HISTORY IN THE MAKING: NARROW USAC SPRINT TITLE RACE TO BE DECIDED AT PERRIS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Perris, California (November 6, 2018)………As the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars head into the season’s final weekend of 2018, we’re staring down the barrel of history in the making.

Only two points separate Kevin Thomas, Jr. and Tyler Courtney in the National standings with just three races remaining – the 23^rd annual Budweiser “Oval Nationals” presented by All Coast Construction at California’s Perris Auto Speedway on November 8-9-10.

The old saying, “if the season ended today…,” would make the current interval the closest finish in the history of the series.  Close championship races have been more of the norm of late with six of the top-ten closest championships all occurring since the year 2000.

Last year’s battle came down to the final race with Chris Windom prevailing by a mere six points over Justin Grant to lock up the title in the third-closest title race ever.  None have yet surpassed the 2.5-point margin Johnny Rutherford had to close out his 1965 USAC National Sprint Car championship over Greg Weld, however. 

A close title race such as this is sure to get the drivers up on their toes and the fans on their feet with each qualifying session, heat race and feature having substantial meaning.  Two points is literally just one spot in the feature.  Each spot in the top-ten pays three points more than the driver behind him from 70 to 43.  From 11^th to 20^th, the dropdown is two points per position from 41 points to 23.  Twenty-three points are granted for all finishers 20^th on back.

If trouble befalls one or both, it could prove to be the nail in Thomas or Courtney’s bid for the title.  Plus, your reigning series champ and 2010 “Oval Nationals” winner Windom is just 50 points back, ready to pounce.

Without further ado, here is the list of the all-time closest points races in the history of the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars.  We very well could have a new number one when all is said and done this Saturday night, so get your calculators and T-Squares ready.  You’re going to need them!

CLOSEST USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

1.            1965: (2.5) Johnny Rutherford over Greg Weld

2.            2012: (5) Bryan Clauson over Dave Darland

3.            2017: (6) Chris Windom over Justin Grant

4.            1967: (11) Greg Weld over Sam Sessions

5.            2002: (13) Tracy Hines over J.J. Yeley

6.            2005: (13) Levi Jones over Dave Darland

7.            2001: (19) J.J. Yeley over Jay Drake

8.            1973: (24) Rollie Beale over Lee Kunzman

9.            2000: (24) Tony Elliott over Jay Drake

10.          1979: (32) Greg Leffler over Bubby Jones

11.          1987: (32) Steve Butler over Rich Vogler

12.          1991: (35) Robbie Stanley over Eric Gordon

13.          1986: (36) Steve Butler over Rick Hood

14.          1994: (43) Doug Kalitta over Tray House

15.          1992: (45) Robbie Stanley over Steve Butler

16.          1972: (47) Sam Sessions over Rollie Beale

17.          1962: (50) Parnelli Jones over Roger McCluskey

18.          1971: (55) Gary Bettenhausen over Larry Dickson

19.          2014: (56) Brady Bacon over Bryan Clauson

20.          1980: (61) Rich Vogler over Steve Chassey

21.          1998: (62) Tony Elliott over Kevin Thomas

22.          2013: (63) Bryan Clauson over Dave Darland

23.          1961: (67.8) Parnelli Jones over Jim Hurtubise

24.          2004: (74) Jay Drake over Bud Kaeding

25.          1977: (75) Sheldon Kinser over Tom Bigelow

26.          2008: (84) Jerry Coons, Jr. over Levi Jones

27.          2007: (85) Levi Jones over Darren Hagen

28.          2015: (87) Robert Ballou over Dave Darland

29.          1975: (88) Larry Dickson over Rollie Beale

30.          2006: (88) Josh Wise over Levi Jones

31.          2011: (99) Levi Jones over Chris Windom

32.          1984: (102) Rick Hood over Sheldon Kinser

33.          1995: (119) Tony Stewart over Doug Kalitta

34.          1970: (131) Larry Dickson over Gary Bettenhausen

35.          2010: (132) Levi Jones over Damion Gardner

36.          1983: (148) Ken Schrader over Larry Rice

37.          1981: (160) Sheldon Kinser over Rich Vogler

38.          1989: (171) Rich Vogler over Eric Gordon

39.          1993: (175) Robbie Stanley over Tray House

40.          1996: (176) Brian Tyler over Doug Kalitta

41.          1974: (184) Duane "Pancho" Carter over Tom Bigelow

42.          1969: (189.2) Gary Bettenhausen over Larry Dickson

43.          1966: (194) Roger McCluskey over Mario Andretti

44.          1982: (217) Sheldon Kinser over Rich Vogler

45.          1988: (222) Steve Butler over Greg Staab

46.          1978: (223) Tom Bigelow over Chuck Gurney

47.          1999: (224) Dave Darland over Tracy Hines

48.          2009: (224) Levi Jones over Cole Whitt

49.          1964: (236) Don Branson over Jud Larson

50.          1990: (257) Steve Butler over Eric Gordon

51.          1997: (289) Brian Tyler over Kevin Thomas

52.          1985: (301) Rick Hood over Steve Butler

53.          1963: (309) Roger McCluskey over A. J. Foyt

54.          2016: (314) Brady Bacon over Chase Stockon

55.          2003: (352) J.J. Yeley over Jay Drake

56.          1968: (358) Larry Dickson over Gary Bettenhausen

57.          1976: (369) Duane "Pancho" Carter over Tom Bigelow

On Thursday and Friday, the pits open at noon, front gates open at 4pm, drivers meeting at 4:30pm and cars on track at 5:30pm.  On Saturday, the pits open at noon, front gates open at 3pm, autograph session from 3-4pm, drivers meeting at 4:30pm and cars on track at 5:15pm.

All three nights will be live on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ with live audio also available on the USAC app.