HOOSIER HUNDRED SPORTS NEW DRIVERS & COMBOS;

TWIN PEAKS “KICKOFF” TO BENEFIT SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION

An expanded lineup of cars and drivers for next Thursday night’s “Hoosier Hundred” USAC Silver Crown race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis features several race “rookies” and some new driver-car combinations for 2015.

One of America’s most revered traditions unfolds on the one-mile dirt oval with a 100-mile race expected to be pivotal in the early battle for USAC’s Silver Crown championship. The race dates back to 1953 and remains an event near and dear to the hearts of participants and race fans alike.

Previously-announced series returns of USAC Champions Brian Tyler and Rickey Hood are joined by first-time “Hoosier Hundred” drivers Brady Bacon, C.J. Leary, Austin Nemire, Joey Moughan, David Byrne, Tyler Courtney and Steven Russell, plus new car assignments for former race winner Levi Jones and Sprint car standouts Justin Grant and Shane Cottle. 

Courtney’s entry signals the inaugural Silver Crown appearance of USAC’s 2013 Sprint Car “Rookie of the Year” and follows a special benevolent appearance by Courtney on Tuesday at Twin Peaks Castleton Restaurant at 6880 E. 82nd St. That fund raiser will target proceeds to the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Courtney, team owner Tom Capie of Avon, Ind. and their car will be on hand to meet and greet attendees. A silent auction is also planned from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Defending USAC Sprint Car Champion Bacon, 2014 USAC Midwest HPD Midget Champion Nemire and Russell, son of long-time USAC driver Jerry Russell, will be among Hoosier Hundred rookies as will Moughan and Courtney. Bacon is in an entry from Paul Martens of Fairview, Okla. while Nemire’s entry is fielded by 1996 Indianapolis 500 winning car owner Ron Hemelgarn. Byrne, of Shullsburg, Wisc., who won at Lucas Oil Raceway last year, will drive his own car. Russell will drive for Springfield, Ill. car owners Dennis and Dave McQuinn and Moughan, also from Springfield, is fielding his own car.

Jones, who finally triumphed in the Hoosier Hundred in 2013, will return in a new car fielded by Jack Rogers of Evansville, Ind. Grant, who won last Saturday’s “Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic” Sprint race at Rossburg, Ohio, will pilot a new car fielded by Chris Carli of Elk Grove, Calif., while Cottle will drive a car fielded by Curtis Williams of Springfield, Ohio.

Thursday’s race is part of a busy week of traditional USAC racing. The 45th “Tony Hulman Classic” Sprint race is scheduled Wednesday night at the Terre Haute Action Track and Saturday afternoon’s “Day Before the 500” Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway features the USAC Silver Crown cars in another 100-lap event.