NEW CASTLE, Ind.—September 17, 2014 — When it comes to historic half-miles in the Midwest, the Terre Haute Action Track in Indiana, and Eldora Speedway in Ohio are at the top of the list. Tracy Hines will compete at both this week in a total of four events, split between the three USAC National series, including one at each track for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series.
The Jim Hurtubise Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series opens the four-race stretch on Thursday, September 18. The event was postponed by rain earlier this season. The USAC portion of the 33rd Annual Four-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway is set for Saturday, September 20, and will feature the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series, Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series and Honda USAC National Midget Series.
Hines has raced twice at Terre Haute this season, finishing second with the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series in April aboard the Hugh Brothers/Midwest Sheet Metal Beast. He returned to the half-mile in May, coming home eighth with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series in the Carolina Nut Company DRC. In his career, the second-generation driver has won twice with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series at Terre Haute.
“We’ve definitely battled Mother Nature at Terre Haute the last few years, and it’s great that they were able to reschedule the race for this week,” said Hines. “It’s been a while since we ran the sprint car on a big track and Terre Haute is pretty unique in how the track is laid out and the surface. Track position is always important there.”
Last year in the Four-Crown Nationals at Eldora, Hines set fast time and was leading the sprint car feature, before getting into the turn-four wall and upside down, which ended his night. He was running second in the Silver Crown race when contact again with the turn-four wall on a led to a flip. His best finish of the three races was a third-place showing with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. Hines won the sprint car portion of the Four-Crown Nationals in 2006 and again 2012. He also has two wins in the midget portion of the event, with those coming in 1996 and 2006. In his career, Hines has 11 USAC National event wins at the legendary half-mile.
Hines has made one start at Eldora this season with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series, finishing third on April 19. He opened the night as the third-fastest of the 31 qualifiers and won the third heat race from the sixth starting spot to lock himself into the 30-lap A-Feature. He took the green flag fifth in the main event.
“There is nothing like the Four-Crown Nationals,” Hines said. “In the old days we had a couple times each year when we raced all three cars at the same place, but now Eldora is the only one. Being a fast, momentum-type track, I’ve always enjoyed racing at Eldora, and have been fortunate enough to win a number of times there as well. We’ve been close to winning in the Silver Crown car and midget this year, so hopefully Eldora is the place.”
Last weekend, Hines finished ninth with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series in the Haubstadt Hustler at Tri-State Speedway in Indiana. The event was co-sanctioned with the Midwest Sprint Car Series.
Entering the Four-Crown Nationals, Hines is second in the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series standings and also second in points with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. The veteran driver is eighth in the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series standings.
Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank Primary Sponsors: The Carolina Nut Company, Hansen’s Welding Inc, Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts, and MPHG Promotions Inc. Associate Sponsors for 2014 include: ProSource Professional Resources, Turbines Inc., Daum Crop Insurance, Parker Machinery, Stanton Racing Engines and Schipper Family Farms. Product Sponsors that are part of Tracy Hines Racing in 2014 include: Afco Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Autonet Mobile, Indy Race Parts, Bell Racing, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers, Hoosier Racing Tires, CSI Competition Suspension, Shadow Graphix, Driven Racing Oil, Sander Engineering, Hughs Brothers and Midwest Sheet Metal.
For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.
