Swanson Begins Quest for USAC History Sunday in Terre Haute’s “Sumar Classic” Silver Crown Opener
Story By: DICK JORDAN / USAC SERIES MEDIA Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
INDIANAPOLIS, IN- March 30, 2016-Kody Swanson hopes to become the first driver in history to claim three consecutive USAC Silver Crown championships when he begins his quest this Sunday, April 3rd at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track as the 2016 series debuts with the 100-lap “Sumar Classic” at the half-mile dirt oval located at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
Kingsburg, California’s Swanson could become just the third driver to claim a third series title, joining Jimmy Sills (1990-1994-1996) and Bud Kaeding (2006-2007-2009).
Swanson scored three dirt-track victories on his way to the 2015 Silver Crown title, but Terre Haute wasn’t one of them. After winning the pole, he only managed a seventh-place run behind race winner Shane Cockrum. In 2014, Kody won the “Sumar Classic” on his way to his first USAC championship.
Cockrum, of Benton, Illinois, emerged as a true title contender last year and will certainly be one to watch in this year’s race. He added a Du Quoin, (Illinois) State Fairgrounds victory to his Terre Haute win and took fifth in the final 2015 standings.
The field for the race in Terre Haute includes a strong contingent of cars and drivers including two-time Indianapolis 500 veteran Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. Three former “Sumar Classic” winners are among those expected to compete: the aforementioned two most recent “Sumar” winners Cockrum and Swanson, as well as Lincoln, Indiana’s Dave Darland, who won the race in 2008.
Jerry Coons Jr., of Tucson, Ariz., the 2008 USAC Silver Crown champion, is entered for the race along with Chris Windom of Canton, Ill., who won last year’s Silver Crown event at the Belleville (Kans.) High Banks.
Among other drivers to keep an eye on include 2015 Silver Crown top-ten point standings’ finishers C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.), Austin Nemire (Sylvania, OH), Justin Grant (Ione, Calif) and David Byrne (Shullsburg, Wisc.) as well as Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla., a 2014 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car winner the Terre Haute Action Track.
This Sunday’s 16th edition of the “Sumar Classic” has a history that dates back to 1995 when Springfield, Illinois driver and Indy 500 veteran Donnie Beechler took the victory. Although, the first USAC Silver Crown series’ race at the Terre Haute Action Track took place in November of 1980, a race won by the late, great Gary Bettenhausen.
Sunday’s event also includes the UMP Modifieds with longtime NASCAR veterans and Missouri natives Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace set to compete.
Spectator gates open for the Sunday, April 3rd “Sumar Classic” at 3:00pm. Silver Crown practice begins at 3:30 followed by UMP Modified practice at 3:45. A second round of Silver Crown practice at 4:00 precedes the 4:40 start of Silver Crown qualifying. UMP Modified heats are slated for 5:15 and the Modified feature is set for 6:00. The 100-lap “Sumar Classic” Silver Crown feature begins at 7:00.
Kids 12 & Under are free with a paid adult while general admission infield tickets start at just 15 bucks. Adult grandstand seats are only $25.
Fans can receive a FREE pit pass upgrade with an advance purchase of a grandstand seat now. Tickets are now available at: https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/terre-haute-sc-april.
UPCOMING USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
DATE: Sunday, April 3, 2016
SERIES: USAC Silver Crown Championship
TRACK: Terre Haute Action Track (Terre Haute, IN) – 1/2-Mile, Semi-Banked Dirt Oval
EVENT: “Sumar Classic” featuring the USAC Silver Crown Championship
STARTING TIMES: Pit gates open at 1pm. Silver Crown drivers’ meeting at 3pm. Grandstands open at 3:30pm. Silver Crown hot laps at 4pm. Silver Crown qualifying at 4:40pm. UMP Modified heats at 5:15pm. UMP Modified feature at 6pm. Silver Crown feature at 7pm.
TICKET: Infield (Adult): $15.00. Grandstand (Adult): $25.00. Children age 12 and under: FREE. Pit Pass: $35.00
TRACK ADDRESS: 3901 South US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN, 47807
TRACK PHONE: (812) 232-4040
TRACK WEBSITE: http://terrehauteactiontrack.net/
PAST USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WINNERS AT THE TERRE HAUTE ACTION TRACK
1980: Gary Bettenhausen
1995: Donnie Beechler
1996: Kevin Thomas
1997: Donnie Beechler
1998: Tony Elliott
1999: Jack Hewitt
2002: Tony Elliott
2003: J.J. Yeley
2004: Brian Tyler
2005: Josh Wise
2006: Bud Kaeding
2008: Dave Darland
2010: Levi Jones
2012: Bobby East
2014: Kody Swanson
2015: Shane Cockrum
2016 USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Apr 3: Terre Haute, IN – Terre Haute Action Track
Apr 30: Toledo, OH – Toledo Speedway
May 26: Indianapolis, IN – Indiana State Fairgrounds
May 27: Brownsburg, IN – Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
Jun 10: Mechanicsburg, PA – Williams Grove Speedway
Jun 25: @ Madison, IL – Gateway Motorsports Park
Jul 21: Brownsburg, IN – Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
Aug 13: Salem, IN – Salem Speedway
Aug 20: @ Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fairgrounds
Sep 3: DuQuoin, IL – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
Sep 24: Rossburg, OH – Eldora Speedway
