In celebration of the 50th year of USAC Silver Crown Champ Car racing in 2020, we are reviewing the past 49 years of series history.
2011 USAC SILVER CROWN SEASON REVIEW
Levi Jones seems to have a knack for prevailing in close championship battles.
In actuality, Jones just has a knack for winning championships.
Just one year after winning the USAC Silver Crown title by a mere two points, the Olney, Ill. native got the job done again in 2011 by a scant three points ahead of Jerry Coons Jr. to earn his seventh career USAC National driving title.
The title is Jones’ second in the series, and second consecutive, to go along with five USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car titles.
A seventh title for Jones tied him with A.J. Foyt, Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon as the all-time leader in terms of USAC National open-wheel championships.
The car entrant’s championship for Tony Stewart Racing was their 10th in USAC National competition. By the end of 2011, they had accumulated five in Silver Crown and five in Sprint Cars.
In close points races, every position and every qualifying session can signify the difference. Oddly enough, it was points accumulated during an aborted July race at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track that proved to be the sum of the margin between first and second. The race was canceled following an opening lap melee created by deteriorating track conditions and visibility issues.
While that afternoon’s feature wound up paying no points, the completed qualifying session earlier in the day, however, was worth three points to fast qualifier Jones. The difference between Jones and Coons in the championship race? Three.
Coons, of Tucson, Ariz., got the ball rolling early by scoring his first Hoosier Hundred victory in the season opener in May at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, passing pole starter Jones for the win just past midway after starting ninth in the 30-car field.
Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. left fans with a memorable performance in June at the Milwaukee Mile after coming from the back of the field on a lap 35 restart to blitz through the field and claim the 100-mile victory. East led the first 20 laps but was moved back two positions for jumping the original start. Shortly thereafter, he was moved to the rear of the field for another infraction involving a hand gesture toward an official, and then the fireworks started in the form of his charge to the front.
East repeated his dominance with another virtuoso performance at the Casey’s General Stores USAC Triple Crown race at Iowa Speedway. After winning the previous week’s race at Milwaukee by a half-lap, he won at Iowa Speedway by three-quarters of a lap.
Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif., who was injured in a crash during the Hut Hundred USAC Midget race two months earlier, made a sensational return to the series, winning the J.D. Byrider 100 at Lucas Oil Raceway.
Swanson’s Team Six-R teammate, Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich., made it two-in-a-row for the team after starting 14th in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds but it didn’t take long for him to become a factor as he recorded his fourth victory in the event in the past seven years.
The season’s Silver Crown Rookie of the Year, Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif., was the next to go back-to-back, earning his first Silver Crown victory at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in the Ted Horn 100, then pulled off a remarkable feat at Eldora Speedway, joining Jack Hewitt in the 4-Crown Nationals record book by completing a clean sweep of the USAC races at the half-mile oval after earlier winning the 25-lap Midget and 30-lap Sprint races followed by a victory in the 50-lap Silver Crown race, a $28,000 night for the 19-year-old driver.
Coons entered the season-ending Rollie Beale 150 at Toledo Speedway with a 12-point advantage over Coons, but it was Swanson who won the pole and led all 150 laps to win. Meanwhile, Jones managed a seventh-place finish, good enough to hang onto a three-point margin of victory in the final standings over fourth-place finishing Coons to claim the title.
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COONS WINS HOOSIER HUNDRED SILVER CROWN OPENER
Indianapolis, Indiana………Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. scored his first Hoosier Hundred victory on Friday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, passing pole starter Levi Jones on lap 54 entering turn one and leading the final 47 miles of the race in his Rotondo Weirich/Champion Brands Beast/Toyota.
Coons started ninth in the 30-car field and was third when the race was halted for a mandatory stop on lap 52. On the restart, he passed Bud Kaeding for second, and two laps later, caught Jones for the lead. Jones had paced the first 53 laps after winning the pole at a speed of 106.383 mph.
Jones finished second ahead of Tracy Hines, Kaeding and Brian Tyler in the opening race of the 2011 TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Championship. With the bonus points for winning the pole and leading the most laps, Jones actually leads the series standings by three over Coons.
Coons’ victory marked the second straight for the RW Motorsports team, which won last year’s Hoosier Hundred with driver Shane Hmiel, who served as Friday night’s Grand Marshal.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: May 27, 2011 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Hoosier Hundred
QUALIFYING: 1. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-33.840; 2. Brad Kuhn, 17, RW-34.823; 3. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-34.487; 4. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-34.878; 5. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-34.892; 6. Jeff Swindell, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-34.958; 7. John Heydenreich, 90, Heydenreich-34.988; 8. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-35.029; 9. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-35.048; 10. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-35.063; 11. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-35.128; 12. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-35.129; 13. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-35.155; 14. Donnie Beechler, 14, McQuinn-35.158; 15. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-35.165; 16. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-35.280; 17. Mike Hess, 39, Aquilini-35.320; 18. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-35.368; 19. Dave Darland, 56, Foxco-35.380; 20. Hunter Schuerenberg, 43, Nix-35.520; 21. Shane Cockrum, 114, Hardy-35.616; 22. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-35.654; 23. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-35.695; 24. Thomas Meseraull, 97, SC-35.812; 25. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-35.817; 26. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-35.858; 27. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-36.219; 28. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-36.283; 29. JoJo Helberg, 65, Hartenstine-36.637; 30. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-37.175; 31. Mike Martin, 116, Racing Associates-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jerry Coons Jr. (9), 2. Levi Jones (1), 3. Tracy Hines (5), 4. Bud Kaeding (4), 5. Brian Tyler (11), 6. Derek Hagar (16), 7. John Heydenreich (7), 8. Tanner Swanson (15), 9. Todd Kane (8), 10. Dave Darland (19), 11. A.J. Fike (27), 12. Kyle Larson (12), 13. Donnie Beechler (14), 14. Bobby East (25), 15. Brad Kuhn (2), 16. Zach Daum (28), 17. Mike Hess (17), 18. Shane Cockrum (21), 19. Jon Stanbrough (20), 20. Hunter Schuerenberg (13), 21. Chris Urish (26), 22.JoJo Helberg (29), 23. Russ Gamester (22), 24. Thomas Meseraull (24), 25. Bryan Clauson (3), 26. Randy Bateman (30), 27. Jeff Swindell (6), 28. Chris Windom (18), 29. Shane Hollingsworth (23), 30. Aaron Pierce (10). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-53 Jones, Laps 54-100 Coons.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Levi Jones-63; 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-60; 3-Tracy Hines-54; 4-Bud Kaeding-51; 5-Brian Tyler-48; 6-Derek Hagar-45; 7-John Heydenreich-42; 8-Tanner Swanson-39; 9-Todd Kane-36; 10-Dave Darland-33.
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EAST SPECTACULAR IN DOMINATING MILWAUKEE 100 DRIVE
West Allis, Wisconsin………Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. left fans with a memorable performance on Saturday after coming from the back of the field on a restart at lap 35 to mow down the field in the Milwaukee 100 and claim the victory in his Klatt Motorsports/East Enterprises Beast/Ford.
East led the first 20 laps but was moved back two positions for jumping the original start. Shortly thereafter, he was moved to the rear of the field for another infraction involving a hand gesture of the middle finger variety, and then the fireworks started in the form of his charge to the front.
Tanner Swanson led the restart at lap 21 but East climbed into the top-10 by lap 38. He was ninth on lap 39, eighth on lap 41, seventh on lap 43 and sixth on lap 46. At halfway, he moved to fifth, then took fourth one lap later. He passed Jerry Coons Jr. for third on lap 56 and caught runner-up Kyle Larson on lap 68 for second.
Pole winner Larson spun to bring out the yellow flag, forcing a restart on lap 75 in which East passed Swanson for the lead. At the checkered flag, East was nearly a half-lap ahead of new point leader Coons, who passed Swanson on lap 98. Swanson was third, ahead of Bobby Santos and Jacob Wilson.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: June 17-18, 2011 – West Allis, Wisconsin – Milwaukee Mile
QUALIFYING: 1. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-28.015; 2. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-28.198; 3. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-28.233; 4. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-28.292; 5. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-28.328; 6. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-28.337; 7. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-28.428; 8. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-28.447; 9. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-28.449; 10. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-28.453; 11. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-28.467; 12. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-28.526; 13. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-28.551; 14. Dave Steele, 99, Edwards/RE Technologies-28.599; 15. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-28.638; 16. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-28.692; 17. Chuck Gurney Jr., 17, RW-28.826; 18. Mike Larrison, 06, Hamilton-28.973; 19. Jimmy Kite, 25, Sachs-29.217; 20. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-29.596; 21. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-29.794; 22. Brad Kuhn, 7, RW-NT; Brad Armstrong, 19, Six-R-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby East (5), 2. Jerry Coons Jr. (10), 3. Tanner Swanson (2), 4. Bobby Santos (6), 5. Jacob Wilson (8), 6. Bud Kaeding (7), 7. Brian Tyler (13), 8. Kyle Larson (1), 9. Bryan Clauson (12), 10. Levi Jones (11), 11. David Byrne (16), 12. Jimmy Kite (19), 13. Zach Daum (15), 14. Todd Kane (21), 15. Derek Hagar (20), 16. Mike Larrison (18), 17. Dave Steele (14), 18. Shane Hollingsworth (3), 19. A.J. Fike (9), 20. Tracy Hines (4), 21. Chuck Gurney Jr. (17), 22. Brad Kuhn (23), 23. Brad Armstrong (22). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-20 Bobby East, Laps 21-74 Tanner Swanson, Laps 75-100 Bobby East.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Jerry Coons Jr.-117; 2-Tanner Swanson-96; 3-Bud Kaeding-96; 4-Levi Jones-96; 5-Brian Tyler-90; 6-Bobby East-85; 7-Kyle Larson-71; 8-Derek Hagar-68; 9-Tracy Hines-67; 10-Todd Kane-61.
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EAST REPEATS WITH IOWA VICTORY
Newton, Iowa………Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. repeated his dominance of USAC’s TRAXXAS Silver Crown Championship Series with another virtuoso performance in Friday night’s 100-lap Casey’s General Stores USAC Triple Crown race at Iowa Speedway presented by Pioneer Hi-Bred First Class Credit Union & Boyer Petroleum.
East started third but caught Tanner Swanson on lap 33 and motored away from the field. After winning last week’s race at Milwaukee, Wisc. by a half-lap, he won this race by three-quarters of a lap in his Klatt Motorsports/East Enterprises Beast/Ford.
Bobby Santos came from the 16th starting spot to take second ahead of Kyle Larson, Swanson and Bud Kaeding.
The victory leaves East 11 points behind Jerry Coons Jr. in the new series standings. Coons finished seventh in Friday’s race.
Brad Sweet won the pole for Friday’s race at 144.039 mph. and East averaged 135.220 mph for the 100 laps which were run without a caution flag. Sweet finished 10th after leading the first 24 laps.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: June 24, 2011 – Newton, Iowa – Iowa Speedway – Casey’s General Stores USAC Triple Crown race at Iowa Speedway presented by Pioneer Hi-Bred First Class Credit Union & Boyer Petroleum
QUALIFYING: 1. Brad Sweet, 67, Zarounian-21.869; 2. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-21.876; 3. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-21.984; 4. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-21.993; 5. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-22.067; 6. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-22.087; 7. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-22.107; 8. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-22.176; 9. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-22.254; 10. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-22.264; 11. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-22.270; 12. Dave Steele, 99, Edwards/RE Technologies-22.273; 13. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-22.293; 14. Tracy Hines, 17, RW-22.404; 15. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-22.467; 16. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-22.613; 17. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-22.791; 18. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-22.879; 19. Mike Larrison, 06, Hamilton-22.944; 20. Jeff Mitrisin, 46, Mitrisin-23.033; 21. Michael Ford, 122, Chandler-24.111; 22. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-24.262; 23. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-NT; 24. #19, Six-R-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby East (3), 2. Bobby Santos (16), 3. Kyle Larson (6), 4. Tanner Swanson (2), 5. Bud Kaeding (11), 6. Levi Jones (9), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (10), 8. Zach Daum (17), 9. Jacob Wilson (8), 10. Brad Sweet (1), 11. Dave Steele (12), 12. A.J. Fike (5), 13. David Byrne (13), 14. Tracy Hines (14), 15. Mike Larrison (19), 16. Brian Tyler (15), 17. Shane Hollingsworth (7), 18. Derek Hagar (18), 19. Michael Ford (21), 20. Bryan Clauson (4), 21. Jeff Mitrisin (20), 22. Todd Kane (22). 38:49.53
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-24 Brad Sweet, Laps 25-32 Tanner Swanson, Laps 33-100 Bobby East.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Jerry Coons Jr.-159; 2-Bobby East-148; 3-Tanner Swanson-147; 4-Bud Kaeding-144; 5-Levi Jones-141; 6-Kyle Larson-125; 7-Brian Tyler-111; 8-Bobby Santos-108; 9-Tracy Hines-92; 10-Zach Daum-87.
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TRACK CONDITIONS FORCE TERRE HAUTE POSTPONEMENT
Terre Haute, Indiana……...Extreme heat and deteriorating track conditions which resulted in an aborted start forced postponement of Sunday afternoon’s First Financial Bank Sumar Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track.
The United States Auto Club, after extensive efforts to prepare a track suitable for racing, will now seek an alternate date to conduct the event. USAC extends its sincerest appreciation to the fans and participants who supported this event.
“We obviously are sorry that Saturday night’s heavy rain in the Terre Haute area presented some difficult challenges for us all and we are dedicated to giving our fans the most competitive event possible,” said Jason Smith, USAC Executive Vice-President.
“Unfortunately, we were prepared for a great event before the heavy rain created circumstances which led to this postponement. This decision was made in the best interest of safety for our participants and fans.”
Levi Jones posted the fastest qualifying time prior to the cancellation, earning himself three points toward the season championship race.
Thomas Meseraull escaped injury in a flip on the aborted original start.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: July 3, 2011 – Terre Haute, Indiana – Terre Haute Action Track – Sumar Classic presented by First Financial Bank
QUALIFYING: 1. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-22.205; 2. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-22.263; 3. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-22.851; 4. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-22.863; 5. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-23.042; 6. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-23.130; 7. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-23.424; 8. Jeff Swindell, 99, Hemelgarn/RE Technologies-23.566; 9. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-23.634; 10. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-23.713; 11. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-23.868; 12. Thomas Meseraull, 97, SC-23.942; 13. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-24.087; 14. Mike Hess, 39, Aqualini-24.098; 15. Dave Darland, 56, Foxco-24.156; 16. Brad Kuhn, 17, RW-24.218; 17. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-24.287; 18. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-24.633; 19. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-24.742; 20. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-24.916; 21. Craig Dori, 38, Shoestring-25.121; 22. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-25.123; 23. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-NT; 24. Shane Cockrum, 114, Hardy-NT; 25. Kellen Conover, 76, Conover-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps) CANCELED DUE TO DETERIORATING TRACK CONDITIONS
**Thomas Meseraull flipped on the original start of the race.
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KODY SWANSON WINS J.D. BYRIDER 100 AT LUCAS OIL RACEWAY
Clermont, Indiana………Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif., fully recovered from a devastating crash during this year’s Hut Hundred USAC Midget race in May, made a sensational return to the TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Championship Series Thursday night, winning the J.D. Byrider 100 at Lucas Oil Raceway in his Toyota/Team Six-R Beast/Toyota.
Swanson took the lead from Levi Jones on lap 20 and led the rest of the way despite late-race pressure from pole starter Tracy Hines, who finished a close second. Tanner Swanson was third, ahead of Jones and Bobby Santos.
Tanner Swanson emerged tied with Jerry Coons Jr. for the series point lead. Coons finished seventh in the 100-lap race. NASCAR stars Ryan Newman and Jason Leffler competed, Newman finishing eighth and Leffler leading the first 15 laps before a late-race spin relegated him to 27th in the official finish order.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: July 28, 2011 – Clermont, Indiana – Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis – J.D. Byrider 100 – Kroger SpeedFest
QUALIFYING: 1. Tracy Hines, 7, RW-20.958; 2. Jason Leffler, 32, Vance-20.962; 3. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-20.988; 4. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-20.999; 5. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-21.069; 6. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-21.147; 7. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-21.178; 8. Ryan Newman, 11, Bowman/Canine-21.213; 9. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-21.219; 10. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-21.224; 11. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-21.240; 12. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-21.265; 13. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-21.304; 14. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-21.324; 15. Josh Wise, 17, RW-21.351; 16. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-21.408; 17. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-21.446; 18. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-21.504; 19. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-21.510; 20. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-21.519; 21. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-21.529; 22. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-21.624; 23. Dave Steele, 99, RE Technologies-21.728; 24. Ryan Smith, 95, Randol-21.784; 25. Mike Larrison, 06, Hamilton-21.808; 26. Brian Gerster, 15, Six-R-21.935; 27. John Heydenreich, 90, Heydenreich-21.960; 28. Derek Hagar, 91, RE Technologies-22.036; 29. Jimmy Kite, 25, Sachs-22.157; 30. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-22.454.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (6), 2. Tracy Hines (1), 3. Tanner Swanson (5), 4. Levi Jones (4), 5. Bobby Santos (19), 6. Bryan Clauson (12), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (7), 8. Ryan Newman (8), 9. Bobby East (3), 10. Eric Gordon (9), 11. Brian Tyler (11), 12. Aaron Pierce (18), 13. Bud Kaeding (17), 14. Josh Wise (14), 15. Jacob Wilson (15), 16. A.J. Fike (13), 17. Russ Gamester (16), 18. Dave Steele (22), 19. Kyle Larson (10), 20. Zach Daum (21), 21. Jimmy Kite (28), 22. Todd Kane (29), 23. Mike Larrison (24), 24. David Byrne (20), 25. Derek Hagar (27), 26. John Heydenreich (26), 27. Jason Leffler (2), 28. Ryan Smith (23), 29. Brian Gerster (25). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-15 Jason Leffler, Laps 16-19 Levi Jones, Laps 20-100 Kody Swanson.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Jerry Coons Jr.-201; 2-Tanner Swanson-201; 3-Levi Jones-195; 4-Bobby East-184; 5-Bud Kaeding-171; 6-Bobby Santos-156; 7-Tracy Hines-152; 8-Brian Tyler-142; 9-Kyle Larson-140; 10-Jacob Wilson-107.
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TYLER FROM 14th TO 1ST AT SPRINGFIELD’S TONY BETTENHAUSEN 100
Springfield, Illinois………Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. started 14th in Saturday’s Tony Bettenhausen 100 USAC TRAXXAS Silver Crown race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds but it didn’t take long for him to become a factor as he recorded his fourth victory in the classic 100-miler in his Toyota/Team Six-R Beast.
It was Tyler’s fourth win at Springfield in the last seven events. He moved into the top-five on lap five, passed Levi Jones for fourth on lap six, caught Bryan Clauson for third on lap 12, Tracy Hines for second on lap 14 and one lap later, motored by leader Jerry Coons Jr. going into turn three.
The race was halted for a mid-race pause on lap 51 but Tyler resumed his lead after the stop. Jones came from fourth after the stop to take second at the checkered flag, ahead of early race leader Jerry Coons Jr., Kyle Larson and pole starter Tracy Hines.
Springfield favorite Donnie Beechler escaped injury when he flipped during a four-car tangle on lap 81.
Coons retained the series point lead but is just three points ahead of Jones. Tanner Swanson, tied with Coons entering Springfield, suffered a disappointing day and finished 25th.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: August 20, 2011 – Springfield, Illinois – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Tony Bettenhausen 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-31.373; 2. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-31.418; 3. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-31.462; 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-32.033; 5. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-32.200; 6. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-32.242; 7. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-32.358; 8. Jon Stanbrough, 17, RW-32.470; 9. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-32.556; 10. Darren Hagen, 99, RE Technologies-32.559; 11. Dave Darland, 56, Foxco-32.622; 12. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-32.815; 13. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-33.121; 14. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-33.140; 15. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-33.205; 16. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-33.256; 17. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-33.295; 18. Mike Hess, 39, Aquilini-33.326; 19. Shane Cockrum, 114, Hardy-33.379; 20. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-33.412; 21. Donnie Beechler, 14, McQuinn-33.550; 22. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-33.682; 23. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-34.149; 24. John Heydenreich, 43, Nix-34.217; 25. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-34.390; 26. Mike Martin, 116, Racing Associates-35.118; 27. Craig Dori, 38, Shoestring-35.605.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brian Tyler (14), 2. Levi Jones (3), 3. Jerry Coons Jr. (4), 4. Kyle Larson (6), 5. Tracy Hines (1), 6. Jon Stanbrough (8), 7. Bud Kaeding (17), 8. Kody Swanson (15), 9. Russ Gamester (13), 10. Chris Windom (9), 11. Shane Hollingsworth (12), 12. A.J. Fike (7), 13. Dave Darland (11), 14. Derek Hagar (16), 15. Bobby East (5), 16. Mike Hess (18), 17. Shane Cockrum (19), 18. Bryan Clauson (2), 19. Mike Martin (25), 20. Zach Daum (20), 21. Donnie Beechler (21), 22. Darren Hagen (24), 23. Randy Bateman (10), 24. Craig Dori (26), 25. Tanner Swanson (23), 26. Chris Urish (22). NT
**Donnie Beechler flipped on lap 81 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-14 Jerry Coons Jr., Laps 15-100 Brian Tyler.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Jerry Coons Jr.-255; 2-Levi Jones-252; 3-Bud Kaeding-213; 4-Tanner Swanson-209; 5-Bobby East-207; 6-Brian Tyler-205; 7-Tracy Hines-203; 8-Kyle Larson-191; 9-Bobby Santos-156; 10-A.J. Fike-125.
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LARSON WINS TED HORN 100 AT Du QUOIN
Du Quoin, IL……...Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. earned his first TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown victory Sunday night at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, winning the Ted Horn 100.
He started fourth and passed Bryan Clauson on the 23rd lap, then led the rest of the way in his IWX Motor Freight/Hoosier Tire Eagle/Speedway Chevy.
Levi Jones finished second and snatched the series point lead away from Jerry Coons Jr., who finished fifth. Tracy Hines was third and Brian Tyler fourth.
Bryan Clauson won the pole and led the first 22 laps but finished ninth.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN RACE RESULTS: September 4, 2011 – Du Quoin, Illinois – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Ted Horn 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-30.174; 2. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian30.787; 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-30.937; 4. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-31.173; 5. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-31.277; 6. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-31.331; 7. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-31.377; 8. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-31.405; 9. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-31.429; 10. Jon Stanbrough, 17, RW-31.509; 11. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-31.573; 12. Darren Hagen, 99, RE Technologies-31.573; 13. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-31.628; 14. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-32.227; 15. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-32.259; 16. John Heydenreich, 43, Nix-32.280; 17. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-32.283; 18. Dave Darland, 37, Riggs-32.420; 19. Donnie Beechler, 14, McQuinn-32.576; 20. Mike Hess, 39, Aquilini-32,722; 21. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-32.857; 22. Shane Cockrum, 114, Hardy-32.871; 23. Kellen Conover, 76, Conover-36.076; 24. Jerry Bruce, 75, Bruce-38.575; 25. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-NT; 26. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-NT; 27. Todd Kane, 63, DePalma-NT; 28. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Larson (4), 2. Levi Jones (2), 3. Tracy Hines (6), 4. Brian Tyler (11), 5. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 6. Darren Hagen (12), 7. Derek Hagar (15), 8. Bud Kaeding (9), 9. Bryan Clauson (1), 10. Tanner Swanson (8), 11. Jon Stanbrough (10), 12. Dave Darland (18), 13. John Heydenreich (16), 14. Mike Hess (20), 15. Chris Urish (21), 16. Chris Windom (14), 17. Shane Cockrum (22), 18. Donnie Beechler (19), 19. Shane Hollingsworth (7), 20. Kellen Conover (23), 21. Bobby East (13), 22. Kody Swanson (5), 23. Jerry Bruce (24), 24. Russ Gamester (17), 25. Zach Daum (25). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-22 Bryan Clauson, Laps 23-100 Kyle Larson.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Levi Jones-309; 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-303; 3-Tracy Hines-257; 4-Brian Tyler-256; 5-Kyle Larson-254; 6-Bud Kaeding-252; 7-Tanner Swanson-242; 8-Bobby East-219; 9-Derek Hagar-160; 10-Bryan Clauson-158.
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LARSON FLAWLESS IN 4-CROWN SILVER CROWN VICTORY
Rossburg, Ohio………Kyle Larson joined Jack Hewitt in the 4-Crown Nationals record book on Saturday night at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway.
Kyle's victory in the 50-lap TRAXXAS Silver Crown race completed a clean sweep of the USAC races at the half-mile oval as he earlier won the 25-lap Midget and 30-lap Sprint races. He thus becomes only the second driver in the 31-year history of the event to complete a USAC sweep, matching Jack Hewitt’s feat of 1998 when he won four main events.
The performance earned the 19-year-old driver a $10,000 cash bonus from track owner Tony Stewart, in addition to the $18,000 he raked in for his three feature wins.
“I wish I had a modified ride so I could have matched Hewitt’s feat,” said the humble Larson in victory lane.
Starting on the pole, Larson slipped behind series point leader Levi Jones for four laps, but he led the last 46 in his IWX Motor Freight/Hoosier Tire Eagle/Speedway Chevy. Jones finished second ahead of Bryan Clauson, Jerry Coons Jr. and Tracy Hines.
It was a magical night and one race fans in attendance will not soon forget. Perfection is a word used seldom in open-wheel racing, but Larson exemplified the word on Saturday.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 24, 2011 – Rossburg, Ohio – Eldora Speedway – 31st 4-Crown Nationals
QUALIFYING: 1. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-16.509; 2. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-16.531; 3. Dave Darland, 37, Riggs-16.679; 4. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-16.771; 5. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-16.800; 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-16.871; 7. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-16.924; 8. Hunter Schuerenberg, 63, DePalma-16.955; 9. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-17.012; 10. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-17.084; 11. Derek Hagar, 91, Hagar-17.109; 12. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-17.361; 13. Robert Ballou, 56, Foxco-17.406; 14. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-17.465; 15. Todd Kane, 78, Kane-17.502; 16. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-17.603; 17. Mike Hess, 39, Aquilini-18.070; 18. Kellen Conover, 76, Conover-19.497; 19. Craig Dori, 38, Shoestring-19.531; 20. Jon Stanbrough, 17, RW-NT; 21. Shane Cockrum, 114, Hardy-NT; 22. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-NT; 23. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-NT; 24. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-NT.
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Larson (1), 2. Levi Jones (2), 3. Bryan Clauson (4), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (6), 5. Tracy Hines (10), 6. Robert Ballou (13), 7. Tanner Swanson (22), 8. Bobby East (16), 9. Todd Kane (15), 10. Hunter Schuerenberg (8), 11. Kody Swanson (14), 12. Mike Hess (17), 13. Kellen Conover (18), 14. Derek Hagar (11), 15. Shane Cockrum (21), 16. Shane Hollingsworth (7), 17. Dave Darland (3), 18. Bud Kaeding (5), 19. Brian Tyler (9), 20. Jon Stanbrough (20), 21. Randy Bateman (23), 22. Russ Gamester (12), 23. Craig Dori (19). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-4 Levi Jones, Laps 5-50 Kyle Larson.
NEW TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Levi Jones-366; 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-354; 3-Kyle Larson-320; 4-Tracy Hines-305; 5-Tanner Swanson-284; 6-Brian Tyler-271; 7-Bud Kaeding-269; 8-Bobby East-258; 9-Bryan Clauson-212; 10-Derek Hagar-185.
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KODY SWANSON WINS ROLLIE BEALE 150; JONES TAKES SILVER CROWN TITLE BY 3 POINTS
Toledo, Ohio………Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. led all 150 laps to win Saturday’s Rollie Beale 150 USAC TRAXXAS Silver Crown Series finale at the Toledo Speedway in his Toyota/Team Six-R Beast/Toyota. He had earlier claimed the pole at a speed of 121.548 mph.
Defending series champion Levi Jones of Olney, Illinois managed a seventh-place finish in the 150-lap race, good enough to hang onto a three-point margin of victory over Jerry Coons Jr. to claim the 2011 USAC TRAXXAS Silver Crown Championship.
Bryan Clauson, Jones’ teammate, finished second ahead of Bobby East, Coons and Darren Hagen.
The title for Jones is his sixth in USAC National competition, coupled with his four titles in USAC’s AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series.
The car entrant’s championship for Tony Stewart Racing is their 10th in USAC National competition. They now have five in Silver Crown and five in Sprint cars.
A seventh title for Jones, should he win the AMSOIL National Sprint car crown, would tie him with A.J. Foyt, Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon as the all-time leaders in terms of USAC National open-wheel championships.
TRAXXAS USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: October 15, 2011 – Toledo, Ohio – Toledo Speedway – Rollie Beale 150
QUALIFYING: 1. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-14.809; 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-15.025; 3. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-15.046; 4. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-15.088; 5. Tanner Swanson, 23, Six-R/TK-15.126; 6. Bryan Clauson, 22, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-15.153; 7. Darren Hagen, 99, RE Technologies-15.159; 8. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-15.197; 9. Tracy Hines, 17, RW-15.220; 10. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-15.242; 11. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-15.286; 12. Kyle Hamilton, 06, Hamilton-15.323; 13. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-15.337; 14. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-15.374; 15. Kyle Larson, 71, Kunz-15.465; 16. Derek Hagar, 91, RE Technologies-15.504; 17. Doug Berryman, 63, DePalma-15.699. 18. A.J. Fike, 3, RFMS-NT; 19. Jimmy Kite, 25, Sachs-NT.
FEATURE: (150 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bryan Clauson (6), 3. Bobby East (3), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 5. Darren Hagen (7), 6. Brian Tyler (10), 7. Levi Jones (11), 8. Kyle Hamilton (12), 9. Shane Hollingsworth (13), 10. Eric Gordon (4), 11. Tracy Hines (9), 12. David Byrne (14), 13. Kyle Larson (15), 14. Derek Hagar (16), 15. A.J. Fike (18), 16. Russ Gamester (8), 17. Jimmy Kite (19), 18. Tanner Swanson (5), 19. Doug Berryman (17).
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-150 Kody Swanson
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2011 USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER POINTS
1. (408) Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.
2. (405) Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, Ariz.
3. (347) Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif.
4. (336) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind.
5. (316) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich.
6. (312) Bobby East, Brownsburg, Ind.
7. (301) Tanner Swanson, Kingsburg, Calif.
8. (269) Bud Kaeding, Campbell, Calif.
9. (269) Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, Ind.
10. (210) Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, Calif.
11. (210) Derek Hagar, Marion, Ark.
12. (156) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass.
13. (148) A.J. Fike, Galesburg, Ill.
14. (143) Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.
15. (121) Zach Daum, Pocahontas, Ill.
16. (119) Todd Kane, Powell, Ohio
17. (108) Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind.
18. (107) Jacob Wilson, Crawfordsville, Ind.
19. (106) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind.
20. (104) Jon Stanbrough, Avon, Ind.
21. (104) Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.
22. (96) David Byrne, Shullsburg, Wisc.
23. (94) Mike Hess, Petersburg, Ill.
24. (78) Shane Cockrum, Benton, Ill.
25. (76) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa.
26. (67) Dave Steele, Tampa, Fla.
27. (66) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind.
28. (60) Jimmy Kite, Stockbridge, Ga.
29. (59) Chris Windom, Canton, Ill.
30. (56) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill.
31. (54) Mike Larrison, Coatesville, Ind.
32. (46) Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, Mo.
33. (45) Robert Ballou, Rocklin, Calif.
34. (42) Chris Urish, Elkhart, Ill.
35. (40) Kellen Conover, Sumner, Ill.
36. (39) Kyle Hamilton, Danville, Ind.
37. (39) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind.
38. (36) Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif.
39. (34) Brad Kuhn, Avon, Ind.
40. (32) Aaron Pierce, Muncie, Ind.
41. (29) Randy Bateman, Murphysboro, Ill.
42. (25) Josh Wise, Riverside, Calif.
43. (19) Craig Dori, Chicago, Ill.
44. (15) Michael Ford, Indianapolis, Ind.
45. (15) Doug Berryman, Fremont, Ohio
46. (15) Mike Martin, Yuma, Ariz.
47. (12) Chuck Gurney Jr., Livermore, Calif.
48. (12) Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa, Iowa
49. (11) JoJo Helberg, Rohnert Park, Calif.
50. (10) Jerry Bruce, Benton, Ill.
51. (10) Brad Armstrong, New Palestine, Ind.
52. (9) Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, Calif.
53. (6) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif.
54. (6) Jeff Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn.
55. (5) Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, Pa.
56. (4) Brian Gerster, Indianapolis, Ind.
2011 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRANT POINTS
1. (408) Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#10)
2. (405) RW Motorsports, Lederach, Pa. (#27)
3. (347) Keith Kunz Motorsports, Columbus, Ind. (#71)
4. (316) Team Six-R, Zionsville, Ind. (#21)
5. (312) Klatt Enterprises, Hastings, Neb. (#6)
6. (301) Team Six-R/TK Motorsports, Zionsville, Ind. (#23)
7. (269) BK Motorsports, Indianapolis, Ind. (#29)
8. (269) Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#22)
9. (220) Team Six-R, Zionsville, Ind. (#19)
10. (220) Lightfoot Racing, Springfield, Mo. (#16)
11. (210) Derek Hagar, Marion, Ark. (#91)
12. (205) RW Motorsports, Lederach, Pa. (#17)
13. (177) RE Technologies, Memphis, Tenn. (#99)
14. (156) Santos Motorsports, Franklin, Mass. (#98)
15. (148) RFMS Racing, Galesburg, Ill. (#3)
16. (143) Nolen Racing, Greenwood, Ind. (#20)
17. (131) DePalma Motorsports, Lima, Ohio (#63)
18. (121) Dan Daum, Greenville, Ill. (#50)
19. (107) Wilson Brothers Racing, Crawfordsville, Ind. (#07)
20. (106) Gary Gamester, Peru, Ind. (#51)
21. (105) Foxco Engineering, Avon, Ind. (#56)
22. (96) Steve Byrne, Shullsburg, Wisc. (#40)
23. (94) Jeff Aqualini Motorsports, Reading, Pa. (#39)
24. (93) Davey Hamilton Racing, Indianapolis, Ind. (#06)
25. (78) Hardy Boys Motorsports, Benton, Ill. (#114)
26. (71) RW Motorsports, Lederach, Pa. (#7)
27. (66) Bowman-Canine Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#2)
28. (63) Indiana Underground Construction (Terry Riggs), Indianapolis, Ind. (#37)
29. (60) Eddie Sachs Racing, Mt. Clemens, Mich. (#125)
30. (59) Baldwin Brothers Racing, West Lafayette, Ind. (#5)
31. (56) Dennis & Dave McQuinn, Springfield, Ill. (#14)
32. (49) John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, Pa. (#90)
33. (42) Urish Racing, Elkhart, Ill. (#77)
34. (40) Ricky Nix, Benton, Ill. (#43)
35. (40) Kellen Conover, Sumner, Ill. (#76)
36. (39) Bowman-Canine Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#11)
37. (36) Zarounian Motorsports, Visalia, Calif. (#67)
38. (36) Todd Kane, Delaware, Ohio (#78)
39. (32) Sam Pierce, Daleville, Ind. (#26)
40. (29) Randy Bateman, Murphysboro, Ill. (#55)
41. (19) Shoestring Racing, Chicago, Ill. (#38)
42. (15) John Chandler, Houston, Texas (#122)
43. (15) Racing Associates, Delaware, Ohio (#116)
44. (12) Jeff Mitrisin Racing, Oskaloosa, Iowa (#46)
45. (11) Chuck Hartenstine, Douglassville, Pa. (#65)
46. (10) Jerry Bruce, Benton, Ill. (#75)
47. (9) SC Racing, Carey, Ohio (#97)
48. (6) Johnny Vance Racing Team, Dayton, Ohio (#32)
49. (5) Mike Randol Motorsports, York, Pa. (#95)
50. (4) Team Six-R, Zionsville, Ind. (#15)