By Larry Boos
ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 20) – Eldora Speedway will continue to honor the legacy of Larry Rice during this weekend’s Four Crown Nationals; through the Larry Rice High Performance Award. The distinctive awards, designed to preserve the dedication and achievements of Rice, will see cash awards of $750 presented to the USAC (United States Auto Club) Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown drivers who advance the most positions in their respective A-Main events on Saturday, September 24.
Rice, a highly respected driver and broadcaster, passed away in May of 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer.
It was through USAC, and the many forms of open wheel racing that the Indianapolis based sanctioned body offered, that Larry Rice gained much of his eminence. During his storied 24-year racing career, he competed in 650 USAC sanctioned events, and earned three National titles. In 1978 he was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
After hanging up his helmet and driving gloves, Rice remained involved with the sport as a respected broadcaster with ESPN and other networks, and later ventured into the motorsports insurance business.
Eldora’s unique Four Crown Nationals was the first event of its kind to gather USAC’s premier National divisions under one banner and in one location. Rice was a strong supporter of the novel idea. In 1985 he doubled up at the Four Crown with checkered flags in the Sprint and Silver Crown divisions, and then returned two years later to capture yet another Silver Crown win.
On and off the track, Rice was revered by his colleagues. It was a result of this respect that Eldora’s track owner, Tony Stewart, felt compelled to carry on the Larry Rice name in a manner that reflected his determination to succeed.
Previous winners of the award include Cale Conley and Brad Kuhn in the Midgets, Robert Ballou and Dave Darland in the Sprints and Cody Swanson and Todd Kane in the Silver Crown division.
The USAC portion of the Four Crown Nationals will be night number two of the multi-day weekend. On Friday night, the one-half mile clay oval will host the travelling Sprint Cars of the World of Outlaw (WoO) series, along with the UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Modifieds in a complete show.
Joining both nights of the weekend will be members of the Vintage American Race Cars (VARC) with their display and on-track exhibition of restored race vehicles.
Complete event information may be found on the track’s website www.eldoraspeedway.com.