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Preview of the 61st Anniversary Hoosier 100
By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff
Indianapolis May 21, 2014- Preview of 61st Anniversary Hoosier Hundred.
USAC Silver Crown Series Director Andy Hillenburg and race promoter Bob Sargent have been working diligently to renew enthusiasm in USAC's top tier series and it appears their hard work is going to pay off as an entry list of twenty-nine car and driver combinations was released this week by the sanctioning body with additional entries possible on race day. Here is a preview of the field for Thursday nights ( May 22) prestigious Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Former Winners-2
Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ-the 42 year old Coons won in 2011-12 and looked to make it three in a row last year before losing the lead late in the race. He returns with his RW Motorsports winning mount, expect the 2008 USAC silver crown champ to be a contender on race day.
Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN-1997 USAC Silver Crown champ won in 1995, 1996 and 2004. He is second among active drivers in miles completed and starts at the Indy Mile and in the top ten on the money won list. Car owner Marc Longworth has good equipment so don't count out the people's champ.
Former USAC Silver Crown Champions-2
Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN-2000 champion who has wins at Springfield and DuQuoin but Indy has eluded him, could become the 14th driver since 1953 to post wins on all three miles. Lightfoot racing has improved greatly to the point Hines was able to add to his win total at Belleville last year giving the team its first series win.
Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN-one of a number of pilots still looking for a mile track win. Won the last two USAC Silver Crown titles driving for Tony Stewart.
Veterans
Jon Stanbrough-Kokomo, IN. Recent entry has sent shudders into competitor garages as he teams with owner Galen Fox who makes a long anticipated return to the series. Stanbrough has won over 180 sprint car races, including several with Fox's sons. This pairing could lead to Stanbrough's first 100-mile race win.
A.J. Fike-Galesburg, IL. Fike won the last two Tony Bettenhausen 100 events at Springfield driving for his father Don. He also has ARCA stock car poles at Springfield and DuQuoin and came within an eyelash of joining Al Unser as the only driver to sweep the weekend at Springfield last August.
Russ Gamester, Peru, IN-veteran with victories at Springfield and DuQuoin, former USAC midget champ. Sat on pole here in 1997 and last year, led a good part of the race last year, active driver with most miles completed and most starts on Indy Mile. Family operation runs own chassis with Toyota power
Aaron Pierce, Indianapolis. Hometown hero originally from Muncie has never won on dirt, has three wins on pavement. Ran over 175 MPH at Homestead in 2006.
Other veterans
Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA-along with Stanbrough and Fike, one of the series regulars who could add his name to the list of winners at the Indy Mile. Won at DuQuoin in 2010 and at Terre Haute in April.
Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL-full time farmer scored an upset win at DuQuoin last year, has the equipment to be running at the end.
Randy Bateman of Murphysboro, IL is the oldest driver in the field and his series debut dates back to the 1980's. A regular in the division who timed in second at DuQuoin a few years ago.
Davey Ray, Davenport, IA-third generation midget driver with infrequent series starts. Drives for Eddie Sachs, Jr.
Relative Newcomers
Casey Shuman, Mesa, AZ-The son of 1992 Hoosier Hundred winner Ron “The Flying Shoe” Shuman, Casey has been a terror on central Indiana sprint car tracks winning numerous features. Made his big car debut here in 2013 and ran well until the engine gave out.
Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL-Shane Wade of the late Chuck Amati lineage has joined the Hardy racing team and they continue to upgrade equipment. Shane looked like a winner at DuQuoin until the fuel tank ran dry. His father Cliff was a legend on southern Indiana sprint car tracks.
Taylor Ferns, Shelby TWP, MI-The second year driver continues to learn and a top 5 or 10 finish Thursday would be a real feather in her cap.
Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL-2013 POWRi midget champ was the 2009 Silver Crown Rookie of the Year. Has adapted well to the dirt miles.
Rookies-11
Headlining the 2014 rookie class is Oklahoman Chris Bell, who took over the ride from Brian Tyler last fall. Bell is just 19 yet he was he 2013 USAC midget champ. He hopes to repeat the win of another Okie rookie, forty years ago Jackie Howerton pulled off the upset beating AL Unser and Mario Andretti to the checkered flag. Fellow Okie John Hunt joins the field as well.
2012 Powri champ Andrew Felker of Missouri looks for his first start, as does Caleb Armstrong and Jacob Wilson of Indiana, along with fellow Hoosiers Jake Simmons, Grant Simpson and Dakota Jackson.
Race fans will remember the grandfather of rookie Joe Ligouri, Ralph ran second in the 1970 Hoosier 100 after passing A.J. Foyt. Another third generation driver brings another famous name back to the dirt, it has been 20 years since an Andretti sat in a dirt car at the fairgrounds, this time John’s son Jarrett joins the fray.
Tickets will be on sale at the box office, gates open at 3 with racing slated to begin at 7 p.m. at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
