By Dick Jordan
The initial entries have been received for the upcoming 58th “Hut Hundred,” scheduled for May 8 at the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. The quarter-mile banked dirt oval will be the fifth track which has hosted the prestigious race.
USAC Triple Crown Champion Dave Darland, former USAC National Midget Champ Bobby East, 2007 National Midget runner-up Darren Hagen, 2009 National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Henry Clarke and 2009 Most Improved USAC Driver Shane Hmiel are the first five drivers named on entries for the classic race, which will again feature the spectacular three-abreast 33-car starting field and consist of 100 laps around one of America’s finest short tracks. Darland Hagen and East are former “Hut Hundred” winners.
The “Hut Hundred” was not held in 2009 and Cole Whitt won the 2008 running, held at the Terre Haute Action Track. Other tracks which have hosted the race include the Indiana State Fairgrounds (1987), Lincoln Park Speedway (1988 and 2000-2001) and Lawrenceburg Speedway (1989).
USAC Midget racing is not new to Tri-State Speedway. This will be the sixth time the USAC National Midgets have competed there. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won in 2007, while Lonnie Caruthers was the 1980 winner, Johnny Parsons and Barry Butterworth won 1979 races and Sleepy Tripp won the inaugural in 1978. Tri-State Speedway has also hosted 18 USAC National Sprint races since 1983, including its 10th Indiana Sprint Week race last year in which Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson provided a spectacular ending to the 2009 series.
The Hut Hundred debuted in 1954 and has included a list of winners to rival any major American race. A.J. Foyt, Tony and Gary Bettenhausen, Mel Kenyon, Pancho Carter, Rich Vogler, Johnny Parsons, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler, Jay Drake and Tracy Hines are but a few of the names already inscribed on the champion’s trophy. Vogler actually won the race eight times!
Drivers will be aiming at the late Bob Wente’s 1-lap track qualifying record of 15.322 seconds, which was established back in 1979!