From Dick Jordan
Never before in the 41-year history has the Hoosier Hundred opened the TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown calendar. It was a September staple for years before moving in the 1990s to the May date it now occupies at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
This year’s event obviously is part of Indianapolis’ celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 and following last year’s spectacular finish this year’s race should offer some exciting competition.
The unique mid-race stop which led to Shane Hmiel’s late-race heroics a year ago, will be repeated, with a red flag issued at the conclusion of lap 51. This year’s rules permit one tire change per car but a right-rear change will result in the car being moved to the back of the restart order. Cars may also add up to five gallons of fuel. A red flag issued after lap 35 and before lap 51 will replace the mandatory red flag stoppage at lap 51.
Last year, Hmiel was leading the race when it was halted and after changing a right rear tire he was moved back to eighth in the restart order. He came from there to win in spectacular fashion!
This year a lot of attention will be focused on the Tony Stewart Racing team, with drivers Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson. Clauson will be coming from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where we will have competed in the Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights race. If he wins that race, he’ll try to become the first to win both races in the same day! Jones, on the other hand, returns to try to secure his first Hoosier Hundred victory after a heartbreaking final-lap loss in 2006.
Jones is the defending Traxxas Silver Crown Champion and Clauson is the defending USAC National Drivers Champion.
Former Hoosier Hundred winners in the field this year include Shane Hollingsworth (2009), Dave Darland (1995, 1996 & 2004), Donnie Beechler (1998) and Jeff Swindell (1991 & 1993).
Practice is expected to start at 5 pm and a host of previous race winners have been invited as guests and are expected to attend.