DuQuoin, IL-The two state fairs in Illinois continue a tradition of motorsports entertainment that dates back to the earliest part of the twentieth century and part of the reason fans flock to the mile dirt tracks at Springfield and DuQuoin has always been the presence of local drivers trying to race and win against national traveling teams. The 2011 Ted Horn at DuQuoin is no exception as a near record twelve drivers from the home state dot the USAC Silver Crown dirt track driver roster for the 2011 season.
Two drivers from the deep south comprise part of the “Dirt Track Dozen” from the state of Illinois, one a seasoned veteran and the other a Silver Crown newcomer. Murphysboro’s Randy Bateman has been trying to win the Ted Horn 100 since 1983 and has the dubious distinction of missing the Ted Horn 100 a record nine times in the 24 times he’s unloaded the car at DuQuoin. Don’t think that Bateman hasn’t had his share of fine runs in the USAC Silver Crown Series, a ninth at the Hoosier Hundred and starting fifth and second at DuQuoin in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Benton’s Shane Cockrum is a rookie in the mighty uprights making his first mile dirt track championship car start in May at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. However, he’s no stranger to the DuQuoin race track and the last name brings back memories for many seasoned race fans. Cockrum is the son of the late Cliff Cockrum who thrilled many race fans throughout the Midwest during the 60’s and 70’s winning numerous sprint car races.
Two of USAC’s established set are 30 years old and each has a great chance of winning the Ted Horn 100. Olney’s Levi Jones is the defending USAC Silver Crown champ and a former USAC Sprint Car champ in search of his first 100-mile dirt track win. A guard on his East Richiand Olney high school basketball team Jones has a vociferous following and he would love nothing better than to give them his first win on home turf. Jones finished second on Saturday in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield. Galesburg’s A.J. Fike is one of the rare driver who pilots a champ dirt car and a stock car on the same weekend at DuQuoin. He will be trying to become the first driver ever to win both the Ted Horn 100 and the Southern Illinois 100 on the same weekend.
Canton’s Chris Windom joins Fike as one of the double duty drivers. Just like Fike who is also from west Central Illinois, Windom has an ARCA ride for Labor Day as well. Windom finished tenth at Springfield in the Bettenhausen 100 then finished a surprising third the next day in the Allen Crowe 100 marking his stock car debut.
lndy 500 veteran Donnie Beechler ran second to Rich Tobias in the 2003 Ted Horn 100 and was closing on the leader when the checker fell. He was expected to be at DuQuoin but a frightening crash at Springfield destroyed his mount. Beechler suffered only minor injuries in the crash but the popular Springfield driver’s status is in question for the Ted Horn 100. Fellow Springfield driver Mike Hess qualified a strong fifth at DuQuoin last year but was eliminated in an early race accident. He is slated to return for the 2011 Horn 100.
Other Illinois pilots on the driver roster include Craig Don of Chicago, Chris Urish of Elkhart and Zach Daum of Pocahontas. Ricky Nix of Benton had Sikeston, Missouri’s Hunter Schuerenburg in his championship machine at the Hoosier Hundred in May, then had Pennsylvania’s John Heydenreich in the car at Springfield. Heydenreich backed the car into the turn one wall during qualifications and severely damaged the car. It is unknown if it can be repaired in time for the Ted Horn 100.
Practice for the Ted Horn 100 begins at 5 p.m. on Sunday September 4 with the 100-mile race slated for an 8:00 green flag.