USAC Sprints & UMP Mods Set For September 18 In Terre Haute
Jim Hurtubise/Tony Hulman Classic To Close Out 2015 Season
After two months of silence, the Terre Haute Action Track roars back to life on Friday night, September 18 for the Jim Hurtubise/Tony Hulman Classic. The USAC Sprint cars will be making appearance #2, while the UMP Mods are also on schedule for the final event of 2015 at the blazing fast half-mile.
Open wheel fans across the midwest are waiting for this show with much anticipation, as the last event at the Action Track was the Indiana Sprint Week show in July which provided great racing in front of a near capacity crowd. 19-year old Brookston, IN driver Aaron Farney used the highside of the half-mile to run away through the field, slicing through traffic, and capping it off with a spirited fist pump at the finish line. It was Farney’s first career win, besting the field of 37 drivers on hand.
Looking back at the history of the Jim Hurtubise race, Brady Bacon won last year, while Jerry Coons, Jr. claimed the hardware in 2013. Since the race came back in 2010, other winners include Jon Stanbrough, Chris Windom, and Chase Stockon. The early years of the Hurtubise saw racing legend, Jack Hewitt take the first two victories in 1990 & 1991. This year’s event will mark the 15th Jim Hurtubise named event.
Due to a rainout in May, the event will be co-named the Tony Hulman Classic. The race name carries a rich history, as 44 previous events have been held. USAC veteran, Dave Darland, won last year’s Tony Hulman race. Other recent winners include Levi Jones (’08, ’09), Jerry Coons, Jr. (’10, ’13), Chris Windom (’11), and Bud Kaeding (’12). Cary Faas and Levi Jones have the most wins with three apiece, while eight drivers have won two events.
Adding to the Friday, September 18 show will be the UMP Modifieds, a class which has been a mainstay on the schedule for the last couple of years. Three different events this season have produced three different Modified feature winners. Kenny Wallace won the opener, Bradley Sterrett took the checkered at the Summit Modified National event, and Brian Shaw won on Sumar night.
Pit gates will open at 3:00, grandstands at 4:00, hotlaps will start at 6:00, qualifying at 7:00, and racing will take the green at 7:30. General admission to the stands will be $25, infield admission $15, and children 10 and under are free.
More information on the season finale may be found at www.terrehauteactiontrack.net or www.trackenterprises.com.
USAC Jim Hurtubise Classic Winners
1990 JACK HEWITT
1991 JACK HEWITT
1992 RUSTY MCCLURE
1993 ROBBIE STANLEY
1994 TRAY HOUSE
1995 JACK HEWITT
1996 KEVIN THOMAS
1997 J.J. YELEY
1998 TONY ELLIOTT
2010 JON STANBROUGH
2011 CHRIS WINDOM
2012 CHASE STOCKON
2013 JERRY COONS, JR.
2014 BRADY BACON
USAC Tony Hulman Classic Winners
1971 GEORGE SNIDER
1972 BRUCE WALKUP
1973 JOE SALDANA
1974 GARY BETTENHAUSEN
1975 PANCHO CARTER
1976 JAN OPPERMAN
1977 JAMES McELREATH
1978 DICK TOBIAS
1979 PANCHO CARTER
1980 EDDIE LEAVITT
1981 SHELDON KINSER
1982 CHET JOHNSON
1983 JACK HEWITT
1984 RICK HOOD
1985 RON SHUMAN
1986 RICH VOGLER
1987 STEVE BUTLER
1988 STEVE BUTLER
1989 RICH VOGLER
1990 JEFF BLOOM
1991 ERIC GORDON
1992 CARY FAAS
1993 DAVE DARLAND
1994 CARY FAAS
1995 JACK HEWITT
1996 DOUG KALITTA
1997 J.J. YELEY
1998 CARY FAAS
1999 TERRY PLETCH
2000 JAY DRAKE
2001 TRACY HINES
2002 JON STANBROUGH
2003 J.J. YELEY
2004 CORY KRUSEMAN
2005 LEVI JONES
2006 DARON CLAYTON
2007 JON STANBROUGH
2008 LEVI JONES
2009 LEVI JONES
2010 JERRY COONS JR.
2011 CHRIS WINDOM
2012 BUD KAEDING
2013 JERRY COONS JR.
2014 DAVE DARLAND