LAWRENCEBURG’S “ROBBIE STANLEY CLASSIC” KICKS OFF 22ND USAC “INDIANA SPRINT WEEK”


Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway hosts the “Robbie Stanley Classic” Friday night (July 10), the opening race of the 2009 “Indiana Sprint Week” calendar which features seven races in nine nights.


 


The refurbished and re-configured 3/8-mile dirt oval will salute one of USAC’s most decorated Sprint car drivers in the first race of what has proven to be one of America’s most cherished short-track championships.


 


Stanley earned three consecutive USAC National Championships (1991-93) and nine feature victories during his brief eight-year career which tragically ended in a crash at Winchester Speedway in 1994. No driver since has been able to win three straight titles, a feat achieved by only one other driver in USAC history – Steve Butler (1986-88).


 


Levi Jones of Brownsburg, Ind. is the defending “Indiana Sprint Week” champion but Jeff Bland Jr. and Brady Short won last year’s Lawrenceburg features, Short taking the “Stanley Classic.”


 


Jones will be challenged by the best dirt-track drivers in America in the eight-race series which continues with races at Gas City (July 11), Kokomo (July 12), Terre Haute (July 15), Boswell (July 16), Bloomington (July 17) and Haubstadt (July 18). Among his challengers will be his Tony Stewart Racing teammate, Tracy Hines, who is still seeking his initial “Indiana Sprint Week” title, despite three series wins.


 


Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. leads the way with 12 career ISW victories, while Dave Darland, a two-time champ, is right behind at 11. Popular Jon Stanbrough, who split 2007 Lawrenceburg victories with Darland, has 10 career ISW triumphs.


 


Lawrenceburg Speedway has a storied USAC racing history, having debuted in 1961 with a Midget race won by none other than USAC legend A.J. Foyt! The ensuing races (now 57 total), have produced unparalleled excitement and victories by some of the greatest dirt–track drivers of all time. Stanbrough leads the all-time USAC Lawrenceburg list with five career wins, while Darland and Jack Hewitt have four each.