COTTLE THE NEWEST PILOT FOR DUTCHER SATURDAY AT TERRE HAUTE

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Terre Haute, Indiana………Veteran racer Shane Cottle has been tabbed as Michael Dutcher Motorsports’ driver when the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars visit the Terre Haute Action Track this Saturday, October 14 for the “Tony Hulman/Don Smith Classic.”

Cottle, of Kokomo, Indiana, has been a mainstay in USAC for much of the past two decades, earning wins in each of USAC’s three national divisions during his career.

Though Cottle is making his first USAC start in Dutcher’s familiar, black No. 17GP this season, it is far from their first time teaming up.  In fact, the duo found immediate success when they paired up for a couple races in 2012.

While regular driver Bryan Clauson was busy tending to duties during his rookie campaign at the Indianapolis 500, Cottle filled-in with a fine fourth-place result at the “Hulman Classic” at Terre Haute.  One month later, Cottle was called on once again to substitute for Clauson and finished third at Wilmot (Wisc.) Raceway.

This past June, Cottle started last and finished third for Dutcher in the non-sanctioned “No Way Out 40” at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway.

Cottle has made 17 series starts this year with six top-ten finishes, all in the Paul Hazen-owned No. 57, and is the owner of three career USAC National Sprint Car victories. 

Cottle will be Dutcher’s eighth wheelman of the season, following in the steps of Jeff Bland, Jr., Stevie Sussex, Ryan Bernal, Tyler Thomas, Dave Darland, Thomas Meseraull and Shawn Westerfeld as Dutcher, the 2012 USAC Mechanical Achievement Award winner, seeks the first victory for his team in 2017.

Pit gates open for the “Hulman/Smith Classic" at 2pm.  A free, open pit party will take place from 3:30 to 5:30pm, allowing fans to walk through the pits, meet the driver, get autographs, take pictures and win prizes.  Cars hit the track for hot laps at 6pm.

Adult grandstand admission is $25 while infield admission just $15.  Children age 11 and under are free!

You can witness the event a day after the race is run, on-demand with flag-to-flag coverage at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.