3 SPRINT/MIDGET "DOUBLEHEADERS"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                  JUNE 22, 2006

Contact: DICK JORDAN/MICHAEL HARKER

 

 

3 PAVEMENT SPRINT/MIDGET "DOUBLEHEADERS" IN ONE WEEK

ONLY 5 HAVE SCORED NATIONAL PAVEMENT "SWEEPS"

 

 

            Three USAC National Sprint/Midget pavement "doubleheaders" are on tap in a seven-day period between July 1 and 8 offering valuable points toward 2006 championships and offering drivers a unique opportunity to join an exclusive list. It's the first time in USAC's 51-year history that three such events have been scheduled in a seven-day period.

 

            Only five drivers in USAC history have accomplished a National Sprint/Midget pavement "sweep." Pancho Carter was the first, actually winning two Midget features and a Sprint feature at Salem, Ind. on May 30, 1977. Others have been Jeff Gordon (twice), Doug Kalitta, J.J. Yeley and Dave Steele (three times).

 

            The newly re-christened O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (formerly known as Indianapolis Raceway Park) hosts the "Toyota USAC Racing Classic" July 1, while "Salute to the Red, White & Blue Kroger USAC Sprint & Midget Classic" is slated July 4 at the Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. The 7th Annual "Hemelgarn/Super Fitness Open Wheel Doubleheader" at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway July 8 closes out the trifecta.

 

            A number of drivers are expected to compete in both ends of the "doubleheaders."

 

            A total of 179 USAC Sprint/Midget "doubleheaders" (National or Regional) have been conducted but a "sweep" has occurred only 22 times. Three other drivers have recorded "sweeps" on the pavement, but each of those included "regional" events. They are Kasey Kahne (2001), Tony Stewart (2002) and Bobby East (2004).

 

 

NATIONAL PAVEMENT SPRINT/MIDGET "SWEEPS"

 

      Date
     Location
     Driver
      
     Date
     Location
     Driver
     
      5/30/77
     Salem, IN
     Pancho Carter
      
     5/3/02
     Cedar Rapids, IA
     J.J. Yeley
     
      6/17/90
     Salem, IN
     Jeff Gordon
      
     8/23/03
     Nazareth, PA
     Dave Steele
     
      11/4/90
     Winchester, IN
     Jeff Gordon
      
     7/4/04
     Fountain, CO
     Dave Steele
     
      10/22/95
     Winchester, IN
     Doug Kalitta
      
     8/14/04
     Salem, IN
     Dave Steele