ELDORA’S “4-CROWN NATIONALS” SEPTEMBER 20;

“TONY BETTENHAUSEN 100” SWANSON’S 4TH WIN THIS YEAR!

Only 54 points separate the top-three in USAC’s Silver Crown standings entering the upcoming September 20 “4-Crown Nationals” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

The “4-Crown” will offer 66 points, so the title could still be up for grabs in the series finale on October 11 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. scored his fourth win of the year in Sunday’s “Tony Bettenhausen 100” at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. He won the pole in the Radio Hospital Maxim/Hampshire and never trailed, finishing a half-lap ahead of runner-up Tracy Hines.

The point battle was affected only minimally, with second-place Hines and third-place Bobby East unable to close in on Swanson. Hines finished second and East third at the checkered flag, with A.J. Fike fourth and Chris Windom fifth. Sixteen of the 24 starters were still running at the finish of the 100 mile race.

Swanson became the fifth driver to score a fourth victory during a single Silver Crown campaign. Jack Hewitt won six in 1986, while J.J. Yeley won four in 2003. Gary Bettenhausen also won four in 1980 and Dave Steele accomplished the same feat in 2005.