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.
2009 USAC SILVER CROWN SEASON REVIEW
Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. concluded his historic drive to a third career USAC K & N Silver Crown championship over a four-season span in 2009 following previous driving titles in 2006 and 2007.
Kaeding became only the second driver in series history with three titles, matching the feat previously accomplished by only Jimmy Sills in 1990, 1994 and 1996.
Bud opened the 2009 campaign with a victory at the half-mile dirt oval Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. during the Copper on Dirt, which proved to be his only victory throughout the campaign. It marked the second-straight year that the eventual Silver Crown champ’s lone triumph came during the season opener at Manzanita (Jerry Coons Jr. in 2008).
His nine starts in the Alviso Rock/High Five Pizza Beast/Speedway Mopar No. 29 produced no finish worse than 10th during the year. His opening-race late-race heroics netted him a victory that put him in a point lead he held from the season opener onward.
Indianapolis, Indiana’s Shane Hollingsworth was a dominant force in a surprising first career victory at the Hoosier Hundred in May after also winning the pole position and leading all 100 laps.
Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. won the first of his two races at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in June, then again in Kasey Kahne’s Steel Palace Classic at New York’s Oswego Speedway in August.
Along with Tyler, Cole Whitt was the only other multi-time winner on the trail in 2009, winning his first series career race by leading wire-to-wire for all 100 laps in his debut on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in August. The Alpine, Calif. native and reigning USAC National Midget titlist won again, and for the first time on pavement, in the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona to close out the season.
Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. became the first driver to win in all three 2009 USAC National racing series with his victory in July’s 100-lap J.D. Byrider 100 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Clermont, Ind.
Cameron Dodson of Greenfield, Ind. returned to Iowa Speedway as the defending winner of the Casey’s General Stores Challenge and walked off with his second consecutive victory in a sweet triumph after suffering critical injuries in an Indiana highway accident the previous November.
Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. successfully defended his 4-Crown Nationals USAC Silver Crown title, winning the 50-lap feature at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the fourth time in his career following previous victories in 2004-2005-2008.
Kody Swanson earned 2009 USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year honors after a highly impressive second half of the season that saw three top-four finishes and a fifth-place finish in the final standings. The 2005 USAC Western Sprint Car champion from Kingsburg, Calif. finished 3rd at Iowa, 4th at Oswego and 2nd in the finale at Phoenix.
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KAEDING GRABS COPPER ON DIRT
Phoenix, Arizona………Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. won Saturday night's 50-lap Sands Chevrolet Copper on Dirt USAC K & N Silver Crown race at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz.
Kaeding battled Jesse Hockett for 47 laps, then grabbed the lead on lap 48 and led the final three laps in his Alviso Rock/Kaeding Performance DRC/Mopar to beat Hockett, Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Derek Hagar.
Levi Jones was the fastest qualifier and Hockett won Friday's 10-lap Copper Bowl Shootout to earn the pole starting spot.
Kaeding's fifth Silver Crown victory puts the 2006 and 2007 series champion atop the K & N Silver Crown standings after race one.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: February 20-21, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona – Manzanita Speedway – Sands Chevrolet Presents The Copper on Dirt
QUALIFYING: 1. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-20.270; 2. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-20.342; 3. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-20.389; 4. Jesse Hockett, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-20.438; 5. Josh Wise, 4, Contos/Curb-Agajanian-20.662; 6. Derek Hagar, 6, Klatt-20.685; 7. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-20.699; 8. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-20.829; 9. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-20.869; 10. Rickie Gaunt, 96, Gardner-20.927; 11. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-20.950; 12. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-21.104; 13. Kody Swanson 19, Six-R-21.121; 14. Mike Spencer, 42, Pritchett/Price-21.380; 15. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-21.385; 16. Shane Cottle, 28, Pierson-21.392.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Levi Jones, 2. Jerry Coons, 3. Josh Wise, 4. Jon Stanbrough, 5. Bud Kaeding, 6. Brian Tyler, 7. Kody Swanson, 8. Zach Daum. NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Derek Hagar, 2. Jesse Hockett, 3. Shane Hmiel, 4. Tracy Hines, 5. A.J. Fike, 6. Shane Cottle, 7. Mike Spencer, 8. Rickie Gaunt. 3:09.03
COPPER BOWL SHOOTOUT: (10 laps) 1. Jesse Hockett, 2. Bud Kaeding, 3. Tracy Hines, 4. Levi Jones, 5. Jerry Coons Jr., 6. Shane Hmiel, 7. Jon Stanbrough, 8. A.J. Fike, 9. Derek Hagar, 10. Josh Wise. 3:43.01
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bud Kaeding (2), 2. Jesse Hockett (1), 3. Levi Jones (4), 4. Tracy Hines (3), 5. Derek Hagar (9), 6. Jon Stanbrough (7), 7. A.J. Fike (8), 8. Josh Wise (10), 9. Jerry Coons Jr. (5), 10. Brian Tyler (12), 11. Zach Daum (15), 12. Kody Swanson (13), 13. Mike Spencer (14), 14. Shane Hmiel (6), 15. Rickie Gaunt (11), 16. Shane Cottle (16). NT
**Shane Cottle flipped on the 9th lap of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-13 Bud Kaeding, Lap 14 Jesse Hockett, Laps 15-21 Bud Kaeding, Laps 22-47 Jesse Hockett, Laps 48-50 Bud Kaeding.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-60; 2-Jesse Hockett-60; 3-Levi Jones-57; 4-Tracy Hines-51; 5-Derek Hagar-48; 6-Jon Stanbrough-45; 7-A.J. Fike-42; 8-Josh Wise-39; 9-Jerry Coons Jr.-36; 10-Brian Tyler-33.
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HOLLINGSWORTH WINS HIS FIRST AT THE HOOSIER HUNDRED
Indianapolis, Indiana………Shane Hollingsworth of Indianapolis, Ind. scored the first victory of his USAC K & N Silver Crown career Friday night in one of America’s most prestigious events – the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Hollingsworth won the pole at 112.665 mph and led every lap around the mile dirt oval despite repeated challenges from 2008 series champion Jerry Coons Jr. Coons blew a tire one lap from the finish and eventually finished 11th.
The victory was particularly sweet for the Nolen Racing team, whose race car and hauler were stolen from their Oklahoma motel on the way to the 2009 series opener in Phoenix, Ariz. in February. Hollingsworth’s win was worth $10,000.
Three-time race winner Dave Darland emerged with a second-place finish at the checkered flag ahead of Shane Hmiel, Bud Kaeding and Russ Gamester. Kaeding’s finish helped him maintain the series lead.
Drivers Kody Swanson and Randy Bateman escaped injury in a double flip on lap 10 of Friday’s race.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: May 22, 2009 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Hoosier Hundred
QUALIFYING: 1. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-31.953; 2. Bill Rose, 98, Lesko-32.259; 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-32.363; 4. Dave Darland, 56. Foxco-32.566; 5. Tom Capie, 153, Capie-32.589; 6. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-32.656; 7. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-32.673; 8. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-32.744; 9. Matt Westfall, 7, SC-32.778; 10. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-32.779; 11. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-32.787; 12. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-32.802; 13. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/Curb-Agajanian-32.861; 14. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-32.873; 15. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-32.884; 16. Derek Hagar, 6, Klatt-32.972; 17. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-33.003; 18. Tony Elliott, 43, Nix-33.014; 19. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-33.015; 20. Cole Whitt, 71, CW-33.223; 21. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-33.249; 22. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-33.274; 23. Jesse Hockett, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-33.528; 24. Cole Carter, 5, Baldwin-33.794; 25. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-33.906; 26. Patrick Bruns, 81, Quick Draw-35.257; 27. Mike Stroehle, 83, Stroehle-40.220; 28. Von McGee, 65, Hartenstine-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Shane Hollingsworth (1), 2. Dave Darland (4), 3. Shane Hmiel (15), 4. Bud Kaeding (6), 5. Russ Gamester (22), 6. Chris Urish (19), 7. Zach Daum (25), 8. Tom Capie (5), 9. Tracy Hines (12), 10. Cole Whitt (20), 11. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 12. Jon Stanbrough (8), 13. Brian Tyler (21), 14. Derek Hagar (16), 15. A.J. Fike (10), 16. Jesse Hockett (23), 17. Cole Carter (24), 18. Tony Elliott (18), 19. Bill Rose (2), 20. Von McGee (28), 21. Matt Westfall (9), 22. Josh Wise (13), 23. Levi Jones (11), 24. Aaron Pierce (7), 25. Kody Swanson (14), 26. Randy Bateman (17), 27. Patrick Bruns (26), 28. Mike Stroehle (27). NT
**Kody Swanson and Randy Bateman flipped on lap 10.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-100 Shane Hollingsworth.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-111; 2-Tracy Hines-87; 3-Jesse Hockett-81; 4-Shane Hmiel-79; 5-Jon Stanbrough-74; 6-Zach Daum-73; 7-Derek Hagar-73; 8-Jerry Coons Jr.-67; 9-Levi Jones-67; 10-Shane Hollingsworth-66.
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TYLER WINS RICHMOND’S JAMES RIVER GROUNDS 100
Richmond, Virginia………Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. caught leader Bobby East in turn three on the 87th lap of Saturday night’s James River Grounds 100 USAC K & N Silver Crown race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, then led the final 14 laps to win the 100-lap race on the 3/4-mile paved oval.
Tyler’s win, in the Lucas Oil/Fatheadz Sunglasses Beast/Toyota, was the 15th of his USAC Silver Crown career.
East led the first 86 laps from the pole before Tyler’s winning move and finished second ahead of Cameron Dodson, Ryan Smith and A.J. Fike.
Dodson’s run was remarkable, coming from 14th to third. He was critically injured in a highway accident in November and has made a remarkable recovery. The Richmond race was his first since the accident.
Bud Kaeding, who finished ninth at Richmond, emerged with a 21-point lead over Tracy Hines in the new series standings. Hines finished eighth at RIR.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: June 26-27, 2009 – Richmond, Virginia – Richmond International Raceway – James River Grounds 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-20.386; 2. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-20.473; 3. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-20.551; 4. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-20.555; 5. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-20.565; 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-2-.659; 7. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-20.706; 8. Ryan Smith, 155, S & S-20.752; 9. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-20.783; 10. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-20.805; 11. Jay Drake, 8, Rev 1-20.888; 12. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-20.962; 13. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-20.977; 14. Cameron Dodson, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-20.979; 15. Chet Fillip, 77, Advanced-20.995; 16. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-21.013; 17. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-21.023; 18. Mike Lichty, 94, Lichty-21.320; 19. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-21.876; 20. Carl Smith, 141, Smith-21.977; 21. Derek Hagar, 35, Edwards/RE Technologies-22.131; 22. Davey Hamilton, 41, Paternoster-24.000; 23. Rodney Weesner, 96, Weesner-NT; 24. Von McGee, 65, Hartenstine-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brian Tyler (5), 2. Bobby East (1), 3. Cameron Dodson (14), 4. Ryan Smith (8), 5. A.J. Fike (7), 6. Chet Fillip (15), 7. Jacob Wilson (9), 8. Tracy Hines (3), 9. Bud Kaeding (4), 10. Jay Drake (11), 11. Bobby Santos (12), 12. Mike Lichty (18), 13. Zach Daum (16), 14. Levi Jones (2), 15. Jerry Coons Jr. (6), 16. Josh Wise (13), 17. Kody Swanson (19), 18. Shane Hmiel (10), 19. Carl Smith (20), 20. Davey Hamilton (22), 21. Eric Gordon (17), 22. Rodney Weesner (23), 23. Von McGee (24), 24. Derek Hagar (21). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-86 Bobby East, Laps 87-100 Brian Tyler.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-147; 2-Tracy Hines-126; 3-Brian Tyler-120; 4-A.J. Fike-113; 5-Zach Daum-100; 6-Shane Hmiel-96; 7-Levi Jones-92; 8-Jerry Coons-90; 9-Derek Hagar-82; 10-Jesse Hockett-81.
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SANTOS TAKES J.D. BYRIDER 100, 1ST TO WIN IN ALL 3 USAC NATIONAL SERIES
Clermont, Indiana………Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. became the first driver to win in all three 2009 USAC National racing series with his victory in Thursday night’s 100-lap J.D. Byrider 100 at O’Reilly Raceway Park.
Santos grabbed the lead from pole starter Chet Fillip on lap 28 and led the rest of the way, averaging 109.224 mph in his Santos Motorsports Beast/Performance Technology K & N Silver Crown car.
Santos started on the front row and trailed Fillip for the first 27 laps but held off Bobby East for the win, while series point leader Bud Kaeding took third ahead of Fillip and Tyler Walker.
NASCAR veteran Ryan Newman finished eighth after starting ninth in the 30-car field.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: July 23, 2009 – Clermont, Indiana – O’Reilly Raceway Park – J.D. Byrider 100
QUALIFYING: 1. Chet Fillip, 77, Advanced-21.257; 2. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-21.303; 3. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-21.360; 4. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-21.430; 5. Dakoda Armstrong, 9, East-21.432; 6. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-21.446; 7. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-21.470; 8. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-21.518; 9. Ryan Newman, 11, Bowman/Canine-21.524; 10. Tyler Walker, 23, Vance-21.561; 11. Mike Lichty, 94, Lichty-21.566; 12. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-21.589; 13. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-21.598; 14. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-21.608; 15. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-21.645; 16. Mario Marietta, 15, Beach-21.651; 17. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-21.651; 18. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-21.678; 19. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-21.727; 20. Cameron Dodson, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-21.729; 21. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-21.753; 22. Tony Hunt, 28, Pierson-21.872; 23. Davey Hamilton, 8, Rev 1-21.934; 24. Dave Darland, 30, Vance-21.951; 25. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-21.980; 26. Brad Armstrong, 08, Armstrong-22.015; 27. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-22.077; 28. Ryan Smith, 155, S & S-22.178; 29. Patrick Bruns, 81, Quick Draw-22.567; 30. Tom Capie, 153, Capie-22.729; 31. Rodney Weesner, 96, Weesner-23.148; 32. Coleman Gulick, 114, Gulick-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby Santos (2), 2. Bobby East (3), 3. Bud Kaeding (4), 4. Chet Fillip (1), 5. Tyler Walker (10), 6. Kody Swanson (19), 7. Eric Gordon (6), 8. Ryan Newman (9), 9. Cameron Dodson (20), 10. Tracy Hines (12), 11. Josh Wise (21), 12. Dakoda Armstrong (5), 13. Mike Lichty (11), 14. Davey Hamilton (23), 15. Mario Marietta (16), 16. Levi Jones (14), 17. A.J. Fike (15), 18. Jerry Coons Jr. (8), 19. Jacob Wilson (7), 20. Brian Tyler (18), 21. Aaron Pierce (27), 22. Zach Daum (25), 23. Shane Hmiel (17), 24. Ryan Smith (28), 25. Brad Armstrong (26), 26. Tony Hunt (22), 27. Russ Gamester (13), 28. Dave Darland (24), 29. Patrick Bruns (29), 30. Rodney Weesner (30). 37:41.05
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-27 Chet Fillip, Laps 28-100 Bobby Santos.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-201; 2-Tracy Hines-159; 3-Brian Tyler-133; 4-A.J. Fike-132; 5-Bobby East-120; 6-Levi Jones-113; 7-Zach Daum-111; 8-Jerry Coons Jr.-107; 9-Shane Hmiel-106; 10-Josh Wise-102.
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DODSON REPEATS IN IOWA SILVER CROWN 100-LAPPER
Newton, Iowa………Cameron Dodson of Greenfield, Ind. returned to Iowa Speedway as the defending winner of the Casey’s General Stores Challenge and walked off with his second consecutive victory.
It was a sweet triumph for the driver who suffered critical injuries in an Indiana highway accident last November.
Dodson led the opening lap but slipped behind Jacob Wilson on lap 2. He stayed in contention until late in the race when he ran down the leader and made the winning pass on lap 89, pacing the final 12 laps to put his Carl Edwards/RE Technologies Ford/Red Line Oil Beast/Ford in victory lane.
Levi Jones took second ahead of Kody Swanson, Bobby East and Bud Kaeding. Kaeding’s finish kept him atop the K & N USAC Silver Crown series standings. Friday night’s race was completed entirely under green flag conditions and Dodson averaged 136.364 mph for the 100 laps.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: July 31, 2009 – Newton, Iowa – Iowa Speedway – Casey’s General Stores Challenge
QUALIFYING: 1. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-22.123; 2. Cameron Dodson, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-22.239; 3. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-22.245; 4. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-22.341; 5. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-22.392; 6. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-22.486; 7. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-22.526; 8. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-22.635; 9. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-22.678; 10. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-22.731; 11. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-22.742; 12. Michael Annett, 3, East-22.750; 13. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-22.765; 14. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-22.789; 15. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-22.996; 16. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-23.167; 17. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-23.247; 18. Coleman Gulick, 114, Deuel-24.010; 19. Rodney Weesner, 96, Weesner-24.685; 20. Mario Marietta, 15, Beach-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Cameron Dodson (2), 2. Levi Jones (15), 3. Kody Swanson (9), 4. Bobby East (4), 5. Bud Kaeding (6), 6. Jacob Wilson (1), 7. Eric Gordon (11), 8. Zach Daum (8), 9. Coleman Gulick (18), 10. Shane Hmiel (3), 11. A.J. Fike (10), 12. Bobby Santos (17), 13. Russ Gamester (16), 14. Jerry Coons Jr. (7), 15. Josh Wise (14), 16. Tracy Hines (5), 17. Michael Annett (12), 18. Brian Tyler (13), 19. Rodney Weesner (19). 38:30.00
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Cameron Dodson, Laps 2-88 Jacob Wilson, Laps 89-100 Cameron Dodson.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-249; 2-Tracy Hines-180; 3-Bobby East-171; 4-Levi Jones-170; 5-A.J. Fike-163; 6-Kody Swanson-155; 7-Cameron Dodson-150; 8-Zach Daum-150; 9-Brian Tyler-150; 10-Shane Hmiel-139.
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TYLER LEADS ALL 100 TO WIN KASEY KAHNE STEEL PALACE CLASSIC AT OSWEGO
Oswego, New York………Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. led all 100 laps to win Thursday night’s Kasey Kahne Steel Palace Classic USAC K & N Silver Crown race at Oswego Speedway.
Driving the Lucas Oil/Fatheadz Sunglasses Beast/Toyota, Tyler got the jump on pole starter Tracy Hines and never relinquished the lead. The win boosted him to third in the standings.
Josh Wise took second ahead of Jay Drake, Kody Swanson and A.J. Fike.
Hines touched wheels with Wise on lap 56 while battling for second and spun into the wall. He restarted and made a spirited charge to finish eighth and now trails Bud Kaeding by 60 points. Kaeding finished 10th to retain his series lead.
Ryan Newman finished 11th and Kasey Kahne, who spun late in the race, was 20th.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: August 6, 2009 – Oswego, New York – Oswego Speedway – Kasey Kahne “Steel Palace Classic”
QUALIFYING: 1. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-17.905; 2. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-17.968; 3. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-18.053; 4. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-18.058; 5. Jay Drake, 8, Rev 1-18.193; 6. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-18.212; 7. Kasey Kahne, 67, Zarounian-18.228; 8. Tyler Walker, 23, Vance-18.249; 9. Ryan Smith, 155, S & S-18.272; 10. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-18.272; 11. Mike Lichty, 94, Lichty-18.280; 12. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-18.288; 13. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-18.332; 14. Cameron Dodson, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-18.353; 15. Ryan Newman, 11, Bowman/Canine-18.368; 16. Eric Gordon, 2, Bowman/Canine-18.378; 17. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-18.380; 18. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-18.384; 19. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-18.493; 20. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-18.525; 21. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-18.536; 22. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-18.705; 23. Brad Armstrong, 08, Armstrong-18.774; 24. Davey Hamilton, 41, Paternoster-19.003; 25. Coleman Gulick, 114, Deuel-NT; 26. Dakoda Armstrong, 9, East-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brian Tyler (2), 2. Josh Wise (3), 3. Jay Drake (5), 4. Kody Swanson (10), 5. A.J. Fike (6), 6. Ryan Smith (9), 7. Tyler Walker (8), 8. Tracy Hines (1), 9. Shane Hmiel (4), 10. Bud Kaeding (13), 11. Ryan Newman (15), 12. Cameron Dodson (14), 13. Jerry Coons Jr. (17), 14. Jacob Wilson (18), 15. Levi Jones (19), 16. Eric Gordon (16), 17. Bobby Santos (21), 18. Russ Gamester (22), 19. Bobby East (20), 20. Kasey Kahne (7), 21. Davey Hamilton (24), 22. Brad Armstrong (23), 23. Mike Lichty (11), 24. Zach Daum (12), 25. Coleman Gulick (25). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-100 Brian Tyler.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-282; 2-Tracy Hines-222; 3-Brian Tyler-213; 4-A.J. Fike-211; 5-Kody Swanson-206; 6-Levi Jones-193; 7-Bobby East-186; 8-Josh Wise-182; 9-Cameron Dodson-179; 10-Shane Hmiel-175.
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WHITT WIRES TONY BETTENHAUSEN 100 AT SPRINGFIELD
Springfield, Illinois………Cole Whitt of Alpine, Calif. led all 100 laps of Saturday’s Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The win was not only his first in the K & N Silver Crown series but came in only his third Silver Crown start. It was also the first Silver Crown win for chief mechanic and Springfield native Keith Kunz.
Whitt started on the pole after the fastest six qualifiers were inverted and grabbed the lead quickly in his Ferguson Moen/Red Bull Eagle/Brannan Chevy. He withstood a late-race challenge from Jon Stanbrough, who was also seeking his first series victory. Levi Jones took third ahead of fast qualifier A.J. Fike and Josh Wise.
K & N Silver Crown series point leader Bud Kaeding came from the 22nd starting position to finish seventh and retain the lead by 59 points over A.J. Fike.
Three yellow flags slowed the race, one for a spin by Matt Westfall, one when Jerry Coons Jr. hit the wall and Kody Swanson spun, and the final one when Donnie Beechler’s engine expired and oiled the track.
Beechler, an IndyCar veteran and local favorite, started 15th and had worked his way to fifth during the early race laps.
USAC K & N SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: August 22, 2009 – Springfield, Illinois – Illinois State Fairgrounds – “Tony Bettenhausen 100”
QUALIFYING: 1. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-29.618; 2. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-29.679; 3. Dave Darland, 56, Foxco-29.710; 4. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-29.753; 5. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-29.823; 6. Cole Whitt, 71, CW-29.917; 7. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-29.956; 8. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-30.000; 9. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/Curb-Agajanian-30.020; 10. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-30.065; 11. Derek Hagar, 6, Klatt-30.076; 12. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-30.144; 13. Tom Capie, 153, Capie-30.149; 14. Tony Elliott, 43, Nix-30.212; 15. Donnie Beechler, 14, McQuinn-30.256; 16. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-30.536; 17. Terry Babb, 34, Morford-30.560; 18. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-30.605; 19. Matt Westfall, 7, SC-30.860; 20. Eric Todd, 16, Lightfoot-30.964; 21. Justin Carver, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-30.977; 22. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-31.311; 23. Patrick Bruns, 81, Quick Draw-31.571; 24. Rex Norris III, 08, Armstrong-32.626; 25. John Barrick, 33, Barrick-34.087; 26. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-NT; 27. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Cole Whitt (1), 2. Jon Stanbrough (5), 3. Levi Jones (3), 4. A.J. Fike (6), 5. Josh Wise (9), 6. Dave Darland (4), 7. Bud Kaeding (22), 8. Tracy Hines (2), 9. Derek Hagar (11), 10. Shane Hollingsworth (8), 11. Tony Elliott (14), 12. Zach Daum (16), 13. Tom Capie (13), 14. Eric Todd (20), 15. Patrick Bruns (23), 16. Justin Carver (21), 17. Rex Norris III (24), 18. Terry Babb (17), 19. Donnie Beechler (15), 20. Kody Swanson (18), 21. Jerry Coons Jr. (7), 22. Brian Tyler (10), 23. Matt Westfall (19), 24. Shane Hmiel (12), 25. John Barrick (25), 26. Russ Gamester (26). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-100 Cole Whitt.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-324; 2-A.J. Fike-265; 3-Tracy Hines-261; 4-Levi Jones-247; 5-Josh Wise-230; 6-Brian Tyler-224; 7-Kody Swanson-219; 8-Zach Daum-188; 9-Bobby East-186; 10-Shane Hmiel-184.
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DARLAND BECOMES 4-TIME 4-CROWN SILVER CROWN WINNER
Rossburg, Ohio………Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. successfully defended his Team Chevy 4-Crown Nationals USAC Silver Crown title Saturday night, winning the 50-lap feature at Eldora Speedway.
Driving the Jarvis Enterprises/Plastic Express Beast/Foxco Chevy, Darland passed series point leader Bud Kaeding on lap six and led the rest of the way to beat fast qualifier Shane Hmiel, Jerry Coons Jr., Cole Whitt and Josh Wise.
Kaeding virtually locked up the 2009 K & N Silver crown title with his eighth-place finish.
K & N USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 26, 2009 – Rossburg, Ohio – Eldora Speedway – 29th Team Chevy 4-Crown Nationals
QUALIFYING: (Top-12 locked into the feature) 1. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-18.336; 2. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-18.741; 3. Dave Darland, 56, Foxco-18.867; 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-18.876; 5. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-18.930; 6. Derek Hagar, 6, Klatt-18.937; 7. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/Agajanian/RE Technologies-18.960; 8. Cole Whitt, 71, CW-19.000; 9. Jon Stanbrough, 37, Riggs-19.157; 10. Mike Brecht, 97, SC-19.158; 11. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-19.241; 12. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-19.281; 13. Shane Hollingsworth, 20, Nolen-19.361; 14. Donnie Beechler, 14, McQuinn-19.633; 15. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-19.724; 16. Bill Rose, 98, Lesko-19.767; 17. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-19.804; 18. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-19.891; 19. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-20.196; 20. Justin Carver, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-20.433.21. Randy Bateman, 55, Bateman-20.452; 22. Patrick Bruns, 81, Quick Draw-20.712; 23. Von McGee, 65, Hartenstine-20.776; 24. Jon Sciscoe, 53, Sciscoe-NT.
QUALIFYING RACE: (15 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Shane Hollingsworth, 2. Bill Rose, 3. Donnie Beechler, 4. Zach Daum, 5. Justin Carver, 6. A.J. Fike, 7. Von McGee, 8. Patrick Bruns, 9. Randy Bateman, 10. Jon Sciscoe, 11. Kody Swanson, 12. Russ Gamester. NT
FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Dave Darland (4), 2. Shane Hmiel (6), 3. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 4. Cole Whitt (8), 5. Josh Wise (7), 6. Shane Hollingsworth (13), 7. Brian Tyler (12), 8. Bud Kaeding (2), 9. Levi Jones (11), 10. Zach Daum (16), 11. Kody Swanson (23), 12. Randy Bateman (21), 13. A.J. Fike (18), 14. Von McGee (19), 15. Tracy Hines (5), 16. Justin Carver (17), 17. Jon Sciscoe (22), 18. Jon Stanbrough (9), 19. Russ Gamester (24), 20. Bill Rose (14), 21. Derek Hagar (1), 22. Mike Brecht (10), 23. Donnie Beechler (15), 24. Patrick Bruns (20). NT
**Donnie Beechler flipped on lap 4 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-3 Derek Hagar, Laps 4-5 Bud Kaeding, Laps 6-50 Dave Darland.
NEW SILVER CROWN POINTS: 1-Bud Kaeding-363; 2-A.J. Fike-292; 3-Tracy Hines-284; 4-Levi Jones-283; 5-Josh Wise-278; 6-Brian Tyler-266; 7-Kody Swanson-250 8-Shane Hmiel-244; 9-Jerry Coons Jr.-225; 10-Zach Daum-221.
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WHITT GRABS COPPER WORLD FINALE
Avondale, Arizona………Cole Whitt of Alpine, Calif. led the final 83 laps to win Thursday’s 100-mile USAC K & N Silver Crown Championship race at the 34th Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway.
Whitt piloted the Aristocrat Products Beast/Gaerte to the win over Kody Swanson, who made a determined late race bid for victory. Tracy Hines took third ahead of A.J. Fike and Levi Jones.
Pole starter Jason Leffler was ninth and Bud Kaeding, who had already clinched the series title entering the race, was eighth.
Jones led the opening lap and Leffler led the next 16 before yielding to Whitt. The win was Whitt’s first under USAC sanction on pavement.
K & N USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE RESULTS: November 12, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona – Phoenix International Raceway – 34th Copper World Classic
QUALIFYING: 1. Jason Leffler, 3, East-25.538; 2. Levi Jones, 10, Stewart-25.594; 3. A.J. Fike, 32, RFMS-25.635; 4. Josh Wise, 199, Edwards/RE Technologies-25.693; 5. Shane Hmiel, 17, RW-25.755; 6. Cole Whitt, 30, Vance-25.762; 7. Tracy Hines, 22, Stewart-25.777; 8. Kody Swanson, 19, Six-R-25.783; 9. Brian Tyler, 21, Six-R-25.952; 10. Bud Kaeding, 29, BK-25.978; 11. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR/Six-R-25.988; 12. Tyler Walker, 23, Vance-26.040; 13. Scott Pierovich, 28, Pierson-26.150; 14. Jerry Coons Jr., 27, RW-26.216; 15. Bobby Santos, 98, Santos-26.289; 16. Bobby East, 6, Klatt-26.363; 17. Cameron Dodson, 991, Edwards/RE Technologies-26.379; 18. Davey Hamilton, 8, Rev 1-26.642; 19. Todd Wanless, 2AU, RW-26.719; 20. Ryan Smith, 155, S & S-26.946; 21. Coleman Gulick, 114, Deuel-28.891; 22. Dakoda Armstrong, 9, East-NT; 23. Zach Daum, 50, Daum-NT.
FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Cole Whitt (6), 2. Kody Swanson (8), 3. Tracy Hines (7), 4. A.J. Fike (3), 5. Levi Jones (2), 6. Tyler Walker (12), 7. Bobby Santos (16), 8. Bud Kaeding (10), 9. Jason Leffler (1), 10. Coleman Gulick (21), 11. Jerry Coons Jr. (14), 12. Shane Hmiel (5), 13. Todd Wanless (19), 14. Jacob Wilson (11), 15. Ryan Smith (20), 16. Bryan Clauson (#8) (18), 17. Josh Wise (4), 18. Bobby East (16), 19. Cameron Dodson (17), 20. Brian Tyler (9), 21. Scott Pierovich (13). 59:33.234
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Levi Jones, Laps 2-17 Jason Leffler, Laps 18-100 Cole Whitt.
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2009 USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER POINTS
1. (402) Bud Kaeding, Campbell, Calif.
2. (343) A.J. Fike, Galesburg, Ill.
3. (338) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind.
4. (331) Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.
5. (307) Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, Calif.
6. (297) Josh Wise, Riverside, Calif.
7. (279) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich.
8. (273) Shane Hmiel, Pleasant Garden, N.C.
9. (256) Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, Ariz.
10. (221) Zach Daum, Pocahontas, Ill.
11. (210) Cole Whitt, Alpine, Calif.
12. (203) Bobby East, Brownsburg, Ind.
13. (194) Cameron Dodson, Greenfield, Ind.
14. (184) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass.
15. (170) Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind.
16. (158) Jacob Wilson, Crawfordsville, Ind.
17. (148) Jon Stanbrough, Avon, Ind.
18. (144) Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.
19. (135) Tyler Walker, Los Angeles, Calif.
20. (130) Derek Hagar, Marion, Ark.
21. (128) Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, Penn.
22. (120) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind.
23. (117) Eric Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind.
24. (99) Chet Fillip, San Angelo, Texas
25. (87) Jay Drake, Val Verde, Calif.
26. (81) Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, Mo.
27. (77) Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, N.Y.
28. (70) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind.
29. (66) Mike Lichty, Innerkip, Ont.
30. (66) Tom Capie, Trevose, Pa.
31. (50) Davey Hamilton, Boise, Idaho
32. (48) Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.
33. (48) Von McGee, Spring Run, Pa.
34. (45) Chris Urish, Elkhart, Ill.
35. (42) Patrick Bruns, Champaign, Ill.
36. (42) Justin Carver, Drummonds, Tenn.
37. (39) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif.
38. (36) Randy Bateman, Murphysboro, Ill.
39. (29) Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, Ind.
40. (29) Rodney Weesner, Portland, Ind.
41. (28) Bill Rose, Plainfield, Ind.
42. (27) Mike Spencer, Temecula, Calif.
43. (27) Todd Wanless, Coopers Plains, Qld.
44. (25) Eric Todd, Falcon, Mo.
45. (25) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill.
46. (23) Rickie Gaunt, Torrance, Calif.
47. (23) Mario Marietta, Indianapolis, Ind.
48. (22) Matt Westfall, Pleasant Hill, Ohio
49. (21) Shane Cottle, Kansas, Ill.
50. (21) Aaron Pierce, Muncie, Ind.
51. (21) Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, Ind.
52. (19) Cole Carter, Brownsburg, Ind.
53. (19) Michael Arnett, Des Moines, Iowa
54. (19) Brad Armstrong, New Palestine, Ind.
55. (19) Rex Norris III, Knightstown, Ind.
56. (19) Jon Sciscoe, Bloomington, Ind.
57. (17) Terry Babb, Decatur, Ill.
58. (15) Carl Smith, Hockley, Texas
59. (13) Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash.
60. (12) Scott Pierovich, Alamo, Calif.
61. (11) Mike Brecht, Deshler, Ohio
62. (8) John Barrick, Lincoln, Ill.
63. (7) Tony Hunt, Fair Oaks, Calif.
64. (5) Mike Stroehle, Davenport, Iowa
2009 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRANT POINTS
1. (402) BK Motorsports, Indianapolis, Ind. (#29)
2. (343) RFMS Racing, Galesburg, Ill. (#32)
3. (338) Tony Stewart Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#22)
4. (331) Tony Stewart Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#10)
5. (324) Klatt Enterprises, Hastings, Neb. (#6)
6. (318) Carl Edwards/Curb-Agajanian/RE Technologies, Memphis, Tenn. (#199)
7. (307) Team Six-R, Zionsville, Ind. (#19)
8. (279) Team Six-R, Zionsville, Ind. (#21)
9. (273) RW Motorsports, Lederach, Pa. (#17)
10. (257) Carl Edwards/RE Technologies, Memphis, Tenn. (#991)
11. (256) RW Motorsports, Lederach, Pa. (#27)
12. (221) Dan Daum, Greenville, Ill. (#50)
13. (184) Santos Motorsports, Franklin, Mass. (#98)
14. (165) Foxco Engineering, Avon, Ind. (#56)
15. (158) Wilson Brothers Racing/Team Six-R, Crawfordsville, Ind. (#07)
16. (148) Indiana Underground Construction (Terry Riggs), Indianapolis, Ind. (#37)
17. (147) CW Management Services, Alpine, Calif. (#71)
18. (144) Nolen Racing, Greenwood, Ind. (#20)
19. (135) Johnny Vance Racing Team, Dayton, Ohio (#23)
20. (133) Rev 1 Racing, Riverview, Fla. (#8)
21. (128) S & S Speedways, Kunkletown, Pa. (#155)
22. (120) Gamester Racing, Peru, Ind. (#51)
23. (117) Bowman-Canine Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#2)
24. (99) Advanced Racing Suspensions, Indianapolis, Ind. (#177)
25. (77) Dr. John Deuel, Binghamton, N.Y. (#114)
26. (70) Bowman-Canine Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#11)
27. (68) Johnny Vance Racing Team, Dayton, Ohio (#30)
28. (66) Brad Lichty, Innerkip, Ont. (#94)
29. (66) Capie Racing, Indianapolis, Ind. (#153)
30. (58) Bob East, Brownsburg, Ind. (#3)
31. (48) Ricky Nix, Benton, Ill. (#43)
32. (48) Chuck Hartenstine, Douglassville, Pa. (#65)
33. (45) Urish Racing, Elkhart, Ill. (#77)
34. (42) Quick Draw Racing, Jacksonville, Ill. (#81)
35. (40) Ken Pierson, Elk Grove, Calif. (#28)
36. (39) Contos Racing/Curb-Agajanian, Anderson, Ind. (#4)
37. (38) Armstrong Racing, New Palestine, Ind. (#08)
38. (36) Bateman Racing, Murphysboro, Ill. (#55)
39. (29) Bob East, Brownsburg, Ind. (#9)
40. (29) Weesner Motorsports, Portland, Ind. (#96)
41. (28) Wayne Subaru/Lesko Racing, Wayne, N.J. (#98)
42. (27) Pritchett-Price Racing, Litchfield Park, Ariz. (#42)
43. (27) RWB Motorsports, Fairmount, Ind. (#2AU)
44. (25) Jim Paternoster, Oswego, N.Y. (#41)
45. (25) Mark Lightfoot, Springfield, Mo. (#16)
46. (25) Dennis & Dave McQuinn, Springfield, Ill. (#14)
47. (23) Nadine Gardner, Norco, Calif. (#196)
48. (23) Ted Beach, Donnelsville, Ohio (#15)
49. (22) SC Racing, Carey, Ohio (#7)
50. (21) Sam Pierce, Daleville, Ind. (#26)
51. (19) Baldwin Brothers Racing, West Lafayette, Ind. (#5)
52. (19) Jon Sciscoe, Bloomington, Ind. (#53)
53. (17) Ken Morford, Carterville, Ill. (#34)
54. (15) Tye Smith, Hockley, Texas (#141)
55. (13) Zarounian Motorsports, Visalia, Calif. (#67)
56. (11) SC Racing, Carey, Ohio (#97)
57. (9) Carl Edwards-RE Technologies, Memphis, Tenn. (#35)
58. (8) Barrick Motorsports, Lincoln, Ill. (#33)
59. (5) Mike Stroehle, Davenport, Iowa (#83)