By Dick Jordan
What is being billed as the “Mother of all Sprint Car Weekends” unfolds this weekend at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio and race fans will witness a historic first.
The AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series joins the World of Outlaws in the first “doubleheaders” ever for the two series. Both series compete both nights at the famed half-mile oval.
Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., whose 55 career feature wins are an all-time series record, will seek his 100th USAC National feature victory in the two-night extravaganza. A victory would place him in the company of only three previous USAC drivers who achieved the century mark during their careers. A.J. Foyt scored 154, Rich Vogler grabbed 134 and Mel Kenyon 111.
Tracy Hines, who has 11 career Eldora wins to his credit, is also approaching the magic century mark. He ranks fifth on USAC’s all-time National win list at 91.
Chase Stockon of Elizabethtown, Ind. currently leads the series standings with “top-10” finishes in all 10 previous outings this season. He has a trio of runner-up finishes but continues to seek his first 2015 victory.
Robert Ballou, a three-time winner already in 2015, trails Stockon by just 37 points entering Friday night’s race. Darland stands third in the standings, just one point behind Ballou.
2015 AMSOIL USAC Sprint Car National Championship Points: 1-Chase Stockon-591, 2-Robert Ballou-564, 3-Dave Darland-563, 4-Brady Bacon-559, 5-Kevin Thomas Jr.-503, 6-Jon Stanbrough-477, 7-Tracy Hines-453, 8-C.J. Leary-433, 9-Chris Windom-342, 10-Justin Grant-315.