From Dick Jordan
Indianapolis, IN — (July 16, 2014) — Renewed enthusiasm in USAC’s Silver Crown Championship Series presented by TRAXXAS has resulted in what promises to be a strong field of cars for the July 24 J.D. Byrider “Rich Vogler Classic” at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind.
Highlighted by defending series champion Bobby East and former USAC Champion Ken Schrader piloting cars entered by Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, the field already includes a number of USAC Champions and could, by race time, include additional notable stars.
Following the 19-car field at Lucas Oil Raceway in May, several additional car owners have committed to compete in the July 24 race. That comes amid a strong and focused effort by USAC and new series coordinator Andy Hillenburg to augment the car counts on both the pavement and dirt races in 2014 and beyond.
Defending J.D. Byrider champion Tanner Swanson, who also won this year’s USAC “Hall of Fame” Classic at LOR, is among early entries for round five of the series. He is joined by drivers from nine states and Canada who will compete in the 100-lap race on the .686-mile paved oval.
Drivers Kody Swanson and Bobby Santos, both already winners in the 2014 Silver Crown series, are also in the field, along with Tracy Hines, the winningest USAC driver in LOR history, plus current “Indiana Sprint Week” point leader Dave Darland and ISW point runner-up Chris Windom.
Throw in Canadian standout Ryan Litt, Sprint car standout C.J. Leary and leading west coast Midget rookie Jarid Blondel and the return to Silver Crown competition of long-time car owner Gene Nolen and his driver, USAC Triple Crown Champion Jerry Coons Jr., and you have what amounts to a versatile field certain to produce a spectacular race.
“We are really excited as this race builds toward what we expect to be a stellar field of cars and drivers,” says USAC President Kevin Miller. While acknowledging the increased interest in the Silver Crown series, he also points out that the decline in terms of Midget pavement participation has led to removing that portion of the originally-scheduled double-header. “We want to make sure this event represents the type of quality entertainment our race fans deserve, hence our decision to exclude the Midgets from this event.”
Drivers will be challenging the late Jason Leffler’s one-lap track qualifying record of 121.667 mph during the July 24 activities.