SANTOS ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY FRIDAY AT TOLEDO
SANTOS ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY FRIDAY AT TOLEDO
Story By: Richie Murray/USAC Media
Photos By: Al Steinberg/USAC Racing
In the long, storied history of the United States Auto Club, only 19 individuals have posted their name on an exclusive list of drivers who’ve captured Silver Crown, National Sprint and National Midget features at a single track during their careers.
Even fewer are the names who comprise the list of individuals who’ve accomplished the feat at multiple tracks. Dave Darland has done so at Eldora Speedway and the Terre Haute Action Track. Jack Hewitt snagged all three in one night amongst his 24 career USAC wins at Eldora. Both Tracy Hines and Dave Steele got all three at Indianapolis Raceway Park/Lucas Oil Raceway and Pikes Peak International Raceway.
It’s a list that showcases dominance and versatility. Two of them – Darland and Hewitt – are already members of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. Hines and Steele are almost assuredly to join them one day.
Bobby Santos has an opportunity in this Friday night’s Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness “Rollie Beale Classic” Silver Crown to equal the feats of those four racing giants. The Franklin, Massachusetts native has already done the deed at IRP/LOR with a USAC National Midget win in 2006, three Sprint wins in 2006, 2007 and 2011 to go along with his four Silver Crown wins in 2009, twice in 2012 and just last week.
Santos can repeat that astounding stat line at Toledo where a 2006 Sprint victory and a 2009 Midget triumph already stand as a testament to his prowess on the paved, Ohio half-mile oval.
Santos enters Friday night’s race as one of the favorites. In three starts this season, he has a pair of wins (Phoenix & Lucas Oil) in addition a 2nd place run at Lucas Oil in May.
Pits open for Friday’s race at Toledo at 1:30 with two sessions of Silver Crown practice scheduled from 4:30-5pm and 5:25-5:45pm. Silver Crown ProSource Qualifying is set for 6:45 while the night’s racing program will get underway at 7:30pm (Times Subject to Change).
Advance adult tickets are just $20, but $25 if purchased on the day of the event. Advance sales end at 5pm Thursday, July 27. Children Age 6-12 can receive admission for $3. Children 5 & Under are FREE! (All seating is general admission). Pit passes are $30 for USAC members and $35 for non-members.
DRIVERS WHO’VE WON USAC SILVER CROWN, NATIONAL SPRINT & NATIONAL MIDGET FEATURES AT SAME TRACK
Gary Bettenhausen (Terre Haute Action Track)
Tom Bigelow (Du Quoin State Fairgrounds)
Mike Bliss (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Pancho Carter (Indiana State Fairgrounds)
Bryan Clauson (Eldora Speedway)
Jerry Coons, Jr. (Eldora Speedway)
Dave Darland (Eldora Speedway & Terre Haute Action Track)
Bobby East (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Tony Elliott (Terre Haute Action Track)
Jack Hewitt (Eldora Speedway & Terre Haute Action Track)
Tracy Hines (Indianapolis Raceway Park & Pikes Peak International Raceway)
Kenny Irwin, Jr. (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Jim Keeker (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Kyle Larson (Eldora Speedway)
Bobby Santos (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Dave Steele (Indianapolis Raceway Park & Pikes Peak International Raceway)
Tony Stewart (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Kody Swanson (Indianapolis Raceway Park)
J.J. Yeley (Eldora Speedway)
