It was the second-richest race on the IndyCar schedule, and only the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 paid more to win. It was sold out every year. It was nationally televised by ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
And it featured all the stars of American open-wheel racing.
For the better part of three decades (1953-75), The Hoosier Hundred was the most prestigious prize in dirt racing and only took a back seat to the Indy 500.
“It meant everything if you were a young driver trying to make a name in USAC, and it paid good, too,” said A.J. Foyt, the all-time winner (six) of what became an annual classic in Indianapolis. “I loved that race, and it’s a shame to hear it’s going away.”
Foyt’s comments came on the heels of the announcement that Thursday will be the final time USAC’s dirt cars will perform at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The historical mile oval is being converted from dirt to an all-weather surface of crushed limestone to be utilized year-round for harness training and parking for the Indiana State Fair.
The track’s history dates more than a century. On June 20, 1903, Barney Oldfield drove a Henry Ford-designed 999 to the first sub-1-minute lap ever on a 1-mile track at 59.6 seconds. The track has also hosted sprint car, midget and stock car events, and the Hulman Hundred for Silver Crown cars.
The Hoosier Hundred started in 1953, with Bob Sweikert winning the inaugural race. The race’s winners include Mario Andretti and Foyt. Sweikert, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones and Al Unser Sr. also won the Hoosier Hundred and the Indianapolis 500. Kody Swanson has won the race four consecutive years, tying Unser’s record streak from 1970-73 and giving him a chance to set a new standard in the race’s final year at the fairgrounds.
In 1971, USAC removed the dirt races from the national championship and created a separate Silver Crown series. That didn’t have an immediate affect on attendance since Foyt, Andretti and Al Unser Sr. still ran dirt races for a few more years, but it gradually took its toll. Without Indy’s big names competing, the crowds began falling, and national television no longer had any interest.
More importantly to USAC’s faithful, it cut the bloodline to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the future generations of midget and sprint car drivers because the versatility of running dirt and pavement was no longer required in IndyCar.
“They never should have taken the dirt cars out of the championship,” said Foyt, who promoted the Hoosier Hundred from 1997-2001 and also tried a spring race called the Hulman Hundred. “That was a big mistake because car owners needed guys who could run dirt, road courses, short ovals and Indianapolis, but that all changed. And not for the better.”
For now, promoter Bob Sargent will be trying to give the 64th and final Hoosier Hundred a memorable sendoff.
“The thing that’s really sad is that we were going in a positive direction and had a good crowd last year,” said Sargent, whose passion has kept places like Terre Haute up and running. “We may have a couple of options for 2020, but it’s too early to say what they are, so we’ll just concentrate on trying to fill the place next Thursday.”
“The Hoosier Hundred was a big part of my career and the history of Indy cars,” said Foyt who is IndyCar’s all-time winner. “I’m just glad I was around for those days.”
The final races at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will be Thursday, with the gates opening at noon, the grandstand at 3 p.m., practice at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. The Hoosier Hundred is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Call 317-764-3200, the Indiana State Fairgrounds box office or Ticketmaster for tickets. Tickets range from $15 to $30, with kids 11 and under for $5.
Columbus go-karts tonight
The Columbus Speedway Go-Kart racing will pick back up with its 2019 race schedule tonight hosting several classes of karts at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds. Grandstand admission is free.
Brownstown back in action
After being idle for the Mother’s Day Weekend, Brownstown Speedway gets back into gear tonight with a super late model and modified special with American Ethanol Series. Also competing will be the pro late models, super stocks and pure stocks. For more info, visit brown stownspeedway.com.
Twin Cities racing tonight
Twin Cities Raceway Park in Vernon will host a pure stock special tonight, along with crate late models, modifieds, super stocks and hornets. For the latest info, visit twincitiestrack.com.
Lawrenceburg racing tonight
Lawrenceburg Speedway will host the BOSS Sprint Car Series tonight, along with modifieds, pure stocks and hornets. For more info, visit lawrenceburg speedway.com.
Bloomington back Friday
Bloomington Speedway will host the Josh Burton Memorial for sprint cars on Friday. Also on the schedule are modifieds and non-sanctioned midgets. For further info, visit bloomington speedway.com.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago this weekend in 1959, Jim Adams won the feature race at the Columbus Speedway. Kenny Baker was second, followed by Bobby Baker, Harold Denny and Dave Neal.
From 40 years ago in 1979 at Twin Cities, Russ Petro won the late model feature race over Tommy Day, Len Spille, Dee Kramer and Ron Hoover.
Also from 1979 at Brownstown, it was Don Hobbs winning the late model feature over Dennis Boknecht, Dusty Chapman and Doug Ault. Larry Harris took the hobby stock feature over Tony Moore, Mike Hauer, Jack Taylor and Tom Allman.
In 1979 at Bloomington Speedway, Rick Ferkel won the World of Outlaw Sprint Car feature over Lee James, Johnny Anderson, Doug Wolfgang and Johnny Beaber.
Also 40 years ago this weekend in 1979 at Paragon Speedway, it was Johnny Beaber winning the sprint car main over Bob Kinser, Bobby Black, Randy Kinser and Chet Johnson. Lee Fleetwood won the stock car feature.
From 30 years ago in 1989 at Twin Cities, it was Russ Petro winning the late model feature over Lee Fleetwood and Terry Eaglin. Scott McKeand won the street stock feature over Mark and Tim Clark. Don Fleetwood was victorious in the bomber feature over Don Walp and Ron Hoover.
Also from 1989 at Brownstown, John Gill won the Kenny Simpson Memorial Race over Jim Curry, Scott Bloomquist, Jack Boggs and Jeff Purvis. Tom Seadler won the street stock main over Scott Patman, Steve Brown, Barry Smedley and Steve Kimberlin. Tom Allman and Daryl Leveridge won the bomber feature races.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected].
