5 “EASTERN STORM” SPRINTS BEGIN TUESDAY

Tuesday night’s “Jesse Hockett Classic” at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa. kicks off the 2015 “Eastern Storm” for the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars.

Robert Ballou of Rocklin, Calif., with four victories under his belt already this year, carries a two-point lead over Chase Stockon into Tuesday’s race.

The series continues Wednesday night at Lincoln Speedway in New Oxford, Pa., Thursday night at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, Saturday at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway and Sunday at Susquehanna Speedway Park in Newberrytown, Pa.

Defending AMSOIL USAC National Champion Brady Bacon is the defending champion of “Eastern Storm.” He won at Port Royal last year while Stockon is the defending “Hockett” winner and Clauson won at New Egypt in 2014. Rains interrupted last year’s races at Lincoln Speedway and Susquehanna Speedway Park.

Levi Jones is the all-time “Eastern Storm” race winner with six victories. Cole Whitt and Bryan Clauson each have three wins and Chris Windom has two. Single race winners in the eight previous years of racing have been Jon Stanbrough, Bobby East, Hunter Schuerenberg, Jesse Hockett, Chad Boat, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daron Clayton, Dave Darland, Shane Cottle, Stockon and Bacon.

Darland will continue his pursuit of USAC history in this week’s “Eastern Storm.” He has 99 career USAC National feature wins and hopes to join A.J. Foyt, Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon as the only drivers in USAC history to reach the century plateau.

“Eastern Storm” Champions have been Jones (2007, 2010 and 2011), Whitt (2008 and 2009), Clauson (2012 and 2013) and Bacon last year.