By Dick Jordan
One of the more ambitious schedules is recent TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Series history was presented to enthusiastic participants gather at the USAC Headquarters yesterday.
Discussion included a wide range of topics as the 2013 calendar offers both new and renewed venues as well as purse structure incentives. In attendance were more than 25 car owners, drivers and crew members.
The race slate, scheduled to be released at next monthโs Indianapolis Motorsports Industry Show in the Hoosier capital, spans approximately a dozen events, including the recently-released debut at the Belleville High Banks in Kansas.
Also adopted during the meeting were โDelaware Double Fileโ restarts for all races in the series in 2013. In addition, all races conducted on half-mile ovals will constitute 50 laps with yellow-flag laps not counted.
“An open invitation was extended to all Traxxas Silver Crown teams to discuss the upcoming season,โ said USACโs Silver Crown Director James Spink. โI was very happy to see some new car owners, those who have been on the sidelines, and our staunch series supporters attend to discuss the upcoming season in a positive manner. The schedule offers to be one of our most entertaining in years and it was met with positive feedback from all involved.”
Defending Series Champion Bobby East, who won races on the pavement at Newton, Iowa and on the dirt at Terre Haute, Ind., was delighted at the proposed schedule and is ready for a repeat championship. โItโs great that USAC has taken the initiative to move this series forward and everything Iโve heard has been positive. The title in 2012 was huge and Iโd like nothing more than to do it again. Belleville has always been a favorite for me and that race is going to be fun and the fans should see a great race. My focus is on repeating as the champion next year!โ
Daryl Guiducci, whose cars are tied for the most ever in Silver Crown competition with Stewart at 27, said, despite his retirement from the series as an owner after a long tenure: โIโm pleased at Jamesโ direction and the fact the series is receiving the most attention itโs had in years. People will make this work, obviously, and just because Iโve taken a back seat doesnโt mean Iโm not 150 percent behind this. This year should be a turning point for the series and everything right now points in the right direction. The negative feedback certainly does not help the situation so I hope everybody continues on this recent positive track. My cars should all be continuing in the series even though my name wonโt be affixed. At present Brian Tyler doesnโt have a solid ride but he hopes to compete in 2013.โ
Long-time car owner Galen Fox who competed only in this yearโs Hoosier Hundred, commented: โThis was the most productive meeting in years. There were a lot of participants and 2013 sounds exciting. Iโm really looking forward to Belleville. In all the years Iโve been in this game Iโve never been there!โ
Gene Nolen, who has fielded cars for many years and most recently fielded driver Shane Hollingsworth, noted: โThe positive atmosphere was refreshing. The interest in the series among the participants seems to be at a high and if things that came from the meeting come together it should be a great year. Like Galen, Iโve never been to Belleville before and I canโt wait to get there.โ
Indianapolis 500 veteran Davey Hamilton, whose son Davey Jr. is among USACโs new talent pool, is also excited about the direction of the series. โI feel that USAC is on track to bring back the series we all dearly love with bigger fields and the right cars under a stable rules package. The mix of pavement and dirt with the expansion of premier venues will obviously create an interest in series investment and I hope to be involved with one or two cars myself in 2013. The true test of a champion is to have a split between dirt and pavement and it appears that has been achieved.โ