By BRETT BOWMAN
Tribune columnist
March 31, 2008 11:50 pm
—
The long wait is all but over now.
Saturday night, weather permitting, the USAC Lucas Oils National Sprint Car series will kick off the new season when it opens up things up here in the Midwest at the Eldora Speedway.
The race at Gas City has fallen victim to inclement weather many times over the years, however that event has become the unofficial kickoff to tracks in the area. Next weekend the Gas City I-69 Speedway starts its 2008 campaign with its weekly program of sprints, modifieds and Street Stocks.
Three area drivers have high expectations entering the new season. Dave Darland looks to claim his second national sprint title (he also won in 1999). Year in and year out the Lincoln driver is considered a preseason favorite and this year is no exception. He finished second and third in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
Once again this year Darland will be paired with the Pace Brothers Racing No. 44 team. Last year he started off with a huge win, bagging the Elliott Brand Clash at the Bloomington Speedway. In addition, with his steady consistency, Darland captured the prestigious Indiana Sprint Week championship for the third time in his career en route to his third-place showing in the points standings.
Joining Darland on the full USAC tour will be three-time Kokomo Speedway track champion Shane Cottle.
Over the winter months Cottle and the Contos Racing team got together and came to an agreement to pursue the national championship. Cottle has been successful against USAC competition in the past, registering major wins and countless top-10s while competing only in dirt events.
Following his front-row start in the illustrious Little 500 at the Anderson Speedway, those familiar with the sport realized that Cottle is a force to be reckoned with in whatever he races.
Last year while driving the Edison Motorsports No. 10E, Cottle earned another track title at the local oval. Aboard the Contos’ team Silver Crown car, Cottle picked up arguably the biggest win of his career at the DuQuoin, Ill., Fairgrounds in the annual running of the Ted Horn 100.
Another driver joining the veterans, at least in all the dirt events, will be Kokomo High School graduate Josh Spencer.
Spencer has been a consistent runner at both Kokomo and Gas City and his team has verbally committed to the entire dirt portion of USAC’s schedule.
With the series being as competitive as it has ever been, it’s hard to imagine who will be crowned champion in November when the final race has been run at the Manzanita Speedway.
One driver who should be right in the thick of things is defending series champion Levi Jones. The Olney, Ill., standout will again be the lead driver for the Tony Stewart Racing and with its resources, the team will be hard-pressed to be dethroned.
Joining Stewart with TSR will be veteran Tracy Hines, who, if he is fully recovered, should present a big challenge to Jones.
Hines was in his first season with the Stewart team when he was severely injured in an off-road motorcycle accident. When he went down for the season, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. was called upon to replace Hines and had a stellar season. Late in the year, Stenhouse was tabbed by Jack Roush/Fenway Racing as part of a driver developmental deal.
Jerry Coons Jr. Darland, Cottle, Brady Bacon, Damion Gardner and Darren Hagen all should be given strong consideration as title contenders, however with the seemingly endless supply of resources that the Stewart team has, the championship more than likely will come from within that camp.
For ticket information visit the track’s website at www.eldoraspeedway.com.
Brett Bowman covers auto racing for the Tribune. He can be contacted by e-mail at brettbowman29@aol.com or through the sports department.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.