A hectic weekend of racing generated results that displayed the present day dominance of the “Super Teams” of racing.
Whether it was at Monaco, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and yes, even at the Terre Haute Action Track, the powerbrokers of their respective forms of racing took home the biggest prizes.
If you were fortunate enough to be driving for Team McLaren (Lewis Hamilton at Monaco) in Formula One, Team Ganassi (Scott Dixon) at the Speedway and Gillett-Everham (Kasey Kahne) at Charlotte you were the class of the field Sunday.
Although the results at the Action Track don’t carry the same clout as that of Monaco, the 500 or the 600, the storylines pretty much followed the same script. Best team and high profile drivers take home the trophy and biggest paycheck.
Locally, Tony Stewart Racing team drivers Levi Jones and Tracy Hines were frontrunners throughout the evening Thursday.
Pre-race promotion cleverly touted the entries of Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne Racing. It may have misled the occasional race fan in believing that the two NASCAR stars would be here Thursday. Of course, both were busy qualifying at Charlotte.
Although Stewart wasn’t on hand, that’s not to say the six-time Action Track victor wasn’t actively involved with his team’s efforts.
According to team manager Jay Drake and drivers Levi Jones and Tracy Hines, Stewart was in contact throughout the night by telephone and text messaging.
The intense competitor that he is, Stewart takes an active hands-on approach to his short track teams’ efforts, something Drake and Jones can testify.
“I can tell you he [Stewart] was as nervous down there in his motor home at Charlotte as we were here. He was concerned we were so fast early that we would be to free in the feature.” Drake said.
“He’d be here tonight if he could have. Of course that was impossible. He definitely keeps up with us. No matter where we might be. He’s that type of owner,” said Jones, who was in contact with the boss moments after his winning drive.
Driving for a high-profile car owner like Stewart can present a double-edged sword. A driver knows he’s going to have the best equipment available. At the same time, there’s the ever-present pressure to perform. Not only is there pressure to win races but championships.
It’s a challenge Drake and Jones acknowledge and readily accept. Both say there’s more pressure coming within than from their boss.
“I’m living a dream driving for an awesome guy like Tony. An awesome team and sponsor like Chevrolet. I put the most pressure on myself. We’re supposed to win. When we come to the race track we come to win,” said Jones.
His ride with Tony Stewart Racing is the latest stop in what has been a lengthy learning process for the talented and likable Olney,Ill., driver.
“I cut my teeth driving for my dad where I just wanted to make the show. I got a little experience and drove for other people wanting to run in the top five.
“Then I got the opportunity to run for [Scott] Benic. My goal was to win the championship. We did that. Now I drive for Tony Stewart and I want to win every race and we have a shot at doing that,” Jones said.
There are no guarantees in racing. Even when you have a ride the caliber of the one he has with Stewart.
He had to call upon every ounce of talent and first class equipment at his disposal to capture his second Hulman Classic checkered flag.
“This is probably the hardest I’ve had to work for a win in a long time,” Jones said. “When they showed us those rifles at the drivers meeting I wanted to make sure they were going home with me.”
“That 2B car [his former ride, now driven by Brad Kuhn] made us work for it. I know what’s in that car and it gets around here pretty good. It feels good to beat them. Its a friendly rivalry for sure,” Jones said.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@verizon.net.
Trackside
Trackside: Cream rises to top in weekend racing
- Trackside
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TRACKSIDE: Chase Stockon hopes momentum stays with him in Terre Haute
Momentum, an element that can be as elusive to a race driver as that perfect setup, can spell the difference in winning or running at the rear of the pack.
It’s a force difficult to achieve and maybe even harder to maintain. One learns quickly to make the most of the opportunity when it comes his way.
It’s something Chase Stockon will carry with him coming into today’s Jim Hurtubise Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track.
Only days following the biggest victory of his young and promising career, the $10,000-to-win USAC feature at Lawrenceburg, Stockon followed that up with another rich payday this past weekend at Tri-State Speedway. -
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TRACKSIDE: After a delayed start, the Terre Haute Action Track gets season cranked up
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TRACKSIDE: Changes come up on Indiana racing scene
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TRACKSIDE: Fortunes of dirt track racing at Action Track can be written in the dust
In the 40 plus years of covering motorsports, it would appear the process of writing this weekly race column would come together rather routinely.
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TRACKSIDE: Fitzpatrick on track to continue impressive start to racing career
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Frightening finish to season at Terre Haute Action Track
The 2010 Terre Haute Action Track season came to a climactic close over the weekend. Unfortunately, the campaign closed on a near-tragic note for the second consecutive year.
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Trackside: Attractive USAC sprint car card this weekend
With the area circle track season rapidly drawing to a close, fans will have a pair of attractive USAC sprint car cards to attend this weekend. Back-to-back shows at Lincoln Park Speedway and Terre Haute Action Track not only offer fans a final opportunity to see the sprints in action one final time, but they also serve as pivotal stops in the chase for the USAC sprint car drivers championship.
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Trackside: Positive story lines in USAC
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