1985 USAC SILVER CROWN SEASON REVIEW
Rick Hood climaxed a remarkable and courageous comeback to auto racing in 1985, becoming the first driver in history to claim championships in both the USAC Silver Crown and the USAC National Sprint Car series in the same season.
The son of legendary racer Hooker Hood (who once notched 54 victories in a single season) scored a stunning victory in the 1985 USAC Sprint opener at Arizona’s Manzanita Speedway in March and the rest of the USAC racing gentry never stopped reeling for the remainder of the season.
Rick had just completed a Sprint Car practice session at Manzanita in October of 1984 and was walking across the infield ¼-mile dirt track to get a better vantage point to watch the next hot lap session when an errant sprinter prematurely ended his racing season and nearly cut short his brilliant career.
Hood spent the winter months recovering from a pair of badly broken legs, and facing a doubtful, at best, future in the sport of speed.
Additionally, Hood and the Fortune team briefly parted ways to begin the 1985 season, forcing Hood to watch from the sidelines as his former ride was being driven to victory lane in the season opener at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Hood and Fortune were also absent from May’s Hulman Hundred starting field at the Indiana State Fairgrounds before embarking on a remarkable USAC championship quest.
Rick’s victory in the Pepsi-Cola 150 pavement Silver Crown feature at Indianapolis Raceway Park extended the team’s success beyond the realm of dirt track racing and outlined the scope of Hood’s versatility behind the wheel.
A blown engine opened the 1985 Silver Crown campaign for Rick on a disappointing note, but his determination produced three consecutive victories in the next three series events, at IRP, Oklahoma City and at the new West Virginia Motor Speedway.
Hood subsequently added a new one-mile track qualifying record and 100-mile race victory at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Illinois on Labor Day and prematurely ended the battle for the 1985 series championship so that a runner-up finish in the 4-Crown Nationals finale at Eldora Speedway had little effect on the title outcome.
Not only was Hood’s USAC National Sprint title the third in a row for the Fortune team, but the Silver Crown championship added to the credibility of the entire team operation, from Rick and Blackie right down through Chief Mechanic Rick Fortune, engine man Ron Johnson and crew members Don Waters, Ricky French and former driver Wes Stafford.
The Silver Crown title was the first for both the Fortunes and Hood after he earned series Rookie of the Year honors two years earlier in 1983. Hood’s meteoric rise was impressive, but his surprising recovery in early 1985 and extraordinary leadership of the Fortune Racing team throughout the year will stand among the most memorable accomplishments in USAC history.
Sheldon Kinser, with victories in the Hulman Hundred and the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, claimed the runner-up spit in the final standings with Springfield winner Chuck Gurney third.
George Snider, as he did in 1984, won the opening race of the series, driving the car which was driven by Hood the rest of the season. George grabbed the Salute to Joltin Jud Larson 50-lapper at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
Larry Rice closed out the campaign with a 50-lap triumph in the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway and wound up fifth in the final standings, right behind Joe Saldana, who announced his retirement at the end of his 25th racing season.
Defending series titlist Dave Blaney ended up 10th in the final point tally, his best finish being a second to Hood at West Virginia Motor Speedway.
The “Challenge” concept, which pitted stars of the USAC series against the best of the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) was expanded from its Oklahoma City home to include the Tampa program in 1985. USAC’s Jack Hewitt and Rich Vogler won the special match race shootouts at each site, but NCRA drivers finished second in each outing.
Former series titlists Tom Bigelow and Gary Bettenhausen suffered through disappointing campaigns in 1985, Bigelow escaping with minor injuries from a violent crash at Tampa while Bettenhausen was plagued all season by mechanical woes.
Duke Cook was proclaimed the USAC Silver Crown division’s Most Improved Driver while Steve Butler was named series Rookie of the Year.
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HEWITT TAKES TAMPA’S USAC VS. NCRA CHALLENGE
Tampa, Florida………Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio dominated Saturday’s 15-lap USAC vs. NCRA Challenge USAC Silver Crown Special Event feature, leading all but the first lap in the Kenny Jarrett owned No. 10.
Hewitt started third but made his way to the lead in a hurry, taking the top spot from George Snider on the second circuit and leading the remainder of the way.
While a USAC driver topped all in the feature, the NCRA placed three of its drivers in the top-five at the finish with Bob Ewell in second, Mike Peters in fourth and Shane Carson in fifth, which was good enough to top USAC in the overall challenge standings 106 to 103.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL EVENT RACE RESULTS: February 9, 1985 – Florida State Fairgrounds – Tampa, Florida – USAC vs. NCRA Challenge Race
FEATURE: (15 laps) 1. Jack Hewitt (#10 Jarrett) (3), 2. Bob Ewell (#1n Nance) (18), 3. Sheldon Kinser (#6 Leyba) (11), 4. Mike Peters (#86 Hill) (6), 5. Shane Carson (#76s Suchy) (12), 6. Steve Chassey (#56 Gohr) (15), 7. Joe Saldana (#4 Amerling) (17), 8. Steve Carithers (#20 Carithers) (14), 9. Brad Marvel (#7 LaGrande) (2), 10. Earnest Jennings (#61 Jennings) (16), 11. Troy Matchen (#86n Floyd) (10), 12. George Snider (#39 Fortune) (1), 13. Chuck Gurney (#28 Polnau) (5), 14. Rich Vogler (#29 Seymour) (13), 15. Kenny Jacobs (#86x Hill) (8), 16. Tom Bigelow (#5 Vance) (19), 17. Dave Blaney (#58 DePalma) (9), 18. Paul Koch (#60 Murray) (7), 19. Scott Edmiston (#13x Edmiston) (4). NT
**Rich Vogler flipped over the turn two guardrail on the 13th lap of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 George Snider, Laps 2-15 Jack Hewitt.
FINAL USAC VS. NCRA CHALLENGE POINTS: NCRA-106 & USAC-103
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SNIDER WINS TAMPA SILVER CROWN OPENER
Tampa, Florida………George Snider of Bakersfield, Calif. is the early leader in the 1985 USAC Silver Crown standings as a result of his thrilling victory in the February 10 Salute to Joltin’ Jud Larson at the Florida State Fairgrounds Speedway.
Snider came from sixth starting position in the Rose Brothers Trucking Chevy to outduel Jack Hewitt and Chuck Gurney in the closing stages of the 50-lap race at the ½-mile dirt track. Hewitt overtook Gurney for the runner-up spot on the final turn.
Snider’s win was his second consecutive in the Silver Crown opener, having won the 1984 Hulman Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Chuck Gurney and Bob Ewell were battling for the lead in the 50-lapper when the race was red flagged on the 33rd lap for Tom Bigelow’s violent flip in turn one. Tom had climbed to as high as third prior to the accident and was closing on the leaders at the time. Bigelow was taken to a local hospital and held for observation but appeared to have suffered no serious injuries.
Ewell, who was the fastest qualifier in Saturday’s time trials, was second to Gurney as the two exited turn four after Bigelow’s accident and the two cars touched, with Ewell riding over one of Gurney’s tires and executing a flip at the start/finish line. Bob was not hurt but could not restart.
Gurney was able to restart, however, but fell to Snider’s challenge for the final time on lap 40.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: February 10, 1985 – Florida State Fairgrounds – Tampa, Florida – Salute to ‘Joltin’ Jud Larson
QUALIFYING: 1. Bob Ewell, 1n, Nance-23.214; 2. Jack Hewitt, 10, Jarrett-23.278; 3. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-23.478; 4. Mike Peters, 86, Hill-23.499; 5. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-23.696; 6. George Snider, 39, Fortune-23.840; 7. Sammy Swindell, 21, Stephens-23.844; 8. Chuck Gurney, 28, Polnau-24.060; 9. Steve Carithers, 20, Carithers-24.144; 10. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-24.187; 11. Shane Carson, 76s, Suchy-24.298; 12. Steve Chassey, 56, Gohr-24.408; 13. Dave Blaney, 58, DePalma-24.428; 14. Paul Koch, 60, Murray-24.444; 15. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-24.604; 16. Billy Pauch, 98, Lesko-24.620; 17. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-24.671; 18. Duke Cook, 3, Cook-24.675; 19. Steve Butler, 55, Middleton-24.824; 20. Jerry Stone, 11n, Stephens-24.827; 21. Nick Fornoro Jr., 51, GCQ-24.858; 22. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-24.940; 23. Scott Edmiston, 13x, Edmiston-24.996; 24. Kenny Jacobs, 86x, Hill-25.021; 25. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-25.029; 26. Earnest Jennings, 61, Jennings-25.041; 27. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-25.182; 28. Brad Marvel, 7, LaGrande-25.255; 29. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-25.258; 30. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-25.291; 31. Jim Haynes, 37, Ledford-25.404; 32. Troy Matchen, 86n, Floyd-25.711; 33. Larry Fritz, 11, Plummer-26.035; 34. Ron Dunstan, 82, Dunstan-26.588; 35. Rodney Ritter Jr., 12, Kirtley-NT; 36. Barry Camp, 81, Eagle-NT; 37. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-NT.
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. George Snider (6), 2. Jack Hewitt (2), 3. Chuck Gurney (8), 4. Sheldon Kinser (13), 5. Paul Koch (18), 6. Billy Pauch (14), 7. Dave Blaney (11), 8. Gary Hieber (23), 9. Mike Peters (4), 10. Joe Saldana (10), 11. Steve Carithers (9), 12. Danny Milburn (16), 13. Barry Camp (24), 14. Shane Carson (17), 15. Steve Chassey (12), 16. Bob Ewell (1), 17. Tom Bigelow (3), 18. Scott Edmiston (26), 19. Gary Bettenhausen (15), 20. Sammy Swindell (7), 21. Steve Butler (19), 22. Rich Vogler (5), 23. Brad Marvel (22), 24. Johnny Parsons (21), 25. Duke Cook (25), 26. Jerry Stone (20). NT
**Johnny Parsons flipped on lap 16 of the feature. Tom Bigelow and Bob Ewell flipped on lap 33 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Mike Peters, Laps 2-8 Jack Hewitt, Laps 9-30 Bob Ewell, Laps 31-32 Chuck Gurney, Laps 33-36 George Snider, Laps 37-39 Chuck Gurney, Laps 40-50 George Snider.
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SHELDON KINSER GRABS HULMAN HUNDRED
Indianapolis, Indiana………Three-time USAC National Sprint Car champion Sheldon Kinser is the new point leader in the 1985 USAC Silver Crown series following his victory in the 60-mile Hulman Hundred feature event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on May 24.
Kinser started on the pole after he and Gary Bettenhausen won the qualifying races and the two battled during the early laps before Bettenhausen’s machine lost oil pressure and dropped out on lap 26. Sheldon then paced the final 34 miles in the Ben’s Tire Clinic/Gaerte Engines Chevy.
Jac Haudenschild wound up second in a frantic last-lap finish among three drivers for the runner-up spot. George Snider took third, with Hewitt fourth and Tom Bigelow fifth.
Bobby Olivero captured the 15-mile semi-feature.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: May 24, 1985 – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Indianapolis, Indiana – Hulman Hundred
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps, top-12 transfer to the feature) 1. Sheldon Kinser (#6 Leyba), 2. Joe Saldana (#4 Amerling), 3. Danny Milburn (#14 Smith), 4. Steve Chassey (#56 Gohr), 5. Eddie Leavitt (#29 Seymour), 6. Ron Dunstan (#82 Dunstan), 7. Larry Rice (#9 LeFevre), 8. Mark Alderson (#95 Gaby), 9. Warren Mockler (#24 MacPherson), 10. Bob Cicconi (#59 Senter), 11. Terry Kawell (#96 Kawell), 12. Frankie Kerr (#81 Eagle), 13. Rick Hood (#39 Fortune), 14. Duke Cook (#3 Cook), 15. Manny Rockhold (#19 Automotive Machine), 16. Paul Koch (#60 Murray), 17. Gary Irvin (#48 Irvin), 18. Greg Staab (#37 Ledford), 19. Tim Green (#79 Kerr), 20. Bobby Olivero (#15 Leader Card), 21. Larry Dickson (#18 Conroy). NT
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps, top-12 transfer to the feature) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (#2 Delrose-Holt), 2. Chuck Gurney (#28 Polnau), 3. Jac Haudenschild (#10 Jarrett), 4. Jack Hewitt (#98 Lesko), 5. Nick Fornoro Jr. (#51 GCQ), 6. George Snider (#16 Wilke), 7. Jerry Russell (#53 Schmidt), 8. John Batts Jr. (#85 McMahon), 9. Tray House (#11 Plummer), 10. John Andretti (#26 Jones), 11. Tom Bigelow (#21 Stephens), 12. Rodney Ritter Jr. (#12 Kirtley), 13. Billy Engelhart (#58 DePalma), 14. Jerry Nemire (#36 Truax), 15. Duke DeRosa (#46 Egan), 16. Bud Wilmot (#84 Wilmot), 17. Marvin Carman (#57 Roberts), 18. Steve Cannon (#78 Conrad), 19. Kevin Thomas (#8 Patterson), 20. Steve Butler (#55 Middleton), 21. Gary Hieber (#47 EWH). 8:31.61
ALSO AT THE TRACK: T.J. Giddings (#86 Hill)
SEMI: (15 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Bobby Olivero, 2. Jerry Nemire, 3. Bud Wilmot, 4. Gary Irvin, 5. Kevin Thomas, 6. Marvin Carman, 7. Steve Butler. NT
FEATURE: (60 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Sheldon Kinser (1), 2. Jac Haudenschild (6), 3. George Snider (12), 4. Jack Hewitt (8), 5. Tom Bigelow (22), 6. Bob Cicconi (19), 7. Larry Rice (13), 8. Joe Saldana (3), 9. Nick Fornoro Jr. (10), 10. Tray House (18), 11. Jerry Russell (14), 12. Terry Kawell (21), 13. Bud Wilmot (27), 14. Danny Milburn (5), 15. Rodney Ritter Jr. (24), 16. Frankie Kerr (23), 17. Gary Bettenhausen (2), 18. Mark Alderson (15), 19. Eddie Leavitt (9), 20. Gary Irvin (28), 21. Bobby Olivero (25), 22. John Batts Jr. (16), 23. Ron Dunstan (11), 24. Kevin Thomas (29), 25. Jerry Nemire (26), 26. Steve Chassey (7), 27. Chuck Gurney (4), 28. Marvin Carman (30), 29. John Andretti (20), 30. Warren Mockler (17), 31. Steve Butler (31). NT
**Manny Rockhold flipped during the first qualifying race.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-4 Gary Bettenhausen, Laps 5-7 Sheldon Kinser, Laps 8-26 Gary Bettenhausen, Laps 27-60 Sheldon Kinser.
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NON-STOP RUN NETS RICK HOOD PEPSI-COLA 150 AT IRP
Clermont, Indiana………Rick Hood emerged from the Pepsi-Cola 150 at Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 13 with the USAC Silver Crown point lead as a result of his triumph in the 150-lap race.
Driving the Solar Sources Chevy, Rick was able to drive the 150 laps non-stop, while most of his competitors were forced to the pits for tire changes.
Ken Schrader, making a rare 1985 Silver Crown appearance, finished second, just ahead of defending series titlist Dave Blaney.
Fifteen of the original 24 starters were still running at the checkered flag in the only pavement track race for the Silver Crown cars in 1985.
Rich Vogler, fastest qualifier for the 150-lap grind, led the early laps before pitting and eventually finished ninth.
Gary Irvin won the 25-lap Jonathan Byrd Kentucky Fried Chicken Last Chance Race.
Other leaders in the 150-lap main event included, in addition to Vogler and Hood, Schrader, Billy Engelhart and Larry Rice.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 13, 1985 – Indianapolis Raceway Park – Clermont, Indiana – Pepsi-Cola 150
QUALIFYING: 1. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-22.984; 2. Ken Schrader, 55, Middleton-23.100; 3. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-23.194; 4. Dave Blaney, 51, GCQ-23.249; 5. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-23.321; 6. Bruce Field, 97, Hajduk-23.352; 7. Tom Bigelow, 8, Patterson-23.360; 8. Ken Hamilton, 98, Lesko-23.411; 9. George Snider, 16, Wilke-23.521; 10. Jerry Nemire, 36, Truax-23.604; 11. Billy Engelhart, 58, DePalma-23.624; 12. John Andretti, 26, Jones-23.670; 13. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-23.706; 14. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-23.757; 15. Jac Haudenschild, 10, Jarrett-23.764; 16. Doug Saunier, 86, Hill-23.861; 17. Larry Dickson, 80, Ensign-23.865; 18. Steve Chassey, 56, Gohr-23.882; 19. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-23.927; 20. Rodney Ritter Jr., 12, Kirtley-23.940; 21. Gary Irvin, 48, Irvin-23.962; 22. Marvin Carman, 57, Roberts-23.975; 23. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-23.991; 24. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-24.104; 25. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-24.104; 26. Dave Strickland Jr., 27, Petauro-24.252; 27. Warren Mockler, 24, MacPherson-24.378; 28. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-24.488; 29. Bobby Olivero, 15, Leader Card-24.911; 30. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-24.928; 31. Paul Koch, 60, Murray-25.000; 32. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-25.084; 33. Bob Cicconi, 59, Senter-NT; 34. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-NT.
JONATHAN BYRD’S KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN LAST CHANCE RACE: (25 laps, top-10 transfer to the feature) 1. Gary Irvin, 2. Jac Haudenschild, 3. Steve Chassey, 4. Joe Saldana, 5. Danny Milburn, 6. Doug Saunier, 7. Larry Rice, 8. Kramer Williamson, 9. Mark Alderson, 10. John Batts Jr., 11. Marvin Carman, 12. Bobby Olivero, 13. Paul Koch, 14. Dave Strickland Jr., 15. Rodney Ritter Jr., 16. Gary Hieber. NT
FEATURE: (150 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rick Hood (5), 2. Ken Schrader (2), 3. Dave Blaney (4), 4. Larry Rice (21), 5. Gary Bettenhausen (13), 6. Joe Saldana (18), 7. Bruce Field (6), 8. John Andretti (12), 9. Rich Vogler (1), 10. Sheldon Kinser (3), 11. John Batts Jr. (24), 12. Jac Haudenschild (16), 13. Tom Bigelow (7), 14. Jerry Nemire (10), 15. Kramer Williamson (22), 16. Ken Hamilton (8), 17. Billy Engelhart (11), 18. Mark Alderson (23), 19. George Snider (9), 20. Gary Irvin (15), 21. Steve Chassey (17), 22. Doug Saunier (20), 23. Danny Milburn (19), 24. Johnny Parsons (14). 1:07:16.06
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-42 Rich Vogler, Laps 43-67 Ken Schrader, Laps 68-78 Billy Engelhart, Laps 79-101 Rick Hood, Laps 102-115 Larry Rice, Laps 116-150 Rick Hood.
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VOGLER #1 IN USAC VS. NCRA CHALLENGE AT OKC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma………On July 20, USAC’s Rich Vogler drove the Seymour Enterprises Chevy to victory in the 15-lap KXY Radio USAC vs. NCRA Challenge event at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Speedway, but NCRA drivers claimed the team championship by a clear margin. Vogler led all 15 laps.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL EVENT RACE RESULTS: July 20, 1985 – Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Speedway – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – KXY Radio USAC vs. NCRA Challenge Race
FEATURE: (15 laps) 1. Rich Vogler (#29 Seymour), 2. Shane Carson (#76s Suchy), 3. Mike Peters (#65 McDonald), 4. Stan Constant (#42 Mercer), 5. Kramer Williamson (#21 Stephens), 6. Rick Hood (#39 Fortune), 7. Jon Johnson (#1x Ochs), 8. Donnie Crawford (#55n Thurman), 9. Mike Gigot (#8x Gigot), 10. Larry Rice (#9 LeFevre), 11. Pete Frazier (#21p Stephens), 12. Sheldon Kinser (#6 Leyba), 13. Troy Matchen (#86n Floyd), 14. Tony Elliott (#10 Jarrett), 15. Joe Saldana (#4 Amerling), 16. Howie Sewell (#3s Roberts), 17. Frankie Kerr (#81 Eagle), 18. Johnny Parsons (#18 Conroy), 19. John Andretti (#26 Jones), 20. Bob Ewell (#1n Nance). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-15 Rich Vogler.
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HOOD WINS OKLAHOMA CITY 50
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma………Rick Hood and the Solar Sources Chevy extended their USAC Silver Crown point lead at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Speedway on July 21, winning the 50-lap feature event at the ½-mile dirt track.
The win was Hood’s second in a row in the Oklahoma City shootout and his third straight USAC feature win at the track.
Hood trailed early leader Joe Saldana for the first 24 laps, then roared to the front and was never again headed. Saldana eventually dropped out on lap 39 with an oil leak.
Fast qualifier and pole starter Sheldon Kinser failed to finish due to engine problems and he now trails Hood by 77 points in the series standings.
USAC and National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) stars competed in the 50-lapper, with NCRA veteran Bob Ewell finishing second and Kramer Williamson taking third.
The two-day program was spiced by several flips, but there were no serious injuries. NCRA’s Danny Wood flipped out of the track in turn three on Saturday night but was unhurt, as was USAC’s Paul Koch, who flipped in turn four, also on Saturday. NCRA’s Fred Neighbors flipped on the third lap of Sunday night’s main event but he also walked away from the accident.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 20-21, 1985 – Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Speedway – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Oklahoma City 50
QUALIFYING: 1. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-20.768; 2. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-20.866; 3. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-20.927; 4. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-20.954; 5. Jon Johnson, 1x, Ochs-20.963; 6. Bob Ewell, 1n, Nance-20.980; 7. Frankie Kerr, 81, Eagle-21.020; 8. Tony Elliott, 10, Jarrett-21.092; 9. Shane Carson, 76s, Suchy-21.159; 10. Mike Peters, 65, McDonald-21.165; 11. Pete Frazier, 21p, Stephens-21.239; 12. Troy Matchen, 86n, Floyd-21.270; 13. Donnie Crawford, 55n, Thurman-21.277; 14. Mike Gigot, 8x, Gigot-21.308; 15. Stan Constant, 42, Mercer-21.384; 16. John Andretti, 26, Jones-21.449; 17. Howie Sewell, 3s, Roberts-21.460; 18. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-21.474; 19. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-21.544; 20. Tony Armstrong, 11n, Stephens-21.545; 21. Terry Doss, 77, Wright-21.562; 22. Garry Lee Maier, 11x, Patton-21.631; 23. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-21.650; 24. Fred Neighbors, 09, Neighbors-21.692; 25. Steve Carithers, 20, Carithers-21.732; 26. Danny Shouse, 27, Shouse-21.764; 27. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-21.776; 28. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-21.781; 29. Jack Moulton Jr., 79, Moulton-21.797; 30. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-21.811; 31. Rickey Jennings, 62, Jennings-21.827; 32. Devlin Polkinghorn, 23, Polkinghorn-21.905; 33. Greg Wooley, 76x, Suchy-21.972; 34. Jim Bean, 5p, Penn-21.985; 35. George Snider, 88n, King-21.994; 36. Jay Maupin, 45n, Maupin-21.995; 37. Earnest Jennings, 61, Jennings-22.009; 38. Ken Brewer, 96, Brewer-22.178; 39. Bruce Jennings, 17D, Lawter/Pitts-22.361; 40. T.J. Giddings, 86, Hill-22.399; 41. Jiggs Founds, 69, Cranfill-22.619; 42. Gary Tapp, 2x, Tapp-22.796; 43. David Lambert, 54D, DeGraffenreid-22.821; 44. Scott Edmiston, 13x, Edmiston-22.827; 45. Ron Dunstan, 82, Dunstan-22.848; 46. Steve Garey, 12x, Garey-23.066; 47. D.E. Suggs, 10x, Odom-23.106; 48. Larry Allen, 77B, Bishop-23.563; 49. Henry Lewis, 57, Lewis-23.606; 50. Dave Turpin, 19, Jackson-23.736; 51. Danny Wood, 08, Wood-NT; 52. Paul Koch, 60, Murray-NT; 53. Bob Cicconi, 93, Cicconi-NT; 54. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-NT.
NON-QUALIFIERS RACE: (15 laps) 1. Gary Tapp, 2. Bruce Jennings, 3. Earnest Jennings, 4. Scott Edmiston, 5. John Batts Jr., 6. T.J. Giddings, 7. Larry Allen, 8. Dave Turpin, 9. Steve Garey, 10. Ron Dunstan, 11. Henry Lewis, 12. Ken Brewer, 13. Jiggs Founds, 14. David Lambert. NT
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps) 1. Stan Constant, 2. Kramer Williamson, 3. Donnie Crawford, 4. Rich Vogler, 5. Howie Sewell, 6. Rickey Jennings, 7. Jack Moulton Jr., 8. Steve Carithers, 9. George Snider, 10. Greg Wooley, 11. John Batts Jr., 12. Earnest Jennings, 13. Larry Allen, 14. Paul Clark, 15. Gary Tapp, 16. Terry Doss. 5:40.15
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps) 1. Mike Gigot, 2. Tony Armstrong, 3. Garry Lee Maier, 4. John Andretti, 5. Fred Neighbors, 6. Danny Shouse, 7. Jay Maupin, 8. Larry Rice, 9. Mark Alderson, 10. Jim Bean, 11. Devlin Polkinghorn, 12. T.J. Giddings, 13. Dave Turpin, 14. Steve Garey, 15. Bruce Jennings, 16. Gary Bettenhausen. 5:22.71
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rick Hood (3), 2. Bob Ewell (4), 3. Kramer Williamson (15), 4. Mike Peters (8), 5. Jon Johnson (5), 6. Tony Armstrong (14), 7. Pete Frazier (11), 8. Mike Gigot (12), 9. Howie Sewell (21), 10. Rich Vogler (19), 11. Donnie Crawford (17), 12. Stan Constant (13), 13. Danny Shouse (22), 14. Rickey Jennings (23), 15. Jay Maupin (24), 16. Larry Rice (26), 17. John Andretti (18), 18. Joe Saldana (2), 19. Sheldon Kinser (1), 20. Frankie Kerr (7), 21. Troy Matchen (10), 22. Garry Lee Maier (16), 23. Fred Neighbors (20), 24. Jack Moulton Jr. (25), 25. Tony Elliott (6). Shane Carson was disqualified after originally finishing second (9). NT
**Danny Wood flipped over the turn 3 wall during practice. Paul Clark flipped during the first qualifying race. Fred Neighbors flipped on lap 3 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-24 Joe Saldana, Laps 25-50 Rick Hood.
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MOUNTAINEER 75 TO RICK HOOD; BLANEY FINISHES CLOSE 2ND
Parkersburg, West Virginia………Rick Hood wheeled the Solar Sources Coal Chevy to a third consecutive USAC Silver Crown victory on August 11, taking the Mountaineer 75 at the brand-new West Virginia Motor Speedway.
Hood battled with defending series titlist Dave Blaney in the early laps, then moved to the front on lap 35 and led to the finish. Blaney ended up second, with Sheldon Kinser rounding out the top-three.
Joe Saldana came from 20th starting position to nail down fourth on the white flag lap.
Hood’s win left him 104 points ahead of Kinser in the standings.
Fast qualifier Rich Vogler, who set the new one-lap track mark of 104.788 mph, finished eighth.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 11, 1985 – West Virginia Motor Speedway – Parkersburg, West Virginia – Mountaineer 75
QUALIFYING: 1. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-21.472; 2. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-21.533; 3. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-21.612; 4. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-21.615; 5. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-22.095; 6. Steve Butler, 55, Middleton-22.149; 7. Dave Blaney, 51, GCQ-22.153; 8. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-22.158; 9. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-22.173; 10. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-22.230; 11. Frankie Kerr, 81, Eagle-22.393; 12. Billy Engelhart, 58, DePalma-22.399; 13. Billy Pauch, 98, Lesko-22.733; 14. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-22.772; 15. Larry Dickson, 80, Ensign-22.804; 16. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-22.838; 17. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-23.172; 18. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-23.194; 19. Ron Dunstan, 82, Dunstan-23.256; 20. Bruce Field, 36, Truax-23.842; 21. Rodney Ritter Jr., 12, Kirtley-23.844; 22. Jac Haudenschild, 10, Jarrett-23.889; 23. Duke Cook, 44, Cook-NT; 24. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-NT; 25. Bob Cicconi, 93, Cicconi-NT.
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Dave Blaney, 2. Paul Clark, 3. Billy Pauch, 4. Larry Dickson, 5. Ron Dunstan, 6. Frankie Kerr, 7. Gary Hieber, 8. Duke Cook, 9. Rodney Ritter Jr. NT
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Larry Rice, 2. Billy Engelhart, 3. Danny Milburn, 4. Tom Bigelow, 5. John Batts Jr., 6. Johnny Parsons, 7. Joe Saldana, 8. Jac Haudenschild, 9. Bruce Field. 5:46.87
FEATURE: (75 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rick Hood (3), 2. Dave Blaney (7), 3. Sheldon Kinser (4), 4. Joe Saldana (20), 5. Larry Rice (8), 6. Duke Cook (21), 7. Danny Milburn (12), 8. Rich Vogler (6), 9. Billy Pauch (11), 10. Tom Bigelow (14), 11. Kramer Williamson (2), 12. Mark Alderson (5), 13. Paul Clark (9), 14. John Batts Jr. (16), 15. Larry Dickson (13), 16. Bruce Field (24), 17. Rodney Ritter Jr. (23), 18. Frankie Kerr (17), 19. Gary Hieber (19), 20. Johnny Parsons (18), 21. Steve Butler (1), 22. Ron Dunstan (15), 23. Billy Engelhart (10), 24. Jac Haudenschild (22). 30:58.67
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-8 Kramer Williamson, Laps 9-19 Sheldon Kinser, Laps 20-34 Dave Blaney, Laps 35-75 Rick Hood.
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GURNEY WINS 2ND STRAIGHT TONY BETTENHAUSEN 100 AT SPRINGFIELD
Springfield, Illinois………Chuck Gurney scored his second consecutive victory in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 17, leading 56 of the 100 miles in the Plastic Express Chevy.
The win was worth $13,600 to Gurney and team, which included $5,600 in lap prize money from a $10,000 total lap prize fund contributed by the Coors Brewing Company.
Joe Saldana, who set a new one-mile qualification record of 115.592 mph, and led 38 miles, earned $7,800 for his second-place finish in the Amerling Chevy.
Gurney caught Saldana on the 45th lap and led the rest of the way although Joe made it close all the way to the checkered flag.
Series point leader Rick Hood led five laps and ended up third, with Jack Hewitt fourth (from 23rd starting spot) and Bobby Olivero fifth (from 20th). Duke Cook, who started 21st, recorded his second straight sixth-place Silver Crown finish in the 100-miler.
Steve Chassey led the opening lap of the race, beating Saldana to the flag, but yielded to Joe the next circuit. Steve was forced out of the race with engine problems after 81 miles.
Three yellow flags slowed the race, the first for Rich Vogler, who lost an engine and spun on the front stretch. Larry Rice’s machine soured on lap 47 and Billy Shuman and Steve Butler got together while avoiding Rice while Shuman hit the second turn concrete, knocking him out of the race. The final yellow flew when Tom Bigelow stalled in turn four on lap 69.
Duke Cook and Larry Rice won the 12-mile qualifying races which preceded the main event.
Hood’s third-place finish enabled him to retain the series point lead over Saldana, who moved up to second as a result of his runner-up placing.
Two-time USAC Silver Crown champ and Springfield race winner Gary Bettenhausen was a threat for the lead in the early stages of the race, but his Terre Haute First National Bank machine retired after 43 miles with ignition problems.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 17, 1985 – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, Illinois – Tony Bettenhausen 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-31.144; 2. Steve Chassey, 56, Gohr-31.293; 3. Chuck Gurney, 30, Kurtz-31.348; 4. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-31.458; 5. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-31.516; 6. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-31.601; 7. John Andretti, 26, Jones-31.713; 8. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-31.737; 9. Steve Butler, 10, Jarrett-31.844; 10. George Snider, 16, Wilke-31.882; 11. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-32.009; 12. Ken Schrader, 55, Middleton-32.016; 13. Mike Peters, 86, Hill-32.059; 14. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-32.106; 15. Gary Irvin, 48, Irvin-32.138; 16. Dave Blaney, 51, GCQ-32.166; 17. Billy Engelhart, 58, DePalma-32.179; 18. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-32.229; 19. Billy Shuman, 28, Polnau-32.237; 20. Bobby Olivero, 15, Leader Card-32.373; 21. Duke DeRosa, 46, Egan-32.465; 22. Mike Gregg, 75, Michaud-32.561; 23. Warren Mockler, 24, MacPherson-32.616; 24. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-32.679; 25. Larry Dickson, 80, Ensign-32.686; 26. Jerry Russell, 53, Schmidt-32.706; 27. Bruce Field, 97, Hadjuk-32.732; 28. Steve Cannon, 89, Soubirou-32.884; 29. Duke Cook, 44, Cook-33.087; 30. Rodney Ritter Jr., 12, Kirtley-33.090; 31. Fred Rahmer, 31, Mataka-33.138; 32. Ron Dunstan, 82, Dunstan-33.269; 33. Jack Hewitt, 79, Kerr-33.294; 34. Dave Strickland Jr., 27, Polnau-33.356; 35. Arnie Knepper, 35, Fischer-33.607; 36. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-33.661; 37. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-33.767; 38. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-34.062; 39. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-34.134; 40. Bob Cicconi, 59, Cicconi-35.150; 41. Terry Pearson, 11, Plummer-38.118; 42. Jim Moughan, 17, Babb-45.468; 43. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-NT; 44. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-NT.
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Duke Cook, 2. Jack Hewitt, 3. Larry Dickson, 4. Duke DeRosa, 5. Warren Mockler, 6. Bruce Field, 7. John Batts Jr., 8. Fred Rahmer, 9. Terry Pearson. 6:49.14
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Larry Rice, 2. Steve Cannon, 3. Jerry Russell, 4. Rodney Ritter Jr., 5. Dave Strickland Jr., 6. Danny Milburn, 7. Mike Gregg, 8. Ron Dunstan, 9. Bob Cicconi, 10. Johnny Parsons. 6:48.14
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chuck Gurney (3), 2. Joe Saldana (1), 3. Rick Hood (4), 4. Jack Hewitt (23), 5. Bobby Olivero (20), 6. Duke Cook (21), 7. John Andretti (7), 8. Steve Butler (9), 9. Steve Cannon (24), 10. Mike Peters (13), 11. Jerry Russell (26), 12. Rodney Ritter Jr. (28), 13. Sheldon Kinser (11), 14. Warren Mockler (29), 15. Paul Clark (18), 16. Mike Gregg (30), 17. Steve Chassey (2), 18. Tom Bigelow (8), 19. Duke DeRosa (27), 20. Larry Rice (22), 21. Billy Shuman (19), 22. Billy Engelhart (17), 23. Gary Bettenhausen (6), 24. Dave Blaney (16), 25. George Snider (10), 26. Ken Schrader (12), 27. Gary Irvin (15), 28. Rich Vogler (5), 29. Mark Alderson (14), 30. Larry Dickson (25). 1:02:09.00
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Steve Chassey, Laps 2-20 Joe Saldana, Laps 21-25 Rick Hood, Laps 26-44 Joe Saldana, Laps 45-100 Chuck Gurney.
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HOOD SURPRISES GURNEY AND CHASSEY FOR Du QUOIN VICTORY
Du Quoin, Illinois………Rick Hood came from third to first in one bonzai move on the 97th mile and went on to win the 100-mile USAC Silver Crown race at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds on Labor Day.
Hood and the Solar Sources Coal Chevy were headed for a third-place finish in the race when George Snider’s spin into the first turn wall brought out a caution flag and bunched up the leaders.
Steve Chassey and Chuck Gurney then battled for the lead into turn three of the 97th lap as Hood darted to the outside groove and passed both for the top spot. Gurney, who had led most of the race, ended up second and Chassey, who had overhauled Gurney prior to Snider’s spin, took third.
Hood also set a new one-lap qualifying record of 112.282 mph to win the pole position for the race and his 100-mile race average of 101.726 mph was also a new record.
Hood’s victory, worth $8,000 to the Fortune Racing team, extended his Silver Crown championship point lead over Gurney to 294 points, with Sheldon Kinser, fourth at Du Quoin, third in the standings after the race.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 2, 1985 – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Du Quoin, Illinois – Ted Horn 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-32.062; 2. Chuck Gurney, 30, Kurtz-32.082; 3. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-32.108; 4. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-32.175; 5. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-32.417; 6. George Snider, 16, Wilke-32.439; 7. Dave Blaney, 51, GCQ-32.453; 8. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-32.566; 9. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-32.622; 10. Steve Chassey, 56, Gohr-32.759; 11. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-32.792; 12. John Andretti, 26, Jones-32.794; 13. Jerry Russell, 53, Schmidt-32.823; 14. Billy Engelhart, 58, DePalma-32.908; 15. Ken Schrader, 55, Middleton-32.922; 16. Bobby Olivero, 15, Leader Card-32.935; 17. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-32.960; 18. Duke Cook, 44, Cook-33.000; 19. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-33.077; 20. Gary Irvin, 48, Irvin-33.091; 21. Rick Salem, 42, Marcello-33.279; 22. Steve Cannon, 89, Soubirou-33.292; 23. Steve Butler, 10, Jarrett-33.323; 24. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-33.354; 25. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-33.483; 26. Bob Cicconi, 69, McClure-33.814; 27. Arnie Knepper, 35, Fischer-33.828; 28. Greg Staab, 37, Ledford-33.829; 29. Andy Hillenburg, 22, Gosnell-33.874; 30. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-33.882; 31. Jerry Nemire, 12, Kirtley-33.932; 32. Randy Bateman, 38, Bateman-34.130; 33. Duke DeRosa, 46, Egan-34.381; 34. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-34.753; 35. Jack Hewitt, 79, Kerr-34.976; 36. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-35.168; 37. Bruce Field, 97, Hajduk-NT; 38. Jim Moughan, 17, Babb-NT; 39. Johnny Parsons, 18, Conroy-NT; 40. Larry Dickson, 80, Ensign-NT.
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps) 1. Steve Butler, 2. Gary Hieber, 3. Jack Hewitt, 4. Jerry Nemire, 5. Duke DeRosa, 6. Andy Hillenburg, 7. Arnie Knepper. NT
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps) 1. Paul Clark, 2. Greg Staab, 3. Mark Alderson, 4. Bob Cicconi, 5. Randy Bateman, 6. Steve Cannon, 7. John Batts Jr., 8. Bud Wilmot. NT
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rick Hood (1), 2. Chuck Gurney (2), 3. Steve Chassey (10), 4. Sheldon Kinser (4), 5. Kramer Williamson (16), 6. Bobby Olivero (15), 7. John Andretti (11), 8. Jack Hewitt (25), 9. Steve Butler (21), 10. Paul Clark (22), 11. Danny Milburn (18), 12. Larry Rice (9), 13. Jerry Russell (12), 14. Bob Cicconi (28), 15. Rick Salem (20), 16. Dave Blaney (7), 17. Gary Irvin (19), 18. Randy Bateman (30), 19. George Snider (6), 20. Joe Saldana (3), 21. Duke Cook (17), 22. Mark Alderson (26), 23. Jerry Nemire (27), 24. Rich Vogler (8), 25. Gary Hieber (23), 26. Billy Engelhart (13), 27. Duke DeRosa (29), 28. Greg Staab (24), 29. Gary Bettenhausen (5), 30. Ken Schrader (14). 58:58.93
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-4 Rick Hood, Laps 5-90 Chuck Gurney, Laps 91-97 Steve Chassey, Laps 98-100 Rick Hood.
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KINSER BECOMES 12TH DIFFERENT WINNER IN 13 YEARS AT THE HOOSIER HUNDRED
Indianapolis, Indiana………Sheldon Kinser became the 12th different Hoosier Hundred winner in the past 13 years on September 14, driving the Ben’s Tire/Gaerte Engines Chevy to victory in the 100-mile event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Kinser trailed fast qualifier Joe Saldana for the first 47 miles of the race, then took command and held on to the finish to beat Steve Butler and Billy Vukovich. Defending race winner Steve Chassey and Bobby Olivero rounded out the top-five.
Kinser’s victory was worth $9,325 and shot him into second in the Silver Crown standings after eight events. The win was a repeat performance of his victory in the Hulman Hundred at the same track in May.
Series point leader Rick Hood was running among the top-five until the 98th lap when Saldana’s engine let go and triggered a tangle between Hood and Paul Clark. The accident left Hood in 10th place in the race but still comfortably ahead in the series standings.
Andy Hillenburg earned the Little Champ Oil Company’s Rookie of the Race award for his seventh-place finish.
Danny Milburn escaped injury in a flip on the 87th mile of the race and Greg Staab was also unhurt in a flip during one of two qualifying races. Gary Allbritain also flipped during qualifications, but he too walked away from the incident.
Kinser averaged 98.253 mph for the 100 miles despite three caution periods.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 14, 1985 – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Indianapolis, Indiana – Hoosier Hundred
QUALIFYING: 1. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-33.793; 2. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-34.282; 3. Jack Hewitt, 79, Kerr-34.353; 4. George Snider, 16, Wilke-34.361; 5. Rich Vogler, 29, Seymour-34.483; 6. Steve Butler, 10, Jarrett-34.671; 7. Gary Bettenhausen, 2, Delrose/Holt-34.676; 8. Billy Vukovich, 58, DePalma-34.711; 9. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-34.827; 10. John Andretti, 26, Jones-34.893; 11. Steve Chassey, 56, Gohr-34.968; 12. Chuck Gurney, 30, Kurtz-34.977; 13. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-34.997; 14. Billy Engelhart, 12, Kirtley-35.039; 15. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-35.082; 16. Bobby Olivero, 15, Leader Card-35.084; 17. Jerry Russell, 53, Schmidt-35.168; 18. Gary Irvin, 48, Irvin-35.285; 19. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-35.318; 20. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-35.353; 21. Johnny Parsons, 8, Patterson-35.396; 22. Warren Mockler, 24, MacPherson-35.459; 23. Mike Johnson, 22, Gosnell-35.504; 24. Billy Pauch, 98, Lesko-35.536; 25. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-35.540; 26. Frankie Kerr, 81, Eagle-35.699; 27. Andy Hillenburg, 51, GCQ-35.663; 28. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-35.664; 29. Jackie Howerton, 11, Plummer-35.723; 30. Duke Cook, 44, Cook-35.803; 31. Larry Dickson, 55, Middleton-35.911; 32. Gary Hieber, 47, EWH-36.131; 33. Mike Gregg, 75, Michaud-36.172; 34. Ron Dunstan, 82, Dunstan-36.207; 35. Mike Winblad, 67, Winco-36.354; 36. Greg Staab, 37, Ledford-36.364; 37. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-36.590; 38. Bruce Field, 36, Truax-36.646; 39. Jerry Nemire, 17, Babb-36.758; 40. Terry Kawell, 96, Kawell-37.585; 41. Bob Cicconi, 69, McClure-NT; 42. Randy Bateman, 38, Bateman-NT; 43. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-NT; 44. Steve Cannon, 89, Soubirou-NT; 45. Danny Frye Jr., 99, Frye-NT; 46. Gary Allbritain, 18, Conroy-NT.
FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Mark Alderson, 2. Johnny Parsons, 3. Andy Hillenburg, 4. Bruce Field, 5. Larry Dickson, 6. Mike Gregg, 7. Mike Johnson, 8. Terry Kawell, 9. Jackie Howerton, 10. Greg Staab. NT
SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Gary Hieber, 2. Warren Mockler. 3. Tom Bigelow, 4. Duke Cook, 5. Frankie Kerr, 6. Mike Winblad, 7. Jerry Nemire, 8. John Batts Jr., 9. Billy Pauch. 7:00.58
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Sheldon Kinser (2), 2. Steve Butler (6), 3. Billy Vukovich (8), 4. Steve Chassey (11), 5. Bobby Olivero (16), 6. Larry Rice (13), 7. Andy Hillenburg (25), 8. Frankie Kerr (30), 9. Joe Saldana (1), 10. Rick Hood (15), 11. Paul Clark (19), 12. Danny Milburn (9), 13. Mark Alderson (21), 14. George Snider (4), 15. Warren Mockler (24), 16. Duke Cook (28), 17. Jack Hewitt (3), 18. Chuck Gurney (12), 19. Johnny Parsons (23), 20. Rich Vogler (5), 21. Bruce Field (27), 22. Billy Engelhart (14), 23. Tom Bigelow (26), 24. John Andretti (10), 25. Gary Hieber (22), 26. Kramer Williamson (20), 27. Jerry Russell (17), 28. Larry Dickson (29), 29. Gary Bettenhausen (7), 30. Gary Irvin (18). 1:01:04.00
**Gary Allbritain flipped during qualifying. Greg Staab flipped during the qualifying race. Danny Milburn flipped on lap 87 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-47 Joe Saldana, laps 48-100 Sheldon Kinser.
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4-CROWN SILVER CROWN 50-LAPPER TO RICE; HOOD IS SERIES CHAMP
Rossburg, Ohio………Larry Rice came from 10th starting position in the Krieg Van Rentals/Richardson Building Rentals Chevy to win the 50-lap USAC Silver Crown season finale in the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway on October 6.
Rice’s win came after he caught leader Johnny Parsons on lap 25 and he led the rest of the way.
Series champion Rick Hood and the Solar Sources Chevy ended up second in the 50-lapper after a spirited duel with Parsons and Sheldon Kinser, who finished third and fourth, respectively.
Two multi-car tangles slowed the race, but eight different drivers broke the old one-lap track qualifying record the previous night, with Hood leading the way at 16.557 seconds.
Kinser’s finish enabled him to maintain second place in the final series standings.
VALVOLINE USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: October 6, 1985 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 4-Crown Nationals
QUALIFYING: 1. Rick Hood, 39, Fortune-16.557; 2. Steve Butler, 10, Jarrett-16.590; 3. Tom Bigelow, 5, Vance-16.644; 4. Joe Saldana, 4, Amerling-16.932; 5. Rich Vogler, 58, DePalma-16.968; 6. Johnny Parsons, 51, GCQ-16.988; 7. Sheldon Kinser, 6, Leyba-17.051; 8. Mark Alderson, 95, Gaby-17.107; 9. Jerry Nemire, 12, Kirtley-17.191; 10. Larry Rice, 9, LeFevre-17.420; 11. Duke Cook, 44, Cook-17.518; 12. Danny Milburn, 14, Smith-17.643; 13. Mike Johnson, 22, Gosnell-17.671; 14. Frankie Kerr, 98, Lesko-17.714; 15. Bruce Field, 36, Truax-17.840; 16. Kramer Williamson, 21, Stephens-17.907; 17. Bob Cicconi, 93, Cicconi-18.021; 18. Warren Mockler, 24, MacPherson-18.352; 19. Bud Wilmot, 84, Wilmot-18.404; 20. John Batts Jr., 85, McMahon-18.514; 21. John Andretti, 26, Jones-NT; 22. Fred Rahmer, 31, Mataka-NT; 23. Paul Clark, 91, Clark-NT.
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Larry Rice (10), 2. Rick Hood (1), 3. Johnny Parsons (6), 4. Sheldon Kinser (7), 5. Steve Butler (2), 6. Duke Cook (11), 7. Kramer Williamson (16), 8. Rich Vogler (5), 9. Joe Saldana (4), 10. John Andretti (21), 11. Bruce Field (15), 12. Mark Alderson (8), 13. Jerry Nemire (9), 14. Danny Milburn (12), 15. John Batts Jr. (20), 16. Fred Rahmer (22), 17. Bob Cicconi (17), 18. Tom Bigelow (3), 19. Bud Wilmot (19), 20. Mike Johnson (13), 21. Frankie Kerr (14), 22. Warren Mockler (18), 23. Paul Clark (23). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-12 Rick Hood, Laps 13-24 Johnny Parsons, Laps 25-50 Larry Rice.
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1985 USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER POINTS
1. (760) Rick Hood, Memphis, Tenn.
2. (601) Sheldon Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
3. (400) Chuck Gurney, Livermore, Calif.
4. (391) Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
5. (352) Larry Rice, Brownsburg, Ind.
6. (286) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio
7. (282) Bobby Olivero, Lakewood, Calif.
8. (277) Steve Butler, Kokomo, Ind.
9. (269) Steve Chassey, Clermont, Ind.
10. (242) Dave Blaney, Hartford, Ohio
11. (185) John Andretti, Brownsburg, Ind.
12. (166) Kramer Williamson, Palmyra, Pa.
13. (149) George Snider, Bakersfield, Calif.
14. (144) Duke Cook, Sidney, Ohio
15. (113) Gary Bettenhausen, Monrovia, Ind.
16. (107) Jac Haudenschild, Millersburg, Ohio
17. (94) Rich Vogler, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
18. (88) Tom Bigelow, Whitewater, Wisc.
19. (73) Bruce Field, Lockport, Ill.
20. (70) Mike Peters, Wichita, Kans.
21. (67) Danny Milburn, Indianapolis, Ind.
22. (60) Andy Hillenburg, Indianapolis, Ind.
23. (58) Paul Clark, Madison, Wisc.
24. (57) Frankie Kerr, Bensalem, Pa.
25. (54) Bob Cicconi, Prospect Park, Pa.
26. (45) Johnny Parsons, Indianapolis, Ind.
27. (40) Steve Cannon, Danville, Ill.
28. (39) Jerry Russell, Springfield, Ill.
29. (25) Paul Koch, Allentown, Pa.
30. (24) Nick Fornoro, Jr., Rockaway, N.J.
31. (19) Gary Hieber, Langhorne, Pa.
32. (18) Tray House, Anderson, Ind.
33. (17) Mark Alderson, Timberlake, S.D.
34. (15) Rodney Ritter Jr., Bloomington, Ind.
35. (13) Billy Engelhart, Madison, Wisc.
36. (13) Gary Irvin, West Lafayette, Ind.
37. (12) Warren Mockler, Westfield, Ind.
38. (10) Jerry Nemire, Toledo, Ohio
39. (6) Terry Kawell, Colton, Calif.
40. (6) Duke DeRosa, Springfield, Ill.
41. (5) Mike Gregg, Fort Collins, Colo.
42. (5) Larry Dickson, Marietta, Ohio
43. (5) John Batts Jr., Advance, Ind.
44. (4) Randy Bateman, Murphysboro, Ill.
45. (4) Bud Wilmot, Middletown, Ohio
46. (3) Ron Dunstan, Ruchsville, Pa.
47. (3) Billy Shuman, Mesa, Ariz.
48. (3) Ken Schrader, Fenton, Mo.
49. (2) Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
50. (2) Kevin Thomas, Mobile, Ala.
51. (2) Greg Staab, Cincinnati, Ohio
52. (1) Sammy Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn.
53. (1) Marvin Carman, Union City, Mich.
54. (1) Fred Rahmer, Ardsley, Pa.
1985 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRANT POINTS
1. (810) Damon Fortune, Boonville, Ind. (#39)
2. (601) Ben Leyba, South Bend, Ind. (#6)
3. (423) Kenny Jarrett, Elwood, Ind. (#10)
4. (391) Mauri Amerling, Kingston, N.Y. (#4)
5. (364) Transportation Computer Systems, Ontario, Calif. (#30)
6. (352) David LeFevre, Lafayette, Ind. (#9)
7. (346) Michael Gurtizen, Yoe, Pa. (#51)
8. (282) Leader Card, Milwaukee, Wisc. (#15)
9. (269) Gohr Distributing, Buffalo, N.Y. (#56)
10. (227) Lloyd K. Stephens, Tulsa, Okla. (#21)
11. (185) Elizabeth Jones, Silverado, Calif. (#26)
12. (177) Radio Hospital, Lima, Ohio (#58)
13. (175) George Middleton, Florissant, Mo. (#55)
14. (174) Marshall Kerr, Vacaville, Calif. (#79)
15. (144) Verneda Cook, Sidney, Ohio (#44)
16. (116) Wayne Subaru, Wayne, N.J. (#98)
17. (113) Delrose-Holt Racing, Joliet, Ill. (#2)
18. (99) Mark Wilke, Milwaukee, Wisc. (#16)
19. (84) Louis Seymour, Marlboro, Mass. (#29)
20. (67) Cecilia Smith, Eaton, Ohio (#14)
21. (63) Racing Associates, Niles, Ill. (#97)
22. (58) Paul Clark, Madison, Wisc. (#91)
23. (57) Eagle Chassis, Co., Lebanon, Pa. (#81)
24. (49) Louis Senter, Encino, Calif. (#93)
25. (43) Larry Hill, Midwest City, Okla. (#86)
26. (40) Richard Soubirou, Hatboro, Pa. (#89)
27. (39) Richard Polnau, Phoenix, Ariz. (#28)
28. (39) Lowell Schmidt, Evansville, Ind. (#53)
29. (25) Frank Murray, Hellertown, Pa. (#60)
30. (23) Johnny Vance Racing Team, Dayton, Ohio (#5)
31. (22) William Kirtley, Bloomington, Ind. (#12)
32. (19) E.W.H. Service, Langhorne, Pa. (#47)
33. (18) Jesse Plummer, Indianapolis, Ind. (#11)
34. (17) Robert Gaby, Ft. Wayne, Ind. (#95)
35. (16) Truax Racing, Lansing, Mich. (#36)
36. (13) Gary Irvin, West Lafayette, Ind. (#48)
37. (12) Steve MacPherson, Indianapolis, Ind. (#24)
38. (11) Charlie Patterson, Plainfield, Ind. (#8)
39. (6) Terry Kawell, Colton, Calif. (#96)
40. (6) Joe Conroy, Brunswick, Ohio (#18)
41. (6) George Egan, Hazelwood, Mo. (#46)
42. (5) Michaud Electric, Co., Ft. Collins, Colo. (#75)
43. (5) Del McClure, Portland, Ore. (#69)
44. (5) Ron McMahon, Flushing, Mich. (#85)
45. (4) Mark Bateman, Edwardsville, Ill. (#38)
46. (4) Steve Wilmot, Middletown, Ohio (#84)
47. (3) Colleen Dunstan, Coplay, Pa. (#82)
48. (3) Ernie Ensign, Elyria, Ohio (#80)
49. (2) Charles Ledford Construction, Tarpon Springs, Fla. (#37)
50. (1) LaGrande, Inc., Caledonia, Mich. (#7)
51. (1) Lyle Roberts, Kalamazoo, Mich. (#57)
52. (1) William Mataka, Lebanon, N.J. (#31)
53. (1) Randy Gosnell, Brownsburg, Ind. (#22)