AAARRRCCCAAA RRREEE///MMMAAAXXX

3---Greetings From Track Enterprises

4---A History of Auto Racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

5---Track Records of the World‟s Fastest One Mile Dirt Track

8---Tentative Tony Bettenhausen 100 Entry List/USAC Schedule

10-USAC Point Standings

11-USAC Driver Profiles

17-Tony Bettenhausen

19-Winners of the Tony Bettenhausen 100

21-Pole Position Winners for the Tony Bettenhausen 100

23-Championship Car Lap Leaders

26-Championship Car Track Facts

34-ARCA RE/MAX Schedule & Points

35 ARCA Driver Profiles/Entry List

40-Winners of the Allen Crowe 100

42-Pole Position Winners of the Allen Crowe 100

44-Stock Car Lap Leaders

46-Stock Car Track Facts

51-Allen Crowe

53-Sportsman Nationals Preview and Winners

Greetings from Track Enterprises:

Thank you for your interest in motor sports and welcome to the annual auto racing weekend that closes out the 2009 Illinois State Fair. The last weekend of the fair marks not only the 99th anniversary of competitive auto racing during the Illinois State Fair, but Track Enterprises 16th year of bringing automobile racing to the capitol city. The Illinois State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt track is known around the world for it‟s auto racing heritage, and it is our privilege to follow in the footsteps of legendary promoters Ralph Hankinson, J.C. Agajanian, Buck Kidd and the late Bill Oldani.

The staff and I at Track Enterprises are honored that we can bring Central Illinois two of the most prestigious and unique events on the 2009 auto racing calendar. We are also pleased to have Federated Auto Parts on board as a corporate partner. Our festival of speed on the "World‟s Fastest One Mile Dirt Track" begins Saturday, August 22 with the 49th running of the "Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100" for the United States Auto Club Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship Series. Brian Tyler joined elite companylast year with his third Bettenhausen 100 victory and in the process gave Toyota Motor Company their first 100 mile dirt track victory. 2009 marks the 75th anniversary of the first national championship dirt track race on the Springfield Mile, won by Billy Winn.

Our celebration of motor sports ends on Sunday, August 23 with the 47th "Allen Crowe Memorial 100" for the Automobile Club of America RE/MAX Stock Car Series, along with the 16th annual Sportsman Nationals for our local competitors. Frank Kimmel may just get the deed to the race track as he racked up a record seventh Crowe 100 win last year and put the stock car record in the stratosphere while the Sportsman race saw Springfield‟s Dennis Vandermeersch win the Sportsman National event for the third time.

We are humbled that we honor two of Illinois‟ native sons in racing great Tony Bettenhausen from Tinley Park, and Springfield‟s own Allen Crowe with their memorial events. We look forward each year to the appearance of the Silver Crown cars, a racing machine that has a heritage dating back over 100 years as the ancestor of the modern day Indianapolis car. We also greatly anticipate the Sunday appearance of the full bodied stock cars on the gumbo clay, only one of two times each year these cars race on a dirt surface.

Tradition and history are abundant at the "World‟s Fastest One Mile Dirt Track". Coming through the tunnel under the north turn, you can hear the distant echoes of racing engines from years ago. Closing your eyes, you can imagine legends such as Ted Horn, Jimmy Bryan, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti or Al Unser taking a checkered flag in a championship machine, or the stock cars of Don White, Butch Hartman, Curtis Turner or the late Dean Roper pulling into victory lane. Each of our competitors this year hopes to add his name to the list of legends that won at the "Springfield Mile".

Tickets for these two events are on sale now at the Illinois State Fair Box Office, Ticketmaster or by calling us at 217-764-3200. Should you have questions regarding the 2009 Illinois State fair racing events, please contact me at 217-764-3200 or at [email protected]. You may contact Dick Jordan of the United States Auto Club at www.usacracing.com, and Don Radebaugh of the ARCA RE/MAX series at www.arcaracing.com. Our historian Jay Hardin is also available to answer questions regarding auto racing at the Springfield Mile, he can be contacted at 618-694-3135 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Sincerely.

Bob Sargent

CEO Track Enterprises

Illinois State Fairgrounds

"World’s Fastest One Mile Dirt Track"

Entering it‟s 156th year, the Illinois State Fair has been the site of one of the premier dual purpose racing since auto racing became part of the fair‟s lineup of entertainment in 1910. The mile of dirt, one of only four one mile dirt tracks still in operation in the world, remains a traditional stop on the schedules of USAC, ARCA and for thousands of race fans each year

Exhibition races had been part of the fair prior to 1910, however it appears the first actual scheduled competition was slated for the 1910 fair. Racing continued until 1929, when a spectator fatality convinced the fair board to remove racing from the fair lineup. Bombastic promoter Ralph Hankinson convinced the fair and the American Automobile Association to return racing to the fair‟s lineup in 1934, and sanction was granted for an AAA National Championship (Indy Car) race. Sprint car races were run during the years just prior to and after World War I, while AAA added stock cars in 1950, and USAC bought in midgets in the early 70‟s. There have been a number of events held outside the ten-day run of the Illinois State Fair, including USAC and AAA Stock Car events, short track late model and modified races, and sprint car and supermodified races during the 1970‟s.

The fair itself moved around the state for several years before settling into its permanent home in 1894. The original dirt track was constructed on a northwest to southeast axis, turn four of the original track was now where turn one exists, and the main stretch ran past the present Food-O-Rama area. Turn one was near Peoria Road, and the tiny wooden grandstand seated very few people. In 1926, the racetrack was completely torn out and redone to the present day configuration. The present grandstand, an architectural marvel, was constructed of steel and concrete and designed to hold well in excess of ten thousand people. Rich dirt and clay were used for the racing surface, soft enough to let harness horses run during the week, yet moist and tough enough to stand the pounding of racecars on the weekends during the fair.

The first race on the new track was conducted in 1927. A board and chain link fence (parts of which still exist) surrounded both sides of the track, with periodic watering stations. Tunnels for spectators and cars were placed in turn 4 and turn one, as well as under the front stretch. Other improvements came over the years, with a paved road placed in the infield and a concrete retaining wall was added in 1966. Perhaps the most significant renovation came in 1979, when then director of motor sports Bill Oldani had several tons of gumbo clay added to the surface, replacing dirt that had washed off over several years. The next year, the dangerous board inner rail was removed, replaced by a modern hub rail.

Those improvements helped Springfield enhance an already good reputation as one of the fastest and best dirt tracks in the country. In the next five years, it would become the fastest dirt track in the world for the USAC dirt champ cars, USAC and ARCA stock cars, short track late models, and winged sprint cars. Springfield currently holds five one-lap world records for auto racing, and several more world race records at differing distances. The qualification lap in 1998 by Sammy Swindell in his World of Outlaws sprint car in excess of 145 miles an hour is believed the fastest ever lap ever turned on any dirt track by an automobile. The past ninety nine years have seen many great racing moments and many great racing drivers on the Springfield Mile, hall of fame drivers such as Mauri Rose, Wilbur Shaw, Rodger Ward, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Butch Hartman, Norm Nelson and Roger McCluskey all won races on the Illinois State fair clay, helping to enhance the stature of the fairground oval in motor racing history.

1 Lap 29.305 122.846 8/19/2006 Tracy Hines/Indiana Underground 37

8 MI 4:32.25 105.785 8/22/1987 Manny Rockhold/Automotive Machine 19

10MI 5:19.91 112.532 8/18/2001 Aaron Fike/RFMS 93

12MI 6:44.91 106.690 8/19/1989 George Snider/Skoal Classic 11

15MI 7:58.00 112.971 8/20/2005 Matt Westfall/Peterbilt 14

100M 56:07.00 106.920 8/22/1987 Jack Hewitt/J.W. Hunt-Barfield‟s 63

1 Lap 32.878 109.496 8/17/2008 Frank Kimmel/Ford Fusion 46

10MI 7:45.26 77.376 9/28/1952 Marshall Teague/Hudson Hornet

100M 1:08:00.00 90.000* 8/18/1991 Bobby Bowsher/Ford Thunderbird 21

1 Lap No record established

3 MI 1:45.89 101.993 8/20/2005 Danny O‟Dell/Chevrolet Monte Carlo 77

6 MI 3:48.44 103.627 10/18/1997 Ed Bauman/Chevrolet Camaro 12

8 MI 4:42.94 101.788 8/19/2002 Steve Sheppard Jr./Chevrolet Camaro 38

20MI 27:13.22 44.085 8/17/2008 Dennis Vandermeersch/Chevrolet 25

Tyler leads what could be a field in excess of 30 cars to visit the legendary Springfield Mile on Saturday, August 22 including several former winners of the Tony Bettenhausen 100 and the current top ten in the K&N national title chase. However, of the top ten only two drivers, including Tyler who is at press time third in the chase, have posted victories in 100-mile championship dirt car races.

Including Fike, Jones and Daum, the state of Illinois stands to be well represented at Springfield with six or more drivers from the Prairie State figuring to be part of the entry list. Springfield‟s Donnie Beechler, a five time starter at the Indianapolis 500, continues his quest for a win on the Springfield Mile. Elkhart‟s Chris Urish surprised everyone at the May Hoosier Hundred with a strong run to sixth, his best ever series finish. Murphysboro‟s Randy Bateman is a long-time entrant in the Silver Crown cars while Champaign‟s Patrick Bruns returns for his second season in the series.

Drivers coming to Springfield know they will be racing on hallowed ground, fertile Midwestern earth that has taken the best that hall of fame drivers have thrown at the mile dirt track. When Brian Tyler won his third championship dirt car event in 2008, he joined the late Tony Bettenhausen, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Al Unser, Mario Andretti and Dave Darland in the three-time winner‟s club, while trailing legends such as Jack Hewitt (4), A.J. Foyt (4) and Chuck Gurney (7) on Springfield‟s all-time win list. The exclusive Springfield championship winners club includes 9 Indianapolis 500 winners (accounting for 20 Indy 500 wins), 9 national driving champions and ten USAC Silver Crown champions.

NO Driver-Hometown Car-Chassis-Engine

4 Contos Racing/Beast/Chevrolet

5 Cole Carter/Brownsburg, IN Beast/Chevrolet

6 Derek Hagar/Marion, AR Klatt Motorsports/J&J/ford

7 Matt Westfall/Ludlow Falls, OH SC Racing/Beast/Chevrolet

10 Levi Jones/Olney, IL Bass Pro Shops/Maxim/Chevrolet

12 Galas Racing Special/Magnum/Chevrolet

14 Donnie Beechler/Springfield, IL A.J. Foyt/Stanton/Mopar

17 Shane Hmiel/Pleasant Garden. NC RW Motorsports/Beast/Mopar

19 Kody Swanson!Kingsburg, CA Fatheadz Sunglasses/Beast/Toyota

20 Shane Hollingsworth/Indianapolis, IN Ray Skillman/Comp. Welding/Chevrolet

21 Brian Tyler/Parma, MI Fatheadz Sunglasses/Beast/Toyota

26 Aaron Pierce/Indianapolis, IN Sam Pierce Chevrolet/Beast/Chevrolet

27 Jerry Coons Jr./Tuscon,AZ RW Motorsports/Beast/Mopar

28 Pierson Racing/Beast/Chevrolet

29 Bud Kaeding!Campbell, CA Kaeding Performance/JEI/Chevrolet

32 A.J. Fike/Galesburg, IL Liberty Village-RFMS/Eagle/Chevrolet

36 Miller Machine/Stealth/Chevrolet

37 Jon Stanbrough/Kokomo, IN Indiana Underground Construction/Beast/Chevy

43 Tony Elliot/Warsaw, IN Nix Tire Service/Beast/Chevrolet

50 Zach Daum/Pocahontas, IL Daum Insurance/Beast/Chevrolet

51 Russ Gamester/Peru, IN First Financial of Terre Haute/F5/Chevro let

55 Randy Bateman/Murphysboro, IL Bateman Racing/Beast/Chevrolet

56 Dave Darland/Lincoin, IN Jarvis Enterprises-Plastic Express/Beast /Chevrolet

65 Von McGee Chuck‟s Auto Salvage/J&J/Chevrolet

71 Cole Whitt/Apline,Ca Red Bull-CW ManagementSpecial

77 Chris Urish/Elkhart, IL Team Purple/Beast/Chevrolet

81 Patrick Bruns/Champaign, IL Beast/Chevrolet

83 Mike Stroehie Predator/Chevrolet

98 Bill Rose/Plainfield, IN Lesko Enterprises/Beast/Chevrolet

153 Tom Capie/Trevose, PA Indy RV Center/Beast/Chevrolet

199 Josh Wise/Riverside, CA RE Technolgies/J&J/Ford

991 Jesse Hockett/Warsaw, MO RE Technolgies/J&J/Ford

2/20-21 Phoenix, AZ Manzanita Speedway 1/2 D Night 50 Laps Bud Kaeding

5/22 Indianapolis, IN Indiana State Fairgrounds 1 D Night 100 M Shane Hollingsworth

6/26-27 Richmond, VA Richmond International Raceway 3/4 P N 100 Laps Brian Tyler

7/23 Indianapolis, IN O'Reilly Raceway Park.686 P Night 100 Laps

7/31 Newton, IA Iowa Speedway 7/8 P Night 100 Laps

8/6 Oswego, NY Oswego Speedway 5/8 P Night 100 Laps

8/22 Springfield, IL Illinois State Fairgrounds 1 D Day 100 M

9/6 DuQuoin, IL DuQuoin State Fairgrounds 1 D Night 100 M

9/26 Rossburg, OH Eldora Speedway 1/2 D Night 50 Laps

11/12 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix International Raceway 1 P Night 100 Miles

2009 Point Standings (Prior to July 23 Race)

Position Driver Points

1 Bud Kaeding 147

2 Tracy Hines 126

3 Brian Tyler 120

4 A.J. Fike 113

5 Zach Daum 100

6 Shane Hmiel 96

7 Levi Jones 92

8 Jerry Coons Jr. 90

9 Derek Hagar 82

10 Jesse Hockett 81

11 Jon Stanbrough 74

12 Josh Wise 71

13 Shane Hollingsworth 66

14 Bobby East 63

15 Dave Darland 57

16 Kody Swanson 56

17 Cameron Dodson 54

18 Ryan Smith 51

19 Russ Gamester 48

20 Chris Urish 45

USAC Driver Profiles #27 Jerry Coons, Jr./Tuscon, AZ/RW Motorsports Beast The 2008 USAC Silver Crown Series champ has experienced mixed success on the dirt miles with several up front starts but no wins to date. Coons has ten starts at the Illinois State Fairgrounds with a pole in 2004 and three runner-up finishes but has yet to find victory lane in the Tony Bettenhausen 100. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1998 22 9 100 run 1350 2000 16 18 99 run 500 2001 7 2 100 run 4500 2002 3 2 100 run 4500 2003 2 2 100 1 run 4500 2004 1 3 100 1 run 3200 2005 6 21 88 out 400 lr tire 2006 11 5 100 run 2050 2007 5 28 30 out 500 engine 2008 25 6 100 run 1600 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 10 10 2 0 10 Pole/Win 1 0 Top 10 6 7 11 Back 4 3 Max 25 28 100 1 0 4500 Min 1 2 30 1 0 400 Avg 9.8 9.6 91.7 1 2310 Total 917 2 0 23100 Distance 7 Led All 0 Running 8 Out 2 Out-Acc 0 #10 Levi Jones/Olney, IL/Bass Pro Shops Maxim Two-time USAC Sprint Car champion, once for Scott Benic and now for Tony Stewart. A former star basketball player for Olney (East Richland) on a Sectional team several years ago. In 2007 Jones became the first driver from Illinois since Bubby Jones in 1978 to sit on the pole for the Tony Bettenhausen 100. Jones led a good portion of the first half of the 2007 Bettenhausen before falling prey to eventual winner and teammate Ricky Stenhouse. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 2001 29 26 50 out 350 overheat 2003 12 23 82 out 400 tire 2006 9 24 34 out 400 exhaust 2007 1 23 73 28 out 500 RR tire 2008 3 13 100 run 700 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 5 5 5 1 0 1 5 Pole/Win 1 0 Top 10 3 0 11 Back 2 5 Max 29 26 100 28 0 1 700 Min 1 13 34 28 0 1 350 Avg 10.8 21.8 67.8 28 1 470 Total 339 28 1 2350 Distance 1

Led All 0 Running 1 Out 4 Out-Acc #14 Donnie Beechler/Springfield, IL/NAPA-A.J. Foyt Stanton A five time starter at Indianapolis, Beechler returns to try for start number 13 at Springfield running just the two Illinois dirt miles. His best finish at Springfield is 3rd in 1997 and he has yet to lead a lap at his home track. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1988 1 1989 1 1990 1 1993 23 24 50 out 400 engine 1994 22 9 95 run 1100 1995 15 7 100 run 1400 1996 4 28 16 out 300 suspension 1997 11 3 100 run 3000 1998 3 18 72 out 500 engine 2000 18 11 99 run 900 2003 11 8 100 run 1200 2004 22 30 16 out 350 suspension 2006 14 4 100 run 2000 2007 24 9 75 run 1100 2008 11 22 22 out 500 overheat Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 12 12 12 0 0 5 12 Pole/Win 0 0 Top 10 2 6 11 Back 10 6 Max 24 30 100 0 0 1 3000 Min 3 3 16 0 0 1 300 Avg 14.8 14.4 70.4 1 1062.5 Total 845 0 5 12750 Distance 4 Led All 0 Running 7 Out 5 Out-Acc 0 #20 Shane Hollingsworth/Noblesville, IN/Ray Skillman-KECO A second generation driver who has learned from father Blake as well as the Nolen racing team how to navigate the dirt mile at Springfield, teaching that paid off with a pole position in last year‟s Tony Bettenhausen 100. Shane has been running at the end of four of his 5 Springfield starts with his first top ten coming last year. Shane won the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in May. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 2004 4 10 99 run 1000 2005 22 16 99 run 500 2006 7 17 83 out 500 accident 2007 19 14 75 run 650 2008 1 3 100 run 3000 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 5 5 0 0 5 Pole/Win 1 0 Top 10 3 2

11 Back 2 3 Max 22 17 100 0 0 0 3000 Min 1 3 75 0 0 0 500 Avg 10.6 12 91.2 1130 Total 456 0 0 5650 Distance 1 Led All 0 Running 4 Out 1 Out-Acc 1 #21 Brian Tyler/Parma,MI/Fatheadz Sunglasses Beast-Toyota Three time and defending Bettenhausen 100 winner, Brian has ten starts in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 making him one of the true „veterans‟. His three wins put him just behind A.J. Foyt and Jack Hewitt (4 each) and Chuck Gurney (7). With 199 laps led, he is now in 9th on the laps led list in dirt car competition at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and 6th on the all-time money won list at Springfield. In ten races he has completed 96% of the laps in competition and gone the distance 7 times, in addition to dropping out just once in those ten events. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1997 16 14 99 run 600 1998 11 7 100 run 1400 1999 16 8 100 run 1200 2000 15 7 100 run 1400 2001 2002 1 2003 17 19 88 out 500 accident 2004 21 1 100 53 run 9300 2005 16 1 100 46 run 9000 2006 6 2 100 run 4500 2007 6 10 75 run 1000 2008 2 1 100 100 run 10500 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 10 10 10 3 0 1 10 Pole/Win 0 3 Top 10 3 8 11 Back 7 2 Max 21 19 100 100 0 1 10500 Min 2 1 75 46 0 1 500 Avg 12.6 7 96.2 66.3 1 3940 Total 962 199 1 39400 Distance 7 Led All 1 Running 9 Out 1 Out-Acc 1 #22 Tracy Hines/New Castle, IN/Bass Pro Shops Maxim The 2000 USAC Silver Crown champion won twice on the mile at DuQuoin and captured a Springfield win in 2006 when Dave Steele was disqualified. Current one lap track record holder. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1996 12 8 99 run 1200 1997 1998 8 6 100 run 1600 1999 10 2 100 run 4500

2000 3 9 100 run 1100 2001 4 15 98 run 1000 2002 5 3 100 run 3000 2003 4 5 100 run 1800 2004 2005 9 28 19 out 350 engine 2006 1 1 100 100 run 9800 2007 2008 8 11 100 run 900 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 10 10 10 1 0 0 10 Pole/Win 1 1 Top 10 9 7 11 Back 1 3 Max 12 28 100 100 0 0 9800 Min 1 1 19 100 0 0 350 Avg 6.4 8.8 91.6 100 2525 Total 916 100 0 25250 Distance 7 Led All 1 Running 9 Out 1 Out-Acc 0 #29 Bud Kaeding/Campbell, CA/Kaeding Performance JEI Despite several strong runs on the dirt miles the two-time champion has yet to win on one of the big tracks, he has finished 5 of the 6 Bettenhausen 100‟s he has made. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 2000 4 2 100 79 run 5000 2001 14 20 94 run 500 2004 8 8 100 run 1200 2006 18 20 66 out 500 accident 2007 7 3 75 run 3500 2008 17 5 100 run 2300 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 6 6 6 1 0 0 6 Pole/Win 0 0 Top 10 3 4 11 Back 3 2 Max 18 20 100 79 0 0 5000 Min 4 2 66 79 0 0 500 11.3 9.6 89.1 79 2166.66 Total 535 79 0 13000 Distance 3 Led All 0 Running 5 Out 1 Out-Acc 1 #51 Russ Gamester/Peru, IN/First Financial of Terre Haute Tied with Dave Darland with most career starts of any active driver at Springfield with 17. 1998 Tony Bettenhausen 100 winner. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1989 27 24 60 out 400 engine 1990 21 14 99 run 600

1991 10 12 99 run 800 1992 6 8 100 run 1200 1994 18 4 100 run 2000 1995 16 21 50 out 400 overheat 1996 1 1997 1 2 100 44 run 5000 1998 1 1 100 87 run 9100 1999 6 4 100 run 2000 2000 5 27 34 out 350 engine 2001 9 3 100 run 3000 2002 6 9 99 out 1100 out fuel 2003 25 27 55 out 350 accident 2004 7 27 39 out 350 rad hose 2006 13 25 28 out 350 engine 2007 27 34 9 out 300 engine 2008 15 14 99 run 650 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 17 17 17 2 0 1 17 Pole/Win 2 1 Top 10 9 7 11 Back 8 10 Max 27 34 100 87 0 1 9100 Min 1 1 9 44 0 1 300 Avg 12.5 15.0 74.7 65.5 1 1644.11 Total 1271 131 1 27950 Distance 6 Led All 0 #55 Randy Bateman/Murphysboro, IL/Bateman Racing Beast Hard luck driver from Southern Illinois is second on list for unsuccessful attempts behind Ralph Ligouri. Has yet to crack the top 10 at Springfield but has top 5 starts at both DuQuoin and Indianapolis. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1983 1 1984 25 27 22 out 300 engine Running 9 Out 8 Out-Acc 1 1990 1 1991 22 18 97 run 500 1992 1 1993 1 1995 25 30 4 out 300 engine 1997 1 1998 1 1999 15 30 2 out 350 accident 2000 30 29 7 out 350 accident 2002 1 2003 1 2004 27 16 98 run 500 2005 14 27 25 out 350 rf tire 2007 39 32 22 out 300 engine 2008 13 17 96 out 550 out fuel Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 9 9 9 0 0 8 9

Pole/Win 0 0 Top 10 0 0 11 Back 9 9 Max 39 32 98 0 0 1 550 Min 13 16 2 0 0 1 300 Avg 23.3 25.1 41.4 ! 1 388.88 Total 373 0 8 3500 Distance 0 Led All 0 Running 2 Out 7 Out-Acc 2 #56 Dave Darland/Lincoln, IN/Jarvis Enterprises-Plastic Express Beast 1997 USAC Silver Crown champ and 3 time Bettenhausen winner with 17 starts at Springfield, 16 consecutive placing him two behind record holder A.J. Foyt. Former Hoosier Hundred winner has yet to win on the mile at DuQuoin, is a top flight sprint car and midget car driver as well. Third on all-time money won list for championship cars at Springfield, 6th in all-time laps led at Springfield. Year ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out 1991 24 33 8 out 150 accident 1992 1 1993 19 21 59 out 400 accident 1994 23 12 83 out 800 overheat 1995 10 17 91 out 500 accident 1996 29 9 99 run 1100 1997 3 1 100 56 run 9000 1998 14 2 100 run 5000 1999 3 1 100 77 run 9250 2000 10 4 100 run 2000 2001 12 6 100 run 1600 2002 13 4 100 run 2000 2003 1 1 100 99 run 9300 2004 3 6 100 run 1600 2005 5 20 88 out 500 engine 2006 2 14 97 run 600 2007 16 27 40 out 500 handling 2008 6 2 100 run 5000 Totals ST FIN Laps Laps Led Run/Out Attempt Money Reas Out Races 17 17 17 3 0 1 17 Pole/Win 1 3 Top 10 9 10 11 Back 8 7 Max 29 33 100 99 0 1 9300 Min 1 1 8 56 0 1 150 Avg 11.3 10.5 86.1 77.3 1 2900 Total 1465 232 1 49300 Distance 9 Led All 0 Running 11 Out 6 Out-Acc 3

Tony Bettenhausen-American Racing Legend

Bettenhausen. The name is synonymous with motorsports across America and around the world. Gary Bettenhausen thrilled fans across America with his exploits behind the wheel of a USAC Sprint Car in the late 1960‟s and early 1970‟s,, then led 138 laps at Indianapolis in 1972 before a world wide television audience only to suffer the agony of defeat as the machine broke down. Brother Merle Bettenhausen was still working on his fledgling career when he suffered an injury at Michigan that led to the loss of one arm, an injury that did not stop him from returning to the cockpit. Younger brother Tony became a successful stock car and Indianapolis car driver before turning to ownership.

Melvin Eugene "Tony" Bettenhausen grew up in Tinley Park in northern Illinois of German descent and decided early on as a young man he wanted to become a racing car driver. Young Tony got his chance prior to World War II, but his career, like many others, was interrupted by the war. Returning behind the wheel in 1946, Tony made his first Indianapolis 500 mile race. In 1947, he won his first national championship event at Goshen, New York and took first on his „home‟ track, the Springfield Mile.

A member of racing‟s "Chicago Gang" (Emil Andres, Paul Russo, Cowboy O‟Rourke, Jimmy Snyder and Wally Zale), Tony quickly gained a reputation as a hard charger and a fierce competitor. He signed with the famous Blue Crown team of Lou Moore in his never ending quest to win the Indianapolis 500, a team that took Mauri Rose and Bill Holland to victory lane but never had the same success with Bettenhausen at the wheel. However, it was a somewhat controversial and experimental new car that would forever thrust the Bettenhausen name into legend.

In 1949, famed builder Frank Kurtis built a „stretched midget‟ championship car for the Meyer-Drake factory in California, famed builder of the Offenhauser engine. They placed a supercharged engine under the hood and hired Bettenhausen to pilot the car. Tony won at Detroit but failed to have much success in the car, Meyer and Drake caught a lot of flack from engine customers who were not pleased with the prospect of competing with their own engine builder on the track. In mid year Crown Point, Indiana car dealer Murrell Belanger purchased the championship car from Meyer and Drake and brought Bettenhausen back to the Belanger stable. The three would eventually form a formidable combination.

Tony left Belanger in early 1950, while no one had much success with the small, navy blue and gold machine. Tony returned to Belanger again in September of 1950 and won again at Springfield in October, and on the dirt at Bay Meadows in California. In 1951, Tony won 8 of the 14 races on the schedule in

Murrell Belanger‟s „Little Blue Jewel,, ironically the ninth victory for the car was the one Tony wanted the most as he abandoned the car for the Blue Crown team at the Indianapolis 500. His recommended replacement to Belanger was good friend Lee Wallard who promptly won the pole and race in the „Little Blue Jewel‟. Tony took over the car for the remainder of the year and drove like a man possessed winning his first national title.

Shortly after Tony decided that the entire schedule was too dangerous and chose to concentrate on the lucrative Indianapolis 500. He continued to drive occasionally in other forms of the sport and took up stock car racing, but it was in championship cars that Tony excelled.

Tony convinced Lindsey Hopkins over the winter of 1960 that if Hopkins could secure a lay down roadster that Bettenhausen had seen in 1960 Tony could win the pole and the Indy 500 race. He was nearly a prophet. At age 44 Tony Bettenhausen was faster than men half his age and flirting with the 150 mile an hour barrier in practice for the 1961 500 and in fact some watches had him over 150. Tragically Tony would never see the race. Practicing on the last day before pole qualifications he agreed to test drive a roadster for good friend Paul Russo who had struggled to sort out the car, ironically the machine that had won the 1959 Indianapolis 500.

Coming down the main chute at Indy the car veered violently right and flipped taking out the steel fencing and catching fire. In an instant the great driver and racing hero was gone. Just a few weeks later the Illinois State Fair board and promoter Jim Kidd honored the legacy of Springfield‟s first three-time winner by naming the championship race in his memory.

Since 1961 legendary names like Hurtubise, Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Bigelow Hewitt and Gurney have all captured Bettenhausen trophies. Even eldest son Gary won his father‟s race taking emotional wins in 1978 and 1983. A racing legend and father could have no finer tribute.

Date No Driver/Car Time Speed

8/25/34 12 Billy Winn/Stokley Special 1:17:09.52 77.760

8/24/35 10 Billy Winn/Harry Miller Special 1:14:39.09 80.373

1936 12 Wilbur Shaw/Thorne Miller 1:12:31.58 82.729

1937 3 Mauri Rose/Miller Hart 1:09:45.00 81.720

1938 7 Tony Willman/SASCO Special 1:18:42.00 76.239

1939 44 Emil Andres/Ward‟s Riverside Tire Special 1:07:55.00 88.670

8/24/40 33 Rex Mays/Bowes Seal Fast Special 1:08:36.55 87.450

1941 to 1946 No race held due to World War II

9/28/47 16 Tony Bettenhausen/Belanger Motors Special 1:04:51.08 92.579

8/20/49 55 Mel Hansen/Bowes Seal Fast Special 1:08:20.91 87.613

9/25/49 12 Johnnie Parsons/Wynn‟s-Kurtis Kraft 1:06:07.85 90.729*

8/19/50 7 Paul Russo/Nichels Special 1:05:44.45 91.268

8/18/51 99 Tony Bettenhausen/Belanger Motors Special 1:06:37.59 90.054

8/16/52 7 Bill Schindler/Chapman Special 1:03:36.14 94.336

8/22/53 3 Sam Hanks/Bardahl Special 1:06:40.71 89.984

8/21/54 14 Jimmy Davies/Pat Clancy Special 1:04:49.96 92.546

8/20/55 1 Jimmy Bryan/Dean Van Lines Special 1:06:16.85 90.524

8/18/56 2 Jimmy Bryan/Dean Van Lines Special 1:06:47.00 89.843

8/17/57 8 Rodger Ward/Wolcott Special 1:02:29.41 96.015

8/16/58 3 Johnny Thomson/D-A Lubricants Special 1:01:08.33 98.137

8/22/59 81 Len Sutton/Central Excavating Special 1:03:02.26 95.186

8/20/60 42 Jim Packard/Stearly Motor Freight Special No time red flag

8/18/62 56 Jim Hurtubise/Barnett Brothers Offy 1:04:46.63 92.625

8/17/63 1 Rodger Ward/Kaiser Aluminum Special 1:02:47.37 95.557

8/22/64 1 A.J. Foyt/Sheraton Thompson Special 1:03:00.00 95.238

8/21/65 1 A.J. Foyt/Sheraton Thompson Special 1:02:23.22 96.174

8/20/66 4 Don Branson/Leader Card Racers 1:02:59.79 95.243

8/19/67 14 A.J. Foyt/Sheraton Thompson Special 1:09:30.22 86.236

8/17/68 8 Roger McCluskey/G.C. Murphy Special 1:06:37.96 90.046

8/18/69 2 Mario Andretti/STP Oil Treatment Special 1:02:05.09 96.642

8/22/70 2 Al Unser/Johnny Lightning 500 Special 1:36:18.40 62.300

8/22/71 9 A.J. Foyt/ITT-Thompson Special 1:08:03.31 87.557

8/20/72 7 Al Unser/Viceroy Special 1:03:50.34 93.986

8/19/73 15 Mario Andretti/Viceroy Special 1:02:53.00 95.415

8/18/74 2 Mario Andretti/Viceroy Special 1:03:01.50 95.200

8/16/75 3 Al Unser/Viceroy Special 1:07:07.30 89.390

8/21/76 2 Tom Bigelow/Leader Card Racers 1:04:42.20 92.731

8/20/77 4 Larry Rice/Lefevre Automotive 1:10:04.30 85.627

8/19/78 98 Gary Bettenhausen/Orberdorfer Industries 1:15:56.00 79.017

8/18/79 30 Bobby Olivero/Hubler Chevrolet-WNDE 1:02:59.80 95.243

8/19/80 21 Pancho Carter/Golden Greek Machine No time red flag

8/15/81 41 George Snider/Dick Kreig Motor Home Rentals No time red flag

5/2/82 18 Larry Dickson/JO-OL Racing 1:00:28.40 99.217*

8/14/82 16 Bobby Olivero/Hodgon-Curb 1:01:14.00 97.986

8/20/83 9 Gary Bettenhausen/Terre Haute First National Bank 1:04:28.05 93.071

8/18/84 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 1:05:46.46 91.246

8/17/85 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 1:02:09.00 96.541

8/16/86 63 Jack Hewitt/J.W. Hunt-Barfield‟s Gift Fruit 1:05:19.00 91.860

8/22/87 63 Jack Hewitt/J.W. Hunt-Barfield‟s Gift Fruit 56:07.00 106.920

8/20/88 69 Steve Chassey/Kasle Recycling 1:09:09.00 86.768

8/19/89 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 1:06:46.30 89.858

8/18/90 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 58:20.31 102.848

8/17/91 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 1:02:01.53 96.734

8/22/92 2 Jimmy Sills/Pioneer Concrete No time

8/21/93 26 Jack Hewitt/J.W. Hunt-Dupont No time

8/20/94 56 Chuck Gurney/Lincoln Park Speedway 1:08:25.00 87.273

8/19/95 23 Kenny Irwin/Wynn‟s-Calderwood Beast 1:03:44.70 91.464

9/14/96 9 Chuck Gurney/Petro Stopping Centers Beast 58:13.02 103.063

8/16/97 56 Dave Darland/Franklin Power Products 1:08:51.53 87.135

8/22/98 51 Russ Gamester/Terre Haute First National Bank 1:02:25.00 96.128

8/21/99 56 Dave Darland/Franklin Power Products 1:05:28.40 91.640

8/19/00 23 Jack Hewitt/Utility Peterbilt-Print Express No time red flag

8/18/01 10 Paul White/Builders Electric 59:14.14 101.290

8/17/02 9 J.J. Yeley/Team ASE-Beast No time red flag

8/16/03 56 Dave Darland/Jarvis Enterprises Beast No time red flag

8/21/04 21 Brian Tyler/Dellen Automotive-Print Express 1:01:21.00 97.800

8/20/05 21 Brian Tyler/Dellen Automotive-Utility Peterbilt 1:04:20.00 93.264

8/19/06 37 Tracy Hines/Indiana Underground Construction 1:14:27.29 80.547b

8/18/07 22 Ricky Stenhouse Jr./Bass Pro Shops-Chevrolet No time red flag c

8/16/08 21 Brian Tyler/Fatheadz Sunglasses-LVS-Toyota No time red flag

*Denotes additional race to fair date.

a-flagged at 99 laps

b-Dave Steele crossed finish line first but disqualified for underweight car

c-race shortened to 75 miles due to rain and curfew

BOLD FACE TYPE INDICATES TRACK RECORD

1934 7 Bill Cummings/Boyle Products Special 39.79 90.474

1935 5 Kelly Petillo/Gilmore Speedway Special 39.56 91.001

1936 38 George Connor/Marks Miller 38.15 94.364

1937 1 Rex Mays/Weirick Special 39.34 91.509

1938 8 Rex Mays/Weirick Special 39.24 91.743

1939 44 Emil Andres/Ward‟s Riverside Tire Special 38.34 93.896

1940 33 Rex Mays/Bowes Seal Fast Special 37.29 96.540

1941 to 1946 No Race held due to World War II

1947 3 Emil Andres/Belanger Motors Special 36.58 98.414

1948 32 Myron Fohr/Marchese Brothers Special 36.42 98.846

1948 12 Lee Wallard/Iddings Special 36.90 97.560*

1949 55 Mel Hansen/Bowes Seal Fast Special 37.31 96.448

1949 57 Jimmy Davies/Pat Clancy Special 35.50 101.048*

1950 39 Tony Bettenhausen/Shaheen Special 36.88 97.613

1950 99 Tony Bettenhausen/Belanger Motors Special 37.09 97.061*

1951 7 Paul Russo/Nichels Special 35.62 101.066

1952 73 Mike Nazaruk/McNamara Special 33.83 106.414

1953 38 Don Freeland/Bob Estes Special 34.09 105.602*

1953 98 Chuck Stevenson/Agajanian Special 34.36 104.772

1954 92 Jiggs Peters/Glessner Special 34.52 104.287

1955 45 Andy Linden/D-A Lubricants Special 34.964 102.963

1956 57 Rex Easton/Iddings Special 34.97 102.945

1957 78 George Amick/Hopkins Special 33.63 107.047

1958 5 Jud Larson/John Zink Special 33.94 106.069

1959 9 Don Branson/Bob Estes Special 33.80 106.508

1960 7 Don Branson/Bob Estes Special 34.50 104.347

1961 98 Parnelli Jones/Agajanian-Willard Battery Special 34.17 105.355

1962 5 Roger McCluskey/Konstant Hot Special 36.53 98.549

1963 2 A.J. Foyt/Sheraton Thompson Special 33.75 106.666

1964 2 Rodger Ward/Kaiser Aluminum Special 33.82 106.445

1965 52 Jim McElreath/Zink-Urschel Trackburner 32.89 109.455

1966 4 Don Branson/Leader Card Racers 33.04 108.958

1967 22 Larry Dickson/Vita Fresh Orange Juice Special 33.82 106.455

1968 5 Al Unser/Retzloff Chemical Special 34.96 102.974

1969 60 Greg Weld/STP Gasoline Treatment Special 34.11 105.540

1970 20 Larry Dickson/STP Gas Treatment Special Drew for position

1971 60 Greg Weld/STP Gasoline Treatment Special 34.86 103.720

1972 55 Lee Kunzman/Clamato 33.91 103.720

1973 2 Al Unser/Viceroy Special 33.31 106.163

1974 55 Greg Weld/Pizza Huts of St. Louis 34.20 105.263

1975 93 Johnny Parsons/Vatis-Ayr Way-WNAP 33.324 108.030

1976 2 Tom Bigelow/Leader Card Racers 34.798 103.454

1977 24 Thad Dosher/Quality Portable Buildings 34.847 103.308

1978 51 Bubby Jones/Roger Beck Racing 35.570 101.288

1979 15 Steve Chassey/Kurtz-Digeronimo Brothers 33.773 106.594

1980 28 Larry Rice/Weaver Excavating 32.828 109.662

1981 56 Tom Bigelow/Genesee Beer Wagon 32.660 110.226

1982 18 Larry Dickson/JO-OL Racing 32.845 109.605*

1982 6 Sheldon Kinser/Ben‟s Tire Clinic 32.449 110.943

1983 56 Steve Chassey/Genesee Beer Wagon 31.932 112.740

1984 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express Won heat race

1985 4 Joe Saldana/Amerling 31.144 115.592

1986 16 George Snider/Future Electric-Tru Cut Sanding Discs 31.894 112.874

1988 11 George Snider/Snider-Foyt-Skoal Classic 32.044 112.435

1989 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 31.711 113.525

1990 30 Chuck Gurney/The Plastic Express 32.457 110.609

1991 9 Stan Fox/Jack‟s Tool Rental-Party Time 31.559 114.072

1992 2 Jimmy Sills/Pioneer Concrete 31.523 114.202

1993 73 Larry Dickson/Tomax Racing 30.767 117.008

1994 37 Johnny Parsons/Indiana Underground Construction Drew for position

1995 39 Johnny Parsons/McQuinn Auto Service-Donley Trucking 31.936 112.725

1996 94 Robby Flock/Justice Brothers Beast 29.988 120.048

1997 51 Russ Gamester/Terre Haute First National Bank 31.287 115.064

1998 51 Russ Gamester/Terre Haute First National Bank 31.927 112.757

1999 62 Bill Rose/Beaver Materials 31.768 113.321

2000 20 Tony Elliot/World Best Buy.com-Irvin‟s Brick & Block 30.221 119.122

2001 67 J.J. Yeley/Team ASE Beast 31.363 114.785

2002 9 J.J. Yeley/Team ASE Beast 30.534 117.901

2003 56 Dave Darland/Jarvis Enterprises Beast 30.240 119.047

2004 191 Jerry Coons, Jr./Sander Engineering 30.362 118.569

2005 10 Josh Wise/Team MoPar-Vital Express 29.776 120.903

2007 10 Levi Jones/Bass Pro Shops-Chevrole 30.316 118.749a

2008 20 Shane Hollingsworth/Ray Skillman-Keco 30.286 118.867

1. Chuck Gurney 1984-93; 1985-56; 1989-92; 1990-100; 1991-39;

1994-50; 1996-100 7 530

2. Jack Hewitt 1986-80; 1987-84; 1988-16; 1993-66; 1994-28; 2000-15 6 289

3. Tony Bettenhausen 1947-85; 1950(1)-14; 1950(2)-100; 1951-80 4 281

4. Gary Bettenhausen 1968-71; 1978-83; 1983-100; 1986-20 4 274

5. A.J. Foyt 1963-4; 1964-35; 1965-86; 1967-100; 1971-30; 1972-17 6 272

6. Dave Darland 1997-56; 1999-77; 2003-99 3 232

7. Don Branson 1958-36; 1959-55; 1960-17; 1963-5; 1966-100 5 213

8. Mario Andretti 1969-80; 1973-32; 1974-100 3 212

9. Brian Tyler 2004-53: 2005-46; 2008-100 3 199

10. Rodger Ward 1953(1)-58; 1957-100; 1963-38 3 196

11. Jimmy Sills 1991-46; 1992-100; 1995-48 3 194

12. Tom Bigelow 1976-72; 1980-55; 1981-65 3 192

13. Jim Hurtubise 1961-78; 1962-100 2 178

14. Rex Mays 1937-26; 1938-27; 1940-100; 1949(2)-22 4 175

15. Al Unser 1968-1; 1970-56; 1972-73; 1973-6; 1975-39 5 175

16. Jimmy Bryan 1955-70; 1956-99 2 169

17. Jimmy Davies 1949-37; 1953(2)-20; 1954-100 3 157

18. Emil Andres 1939-100; 1947-15; 1948(2)-40 3 155

19. Larry Dickson 1971-23; 1982-94; 1993-34 3 151

20. Russ Gamester 1997-44; 1998-87 2 131

21. Johnny Parsons 1973-62; 1975-8; 1977-1; 1989-8; 1995-49 5 128

22. Larry Rice 1977-94; 1980-18; 1987-14 3 126

23. Mel Hansen 1948(2)-17; 1949(1)-100 2 117

24. Bobby Olivero 1979-22; 1980-23; 1982-63 3 108

25. Billy Winn 1934-7; 1935-81; 1937-15 3 103

26. Paul Russo 1950(1)-84; 1951-20 2 102

27. Bobby Marshman 1963-53; 1964-49 2 100

28. Paul White 2001-100 1 100

29. Tracy Hines 2006-100 1 100

30. J.J. Yeley 2002-100 1 100

31. Johnny Sawyer 1934-93 1 93

32. Steve Chassey 1979-78; 1985-1; 1988-6 3 85

33. Jim Packard 1960-83 1 83

34. Bud Kaeding 2000-79 1 79

35. Kenny Jacobs 1988-73 1 73

36. George Snider 1971-47; 1981-23 2 70

37. Chet Gardner 1938-63 1 63

38. Johnny Rutherford 1965-14; 1970-44 2 58

39. Ted Horn 1948(1)-57 1 56

40. Troy Ruttman 1952-56 1 56

41. Mauri Rose 1937-54 1 54

42. Jud Larson 1958-36; 1964-16 2 52

43. Tyler Walker 2005-50 1 50

44. Doc MacKenzie 1935-11; 1936-38 2 49

45. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2007-47 1 47

46. Sheldon Kinser 1976-9; 1982-37 2 46

47. Rich Tobias, Jr. 2004-46 1 46

48. Len Sutton 1959-45 1 45

49. George Connor 1936-24; 1949-16; 1950-2 3 42

50. Manny Ayulo 1953(2)-40 1 40

51. Sam Hanks 1953(2)-40 1 40

52. Johnnie Parsons 1948(1)-20; 1949(2)-18 2 38

53. Joe Saldana 1985-38 1 38

54. Spider Webb 1948(1)-20; 1948(2)-15 2 35

55. Bill Schindler 1952-34 1 34

56. Myron Fohr 1948(1)-3; 1948(2)-28 2 31

57. Bill Vukovich, Jr. 1975-31 1 31

58. Pancho Carter 1976-10; 1978-15; 1980-4 3 29

59. Tony Elliot 1999-23; 2000-6 2 29

60. Wilbur Shaw 1936-28 1 28

61. Roger McCluskey 1968-28 1 28

62. Levi Jones 2007-28 1 28

63. Johnny Thomson 1958-27 1 27

64. Jack McGrath 1952-10; 1953(1)-16 1 26

65. Chuck Stevenson 1953-26 1 26

66. Jackie Howerton 1975-22; 1977-4 2 26

67. Ron Shuman 1994-22 1 22

68. Parnelli Jones 1961-21 1 21

69. Greg Weld 1969-20 1 20

70. George Amick 1955-15 1 15

71. Stan Fox 1991-15 1 15

72. Andy Linden 1955-14 1 14

73. Ken Schrader 1982-6; 1984-7 2 13

74. Ryan Newman 1998-13 1 13

75. Roger Rager 1981-12 1 12

76. Tony Willman 1938-10 1 10

77. Lee Kunzman 1972-10 1 10

78. Jan Opperman 1976-9 1 9

79. Kelly Petillo 1935-8 1 8

80. Neal Carter 1949-7 1 7

81. Rick Hood 1985-5 1 5

82. Andy Hillenburg 1988-5 1 5

83. Josh Wise 2005-4 1 4

84. Kenny Irwin 1995-3 1 3

85. Bubby Jones 1978-2 1 2

86. Jeff Bloom 1987-2 1 2

87. Jerry Coons, Jr. 2003-1; 2004-1 2 2

88. Thad Dosher 1977-1 1 1

89. Don Freeland 1956-1 1 1

*9 Springfield winners have won the Indianapolis 500. They are Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnnie Parsons, Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Mario Andretti, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt.

*4 Springfield winners won the Indianapolis 500 in the same year, A.J. Foyt in 1964 and 1967, Mario Andretti in 1969 and Al Unser in 1970.

*9 Springfield winners went on to win the National Championship in the same year: Rex Mays in 1940, Johnnie Parsons in 1949, Tony Bettenhausen in 1951, Sam Hanks in 1953, Jimmy Bryan in 1956, A.J. Foyt in 1964 and 1967, Mario Andretti in 1969 and Al Unser in 1970. George Snider also won USAC‟s Gold Crown National Championship in 1981.

*Ten Springfield winners have gone on to the USAC Silver Crown Championship Dirt Car title in the same year: Mario Andretti in 1974, Larry Rice in 1977, Bobby Olivero in 1979, Gary Bettenhausen in 1983, Jack Hewitt in 1986 and 1987, Chuck Gurney in 1989, Dave Darland in 1997, Paul White in 2001 and J.J. Yeley in 2002.

*Four drivers won their first dirt car/Silver Crown victory at Springfield: A.J. Foyt in 1971, Larry Rice in 1977, Gary Bettenhausen in 1978 and Bobby Olivero in 1979.

*In 1972 Al Unser became the first and only driver to win both the Bettenhausen 100 dirt car race and the Allen Crowe 100 stock car event on the same weekend. A.J. Foyt and Roger McCluskey also won both events, but in different years. Len Sutton also won stock car and championship events at Springfield prior to 1963.

*Dirt car winners from Illinois-5. Emil Andres and Paul Russo were from Chicago, Tony Bettenhausen and son Gary from Tinley Park and Don Branson was from Champaign.

*There have been 8 back to back winners on the Springfield Mile:

Driver Years

Billy Winn 1934-35

Tony Bettenhausen 1950-51

Jimmy Bryan 1955-56

A.J. Foyt 1964-65

Mario Andretti 1973-74

Jack Hewitt 1986-87

Chuck Gurney 1984-85, 1989-90-91

Brian Tyler 2004-05

*Chuck Gurney is the driver with the most Bettenhausen 100 wins, seven.

Drivers with more than one Bettenhausen 100 win:

Driver Wins Years

Chuck Gurney 7 1984-85-89-90-91-94-96

A.J. Foyt 4 1964-65-67-71

Jack Hewitt 4 1986-87-93-00

Mario Andretti 3 1969-73-74

Al Unser 3 1970-72-75

Dave Darland 3 1997-99-03

Brian Tyler 3 2004-05-08

Gary Bettenhausen 2 1978-83

Bobby Olivero 2 1979-82

*Wins by car number:

No Wins Years

30 6 1979-84-85-89-90-91

2 6 1956-59-70-84-76-92

56 6 1961-62-94-97-99-03

1 5 1948-55-63-64-65

7 5 1938-50-52-58-72

9 4 1971-83-96-02

21 4 1980-04-05-08

3 3 1937-53-75

12 3 1934-36-49

*Oldest race winner-Jack Hewitt, 49 years and 42 days in 2000.

*Youngest winner-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., 19 years 10 months and 16 days in 2007.

*Oldest race starter-Jim McElreath, 64 years, 6 months and 4 days in 1992.

*Wins by engine manufacturer:

Offenhauser-32 (1939-1969)

Chevrolet-31

Ford (DOHC 255)-7

Ford Stock Block-1

Toyota-1

*Wins by chassis:

Beast-17-1992-2008

King-10

Watson-10

Kurtis-6

Meskowksi-6

*Wins by tire company:

Firestone-36

Goodyear-19

McCreary-American Racer-12

Hoosier 6

Riverside-1

*Winners from the pole-15. The most recent was Tracy Hines in 2006, the others are Emil Andres in 1939, Rex Mays in 1940, Mel Hansen in 1949, Tony Bettenhausen in 1950, Don Branson in 1966, Tom Bigelow in 1976, Larry Dickson in 1982, Chuck Gurney in 1984, 89, 90, Jimmy Sills in 1992, Russ Gamester in 1998, J.J. Yeley in 2002 and Dave Darland in 2003.

*The top five starting positions for championship dirt car race winners:

Pos Wins

1 15

3 12

2 9

4 8

7 6

*"Lightning" Larry Dickson of Marietta, Ohio has the most dirt car starts from the pole position at Springfield, 4. In a strange twist of fate those starts came in four different decades (1967-70-82-93)! Dickson is the oldest pole winner in State Fair history, his fourth pole position in 1993 came at the age of 54 years, eleven months and 14 days

*Drivers with more than one Tony Bettenhausen 100 pole position:

Driver Poles Years

Larry Dickson 3 1967-70-93

Greg Weld 3 1969-71-74

Johnny Parsons 3 1975-94-95

Chuck Gurney 3 1984-89-90

Al Unser 2 1968-73

Tom Bigelow 2 1976-81

Steve Chassey 2 1979-83

George Snider 2 1986-88

Russ Gamester 2 1997-98

J.J. Yeley 2 2001-02

*The 100-mile an hour barrier was broken at Springfield in August of 1949 by Jimmy Davies in the Pat Clancy Special #57 at 101.048 (35.50). It would be 32 years before the 110 mile an hour barrier would fall, with Tom Bigelow in the Genesee Beer Wagon #56 eclipsing the mark at 110.943 (32.660) in August of 1981. Robby Flock punctured the 120 mile an hour barrier with the first sub 30 second lap in championship dirt car history on a one mile dirt track, 120.048 (29.988) in Richard and Carol Hart‟s #94.

*Most laps led by race winner-100, 15 times. Emil Andres in 1939, Mel Hansen in 1949, Jimmy Davies in 1954, Rodger Ward in 1957, Don Branson in 1966, A.J. Foyt in 1967, Mario Andretti in 1974, Gary Bettenhausen in 1983, Chuck Gurney in 1990 & 1996, Jimmy Sills in 1992, Paul White in 2001, J.J. Yeley in 2002, Tracy Hines in 2006 and Brian Tyler in 2008

*Least laps led by race winner-3, Kenny Irwin Jr. in 1995.

*Johnny Parsons holds the record for most races led (5) and most total laps led (128) without posting a win at Springfield.

*Johnny Sawyer has the record for laps led in a one race without a win, 93 in 1934.

*Most lead changes-4, 7 times.

*Most drivers to lead one race-5, second race of 1949.

*Most races led-7, Chuck Gurney.

*Consecutive Races led-3, Tony Bettenhausen, Don Branson, A.J. Foyt, Chuck Gurney, Jack Hewitt.

*Most cars completing 100-mile distance-14, 2003 and 2005.

*Most cars completing race distance-21, 2007 (race shortened to 75 miles due to rain).

*Most cars running at checkered flag-23, 1992 and 2000.

*Fewest cars completing 100 mile distance-2, done 5 times (1936, 1961, 1962, 1970, 1979).

*Fewest cars running at checkered flag-5, done twice (both 1949 races).

*The record for fewest cars dropping out of a 100-mile championship event at Springfield is ZERO! The entire eighteen car starting field was still running at the end of the 1954 event, coincidentally last place finisher Ray Crawford holds the Springfield record for most laps completed by the last place car, 93.

*Top ten championship car starts Illinois State Fairgrounds (all races):

P. Driver/Years Starts

1. George Snider 1965-73, 77-81, 83-97 29

2. Johnny Parsons 1970, 73-79, 81, 83, 89-95, 97, 00-03, 05-08 27

3. Larry Dickson 1966-72, 74-76, 79-81, 82, 83-86, 91-93 21

4. Jack Hewitt 1980-81, 82, 83, 85-95, 97-01 20

5. Gary Bettenhausen 1968-71, 73, 75-76, 79-81, 82, 83-89 19

6. A.J. Foyt 1957-74 18

Tom Bigelow 1970, 72-77, 79-81, 82, 83-87, 89, 91 18

8. Jim McElreath 1962-63, 65-67, 70-73, 76-79, 81, 89-90, 92 17

Chuck Gurney 1976-77, 83-86, 88-97, 00 17

Dave Darland 1991, 93-08 17

Russ Gamester 1989-92, 94-95, 97-04, 05-08 17

*Top ten consecutive championship car starts Illinois State Fairgrounds (all races):

P. Driver Years Starts

1. A.J. Foyt 1957-74 18

2. Dave Darland 1993-08 16

3. George Snider 1983-97 15

4. Larry Rice 1976-89 15

5. Sheldon Kinser 1976-86 12

6. Eric Gordon 1990-01 12

7. Don Branson 1956-66 11

Rich Vogler 1977-86 11

Jack Hewitt 1985-95 11

Jimmy Sills 1990-00 11

*Most unsuccessful qualification attempts-9, Ralph Ligouri.

*Rookie winners-4, Billy Winn in August of 1934, Wilbur Shaw in August of 1936, Tony Bettenhausen in September of 1947 and Rodger Ward in June of 1953.

*Rookie pole sitters-12. Rookies who won pole positions prior to August of 1961 are "Wild Bill" Cummings in 1934, George Connor in 1935, Rex Mays in 1937, Jimmy Davies in September of 1947, "Iron Mike" Nazaruk in Lee Elkins McNamara Special in 1952, Don Freeland in 1953 and Jiggs Peters in 1954. First-timers who won poles for the Bettenhausen 100 are Parnelli Jones in the Agajanian dirt car in 1961, Greg Weld in the STP car in 1969, Thad Dosher in 1977, Jeff Swindell in 1987 and Josh Wise in 2005.

*Most entries-57, 1992 and 1994.

*Fewest entries (post World War II)-18, 1965.

*Most qualification attempts-57, 1992.

*Most starters-39, 2007.

*Since DuQuoin became a part of the championship trail in 1948, 22 times a driver has swept both the August championship dirt car race at the Illinois State Fair and the subsequent event at the DuQuoin State Fair. Tony Bettenhausen was the first driver to take both races in 1951, followed by Sam Hanks in 1953, Jimmy Bryan in 1955 & 56, Johnny Thomson in 1958, A.J. Foyt in 1964, 1965 & 1967, Al Unser in 1970, Mario Andretti in 1973 & 74, Gary Bettenhausen in 1983, Jack Hewitt in 1986, 1987 & 1993, Chuck Gurney in 1989, 1994 & 1996, Paul White in 2001, J.J. Yeley in 2002, Tracy Hines in 2006 and Brian Tyler in 2008.

*Sixteen times the Bettenhausen 100 winner has gone on to victory in the Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin. Foyt won both events in 1964, 1965 & 1967. Al Unser took both races in 1970, followed by Mario Andretti in 1973 & 74, Gary Bettenhausen in 1983 Jack Hewitt in 1986, 1987 & 1993, Chuck Gurney in 1989, 1994 & 1996, Paul White in 2001, J.J. Yeley in 2002, Tracy Hines in 2006 and Brian Tyler in 2008.

*In the 74 races held at Springfield, forty-five different drivers have posted wins. In the 48 runnings of the Bettenhausen 100, 25 different drivers have taken home the trophy

*Chuck Gurney is the all-time leader in money won in Championship Dirt Car races at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The top ten money winners at Springfield:

1. Chuck Gurney $86,395.00

2. Jack Hewitt $57,176.00

3. Dave Darland $49,300.00

4. George Snider $44,145.64

5. A.J. Foyt $41,403.15

6. Brian Tyler $39,400.00

7. Mario Andretti $36,168.34

8. Gary Bettenhausen $33,955.00

9. Tom Bigelow $29,418.00

10. Larry Rice $28,650.00

*The largest purse for any championship race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds was posted August 17, 1985 with $47,500. Chuck Gurney‟s take of $13,600 in 1985 was also a record for the winner‟s share.

*Best average start-4.5, Mario Andretti.

*Best average finish-5.14, Al Unser

*Most top 10 starts-18, George Snider.

*Most top ten finishes-13, Chuck Gurney

*Most times running at finish-13, George Snider, Chuck Gurney, Jack Hewitt.

*Most times completing race distance-13, Chuck Gurney.

*Most miles completed-1808, George Snider.

The 47 year old Kimmel dominated last year‟s Crowe 100 setting a track record of nearly 110 miles an hour in qualifications and then leading 83 of the laps to capture his seventh Crowe 100 trophy in a season where sponsorship concerns had the new Kimmel Racing team wondering if they would be able to complete the season. Kimmel returns in 2009 with sponsorship from Menard‟s as well as a third place position in the 2009 ARCA title chase despite the lack of a victory and remains one of the favorites on both dirt tracks on the ARCA schedule.

Returning to his roots and the „home‟ fans, 54 year old Ken Schrader of Fenton, Missouri won the 1998 Allen Crowe 100 and is still in search of his second 100-mile triumph at Springfield. After spending a number of seasons on the NASCAR Sprint Cup tour, Schrader has returned to the short tracks and dirt tracks running modifieds, late models and ARCA races in lieu of a full-time NASCAR ride. While Schrader has yet to post a win this season, he has three starts in 2009 with one top 5 and 2 top 10 finishes. Schrader picked up two wins in the ARCA series at DuQuoin, coming in 2006 and 2007.

ARCA has a group of regulars that traditionally make the trip to the Illinois State Fairgrounds, including

Michgan‟s Brad Smith, Texas‟ Ken Weaver, Indiana‟s Darrell and Jason Basham and Tennesse‟s Ron

Cox. However, the two dirt track events also lure many local drivers and even some who will be driving

February 7th Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Daytona Int'l Speedway 200 miles SPEED LIVE 4 PM

April 5th Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care Salem Speedway 200 laps

April 19th ARCA RE/MAX Carolina 200 Rockingham Speedway 200 miles SPEED LIVE 1 PM

April 24th ARCA RE/MAX 250 Talladega Superspeedway 250 miles SPEED LIVE 5 PM

May 17th Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care Toledo Speedway 200 laps

June 6th Pocono ARCA 200 Pocono Raceway 200 miles SPEED SDD 4:00 PM

June 12th Racing For Wildlife 200 Michigan Int'l Speedway 200 miles SPEED LIVE 5:00 PM

June 20th Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA RE/MAX 200 Mansfield Motorsports Park 200 laps

July 18th Click It or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 Kentucky Speedway 150 miles SPEED

July 25th Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac Berlin Raceway 200 laps

August 1st Pennsylvania ARCA 200 Pocono Raceway 200 miles SPEED LIVE 1 PM

August 23rd Allen Crowe 100 Illinois State Fairgrounds 100 miles

August 28th Ansell Cut Protection 150 Chicagoland Speedway 150 miles SPEED LIVE

September 4th Toledo ARCA 200 Toledo Speedway 200 laps

September 7th Southern Illinois 100 DuQuoin State Fairgrounds 100 miles

September 19th Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic Salem Speedway 200 laps

October 1st Kansas Lottery 150 Kansas Speedway 150 miles SPEED LIVE 5 PM

October 11th Rockingham ARCA 200 Rockingham Speedway 200 miles SPEED SDD 10:00 PM

After Event #11, Click It Or Ticket Buckle Up Kentucky 150, Kentucky Speedway, 7-18-09

1 Kligerman, Parker 2855 11 5 7 10

2 Lofton, Justin 2705 11 1 8 9

3 Kimmel, Frank 2520 11 0 2 6

4 Coulter, Joey 2390 11 0 4 7

5 Goess, Craig 2385 11 0 1 6

6 Silas, Bryan 2360 11 0 1 6

7 Arpin, Steve 2285 11 0 1 5

8 Sheltra, Patrick 2220 11 1 3 5

9 Hessert, Tom 2140 11 0 1 4

10 George, Tim Jr. 2095 11 0 0 1

Stock Car Driver Profiles #44 Frank Kimmel Age: 47 Jeffersonville, Indiana A nine time ARCA champion and the only 7 time winner of the Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield Kimmel is the all-time lap leader at Springfield with 570 in front. He ranks in the top ten in laps completed (8) with 1587 and in the top ten in starts at the Illinois State Fairgrounds with 17. Kimmel boasts five pole positions in stock car competition at Springfield, has 13 top ten starts and 14 top ten finishes and remarkably has led every race for the last ten years! Illinois State Fair Record Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 1992 38 28 85 run 1993 41 5 99 run 1994 24 8 100 run 1995 13 35 29 out overheat 1996 10 31 53 out suspension 1997 8 4 106 18 run 1998 8 2 100 run 1999 4 2 100 11 run 2000 2 1 100 47 run 14695 2001 1 1 100 92 run 2002 1 1 100 84 run 18575 2003 1 1 100 34 run 2004 4 2 107 59 run 2005 7 1 100 75 run 2006 4 2 100 8 run 2007 1 1 100 59 run 2008 1 1 102 83 run 12575 Totals Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 17 17 17 11 0 3 Pole/Win 5 7 Max 41 35 107 92 Min 1 1 29 8 Average 9.8 7.4 93 51.8 15281.66 Total 1581 570 0 45845 Dist/LedAll 10 0 Run 15 Out 2 Top Ten 13 14 #60 Patrick Sheltra Age: 23 Indiantown, Florida Young Sheltra made the move from dirt late models to the bigger, heavier ARCA cars in 2007 and continues to improve in the transition. He is a rarity, a driver who had experience on the dirt miles before his first ARCA start at Springfield in 2007, Sheltra ran a dirt late model in the Illinois Fall Nationals event in . His best start at Springfield came in 2007 with a 9th, his best finish also in 2007 with a 3rd. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 2007 9 3 100 run 2008 11 12 102 run Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 2 2 2 0 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 11 12 102 0 Min 9 3 100 0 Average 10 7.5 101

Total 202 0 0 0 Dist/LedAll 1 0 Run 2 Out 0 Top Ten 1 1 #90 Brian Tyler Age 41 Parma, Michigan A former USAC Sprint Car Champion Tyler has three victories at Springfield, all in the USAC Silver Crown Tony Bettenhausen 100. He set a track record in qualifications at DuQuoin in 2005 in his first ARCA start on dirt, 2008 marked his rookie stock car appearance at Springfield. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 2008 6 3 102 run Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 1 1 1 0 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 6 3 102 0 Min 6 3 102 0 Average 6 3 102 Total 102 0 0 0 Dist/LedAll 0 0 Run 1 Out 0 Top Ten 1 1 #39 Kelly Kovski Age 28 Springfield, Illinois One of the local drivers who makes two appearances in the ARCA RE/MAX Series each year, both on dirt. The manager of an auto body shop, Kovski ran UMP Modifieds on the Springfield Mile prior to his first appearance in an ARCA car. He made his debut in the Allen Crowe 100 in 2005 and has completed 402 of a possible 402 laps since then, with two tope ten finihes to his credit. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 2005 18 14 100 run 2006 12 11 100 run 2007 29 6 100 run 2008 15 9 102 run Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 4 4 4 0 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 29 14 102 0 Min 12 6 100 0 Average 18.5 10 100.5 Total 402 0 0 0 Dist/LedAll 3 0 Run 4 Out 0 Top Ten 0 2 Doug Keller Age St. Joseph, Missouri The only Missouri driver in the field, Keller is another „dirt specialist‟, making just the two dirt miles of the ARCA schedule. He has six top ten finishes at Springfield in seven starts since 1999, and has led 33 laps of the Allen Crowe 100 in three races. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 1999 33 17 97 run 2001 8 4 100 run

2002 16 2 100 run 2003 6 2 100 26 run 2005 12 7 100 run 2006 5 6 100 3 run 2008 20 10 102 4 run Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 7 7 7 3 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 33 17 102 26 Min 5 2 97 3 Average 14 6.8 99.8 11 Total 699 33 0 0 Dist/LedAll 5 0 Run 7 Out 0 Top Ten 3 6 #10 A.J. Fike Age 28 Galesburg, Illinois A veteran of open wheel competition A.J. is one of several who have pulled „double duty‟ at the Illinois State fiar, running both a stock car and championship dirt car on the same weekend. He won the pole for the Allen Crowe 100 as a rookie in 2004 and has three front row starts at Springfield, but only one top ten finish. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 2004 1 20 100 28 out accident 2005 2 8 100 13 run 2006 2 18 99 30 run 2007 30 35 10 out accident 2008 7 30 78 out engine Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 5 5 5 3 0 0 Pole/Win 1 0 Max 30 35 100 30 Min 1 8 10 13 Average 8.4 22.2 77.4 23.6 Total 387 71 0 0 Dist/LedAll 2 0 Run 2 Out 3 Top Ten 4 1 #96 Mark Littleton Age Arenzeville, Illinois Littleton became a teammate in the Hendren stable in 2007, he is a veteran of sportsman and modified competition in central Illinois with several starts on the Springfield Mile between the Sportsman Nationals and the Illinois Fall Nationals event. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 2007 40 28 59 out accident 2008 16 19 101 run Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 2 2 2 0 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 40 28 101 0 Min 16 19 59 0 Average 28 23.5 80 Total 160 0 0 0

Dist/LedAll 0 0 Run 1 Out 1 Top Ten 0 0 Top Ten 2 7 #28 Ron Cox Age 42 Soddy Daisy, Tennesee It‟s hard to believe that Ron Cox started his first race at Springfield in 1987, finishing last in the largest field in Allen Crowe 100 history. After a long absence he returned and has become a contender for victory, starting 4th and leading 41 laps in 2007 and starting 2nd and leading 12 laps in 2008. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 1987 45 1 out accident 2001 14 28 28 out accident 2002 11 19 98 8 run 2003 5 4 100 run 2007 4 9 100 41 run 2008 2 29 83 12 out rear end Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 5 6 6 3 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 14 45 100 41 Min 2 4 1 8 Average 7.2 22.3 68.3 20.3 Total 410 61 0 0 Dist/LedAll 2 0 Run 3 Out 3 Top Ten 3 2 #51 Joe Cooksey Age 43 Centralia, Illinois Southern Illinois driver who has experience in ARCA, UMP Late Models and UMP Modifieds. Cooksey had 12 consecutive starts at Springfield before missing last year. Shoestring operation is very strong on dirt, Joe has 7 top ten finishes in 12starts. Won pole at DuQuoin in 2000. Year ST FIN LComp LLed Run/Out Q Attempt Money Won Reason Out 1996 31 30 56 out engine 1997 32 17 104 run 1998 11 9 99 run 1999 6 5 100 run 2000 7 3 104 run 2001 12 8 99 run 2002 31 4 100 run 2003 7 18 88 out overheat 2004 5 12 107 run 2005 9 3 100 run 2006 8 5 100 run 2007 31 29 32 out accident Total ST FIN Lap Comp Lap Led Run/Out Attempts Money Reas Out Races 12 12 12 0 0 0 Pole/Win 0 0 Max 32 30 107 0 Min 5 3 32 0 Average 15.8 11.9 90.75 Total 1089 0 0 0 Dist/LedAll 4 0 Run 9

Out 3 Top Ten 6 7 11 Back 6 5 Out-Acc 1

1 tba Andy Belmont Racing Ford Jennifer Belmont

4 Mark Gibson/Winder GA Cunningham Motorsports Dodge Kerry Scherer

10 AJ Fike/Galesburg IL RFMS-Liberty Village Ford Andy Hillenburg

11 Bryan Silas/Stuart FL Rockingham Speedway-Holland Pumps Chevrolet Andy Hillenburg

14 Kory Rabenold/Slatington PA Bemont Racing Ford Jennifer Belmont

17 Eddie Pearson/Spartanburg SC Brad Hill Racing Ford Brad Hill

23 Jeremy Petty/Smolan KS Hixson Construction Chevrolet Wayne Hixson

26 Brad Smith/Shelby Township MI ApplianceZone.com Ford Brad Smith

28 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Dan Shaver Memorial Scholarship Chevrolet Wayne Hixson

36 Robb Brent/Shelby Township MI Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dodge Mike Allgaier

44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Ford Frank Kimmel

51 Joe Cooksey/Centralia IL Fuelvend Express Chevrolet Joe Cooksey

60 Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge Grace Sheltra

77 Parker Kligerman/Westport CT Cunningham Motorsports Dodge Mark Gibson

90 Brian Tyler/Parma MI Great Clips Toyota Doug Stringer

Event Schedule

Schedule of events for the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

Sat, August 22nd

6:00-8:00 PM ARCA RE/MAX Series Pre-Registration at the Crowne Plaza Springfield

Sun, August 23rd

6:00 AM ARCA RE/MAX Series Garage and Registration Opens

7:30 AM FMM Chapel Service

8:00 AM ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver, Crew Chief and Spotter Meeting and Draw for Qualifying

9:00-10:00 AM Practice

10:30 AM Pre-Qualifying Tech In-Line Time

11:00 AM Pole Qualifying (All Positions / 1 lap)

POST QUALIFYING IMPOUND PROCEDURE IN PLACE

12:00 N ARCA RE/MAX Series Registration Closes

12:45 PM ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver Introduction

1:00 PM Start of the Allen Crowe 100 (100 laps / 100 miles)

1963 26 Curtis Turner/Ed Martin Ford Galaxie 1:07:14.17 89.220

1964 2 Bobby Marshman/Zecol Lubaid Ford Galaxie 1:03:18.11 94.410a

1965 35 Bobby Isaac/Nichels Engineering Dodge Coronet 500 1:15:19.42 79.656

1967 2 Don White/Nichels Engineering Dodge Charger 1:06:30.75 90.209

1968 4 Norm Nelson/Hub Auto Sales Plymouth Roadrunner 1:08:20.00 87.804

1969 75 Butch Hartman/Hartman‟s White & Autocar Dodge Charger 1:20:02.82 74.562

1970 1 Norm Nelson/Hub Auto Sales Plymouth Roadrunner 1:14.33.00 80.493

1971 21 Jack Bowsher/Don Wagner Ford Torino 1:16:23.00 84.750

1972 15 Al Unser/R.A. Hoerr Ford Torino No time Red Flag

1973 21 Jack Bowsher/Don Wagner Ford Torino 1:20:15.38 74.781

1974 14 Roger McCluskey/G.W. Pierce Auto Parts Dodge Charger 1:14:07.10 80.952

1975 75 Butch Hartman/Hartman‟s White & Autocar Dodge Charger No time Red Flag

1976 1 Ramo Stott/Housby Mack Plymouth Fury 1:08:16.00 87.890

1977 7 Ramo Stott/Housby Mack Plymouth Volare No time Red Flag

1978 8 Sal Tovella/Trailer Train Dodge Magnum 1:17:14.80 77.673

1979 51 A.J. Foyt/Valvoline-Gilmore Chevrolet Camaro No Time Red Flag

1980 61 Terry Ryan/WAM Racing Chevrolet Camaro 1:27:19.93 68.703

1981 99 Dean Roper/Mueller Brothers Pontiac TransAm No Time Red Flag

1982 12 Bay Darnell/Lomax Piggyback Pontiac LeMans 1:07:42.50 88.615

1983 99 Dean Roper/Evinrude-Mueller Brothers Pontiac Grand Prix 1:19:21.44 84.084

1984 71 Bobby Jacks/Drip Rock Oldsmobile Cutlass 1:30:04.76 66.608@

1985 99 Dean Roper/Evinrude-Mueller Brothers Pontiac Grand Prix 1:22:21.48 72.753

1986 99 Dean Roper/Evinrude-Mueller Brothers Pontiac Grand Prix No time Red Flag

1987 29 Bob Keselowski/Arnold Jerome Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:28:33.00 67.920

1988 29 Bob Keselowski/Arnold Jerome Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:29:43.00 66.877

1989 29 Bob Keselowski/Arnold Jerome Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:09:59.00 85.734

1990 34 Bob Brevakl/Race Glaze Buick Regal 1:15:11.00 79.805

1992 21 Bobby Bowsher/Quality Farm & Fleet Ford Thunderbird 1:22:04.00 73.111

1993 29 Bob Keselowski/Winnebago Chrysler LeBaron 1:10:17.00 85.369

1994 46 Bob Hill/Clement Mack Chevrolet Lumina 1:29:13.00 68.014

1995 22 Billy Thomas/Joe Miller Pontiac Grand Prix 1:29:23.00 67.127

1996 16 Tim Steele/HS Die-CIM LINC Ford Thunderbird 1:29:56.00 69.385

1997 16 Tim Steele/HS Die-CIM LINC Ford Thunderbird 1:28:13.50 72.115

1998 38 Ken Schrader/Quicshine 99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:27:01.00 68.965

1999 52 Bill Baird/Saturn-SpeeDee Pop Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:20:15.00 74.766

2000 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:33:07.00 67.012

2001 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:19:57.00 79.555

2002 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford Taurus 1:20:25.00 74.611

2003 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford Taurus 1:23:09.00 72.159

2004 52 Bill Baird/Saturn-Hayes Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1:36:13.00 66.724

2005 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford Taurus 1:21:13.00 73.876

2006 16 Justin Allgaier/Hoosier Tire-Trashman Pontiac Grand Prix 1:23:15.00 72.072

2007 46 Frank Kimmel/Fort Dodge Animal Health-Pork Ford Taurus 1:11:51.00 83.507

2008 44 Frank Kimmel/Ford Drive One Ford Fusion 1:19:14.00 77.240

According to Illinois State Fair Records, news accounts and USAC Bobby Marshman completed the 100 miles in 1964 at 1:03:18.11 (94.410) however this was never recognized as the official 100-mile track record and there is no explanation as to the reason.

Don White’s 1966 record was set during a USAC Stock Car event and is not recognized by ARCA

Bobby Bowsher’s 1992 mark is recognized as the ARCA race record for 100 miles.

@-Denotes first year of ARCA sanction. All races previously sanctioned by USAC.

7 time Springfield winner Dean Roper

Year No Driver/Car Time Speed

1963 16 Rodger Ward/Bill Stroppe Mercury Marauder 39.87 90.293

1964 47 A.J. Foyt/Illinois Dodge Dealers Dodge Polara 39.97 90.068

1965 2 Norm Nelson/Hub Auto Sales Plymouth Belvedere 38.27 94.690

1966 1 Norm Nelson/Hub Auto Sales Plymouth GTX

1967 15 Parnelli Jones/Vel‟s Ford Fairlane 36.35 99.037a

1968 75 Butch Hartman/Hartman‟s White & Autocar Dodge Charger 39.12 92.025

1969 3 Don White/Eldon Palmer Dodge Charger 40.52 88.845

1970 1 Norm Nelson/Hub Auto Sales Plymouth Roadrunner

1971 8 Dave Whitcomb/Dodge Charger Drew for position

1972 15 Al Unser/R-A Hoerr Ford Torino 37.80 95.238

1973 15 Al Unser/R-A Hoerr Ford Torino 38.73 92.851

1974 75 Butch Hartman/Hartman‟s White & Autocar Dodge Charger 37.21 96.748

1975 8 Sal Tovella/Trailer Train Plymouth Fury 38.321 93.943

1976 12 Bay Darnell/Lomax Piggyback Dodge Charger 37.31 96.488

1977 12 Bay Darnell/Lomax Piggyback Dodge Charger Drew for position

1978 93 Don White/Roto Rooter Dodge Aspen 37.50 96.000

1979 51 A.J. Foyt/Valvoline-Gilmore Chevrolet Camaro 38.49 93.530

1980 97 Alan Kulwicki/WLPX Chevrolet Camaro Drew for position

1981 40 Joe Wallace/Wallace Racing Chevrolet Camaro 36.24 99.338

1982 99 Dean Roper/Evinrude Pontiac Grand Prix 35.753 100.691

1983 74 Bobby Jacks/Combined Racing Oldsmobile Cutlass 36.617 98.315

1984 1 Lee Raymond/Riverside Auto Parts Buick Regal 36.068 99.811

1985 0 Scott Stovall/Fleet Vehicle Auction Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35.483 101.457

1986 1 Lee Raymond/Riverside Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35.900 100.279

1987 29 Bob Keselowski/Arnold Jerome Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34.997 102.870

1988 72 Tracy Leslie/Leslie Tire Pontiac Grand Prix 35.880 100.334

1989 72 Jack Bowsher/Leslie Tire Pontiac Grand Prix 35.208 102.249

1990 34 Bob Brevak/Race Glaze Buick Regal 35.332 101.891

1991 10 Glenn Brewer/Tracey Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 35.038 102.746

1992 34 Bob Brevak/Race Glaze Buick Regal 35.195 102.287

1993 25 Bob Hill/Kodiak Chevrolet Lumina 34.243 105.131

1994 46 Bob Hill/Clement Mack Chevrolet Lumina 35.144 102.436

1995 46 Bob Hill/Clement Mack Chevrolet Lumina 33.546 107.315

1996 52 Ed Dixon/Dan Althoff Trucking Pontiac Grand Prix 36.334 99.081

1997 1 Ken Schrader/Riverside Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35.364 101.798

1998 38 Ken Schrader/Quicshine 99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34.455 104.484

1999 27 Bob Strait/Budweiser-Hendren Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35.044 102.727

2000 48 Damon Lusk/Reliance Tool & Manufacturing Ford Taurus 33.708 106.800

2001 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34.753 103.588

2002 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford Taurus Set by points

2003 46 Frank Kimmel/Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford Taurus 34.441 104.527

2004 11 A.J. Fike/Ray Farms Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34.168 105.362

2005 7 Justin Allgaier/Hoosier Tire-Law Automotive Pontiac Grand Prix 33.423 107.710

2006 65 Damon Lusk/Construct Corps Dodge Charger 33.402 107.778

Year No Driver/Car Time Speed

2007 46 Frank Kimmel/Fort Dodge Animal Health-Pork Ford Fusion Set by points

2008 44 Frank Kimmel/Ford Drive One Ford Fusion 32.878 109.496

P. Driver/Year/Laps Led Races Laps

1. Frank Kimmel 1997-18;1999-11;2000-47;2001-92;2002-84;2003-34;

2004-59:2005-75;2006-8;2007-59;2008-83 11 570

2. Don White 1962-13;1966-99;1967-23;1968-21;1969-48;1970-37;

1972-37;1972-6;1975-2;1976-4; 1978-90;1979-16 12 396

3. Dean Roper 1980-23;1980-8;1981-45;1981-56;1982-25;1982-18; 1983-41:

1983-62;1985-47;1986-7;1987-1 11 333

4. Bobby Jacks 1983-59;1983-12;1984-61;1985-19;1986-68;1987-33;1988-15 7 267

5. Bob Keselowski 1987-46;1988-51;1989-81;1990-33;1993-5;1994-49 6 266

6. Ramo Stott 1972-12;1975-52;1976-71;1977-50;1980-44; 1980-10 6 239

7. A.J. Foyt 1963-95;1964-56;1971-15;1979-63 4 228

8. Jack Bowsher 1969-45;1971-77;1972-9;1973-54 4 184

9. Paul Goldsmith 1961-72;1962-87;1965-22 3 181

10. Bay Darnell 1971-2;1972-20;1975-18;1976-25;1977-7;1981-26; 1982-19;1982-45 8 162

11. Bill Baird 1999-88;2000-45;2004-20 3 153

12. Tim Steele 1993-18;1996-41;1997-79;2000-8 4 146

13. Norm Nelson 1965-4;1966-1;1968-33;1970-63;1974-44 5 145

14. Bob Strait 1990-11;1998-24;1999-1;2003-40;2006-42 5 118

15. Al Unser 1972-84;1973-32 2 116

16. Bob Brevak 1979-21;1981-10;1982-9;1990-36;1992-26 5 102

17. Parnelli Jones 1967-77;1968-24 2 101

18. Jay Frank 1950-100 1 100

19. Butch Hartman 1968-22;1969-7;1971-7;1975-28;1980-28 5 92

20. Glenn Brewer 1991-91 1 91

21. Ken Schrader 1981-10;1997-3;1998-76 3 89

22. Bobby Isaac 1965-74 1 74

23. Ben Hess 1992-73 1 73

24. A.J. Fike 2004-28:2005-13;2006-30 3 71

25. Joe Ruttman 1980-66 1 66

26. Ron Cox 2002-8;2007-41;2008-12 3 61

27. Terry Ryan 1980-58 1 58

28. Frank Mundy 1952-56 1 56

29. Roger McCluskey 1974-56 1 56

30. Joe Wallace 1981-14;1982-42 2 56

31. Lee Raymond 1984-25;1985-5;1986-25 3 55

32. Steve Kosiski 1993-53 1 53

33. Paul Feldner 1973-14;1977-38 2 52

34. Ed Dixon 1996-50 1 50

35. Marshall Teague 1952-44 1 44

36. Ken Rowley 1988-10;1990-9;1993-17;1994-6 4 42

37. Rusty Wallace 1980-28;1980-13 2 41

38. Billy Thomas 1990-11;1993-7;1995-11;1997-6;2002-4 5 39

39. Buck Baker 1971-38 1 38

40. Bob Schact 1995-38 1 38

41. Joe Leonard 1964-36 1 36

P. Driver/Year/Laps Led Races Laps

42. Marv Smith 1982-27;1995-9 2 36

43. Randy Huffman 1995-34 1 34

44. Doug Keller 2003-26;2006-3;2008-4 3 33

45. Terry Pearson 1983-15;1984-14 2 29

46. Dan Dickey 1972-26 1 26

47. Sal Tovella 1972-1;1977-5;1978-10;1981-4;1981-3 5 23

48. Tracy Leslie 1988-23 1 23

49. Carl Miskotten 1989-19 1 19

50. Scott Stovall 1985-18 1 18

51. Bob Hill 1994-17 1 17

52. Len Sutton 1961-16 1 16

53. Gary Bradberry 1994-16 1 16

54. Rick O‟Brien 1982-14;1982-1 2 15

55. Damon Lusk 2006-14 1 14

56. Gordon Blankenship 1980-13 1 13

57. Blaise Alexander 1996-13 1 13

58. Bobby Bowsher 1991-11;1992-1 2 12

59. Don LaDuke 1994-12 1 12

61. Dave Goldsberry 1985-11 1 11

61. Grant Adcox 1987-11 1 11

62. Tom Meinberg 1983-11 1 11

63. Bill Venturini 1987-9 1 9

64. Justin Allgaier 2005-8;2006-1 2 9

65. Bobby Marshman 1964-8 1 8

66. Rodger Ward 1961-7 1 7

67. Alan Kulwicki 1980-7 1 7

68. John Hayden 2001-7 1 7

69. Bill Cheesbourg 1961-5 1 5

70. Curtis Turner 1963-5 1 5

71. Chuck McWilliams 1972-5 1 5

72. Dill Whittymore 1995-5 1 5

73. Bill Eversole 2005-4 1 4

74. Todd Coon 2000-4 1 4

75. Andy Belmont 2002-4 1 4

76. Dexter Bean 2008-3 1 3

77. Fred Zack 1980-2 1 2

78. David Boggs 2006 1 2

79. Jason Jarrett 2001-1 1 1

80. Jim Vaughn 1971 1

*Stock car auto racing came to the Springfield Mile for the first time on September 17, 1950 for a 100-mile event under American Automobile Association sanction. Jay Frank of Los Angeles, California won the race by leading all 100 miles and eventually became the 1950 AAA Stock Car champion. Stock cars returned to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1953 under AAA sanction, and became a permanent part of the motor sports lineup at Springfield in 1961 under United States Auto Club sanction. There have been 56 stock car races conducted on the Springfield Mile since 1950.

*Springfield resident Allen Crowe‟s life and career were recognized when the State Fair named the stock car race in his honor in 1963. Allen Crowe was a popular local stock car driver who gained fame on central Illinois tracks such as Macon, Lincoln, Champaign and the "Little" Springfield Speedway. By 1961 Allen had moved on to open wheel racing in the form of the United States Auto Club sprint car and midget divisions and made his debut in championship cars at Milwaukee and the Illinois State Fairgrounds on the same weekend in 1962. Allen made the field for the 1962 and 1963 Indianapolis 500 mile races and was on the verge of becoming a full time driver on the USAC championship trail when he perished in a USAC Sprint Car race at New Bremen, Ohio on June 21, 1963. The first Allen Crowe Memorial 100 was run on August 26, 1963. The first Allen Crowe Memorial to be a part of the Illinois State Fair lineup was on August 20, 1965, on the Friday before the Tony Bettenhausen 100. The 2008 race was the 46th running of the Allen Crowe Memorial 100

*There have been 31 different winners in the stock car events held at Springfield since 1950 and 27 different winners of the Allen Crowe Memorial since its first running in 1963.

*Al Unser is the only driver to win both the Tony Bettenhausen 100 championship dirt race and the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 stock car race in the same year, sweeping the Illinois State Fair weekend in 1972. A.J. Foyt and Roger McCluskey have also won both races, but in different years. Prior to the first Crowe Memorial in 1963 Len Sutton posted victories at Springfield in both championship dirt cars and stock cars.

*Nineteen times a race winner at Springfield has won a national stock car championship. AAA titles went to 1950 Springfield winner Jay Frank and 1953 winner Frank „Rebel‟ Mundy. USAC titles went to Springfield winners Paul Goldsmith in 1962, Don White in 1967, Joe Ruttman in 1980 and Dean Roper in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Springfield victors that won ARCA titles are Bob Keselowski in 1989, Bobby Bowsher in 1992, Tim Steele in 1996 and 1997, Bill Baird in 1999 and Frank Kimmel in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

*Kimmel is just one of nine drivers to sweep the stock car races on the two Illinois fairground dirt miles and has done that four times, in 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2008. Jay Frank was the first in 1950, followed by Paul Goldsmith in 1962, Don White in 1966, Norm Nelson in 1970, Butch Hartman in 1975, Dean Roper in 1981, 1983 and 1986, Bob Keselowski in 1988, 1989 and Bob Brevak in 1990.

*A large number of NASCAR drivers have competed in stock cars on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The list of Nextel Cup drivers includes Paul Goldsmith, Norm Nelson, Roger McCluskey, Parnelli Jones, Curtis Turner, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Bobby Isaac, Butch Hartman, Dean Roper, Joe Leonard, Don White, Grant Adcox, Bill Venturini, Gary Bradberry, Tim Steele, Bob Schact, A.J. Foyt, Joe Ruttman, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, Mike Wallace, Davey Allison, Dick Trickle, Ken Schrader and Frank Kimmel. Bob Keselowski, Bob Strait, Jerry Churchill and Justin Allgaier have run the NASCAR truck series while the late Blaise Alexander and Damon Lusk have competed in the NASCAR Busch Series. In 2008 Scott Speed became the first former full-time Formula One driver to compete in any event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

*The most varied field of car models appeared at Springfield in August of 1970 as fifteen different car models were represented among Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and American Motors.

*Wins by Manufacturer:

General Motors-28

Ford-13

Chrysler-12

*Wins by Car Model:

Chevrolet Monte Carlo-8

Pontiac Grand Prix-8

Dodge Charger-5

*Manufacturer Pole Positions:

General Motors-32

Chrysler-14

Ford-9

*Car Model Pole Positions:

Chevrolet Monte Carlo-8

Pontiac Grand Prix-8

Dodge Charger-8

*Cars carrying the number 46 have the most stock car wins at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

No Wins Years

46 7 1994-2000-01-02-03-05-07

99 5 1981-81-82-83-83

21 4 1971-73-91-92

29 4 1987-88-89-90

*7 drivers account for the back to back stock car victories at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Driver Years

Don White 1966-67

Ramo Stott 1976-77

Dean Roper 1981-81-82; 83-83, 85-86

Bob Keselowski 1987-88-89

Bobby Bowsher 1991-92

Tim Steele 1996-97

Frank Kimmel 2000-01-02-03; 07-08

*Frank Kimmel has the most Allen Crowe 100 wins, taking an unprecedented 7th win in the event in 2008. Kimmel won four in a row from 2000 to 2003.

Driver Wins Years

Frank Kimmel 7 2000-01-02-03-05-07-08

Dean Roper 4 1981-83-85-86

Bob Keselowski 4 1987-88-89-93

Don White 2 1966-67

Norm Nelson 2 1968-70

Jack Bowsher 2 1971-73

Butch Hartman 2 1969-75

Ramo Stott 2 1976-77

Bobby Bowsher 2 1991-92

Tim Steele 2 1996-97

Bill Baird 2 1999-04

*The top starting spots for stock car race winners:

Pos Wins Years

1 15 1950-70-72-79-80-81-87-90-94-98-01-02-03-07-08

4 9 1964-65-68-73-76-80-82-82-97

2 8 1962-66-67-71-78-84-99-00

*Kimmel also has five pole positions for the Crowe Memorial 100.

Driver Poles Years

Frank Kimmel 5 2001-02-03-07-08

Norm Nelson 3 1965-66-70

Bob Hill 3 1993-94-95

Al Unser 2 1972-73

Butch Hartman 2 1968-74

Bay Darnell 2 1976-77

Don White 2 1969-78

A.J. Foyt 2 1964-79

Lee Ryamond 2 1984-86

Bob Brevak 2 1990-92

Ken Schrader 2 1997-98

Damon Lusk 2 2000-06

*Most laps led, Allen Crowe 100 winner-99, Don White August 1966. (Jay Frank led 100 in 1950).

*Least laps led, race winner-1, Bobby Bowsher (1992) and Justin Allgaier (2006)

*Most laps led one race, non-winner-95, A.J. Foyt 1963.

*Most laps led total, non-winner-118, Bob Strait

*Most races led non-winner-5, Bob Strait.

*Most races led-12, Don White.

*Most consecutive races led-10, Frank Kimmel (1999-2008).

*Fewest lead changes-2, ten times.

*Fewest leaders, one race-2

*Most lead changes-9, 1985.

*Most leaders one race-6, 1993 & 1994.

*Most caution periods-12, 2000.

*Most caution laps-52, 2000.

*Most entries-55, 1993

*Most qualification attempts-52, 1993.

*Most starters-45, 1987.

*Fewest entries-18, June 1982.

*Fewest starters-18, June 1982.

*Fewest qualification attempts-18, June 1982.

*Oldest race winner-55 years and 26 days, Bill Baird August 2004.

*Youngest race winner-20 years 2 months and 14 days, Justin Allgaier August 2006.

*Oldest starter-73 years 11 months 22 days, James Hylton August 2008.

*Youngest starter-16 years 2 months, Justin Allgaier August 2002.

*Most victories car owner-7, tie between Larry Clement and the Mueller Brothers.

*Most wins sponsor-7, Evinrude.

*Butch Hartman broke the 100-mile an hour barrier for a stock car in June of 1980 with a 35.73 (100.756) lap in qualifications for the first American 100.

*The leaders in stock car starts at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (all races):

P. Driver/Years Starts

1. Ken Rowley 1974-82, 83(2)-98 29

2. Bay Darnell 1962-83 27

3. Don White 1961-81 25

4. Dean Roper 1976, 1979-87, 89, 92-95, 98-01 24

5. Sal Tovella 1962-66, 1968-81 24

6. Bob Brevak 1972, 76, 78-82, 83-93 22

7. Steve Drake 1973-82, 83, 86-90, 93 20

8. Bob Strait 1986-93, 97-03, 05, 06, 08 18

9. Eric Smith 1983, 85, 87-88, 90-02 17

Frank Kimmel 1992-08 17

*The top ten in consecutive stock car starts at the Illinois State Fairgrounds:

P. Driver Years Starts

1. Bay Darnell 1962-83 27

2. Don White 1961-80 25

3. Sal Tovella 1968-81 18

4. Frank Kimmel 1992-08 17

5. Ken Rowley 1983-98 16

6. Steve Drake 1973-82 15

7. Dean Roper 1979-87 14

8. Mike Fry 1985-97 13

9. Eric Smith 1990-02 13

10. Butch Hartman 1966-76 12

The top ten in ARCA starts at Springfield:

P. Driver/Years Starts

1. Bob Strait 1986-93, 97-03, 05, 06, 08 18

2. Frank Kimmel 1992-08 17

3. Eric Smith 1985, 87-88, 1990-02 16

4. Ken Rowley 84-98 15

5. Dean Roper 1983, 84-87, 89, 92-95, 98-01 14

Randy Huffman 1984-93, 95-97 14

7. Mike Fry 1985-97 13

8. Jerry Huffman 1985-95, 97 12

Mark Gibson 1991, 93, 97-00, 02-07 12

Norm Benning 1997-08 12

Joe Cooksey 1996-07 12

Sangamon County can lay claim to a number of news makers in the auto racing world, including a co-winner of the 1941 Indianapolis 500, a top flight midget driver and champion, a five time starter at Indianapolis, an ARCA stock car champion, and a promoter whose race track was known throughout the country and perhaps the world. Another favorite son seemed to be on his way to fulfilling the lofty expectations set when his career was cut short, however, his memory continues to live on in the honor bestowed in the late summer of 1963.

Allen Crowe was born in York in southeastern Illinois on November 12, 1928. Allen relocated to Central Illinois and in 1951 began racing stock cars at the Macon Spedway. He became a regular competitor around Missouri and Illinois in stock car competition winning the Illinois-Missouri stock car title three times in the mid 1950‟s and won numerous features at the "Little Springfield" Speedway, Champaign, Macon, Godfrey, and Lincoln Speedway, among others. By 1958 Allen had earned the distinction of being one of the best and toughest drivers around the Midwestern bullrings which earned him a chance in national championship machinery. He made two attempts in 1958 but was unable to make the field in Atlanta or on the hometown dirt in Springfield. Still, he had a higher goal in mind.

Allen, now a resident of the capitol city, drew the interest of car owners in the top sanctioning body of the day, the United States Auto Club, with his driving exploits around the Midwest. By coincidence, USAC sanctioned the Indianapolis 500, a race Allen dreamed of making. He would realize that dream.

Allen Crowe traveled with the USAC regulars to the New Bremen Speedway in Ohio, a fast half mile dirt track for the national sprint car race on June 21, 1963. He made the thirty lap feature on a day which would turn tragic. On lap 11 of the main event his car became entangled with two others and hit the retaining wall and flipped. Two other drivers came to Allen‟s aid and he was taken by ambulance to Dayton where he passed away from his injuries.

For the second time in three years the city of Springfield lost a racing hero, and again the local racing community handled the situation with dignity and grace by naming the fledgling stock car race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the Allen Crowe Memorial. The memories and joy that Allen Crowe gave race fans in his time, plus the realized dreams of an entire community are honored each August when the full bodied stock cars come to Springfield for yet another Allen Crowe Memorial 100.

A large contingent of local stock car drivers invade the Illinois State Fairgrounds as part of „Stock Car

Nationals, a 20 mile contest for area short track pilots.

The Sportsman National event draws competitors from all over Central and Southern Illinois and despite the diverse field, has seen every winner but one come from Sangamon County. Five time winner Wes O‟Dell is from Springfield, while Jeff Leka hails from Buffalo, Steve Sheppard from New Berlin and three-time and defending winner Dennis Vandermeersch from Springfield. 2007 winner Tim Dick is a Mansfield resident and is expected back to try for his second win.

1994 24 Wes O‟Dell/O‟Dell Racing Chevrolet Camaro 15MI No time None

1995 24 Wes O‟Dell/O‟Dell Racing Chevrolet Camaro 15MI No time None

1996 87 Wes O‟Dell/O‟Dell Racing Chevrolet Camaro 15MI No time None

1997 25 Dennis Vandermeersch/Teamsters 916 Monte Carlo 20MI No time None

1998 25 Dennis Vandermeersch/Teamsters 916 Monte Carlo 20MI No time None

1999 87 Wes O‟Dell/O‟Dell Racing Chevrolet Camaro 20MI No time None

2000 87 Wes O‟Dell/O‟Dell Racing Chevrolet Camaro 20MI No time None

2001 31 Jeff Leka/Jungle Jim‟s Café Pontiac Grand Prix 20MI No time None

2002 31 Jeff Leka/Jungle Jim‟s Café Pontiac Grand Prix 20MI No time None

2003 31 Jeff Leka/Jungle Jim‟s Café Pontiac Grand Prix 20MI No time None

2004 31 Steve Sheppard Jr./Jungle Jin‟s Café Pontiac Grand Prix 20MI No time None

2005 66 Steve Sheppard Jr./Shep‟s Bar & Grille Monte Carlo 20MI No time None

2006 66 Steve Sheppard Jr./Shep‟s Bar & Grille Monte Carlo 20MI No time None

2007 22 Tim Dick/Davis Farms Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20MI 32:09.38 UMP

2008 25 Dennis Vandermeersch/Midwest Brick Chevrolet 20MI 27:13.22 UMP

Upcoming Events: