By Dick Jordan
This week’s “Hoosier Hundred” ushers in a new era of Traxxas USAC Silver Crown racing and for the first time the race will occur on a new weeknight – Thursday.
The 100-mile race on the 1-mile dirt Indiana State Fairgrounds oval has tradition and history rivaling any other American dirt race, dating back to the inaugural in 1953 won by soon-to-become 1955 Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert.
This year’s running becomes the series opener since rain forced an April 28 postponement at Terre Haute, Ind. and last Saturday night’s “Hall of Fame” Classic was also postponed due to the extension of Indianapolis 500 Pole Day activities which created logistical impositions for race officials and fans.
The “Hoosier Hundred” has historically been the target of American dirt-track racers and its list of winners includes Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones and Sweikert.
Defending series champion Bobby East will be searching for his first Hoosier Hundred win as he tries to give his team – Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing – a record breaking 28th series victory. His teammate, Levi Jones, will also be seeking his first victory in the classic.
Thursday night’s event will also now include induction ceremonies for five of this year’s USAC Hall of Fame inductees, since the scheduled inductions were delayed by last Saturday’s postponement at Lucas Oil Raceway. Those being honored Thursday include Tom Bigelow, Jack Hewitt, Earl Baltes, Tony Bettenhausen and Henry Banks.
The official one-lap qualifying record at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is 114.726 mph, established in 1995 by Johnny Parsons. Kenny Jacobs set the 100-mile race record of 106.977 mph in 1987.
Drivers Jerry Coons Jr. and Chris Windom will try to give RW Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian a fourth consecutive Hoosier Hundred race win. Shane Hmiel was the 2010 winner and Coons won the last two years.