CALIFORNIAN JOHNSON SET FOR SILVER CROWN DEBUT AT TERRE HAUTE
Terre Haute, Ind. (May 19, 2021)………Penngrove, California’s Chase Johnson will make his first career USAC Silver Crown appearance during the series’ season opening Sumar Classic on Thursday night, May 27, at Indiana’s Terre Haute Action Track.
Johnson will debut with the series aboard the Goodnight Racing No. 17, which was driven in 2020 by Chris Windom to a 3rd place finish in the standings.
A standout in USAC western competition in recent seasons as a winner with the West Coast Sprint Cars, Western States Midgets and, most recently, with the AMSOIL USAC CRA Sprint Cars at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway on May 8, Johnson will finally realize a dream of getting into the seat of a big car.
“Running a Silver Crown car is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Johnson revealed. “They are so unique and special, then to add the history on top of that, makes it really cool. I love the history of the sport and enjoy it. To do this with a completely new and different type of car, and to have that challenge, is what I’m looking forward to.”
The Terre Haute Action Track isn’t foreign to the 26-year-old wheelman who has made two previous sprint car starts at the half-mile dirt oval. His first came during USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week in 2020, finishing 21st after experiencing a mechanical issue.
His most recent Terre Haute start came with the Midwest Sprint Car Series on May 2 where he won his heat race and finished a solid 6th in the feature for Goodnight Racing, with whom Johnson has made six previous USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car feature starts for between 2018-2021.
Before you finish first, you must first finish. That’s the mantra for Johnson as he makes his first step into Silver Crown racing where his plan, first and foremost, is to make it to the finish line in one piece.
“I want to complete all of the laps; that’s the biggest goal,” Johnson stated. “Watching a lot of these races, it seems like that’s a tough thing to do, especially for Rookies. To take care of your equipment and be there at the end of the race is what I want to accomplishment. I’m confident in myself and my team that the results will come if we do that.”
The race marks the 20th ever visit by the USAC Silver Crown series to the western Indiana track since 1980. The venue, longtime known as the Action Track, has a history that dates back USAC’s formative years in 1956, and prior to that with its predecessor, AAA. Johnson is proud to be a part of the series and the track’s historic heritage.
“Terre Haute has a special history in the state of Indiana and a lot of history in Silver Crown racing too,” Johnson said. “It will be pretty cool. A huge thank you to Goodnight Racing, Benic Enterprises and all of our great supporters who have made this possible. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to take advantage of the moment.”
The Sumar Classic will also feature the Scott's Custom Colors DIRTcar Modifieds. Pits open at 2pm EDT, grandstands at 3pm, hot laps at 6:30pm with racing to follow. Adult general admission tickets are $30. Infield admission is $20. Pit passes are $35.
Track Enterprises, the promotion company for the Terre Haute Action Track, has also announced a three-day SUPERTICKET, which includes general admission for all three days of the Week of Indy events at Terre Haute for just $75, a $15 savings off the single day prices.
For advance sale Wednesday/Thursday tickets or the 3-day SUPERTICKET, visit www.tracpass.com. Tickets will also be available at the gates on each race day.
The race will be streamed live on FloRacing at https://bit.ly/3dgONXz.