They have become as much a part of the motorsports scene as the traditional green and checkered flags.
Considered a scourge by some or virtual necessity by others, the battle for points titles by design tends to reach a fever peak at this time of year.
With the 2011 campaign rapidly drawing to a close, it seems fitting that a host of tight points battles at almost every level of competiton are going down to the wire.
None are closer than in USAC racing, where all three major divisions appear headed for nail-bitting finishes.
Included is the always competive sprint-car division that will carry its tight points chase to the Terre Haute Action Track on Saturday night.
Levi Jones and Chris Windom will take their battle for the sprint title to the local half-mile clay oval, separated by a scant 19 points with only four races remaining on the 2011 slate after Saturday.
This shapes up as a classic battle between Jones, the winner of four title chases, and Windom, the virtual newcomer hoping to grab that coveted first-time driving crown.
Jones will be returning to the track where he has won features on seven occassions, while Windom will be hoping to follow up on his stunning upset win here back in the July Indiana Sprint Weeks show.
If experience has any say in the final outcome of the points battle, Jones ranks as the prohibitive favorite. He has won the sprint title three times and has finished in the top four in points seven of the past 10 seasons.
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Windom is a virtual rookie in such pressure-cooker settings. The scenario also features the classic chase of Jones’ high-profile Tony Stewart team vs. that of Windom’s independent operation.
Two drivers who could play a key role in the points chase and who wins Saturday’s Jim Hurtubise Classic offered their views on the points battle while competing over the weekend at the King of Non Wing Sprints show at Lincoln Park Speedway.
Veteran drivers Dave Darland and Jon Stanbrough, no strangers to points chases and the challenges that surround them, voiced the pros and cons of title runs.
On the plus the side is a potential rich payday and the recognition that goes with being a national driving champion. On the downside is the price one pays to chase points.
Stanbrough currently ranks third in points, just 38 behind Jones. An uncharacteristic “off season” has the Avon driver speaking less than optimistic about his chances of overhauling the pair for the top spot.
He doesn’t hide his dislike for the approach a driver must take when running for points.
“I don’t want to get wrapped up in the points. That’s not my type of racing. We go to the race track to win races. The points will take care of themselves. I’m just not a points racer,” said the highly successful racer.
A win Saturday night would tie him with the legendary Rich Vogler as the winningest driver in Action Track history. After posting back-to-back 20-win campaigns, 2011 hasn’t been as kind to Stanbrough.
“I think we have two wins and 15 to 20 second-places. I’m not complaining. When you do this as long as we have, you’re going to have years like this. I still love what I’m doing,” said the defending Hurtubise Classic victor.
Darland appears a long shot at making a final run at points because he is sixth in the rankings.
A four-time Action Track winner, Darland says running for points can change a driver’s approach when he goes to the race track.
“Running for the points definitely alters your perspective on how you race,” Darland admitted. “You learn to protect any spot you might have on any given night.
“When you points-race, you can’t afford to have an off night. It’s easy to go from first to third if you’re not on your game. Running for the points isn’t something you always set out to do at the beginning of a year. It’s something that at times you just fall into.”
In other racing news — Saturday’s Hurtubise Classic at the Action Track is part of a hectic schedule for Wabash Valley sprint-car fans. In addition to the local show, Lincoln Park Speedway will offer a full card of sprint, modified and stock-car racing Friday and Saturday nights.
The rare back-to-back cards is part of the big Patroit 100 modified special Saturday night.
• An offical announcement regarding the fate of the postponed Sumar Classic is expected to come later this week. USAC official Dick Jordan says the call could come as early as Thursday or Friday.
Joe Buckles can be reached by e-mail at jbuckles4@frontier.com.
Auto Racing
Points titles are on the line at Wabash Valley race tracks
- Auto Racing
-
-
Ganasi’s team on target for final practice, pit-stop competition
If Carb Day is any indication of things to come, then Target Chip Ganassi Racing may be in prime condition for Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
-
TRACKSIDE: Sprint car event could generate close racing
One of the hottest and most competitive weekends of the 2012 motorsports season gets under way tonight at the Terre Haute Action Track with the scheduled running of the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic.
-
No bumping in sight: Indy 500 field looks much the same a day later
No last-second runs. No drama, but a full field was set for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the close of Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
-
A brisk pace at Indy: Briscoe edges Hinchcliffe for pole position
Twenty-four spots were filled for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday with Ryan Briscoe earning the pole position for the May 27 race.
-
Accidents mar Pole Day at Indy
Although Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway often produces late day drama and emotion, Sunday’s version of the drama began on Saturday during Pole Day action.
-
Fast Friday lives up to its name at Speedway
Fast Friday lived up to its name at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as drivers tuned up for Pole Day runs today for the Indianapolis 500.
-
Speedy rookie spins at Indy
Happy Hour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held both good and bad Wednesday for rookie Josef Newgarden while practicing for the Indianapolis 500.
-
Andretti has fast time at Indy practice
A few new names appeared in the top 10 of the speed charts as practice for the Indianapolis 500 continued Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
-
TRACKSIDE: Mulling over the biggest weekend in motorsports
We’re approaching what has traditionally become one of the busiest and most prestigious weekends in all of motorsports.
-
Rookie continues to look good at Indy
For the third day in a row, speeds rose as drivers continued practice Monday for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
-
With mom watching, Saavedra turns fastest Indy time
Sebastian Saavedra gave his mom a great Mother’s Day gift.
-
Rookies rule Indy practice speed charts
Rookies ruled at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the opening day of practice for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500.
-
TRACKSIDE: Spiker has begun to revive racing in Putnamville
Since his recent arrival on the Wabash Valley motorsports scene, Lincoln Park Speedway promoter Joe Spiker has certainly made his presence felt in Indiana sprint car circles.
-
TRACKSIDE: Helfrich: Short-track racing has good future
When questions arise regarding the current state of sprint car racing, whether they be at the local or national level, one doesn’t have to search much further for the answer than veteran promoter Tom Helfrich.
-
TRACKSIDE: An impressive opener for new THAT promoters
There might have been a chill to the air this past weekend, but the inclement conditions failed to dampen the spirits or the caliber of racing for the Action Track season opener Sunday.
-
Ballou, Gilpin win at THAT
A borrowed trailer, a decided lack of tires and sponsorship, and Bud Kaeding weren’t going to separate Robert Ballou from the $2,500 check that went to the winner of the Midwest Sprint Car Series/King of Indiana Sprint Series in the season opener at the Terre Haute Action Track.
-
MSCS opens its season at Action Track tonight
The Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series will go into action today at the Terre Haute Action Track.
The race will offer drivers the opportunity to capture MSCS points as well as King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS) points. The two organizations will combine forces to open their respective seasons. -
TRACKSIDE: Near-capacity crowd turns out for opening night of racing
Opening night at one of the midwest’s premier short track operations can be like no other time of the year.
-
TRACKSIDE: Racing season has promise
With several “test and tunes” sessions and season openers having already taken the green flag, it’s a sure sign the Wabash Valley racing campaign is shifting into high gear.
-
TRACKSIDE: Action Track's future secured
Following several months of speculation regarding the future of racing at the Terre Haute Action Track, fans can now breathe a huge sigh of relief.
-
Matt Kenseth wins Daytona 500 after fire and rain
Well, NASCAR certainly knows how to make a prime-time impression.
-
TRACKSIDE: Valley racing showed best, worst of times in 2011
A look back on the 2011 Wabash Valley auto racing season reveals the best and worst of times the sport has to offer.
-
Action Track to play host to 4 USAC events
U.S. Auto Club officials have released preliminary schedules for next season and four events are listed to be run at The Action Track.
-
ISU's Troxell, Crossroads Dragway in running for NHRA awards
Indiana State University student Derick Troxell and the Crossroads Dragway are both in the running for annual National Hot Rod Association awards.
-
Memorial service for Wheldon attracts thousands
Thousands came to honor deceased IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon during a memorial service at Conseco Fieldhouse on Sunday.
-
Indy remembers Wheldon
Dan Wheldon’s biggest fans wanted one more chance to thank their favorite driver.
One by one, they turned Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s main gate into a memorial for the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who was killed Sunday in a fiery crash at Las Vegas.
-
Wheldon fans leave tributes at Indianapolis track
Dozens of fans have left flowers, candles and notes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates in memory of two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon.
-
Indy 500 winner Wheldon dies after massive wreck
Race car drivers always know the worst can happen whenever they get behind the wheel.
-
UPDATE: Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon dies after massive crash in Vegas
Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnarled in a fiery 15-car pileup, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2.
-
It was a frigid ending to oval dirt track season
The oval dirt track part of the 2011 Wabash Valley racing season came to a highly successful and climactic end over the weekend at Lincoln Park Speedway.
- More Auto Racing Headlines
-
Ganasi’s team on target for final practice, pit-stop competition
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Raw Video: SpaceX Capsule's Docking Delayed
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Vegas Grocer Deported to Face War Crimes Charges
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
Heidi Klum Goes Sheer
Alton's Best Burger Ever
