TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — This Friday’s Jim Hurtubise Classic” AMSOIL USAC National Sprint race at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track honors the memory of the driver who scored five consecutive USAC Sprint Car victories at the storied track between 1960 and 1962 while also looking to see if another driver can add to his record total of USAC Sprint car wins.
Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., who eclipsed Tom Bigelow’s all-time USAC Sprint car victory record Sunday at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, has returned to the series point lead and takes a five-point cushion over Brady Bacon into Friday’s race at the track where he claimed the “Tony Hulman Classic” in May.
Bryan Clauson, who stands third in the points, won the “Indiana Sprint Week” feature at Terre Haute in July and will try to give long-time car owner Mike Curb his 100th USAC National feature victory in Friday’s competition.
Darland repeated as the champion of the Stoops Freightliner-Quality Trailer “Sprint Car Smackdown” this past weekend in Kokomo, Ind., tying Bigelow’s record with his 52nd career win Saturday, then closing out the four-day racing extravaganza with #53 in Sunday’s 40-lap finale.
The Action Track gates open at 4 p.m. Friday with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. (All times are Eastern.)
The race at the Action Track Friday kicks off a busy few days for the USAC open wheel drivers. After the Jim Hurtubise Classic, many of the drivers will prepare for the Ted Horn 100 for USAC Silver Crown cars at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds. The 100-miler on the DuQuoin’s Magic Mile is a favorite of fans and drivers. Following a rainout in mid-August, the Tony Bettenhausen 100 for Silver Crown cars has been rescheduled for Sept. 7 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Silver Crown program will be a complete show, including qualifying. A star-studded field was ready to roll on the Springfield Mile and is expected to return for the new date.
The Tony Bettenhausen 100 is one day after the POWRi midgets make an appearance at Macon Speedway, the legendary fifth-mile oval located just nine miles south of Decatur, Ill., in Macon. The POWRi midgets and outlaw micros will both run double features.
One day after the Ted Horn 100, the Southern Illinois 100 is the second time the ARCA stock cars step onto the dirt this season. The Labor Day Classic features a loaded field, including defending champion Ken Schrader.
For tickets to the Action Track, call 812-232-4040. For tickets to events in DuQuoin, Springfield and Macon, call Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200. For more information, go online at trackenterprises.com and maconracing.com.