One of the closest point races in USAC Traxxas Silver Crown series history will augment next Sunday night’s (September 2) “Ted Horn 100” at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds.

Less than 50 points separate the top seven drivers in the standings going into the 100-mile contest on the beautiful 1-mile dirt oval. Of those seven only one has won at DuQuoin in the past, but that driver is series point leader Kody Swanson, the 2010 race winner.

Swanson, of Kingsburg, Calif., has a slim four-point lead over Bobby East, while Jerry Coons Jr. is 13 back. Defending two-time series champ Levi Jones is 32 behind, while Tanner Swanson, Kody’s brother, trails the leader by 43. Bud Kaeding is also 43 back and Bobby Santos is 49 in arrears. A total of 66 points are available at DuQuoin.

Swanson will be joined in Sunday’s race by former DuQuoin winners Brian Tyler (2008), Tracy Hines (2005 and 2006), Rich Tobias Jr. (2003) and Russ Gamester (1997).

Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. won last year’s running of the “Ted Horn 100,” which honors the memory of the three-time AAA National Driving Champion who lost his life at DuQuoin in 1948.

The DuQuoin race is one of America’s most revered, having been won by drivers like Indianapolis 500 champions Lee Wallard, Johnnie Parsons, Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Al Unser.

Sunday’s race is round seven of the 2012 Traxxas Silver Crown championship. Race winners this year have included Bobby Santos (2), Jerry Coons Jr. (2), Bobby East and A.J. Fike, the Galesburg, Ill. driver who won the August 18 “Tony Bettenhausen 100” at Springfield.

Fike is expected to be joined in the DuQuoin field by fellow Illini drivers Levi Jones (Olney), Randy Bateman (Murphysboro), Chris Urish (Elkhart), Shane Cockrum (Benton) and Steve Adams (Cooks Mills).
Drivers will be aiming at Tyler Walker’s 1-lap track qualifying record of 123.500 mph set in 2004, while Johnny Parsons holds the 100-mile race record of 107.047 mph set in 1992.

One of my favorite "likes" about Duquoin is that some surprise always makes it interesting on many levels.

I always liked watching JP's runs in the 43 car moving up through the field.
Enjoy watching Dave Darland in the blue 56 always makes it exciting, as does Brian Tyler.
Seems there is unexpected entry's at times like Roger Rager who was always a hard charger in the past. There is always someone trying to run an older car. I guess everyone has their favorites over the years, but I seem to miss watching Tony Elliott race.

DuQuoin is a great race under the lights. Fun to take a ride around the fair before the race. Nothing better than eating a very hard frozen Nutty Ice Cream Bar watching Silver Crown cars under the lights.

HOPEFULLY..Darland will be at DuQuoin. Wasn't at Springfield

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IMG_7849 copy by uncloose1, on Flickr
2011 Kaeding, Hagen,


IMG_4799 copy by uncloose1, on Flickr
2010 Jeff Swindell and Jerry Coons

This is the BEST dirt mile there is for Champ Dirt Cars, and if you want to see them run , go, it's a beatiful facility.

Agree 100% this is the best present day venue to watch the Big Cars. Also, heard that USAC has a new sponsor for next year and they maybe going to 2cycle motors, so go before the Big Cars become a trivia question!!

Wonder what Isaac will do to this year event. 2AM Saturday projected location is 85 miles SSW of St. Louis.

If Isaac does get in the way, I'm going to Haubstadt.

Darland has a ride and will be at DuQuoin. That came straight from him telling me not second hand information

What car will he be driving? What happened to the 56 ride?

Darland will be in car #33. I can't remember who he said the car owner was.

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