Published: November 26, 2007 12:07 am            

BOWMAN: Darland puts another feather in his cap

Local driver captures the Turkey Night Grand Prix in California.

For open wheel racers, there are keystone events that help boost a résumé and go a long way toward making a career complete.

In Indy cars, the pinnacle, of course, is drinking the milk that accompanies capturing the Indianapolis 500. NASCAR drivers dream of finding themselves in victory lane after the Daytona 500.

For grassroots racers, there are many events that make a stellar career an outstanding one. In USAC’s Silver Crown Series, winning the Hoosier Hundred is one such event that drivers strive to win.

In the Lucas Oils USAC National Sprint Car Series, to win the Indiana Sprint Week and at the Eldora Speedway during the 4-Crown Nationals ranks high on the priority list.

For the USAC National Midgets, there are five major events that stand out for those who lay their lives on the line for our entertainment.

Arguably topping the list for the smaller, open-wheel cars would have to be the Belleville Midget Nationals followed in no particular order by the Hut Hundred, the 4-Crown, Chili Bowl, the Turkey Night Grand Prix and the annual running of the Night Before the 500 at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

Lincoln’s Dave Darland added to his legend on Thanksgiving evening at the Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway when he captured his first Turkey Night win.

Already in his hall of fame career, Darland has won the Silver Crown title (1997), which includes the above-mentioned Hoosier Hundred. In addition he has captured a national sprint car title in 1999 as well as three Indiana Sprint Week championships, including 2007.

As if that wasn’t enough, aboard a midget Darland has claimed two national titles and won the Belleville Nationals and Hut Hundred to go along with his most recent prestigious win.

“Winning Turkey Night was a big one,” said Darland from his home Saturday morning. “Considering all the history (67 years) that accompanies that race this one means a lot.”

Piloting Steve Lewis’ Nine Racing/Toyota/Ed Pink Motors No. 9, Darland simply blitzed the field. He took the lead from quick-qualifier Kody Swanson on the third lap and never trailed the remaining 95 laps.

By looking at the press release, it would appear that Darland had no problems, but the early going provided the veteran with a couple of anxious moments.

“We really had a good race car,” he said. “Bobby East did pass me once going into turn three on the 18th lap I think, but I got back around him coming off of turn four. After that, I don’t think I saw anyone really get that close to me the rest of the race.”

Darland narrowly missed the only accident of the race, however.

“It was a pretty smooth race, one where you could get a rhythm going,” he noted. “There was only one caution in the race, but it happened right in front of me and I just about got caught up in it.”

Making the huge win even sweeter for the humble Darland was the fact the field was littered with NASCAR and future NASCAR drivers including runner-up Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip Racing driver Josh Wise as well as Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who recently inked a deal with Roush/Fenway Racing team. Busch Series driver and former midget national champion Jason Leffler was also in the feature.

“Winning this one was really good simply because of everyone who was there,” Darland stated. “Aside from the racers, Steve (Lewis) was there and all his friends since it was close to his home. Ed Pink and most of the Toyota Racing guys were there so it was really a big deal to win this one.”

Although rumors have surfaced about possibly slowing his racing down and even hanging up his helmet, Darland noted that isn’t going to be happening anytime in the near future.

“I would like to get to the point where I can slow down a little bit,” he noted. “But I’m not planning on doing that anytime real soon. I’ve thought about it, but not just yet. In a few years … well maybe, but not right away.”

With that in mind, he pretty much has his immediate plans already mapped out, beginning with participating in the upcoming Chili Bowl, then jetting to New Zealand to compete down under.

“I’d like to win that one,” he said of the Chili Bowl. “I’ve won some preliminary night races at that, but not the main event. If I could win that race and the Night Before the 500, then I’ve pretty much won all the bigger midget races.”

At the time of this writing, he was slated to be piloting the Wilke-Pak No. 11 at the Chili Bowl, however with Lewis showing an interest in fielding another super team to make a run at the mid-Winter version of the midget Super Bowl, those plans may change.

“Steve mentioned he might take a few of his cars to the Chili Bowl,” he said. “And there was talk about me getting in one of them, but nothing is certain yet. Either way, I will be in a good car capable of winning.”

Next season, he will again chase his second national sprint car title as he will once again team up with the Pace Brothers Construction No. 44 he drove to a third-place finish in last season. In addition he will once again be behind the wheel of Galen Fox’s famed No. 56 for the dirt portion of the Silver Crown Series. At the present time, however, he has yet to nail down a midget ride to pursue his third national title in that series.

“Steve hasn’t asked me yet (to drive the No. 9 again),” he said. “So, I’m not really sure what direction the team is taking there. We’ll just have to see what happens in the offseason.”

One thing for certain, you can pretty much bet the house that before his career is over, Darland will be a Chili Bowl champion and that elusive Night Before the 500 victory will come as well.

        

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