TYLER, GALAS FORM POTENT COMBO FOR ILLINOIS, Du QUOIN FAIR RACES
By: Jay Hardin - Track Enterprises Staff
Springfield, Illinois………The resurgence of the USAC Silver Crown Series has brought teams and drivers back to the fold and one return that has been especially popular with the fans has been the return of the orange and white numbered 12 of Robert Galas. Galas, whose shop was located near Interstate 64 in O’Fallon, Illinois, continues a tradition of fielding championship dirt cars that stretches back well over 40 years. Paired with four-time Bettenhausen 100 winner Brian Tyler, the two make a formidable team that has the attention of competitors and fans alike heading into the event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds August 18.
Galas was the longtime chief mechanic for Chicago area owner Tim Delrose who can still be found occasionally in the Galas pit area. Delrose fielded dirt track cars in the USAC Silver Crown Series during the early 1970’s for Johnny Rutherford and Jim Hurtubise. In 1979 Delrose and Galas teamed with another legend, Gary Bettenhausen and the trio won ten races, including Springfield twice, the Hoosier Hundred and five times at Du Quoin. All of Gary’s ten series victories and his 1980 national championship were at the wheel of the Delrose-Galas machine.
When Gary moved to the Leader Card team in 1987 a very young Jeff Swindell (also competing at Springfield this year) moved into the ride. All Jeff did in 1987 was win the Hulman 100 from 27th starting position, set a new world record in qualifying at Springfield and sat on the pole and led at Du Quoin. Three years later the team would win with Swindell at Du Quoin, win the Hoosier Hundred in 1991 and 1993 plus compete down to the wire for the 1992 series championship.
Galas became the entrant for the 1994 season and Bettenhausen returned for three races including a stellar drive at Du Quoin. In 1996 Bob hired Kevin Thomas and he responded with a victory at Terre Haute. From then until the end of the 2011 season, drivers such as Cary Faas, Tim Siner, Hud Cone and Swindell again filled the seat of the Galas car but without much success. The Galas team all but disappeared and was presumed to be in retirement.
The upswing of the Silver Crown Series brought Bob Galas out of retirement with sons Robby and Jeff. A new car was put together and a driver who was second only to Jack Hewitt in series wins, Brian Tyler brought on board. The combination clicked at Du Quoin with an 8th place finish, then really ramped up at Springfield last year when Tyler led a good portion of the Bettenhausen before fading late. Tyler looked like a sure winner of the Hoosier Hundred this year pulling away from the rest of the field until debris caused him to be involved in an accident just past the halfway point.
The car that ran so well for Galas and Tyler was beyond repair after the Indy incident, but Tyler escaped unscathed. The team has been working hard to put a new machine together and fully expects to be on hand for the Bettenhausen family memorial event.
On Saturday, August 18, registration and pits will open at 7:00 AM, grandstands and ticket office at 9:00, Silver Crown practice at 10:00, qualifying at 11:30, Sportsman hot laps at 12:00 noon, Silver Crown semi at 12:30, Sportsman heats at 1:00, and the Bettenhausen 100 at 2:00.