The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

USAC: Big Money Up for Grabs in Pennzoil 'Indiana Sprint Week'

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
July 21, 2001

USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car participants will compete for nearly $140,000 in total prize money over the next nine nights, with seven races on seven Indiana tracks comprising the 14th Annual Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week."

Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville hosts Saturday night's (July 21) opener, following a racers picnic from noon-3 pm, while Sunday night's (July 22) venue is Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt. Each program concludes with a 30-lap feature.

Drivers will be competing for points toward the championship, with the top-15 in the final standings earning a portion of the posted $16,000 point fund. Each night, gold, silver and bronze medals will also be awarded to the top three finishers.

Eleanor Vogler is also distributing $2,000 in cash prizes to be paid to the top three drivers of each feature lap at the "Larry Rice Classic" in Bloomington, Ind. July 27. The awards, plus certificates for product from Saldana Racing, are being presented in memory of the late Rich Vogler and Sheldon Kinser, while scholarships from the Rich Vogler Scholarship fund are also being presented as part of the Bloomington activities.

Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week" continues Tuesday night (July 24) at Twin Cities Raceway Park in North Vernon, followed by Thursday's (July 26) "Robbie Stanley Classic" at Lawrenceburg, Friday's (July 27) "Larry Rice Classic" at Bloomington, Saturday's (July 28) "Jan Opperman Classic" at Terre Haute and Sunday's (July 29) "Vince Osman Classic" finale at Kokomo.

Jay Drake is the defending champion of the series, having won four Pennzoil "Indiana Sprint Week" races last year! Other former series champions competing for this year's championship are Tony Elliott (1999), Dave Darland (1998), J.J. Yeley (1997) and four-time champion Kevin Thomas (1992-93-95-96).

PENNZOIL "INDIANA SPRINT WEEK" CHAMPIONS

  • 1988 Randy Kinser
  • 1989 Chuck Amati
  • 1990 Chuck Amati/Gary Trammell
  • 1991 Bob Kinser
  • 1992 Kevin Thomas
  • 1993 Kevin Thomas
  • 1994 Kelly Kinser
  • 1995 Kevin Thomas
  • 1996 Kevin Thomas
  • 1997 J.J. Yeley
  • 1998 Dave Darland
  • 1999 Tony Elliott
  • 2000 Jay Drake

Text provided by Dick Jordan

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.