The Hoosier Hundred ran for the 66th — and last time — in May.
If the Indiana State Fair Board was truly content with eliminating a traditional dirt racing crown jewel, fans of the discipline were not going to back down without making their disapproval clear.
So it came to pass on a Thursday night in the backdrop of the 103rd Indianapolis 500 that thousands of dirt die-hards gathered at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis to participate in what was billed as the final Hoosier Hundred.
They packed the grandstands, expressing opposition to the closing chapter of the 66-year-old USAC Silver Crown race. They voiced their displeasure right on cue when race announcer Pat Sullivan implored them to make some noise that could be heard all the way to the State Fair Commission office.
Unfortunately, it’s a battle they’ve already lost—the State Fair Commission is repurposing the 1-mile clay Track of Champions into a full-time harness training facility complete with a limestone surface, making it incompatible with motorsports.
From 1953 to 1970, the Hoosier Hundred was the second-most prestigious event on the USAC Indy-car national schedule, second only to the 500. Winners included Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Bob Sweikert, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones and Al Unser during an era when being an Indy-car champion meant mastering both dirt and pavement.
Andretti even postponed his scheduled Formula 1 debut in 1968 so he could compete in the race.
“The Hoosier Hundred was a jewel,” Andretti said. “Indianapolis is the race I’m most known for, and my Formula 1 wins are the ones I’m most proud of, but the Hoosier Hundred is the race I worked the hardest for.”
The race lost some luster in 1971 when USAC separated the 1-mile dirt tracks from the national championship but remained Silver Crown’s crown jewel over nearly the next 50 years, despite several promoters and declining entry lists.
Tyler Courtney was its final winner, outdueling Kevin Thomas Jr. and four-time winner Kody Swanson.
“I grew up here, and it was always my dream just to race at the Fairgrounds someday,” Courtney said. “My name is now listed alongside some of the greatest USAC drivers ever. We’re talking about Foyt, Andretti, Pancho Carter and even Kody Swanson, who is already one of the best Silver Crown drivers of all time. That’s incredible. I just wish it didn’t have to end.”
Source: Read Full Article