USAC Contenders Emerge at Springfield, Head for DuQuoin Mile Race

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*USAC Contenders Emerge at Springfield, Head for DuQuoin*

By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises

August 25, 2025-DuQuoin, IL-The August 16 Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield,
run in high heat and humidity, saw several contenders for victory emerge in
the USAC Silver Crown Series event.  The Bettenhausen was the first of two
traditional one-mile dirt track races on the schedule.  The second and
final mile race is also a daytime event on Saturday, August 30 when the Ted
Horn 100 is contested at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.  The Springfield
race saw several potential first-time winners on the Illinois mile.

While Kody Swanson captured his fourth Bettenhausen and 49th Silver Crown
race overall, it wasn’t without competition.  Ohio’s Matt Westfall led the
first few laps in the brutal heat, then dropped back and for the most part
kept pace with the race leader.  Westfall finished second and held onto
third in the Silver Crown point standings.  Westfall comes to DuQuoin with
six starts in the Ted Horn 100 and a best finish of tenth in 2022.

Pennsylvania’s Carmen Perigo burst onto the Silver Crown scene in 2020
making two starts.  At Springfield two weeks ago, the 54-year old shocked
everyone when he came from 8th starting spot and passed Swanson on the
outside going into the third turn on lap 34.  Perigo pulled away from the
8-time Silver Crown champ but near halfway he appeared to be slowing.  On
lap 59, Swanson repassed him and Perigo dropped back to 8th at the finish.
Perigo has one start at DuQuoin, coming from 22nd to 11th in 2021.

Chatham, Illinois Mario Clouser got the ride ordinarily held by Silver
Crown champ and Ted Horn 100 winner Logan Seavey and had a strong run.  In
just his second start at Springfield, Clouser qualified fourth and finished
a strong third.  Mario has two Ted Horn 100 starts, with an 18th in 2023
and a 6th in 2024.

Indiana’s Chase Stockon is a winner on sprint car tracks but is still
seeking his first win on one of the big miles.  His Indiana based team
continues to improve and at Springfield Stockon qualified fifth and ended
the day with a fine seventh place run. Stockon finished thirteenth in his
first Ted Horn 100 last year.

Veterans to watch on Saturday include Brian Tyler, a two-time (2008, 2021)
Ted Horn 100 winner, who came from 26th to 6th at Springfield.
Pennsylvania’s Jimmy Light had one of his best runs at Springfield,
qualifying third and getting a top ten.  Two-time Bettenhausen 100 winner
A.J. Fike returned to the series in his own equipment and ran just outside
the top ten.

It’s all part of a huge weekend of racing in Southern Illinois that opens
on Saturday afternoon, August 30 for the Ted Horn 100 for the USAC Silver
Crown Series. Then, Sunday night, August 31, the ARCA Menards Series
returns for the Southern Illinois 100 for an evening under the lights. The
DIRTcar Modifieds will race both days with prelims Saturday and the feature
Sunday night.

Fans can save by purchasing advance sale discount tickets for the DuQuoin
events by calling the DuQuoin State Fair box office at 618-542-1535 or
Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.

For more information on the DuQuoin State Fair Racing Weekend, including
full schedules and event details, visit www.trackenterprises.com