HOOSIER HUNDRED, DAY BEFORE THE 500

SPOTLIGHT SILVER CROWN SERIES THIS WEEK

Thursday night’s “Hoosier Hundred” and Saturday afternoon’s “Day Before the 500” will be pivotal in the early battle for USAC’s 2015 Silver Crown Championship.

Thursday’s 100-mile race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds has tradition dating back to 1953, while Saturday’s 100-lap race at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis sports a new timetable for a tradition dating back to 1946.

Defending Silver Crown Champion Kody Swanson is the odds-on favorite to repeat as the winner in Thursday’s race and he and his brother Tanner figure to be among favorites for Saturday’s race at the paved oval located in Brownsburg. Ind.

Kody’s success of six victories in the last 11 Silver Crown races dates back to 2014 when he claimed the series crown, plus victories at both of this week’s venues. He enters the week with a nine-point lead over Jacob Wilson after winning the May 1 “Rollie Beale Classic” at Toledo, Ohio.

An expanded field for Thursday night’s “Hoosier Hundred” includes some surprises for race fans. Among entries are USAC Champions Brian Tyler, who returns after a brief hiatus, and Rickey Hood, who returns after a lengthy hiatus.

Former “Hoosier Hundred” race winners Levi Jones, Jerry Coons Jr. and Dave Darland and previous Lucas Oil Raceway Silver Crown race winners Tanner Swanson, Bobby Santos and Tracy Hines are also top prospects for victories this week.

Saturday’s event in Brownsburg continues a long tradition while starting a new one. Formerly a night-time Midget race, the “Night Before the 500” classic becomes the “Day Before the 500” this year with Saturday’s Silver Crown race starting at 1:15 pm following a 12:15 pm USF2000 race. A Pro Mazda race follows at 2:45 pm.