Published: May 21, 2008 12:01 am         

Trackside: Get ready for spills and chills at Tony Hulman Classic

TERRE HAUTE — Since its inception some 38 years ago, the Tony Hulman Classic has generated its share of thrills and spills for drivers and fans alike.

And, while the event may have lost some of its luster from its earlier days of live national television coverage, the Classic remains one of the top prizes in USAC racing.

With the coveted title on the line it’s not surprising that Thursday’s night card at the Action Track has attracted some of the finest non-wing sprint drivers in the country.

Leading that contingent will be Olney, Ill., hotshoe Levi Jones who will be out to collect his second Classic trophy.

He currently leads the USAC sprint points by a slim three-point margin. Other entrants include Brady Bacon and former Classic winners Tracy Hines and Dave Darland, who are separated by just 20 points.

Joining some of the biggest names in dirt track racing will be a number of newcomers hoping to make their presence felt.

Among those talented newcomers is West Terre Haute’s Blake Fitzpatrick who will be making his debut at his home track. It’s something he’s looked forward to since he attended his first race at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds at age five.

Already a winner in USAC, having won at the indoor midget show in Columbus, Ohio, a year ago, the 16-year-old Action Track rookie approaches the Classic with realistic goals.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Running at the Action Track has been my No. 1 goal since I started racing. The track is something my family and I have always felt is a very special place,” said the West Vigo High School sophomore.

He has three USAC sprints shows under his belt in 2008. Fitzpatrick has made the feature at Brownstown, qualified 16th at Eldora and won the non-qualifiers race at Gas City.

“We’re not going out there to set the world on fire,” said Fitzpatrick. “We’ll be there to get some laps … more experience.”

“Hopefully we will make the feature. With USAC you’ve got to be at the top of your game. It’s going to be tough,” he conceded. “Realistically, to have a good night I’ll have to run my own race.”

He’d like nothing better than to follow in the footsteps of another Valley racer who pulled one of the biggest surprises in Classic history back in 1982.

That’s when an area journeyman sprint car racer from Dennison, Ill., shook up the USAC establishment.

Starting 17th in a star-studded field, Chet Johnson methodically worked his way up through the field positioning himself to cash in on a wild ending three laps from the end.

With the laps winding down, the then 44-year-old Johnson had worked his way to the front of the field when Ken Schrader hit the wall and flipped.

On the restart Johnson motored past Indy 500 veteran Roger Rager to pull out what many thought was an impossible win. He served a second major surprise less than 24 hours later when he announced his retirement from racing.

The prospect of some driver pulling off a similar feat Thursday night is not out of the realm of possibility according to a driver who knows what it’s like to fulfill an impossible dream.

Dave Peperak posted, “The chances of a small low-funded team winning in USAC these days are pretty slim. But it can happen,” said the six-time Hulman Classic veteran.

The winner of the prestigious Don Branson-Jud Larson Memorial race at Eldora back in the early 80s, Peperak says engine performance alone does not guarantee success. A good handling race car may be more beneficial, especially on the dirt.

“Today if you happen to hit on just the right combination, good things can happen. You know dirt is a great equalizer. It all comes down to traction whether it be dirt or asphalt,” said the former Action Track qualifying record holder.

“It’s all about handling. Handling makes good horsepower. The guy that is lucky enough to hit on the handling will be the hero. That’s what is so great about running on the dirt. It’s always a challenge. So unpredictable. It really does give the little guy a chance,” voiced the Clinton native.



Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@verizon.net