By Larry Boos
ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 19) – Eldora Speedway’s Four Crown Nationals has long been a popular stop for USAC (United States Auto Club) drivers, as it provides them a rare opportunity to showcase their talents in all three of the Indianapolis based sanctioning body’s National touring divisions at one stop. This year’s edition, the 30th annual, will be no different as USAC brings to Eldora their Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown divisions on Saturday (Sept. 24) for night number two of the Four Crown Nationals.
A vast majority of the drivers compete in at least two of the three divisions, with many taking the bold jump to climb behind the wheel of each of the USAC non-winged open wheel divisions. And it is no easy challenge, as with the different wheelbase sizes. engine size, horsepower and weight requirements among the three divisions, each car has handling and driving characteristics unique to itself.
A quick review of a few USAC standards can exemplify the obstacles facing the drivers in their switch from mount to mount.
A Midget, with about 350 horsepower from the 166 cubic inch engine, must weigh a minimum of 1050 pounds on a 66” minimum wheelbase, while in comparison, a Sprint Car extracts upwards of 800 horsepower from a 410 cubic inch engine placed within an 84” inch minimum wheelbase weighing a minimum of 1325 pounds. The largest of the three divisions, the Silver Crown car, produces 700 horsepower from the 355 cubic inch engine that sits within a 96” minimum wheelbase and weighing a minimum of 1625 pounds.
The excitement transcends into the grandstands, as the fans watch the drivers jump from one class to another. To get the job done, it is not uncommon to see multiple car owners and crew chiefs, each with their own philosophies, used by the drivers.
While the drivers tackle all three divisions with hopes of domination, only once has it been accomplished. In 1998, the colorful Jack Hewitt swept not only the three USAC divisions during the Four Crown, but topped the Modified field as well for an unheard of four-for-four accomplishment.
There have been nine instances of drivers picking up two wins during the Four Crown, but that hasn’t happened since 2006, when Tracy Hines prevailed in the Midget and Sprint Car portions.
Despite the odds, the trend to multiple rides will continue into this weekend, as again, they shoot to equal Hewitt’s mark.
Saturday’s busy USAC slate will be preceded by Friday’s opening leg of the historic Four Crown Nationals. The Friday menu features the winged Sprint Cars of the World Of Outlaws tour, along with the Open Wheel Modifieds, running under the sanctioning eye of the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP).
Joining the card for the entire weekend will be the restored race cars of the Vintage American Race Cars (VARC). Upwards of 40 of the antique race cars will trek to Eldora, with some of the displayed vehicles actually getting some track time on Friday evening.