horn 100 winner Shane Cottle, second generation driver Casey Shuman, third generation drivers Joe Ligouri and Austin Nemire and past USAC Sprint Car champ Brady Bacon.

Entrants from Illinois include Springfield’s Joey Moughan and J.C. Bland, Chris Urish from Elkhart, Terry Babb from Decatur, Patrick Lawson from Edwardsville and Tad Roach from Granite City. Zach Daum of Pocahontas also returns for Springfield car owner Dennis McQuinn.

The 55th Bettenhausen 100 is part of a two day race program on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair that features USAC Silver Crown championship dirt cars Saturday and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards on Sunday. On Saturday, August 20 registration and pits will open at 7:00 AM, grandstands and ticket office at 9:00, Silver Crown practice at 10:00, qualifying at 11:30, UMP Sportsman hot laps at 12:00 noon, Silver Crown semi at 12:30, UMP Sportsman heats at 1:00, and the Bettenhausen 100 at 2:00.

By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff
Jayhardin51@gmail.com
Track@trackenterprises.com

[TEI PR]

USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRY LIST

EVENT: 57th “Bettenhausen 100” at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois)

DATE: Saturday, August 20, 2016

STARTING TIMES: Practice: 10am. ProSource Qualifying: 11:30am., Sportsman races: Noon. Silver Crown B-Main: 1pm. “Bettenhausen 100:” 2pm.



37 CARS, 36 DRIVERS



00 TERRY BABB/Decatur, IL

Terry Babb/APT Powder Coating – Flat-Out Ministries/Beast/Chevy



07 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN

Wilson Brothers Racing/Jet Star – Anderson Transport/Beast/Claxton Toyota



2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL

Patrick Lawson/Petroff Companies – RC Storm Water/DRC/Wesmar Chevy



3 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL

RFMS Racing/Liberty Village – McGladrey/Beast/Foxco



5 J.C. BLAND/Springfield, IL

Bland Brothers Enterprises/Sam’s Speed Shop – Bland Brothers Enterprises/Drinan/BBE Chevy



8 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA

Chris Carli/Joe’s Racing Products – Wilwood Engineering/DRC/Claxton Chevy



12 BRIAN TYLER/Mount Pleasant, NC

Galas Motorsports/Galas Motorsports/Beast/Galas Chevy



14 ZACH DAUM/Pocahontas, IL

Dennis & Dave McQuinn/McQuinn Motorsports – Cashless Racing/JR-1/Chevy



18 KENNY GENTRY/Henderson, KY

Kenny Gentry/Engler Machine & Tool – KVKK Racing/Beast/Gentry Chevy



20 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ

Nolen Racing/KECO – Columbus Container/Maxim/Tranter Chevy



21 JEFF SWINDELL/Germantown, TN

Swanson Racing/Jet Star – Rosewood Machine & Tool/Beast/Chevy



23 TERRY JAMES/St. Louis, MO

Todd Satterthwaite/Todd’s Machine Shop/Magnum/Chevy



25 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA

Eddie Sachs Racing/Mecum Auctions – Checkered Flag Tavern/Beast/Team RAYPRO Chevy



26 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN

Sam Pierce/Sam Pierce Chevrolet – Tom Cherry Mufflers/Beast/Pierce Chevy



27 MATT GOODNIGHT/Winchester, IN

Carla & Steve Phillips/Roberts Tech Jobs – Greg Hubler Chevrolet/Phillips/Foxco Chevy



29 JOEY MOUGHAN/Springfield, IL

Joey Moughan/Conaway Handyman Service – Moughan Electric/Maxim/Claxton Mopar



30 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN

Leary-6R Racing/Leary Construction – AMSOIL/DRC/Claxton Toyota



31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA

Berkheimer Racing/Subway Auto Body – Cease Auctioneers/Drinan/Chevy



40 DAVID BYRNE/Shullsburg, WI

Byrne Racing/Stoops Freightliner-Truck Country – Bytec Resource Management/J & D/Chevy



41 TBA

McQuinn Motorsports/Cashless Racing/JR-1/Chevy



44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO

Danny Long/Farmington Auto Plaza – DMR Motorsports/Beast/Chevy



48 BRADY BACON/Broken Arrow, OK

Paul Martens/Martens Machine Shop/Maxim/Kistler Chevy



53 STEVE BUCKWALTER/Royersford, PA

SET Racing/Heroes West Sports Grill/Beast/Brown Chevy



55 CASEY SHUMAN/Tempe, AZ

Patty Bateman/Circle K Convenience Stores/Beast/Chevy



58 JOE LIGUORI/Tampa, FL

Ralph Liguori/Sunshine Trailer Park – Brown & Miller Racing Solutions/DRC/Kercher Chevy



63 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA

DePalma Motorsports/Radio Hospital – Champion Oil/Maxim/Hampshire Chevy



66 BILL ROSE/Plainfield, IN

Bill Rose/Rose/Beast/Claxton



71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL

Hardy Boys Motorsports/Financial Transportation Services – Infinity Shocks/Maxim/Brown Chevy



77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL

Chris Urish/Elkhart Fertilizer – Pacesetter Solutions/Beast/Foxco Chevy



81 SHANE COTTLE/Kokomo, IN

Curtis Williams/Roger Williams Precision Engines – QS Components/Maxim/Chevy



84 TAD ROACH/Granite City, IL

Scott Spivey/Lloyd Racing Enterprises – Malibu Art Tile & Stone/Stealth/Chevy



86 JACKIE BURKE/Katy, TX

Jackie Burke/JTS Wireless/Shores/Chevy



88 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO

Fetter Tile LLC/Fetter Tile – F & S Collision Repair/Beast/TMS Chevy



91 AUSTIN NEMIRE/Sylvania, OH

Hemelgarn Enterprises/Hemelgarn Enterprises/J & J/Ford



98 CHRIS WINDOM/Canton, IL

RPM-Fred Gormly/RPM Auto Enterprise/Maxim/J & D



120 HUNTER SCHUERENBERG/Sikeston, MO

Nolen Racing/KECO – Columbus Container/Maxim/Tranter Chevy



201 DAKOTA JACKSON/Elizabethtown, IN

Nolen Racing/KECO – Columbus Container/Twister/Tranter Chevy



USAC SILVER CROWN TRACK RECORDS at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

1 Lap: 8/19/06 - Tracy Hines - 29.305 (122.846mph)

100 Miles: 8/22/87 - Jack Hewitt - 56:07.00 (106.920mph)

[treecitytornado]

Is there a rain date?

[TEI PR]

There are no set rain dates at this time. We are concentrating on this weekend first. If we would have an issue, a rain date would be announced at that time.