From Dick Jordan
It’s been 21 years since USAC has competed at 34 Raceway Park in Burlington, Iowa but that ends on June 26 when the USAC National Sprint Cars and Midgets combine for an historic doubleheader” at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. It will mark the first time the two USAC series have ever competed in a doubleheader on dirt in the state of Iowa.
Known for its famed “Snake Alley,” very similar to the famous Lombard Street in San Francisco, Calif., Burlington last hosted the USAC Midgets in 1973, a race won by Tommy Astone. The USAC Sprint Cars will be making their maiden appearance at the track which also hosted USAC Late Model races in 1987 and 1988 won by Ken Essary and Willy Kraft.
Iowa has a rich tradition of USAC racing, the Midgets and Sprint cars competing at Knoxville and Oskaloosa respectively last year. The previous 83 USAC races in the Hawkeye state have produced 54 different winners, the late Bob Tattersall the all-time leader with six wins. J.J. Yeley and Butch Hartman won four each and four other drivers, including Keokuk, Iowa driver Don White have three wins.
“There’s no question Iowa has a rich racing heritage and its fans are among the most avid and knowledgeable in the entire nation,” says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller. “We are absolutely thrilled to add this significant event to our 2010 calendar and hope this is the debut of an annual destination for our loyal participants and fans.”
Jesse Hockett of Warsaw, Mo., winner of last year’s “Ultimate Challenge” USAC Sprint race at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa is excited about the 2010 Burlington race. “I think it’ll be an awesome event for non-wing cars. The track has some banking and you can build a lot of momentum and a lot of speed around the top. There will be plenty of side-by-side racing, that’s for sure. Last summer I raced there and came from dead last to finish second. It’s a really racy track.”