From Dick Jordan
Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. appears ready to challenge one of USAC’s most revered all-time records. That pursuit begins February 9-11 when the AMSOIL National Sprint Cars open their 2012 campaign with ‘Bubba’s Winter Dirt Games” at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.
The 2011 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Champion and Traxxas Silver Crown king now owns seven USAC National Championships and only one driver stands between him and the top of the pyramid – A.J. Foyt.
Driving for NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, Jones has reeled off four titles in the past two years and is tied with Mel Kenyon and Rich Vogler with seven National crowns, four behind Foyt’s record of 11. Foyt owns seven National Championships in Indy cars, three in Stock Cars and one in Silver Crown. Jones has two Silver Crown titles in addition to his five in the Sprint cars.
Jones scored three victories on his way to the 2011 Sprint title and now has 27 career wins in USAC’s tough Sprint series. He has yet to win in the Sunshine State, however, finishing seventh and fifth in two 2010 races at East Bay Raceway Park and a fourth, ninth and third at Ocala last year.
“Just having a chance to challenge A.J. on the all-time list is something I never even dreamed about,” admits Levi. “I’m sure when he was winning all those races and championships back then he probably didn’t think much about all-time records either, so it’s not something I dwell on. I’ve had a great run the past couple of years but it’s hard to stay on top. The team Tony has assembled has sure made my job easier and it’s a pleasure to approach each race with a chance to win. Ocala offers a challenge unlike some other tracks we go to, with a different type surface which makes car set-up a primary objective. We’ve qualified well there but things seem to change by the time the feature rolls around. This year we have a different game plan so we’ll see how it works out.”
Levi has plenty of competition in the upcoming Ocala races, with drivers like USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson and Damion Gardner, the winners at Ocala last year, plus drivers like Tracy Hines, Jon Stanbrough, Dave Darland and others.
“Bubba’s Winter Dirt Games” open the 2012 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car calendar, which spans nearly 50 events across America.