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{{Short description|Motor raceway in Springfield, Illinois}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Motorsport venue
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name = Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack|
| Name = Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack|
Nicknames = The Springfield Mile
Nicknames = The Springfield Mile
| Time = GMT-6
| Time = GMT-6
| Location = [[Springfield, Illinois]]
| Location = [[Springfield, Illinois]]
| Coordinates = {{coord|39|50|12.8|N|89|38|31.2|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| Coordinates = {{coord|region:US_type:landmark}}
| Image = <!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Illinoisstatefair.JPG|250px]] -->
| Image = <!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Illinoisstatefair.JPG|250px]] -->
| Image_caption =
| Image_caption =
Line 17: Line 19:
| Architect =
| Architect =
| Former_names =
| Former_names =
| Events = '''[[ARCA Racing Series]]'''<br>[[Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100|SuperChevyStores.com 100]]<br>'''[[United States Auto Club|USAC Silver Crown Series]]'''<br>Bettenhausen 100<br>'''[[A.M.A. Grand National Championship|American Flat Track]]'''|
| Events = '''[[ARCA Racing Series]]'''<br>[[Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100|Allen Crowe Memorial]]<br>'''[[United States Auto Club|USAC Silver Crown Series]]'''<br>Bettenhausen 100<br>'''[[A.M.A. Grand National Championship|American Flat Track]]'''|
Miles_first = True
Miles_first = True
| Layout1 = Oval
| Layout1 = Oval
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| embedded = {{Infobox NRHP
| embedded = {{Infobox NRHP
| name = Illinois State Fairgrounds
| name = Illinois State Fairgrounds
|embed = yes
| embed = yes
| nrhp_type = hd | nocat = yes
| nrhp_type = hd
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| location= Jct. of Sangamon Ave. and Peoria Rd., [[Springfield, Illinois]]
| location = Jct. of Sangamon Ave. and Peoria Rd., [[Springfield, Illinois]]
| locmapin = Illinois#USA
| locmapin = Illinois#USA
| built = 1894
| built = 1894
| architect OR builder = Hammond, Charles Herrick
| builder =
| architect = Hammond, Charles Herrick
| architecture = Classical Revival
| architecture = [[Neoclassical architecture|Classical Revival]]
| added = May 14, 1990
| added = May 14, 1990
<!-- | area = {{convert|366|acre}} -->
| area = {{convert|366|acre}}
| governing_body = State
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500204|title=Historic Fairgrounds in Illinois MPS}}
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500204|title=Historic Fairgrounds in Illinois MPS}}
| refnum = 90000720<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
| refnum = 90000720<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a}}</ref>
}}
}}


}}
}}
'''Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack''' is a one mile long clay oval motor racetrack on the [[Illinois State Fairgrounds]] in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], the state capital. Constructed in the late 19th century and reconstructed in 1927, the "Springfield Mile" as it is known has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States. It is the oldest track to continually host national championship dirt track racing, holding its first national championship race in 1934 under the American Automobile Association banner. It is the home of five world records for automobile racing, making it one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Since 1993, the venue is managed by Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises.
'''Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack''' is a one mile long clay oval motor racetrack on the [[Illinois State Fairgrounds]] in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], the state capital. It is frequently nicknamed '''The Springfield Mile'''.<ref name="FloRacing082121" /> Constructed in the late 19th century and reconstructed in 1927, the track has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States. The original mile track utilized the current frontstretch and the other side was behind the current grandstands and the straightaways were connected by tight turns.<ref name="FloRacing082121">{{Cite episode |title=USAC Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield |episode-link= |url= |access-date= |series=USAC Silver Crown |series-link= |first= |last= |network=[[FloRacing]] |station= |date=August 21, 2021 |season= |series-no= |number= |minutes= |time=2 hr 38 minutes |transcript= |transcript-url= |quote= |language=}}</ref> It is the oldest track to continually host national championship dirt track racing, holding its first national championship race in 1934 under the American Automobile Association banner. It is the home of five world records for automobile racing, making it one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Since 1993, the venue is managed by Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises.


The Illinois State Fair mile currently hosts the [[Allen Crowe Memorial 100]] [[Automobile Racing Club of America|ARCA]] stock car race, [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] Silver Crown championship dirt cars, [[United Midwestern Promoters|UMP]] [[late model|Late Models]] and Modifieds and the [[A.M.A. Grand National Championship]].
The Illinois State Fair mile currently hosts the [[Allen Crowe Memorial 100]] [[Automobile Racing Club of America|ARCA]] stock car race, [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] Silver Crown dirt cars, [[United Midwestern Promoters|UMP]] [[late model|Late Models]] and Modifieds and the [[A.M.A. Grand National Championship]]. The only driver who has won races in three disciplines of racing in [[Ken Schrader]] who won in ARCA cars (1998), UMP Modifieds (1998), and midgets.<ref name="FloRacing082121" />


Billy Winn won the first national championship dirt track race held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1934. A.J. Foyt ran his first national championship race there in August 1957. The track is host to two of the older memorial events in the United States, the Bettenhausen 100 for the USAC dirt championship cars, first run in 1961 and the [[Allen Crowe]] Memorial 100 stock car event for USAC, now ARCA, stock cars, first held in 1963. Both races are now held on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair. Chuck Gurney is the only seven-time winner of the Bettenhausen 100, while ARCA driver [[Frank Kimmel]] won the Allen Crowe Memorial for the seventh time in 2008.
Billy Winn won the first national championship dirt track race held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1934. A.J. Foyt ran his first national championship race there in August 1957. The track is host to two of the older memorial events in the United States, the Bettenhausen 100 for the USAC dirt championship cars, first run in 1961 and the [[Allen Crowe]] Memorial 100 stock car event for USAC, now ARCA, stock cars, first held in 1963. Both races are now held on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair. Chuck Gurney is the only seven-time winner of the Bettenhausen 100, while ARCA driver [[Frank Kimmel]] won the Allen Crowe Memorial for the seventh time in 2008.


The Bettenhausen 100 was part of the AAA/USAC [[Championship Car]] schedule from 1934 to 1940, 1947 to 1970 and again in 1981 and 1982.
The Bettenhausen 100 was part of the AAA/USAC [[Championship Car]] schedule from 1934 to 1940, 1947 to 1970 and again in 1981 and 1982, and has been a Silver Crown race since then.


From 1946 to 1953, the A.M.A. Grand National Champion was crowned based solely on the results of the Springfield Mile held at the fairground racetrack.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34&dq=1972+american+motorcyclist+motocross+rules+book&hl=en&ei=XNKnTJbKGcK78ga-84yBDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association |author= |publisher=Books.Google.com |date = January 1984|work=American Motorcyclist |accessdate=1 January 2011 }}</ref>
From 1946 to 1953, the A.M.A. Grand National Champion was crowned based solely on the results of the Springfield Mile held at the fairground racetrack.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_kDAAAAMBAJ&q=1972+american+motorcyclist+motocross+rules+book&pg=PA34 |title=The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association |date = January 1984|work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=1 January 2011 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> The 2020 Silver Crown race was delayed until October 18 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]; it was the latest that a race has been held at the track in a year and became the series' finale of the season.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Bettenhausen 100 |series=USAC Silvercrown |network=[[FloRacing]] |date=October 18, 2020 |time=14:12 }}</ref> The 2022 Silver Crown race was also postponed to October, this time by rain.


==AAA/USAC Champ Car/Silver Crown race history==
==AAA/USAC Champ Car/Silver Crown race history==
Line 66: Line 68:
| 1934
| 1934
| August 25
| August 25
| [[Billy Winn]]
| [[Billy Winn (racing driver)|Billy Winn]]
| James Winn
| James Winn
| [[Harry Miller Engineering|Miller]] FD
| [[Harry Miller Engineering|Miller]] FD
Line 72: Line 74:
| 1935
| 1935
| August 24
| August 24
| [[Billy Winn]]
| [[Billy Winn (racing driver)|Billy Winn]]
| James Winn
| James Winn
| [[Harry Miller Engineering|Miller]] FD
| [[Harry Miller Engineering|Miller]] FD
Line 175: Line 177:
| 1954
| 1954
| August 21
| August 21
| [[Jimmy Davies]]
| [[Jimmy Davies (racing driver)|Jimmy Davies]]
| Pat Clancy
| Pat Clancy
| [[Ewing (constructor)|Ewing]]-[[Offy]]
| [[Ewing (constructor)|Ewing]]-[[Offy]]
Line 260: Line 262:
| August 17
| August 17
| [[Roger McCluskey]]
| [[Roger McCluskey]]
| Lindsey Hopkins Racing
| [[Lindsey Hopkins|Lindsey Hopkins Racing]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offy]]
| [[Kuzma (constructor)|Kuzma]]-[[Offy]]
|-
|-
Line 273: Line 275:
| [[Al Unser]]
| [[Al Unser]]
| [[Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing]]
| [[Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing]]
| King-[[Ford]]
| King-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|-
|-
| 1971
| 1971
Line 451: Line 453:
| 2000
| 2000
| August 19
| August 19
| [[Jack Hewiit]]
| [[Jack Hewitt]]
| Dewitt Motorsports
| Dewitt Motorsports
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
Line 465: Line 467:
| [[J. J. Yeley]]
| [[J. J. Yeley]]
| East-[[Tony Stewart|Stewart]] Racing
| East-[[Tony Stewart|Stewart]] Racing
| Beast-[[Ford]]
| Beast-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|-
|-
| 2003
| 2003
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| 2004
| 2004
| August 21
| August 21
| [[Brian Tyler]]
| [[Brian Tyler (racing driver)|Brian Tyler]]
| Team 6R Racing
| Team 6R Racing
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
Line 481: Line 483:
| 2005
| 2005
| August 21
| August 21
| [[Brian Tyler]]
| [[Brian Tyler (racing driver)|Brian Tyler]]
| Team 6R Racing
| Team 6R Racing
| Beast-[[Mopar]]
| Beast-[[Mopar]]
Line 493: Line 495:
| 2007
| 2007
| August 18
| August 18
| [[Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.]]
| [[Ricky Stenhouse Jr.]]
| [[Tony Stewart]] Racing
| [[Tony Stewart]] Racing
| Eagle-[[Mopar]]
| Eagle-[[Mopar]]
Line 499: Line 501:
| 2008
| 2008
| August 16
| August 16
| [[Brian Tyler]]
| [[Brian Tyler (racing driver)|Brian Tyler]]
| Team 6R Racing
| Team 6R Racing
| Beast-[[Toyota]]
| Beast-[[Toyota]]
Line 511: Line 513:
| 2011
| 2011
| August 20
| August 20
| [[Brian Tyler]]
| [[Brian Tyler (racing driver)|Brian Tyler]]
| Team 6R Racing
| Team 6R Racing
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
| Beast-[[Chevrolet]]
Line 543: Line 545:
| [[Justin Grant]]
| [[Justin Grant]]
| Carli-[[Hemelgarn Racing]]
| Carli-[[Hemelgarn Racing]]
| DRC-[[Ford]]
| DRC-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| August 18
| August 18
| Chris Windom
| [[Chris Windom]]
| Nolen Racing
| Nolen Racing
| Beast-Chevrolet
| Beast-Chevrolet
|-
| 2020
| October 18
| [[Kyle Larson]]<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Bettenhausen 100 |series=USAC Silvercrown |network=[[FloRacing]] |date=October 18, 2020 |time=15:30 }}</ref>
| Sean Michael Motorsports
|
|-
| 2021
| August 21
| [[Kody Swanson]]
| Chris Dyson Racing
|
|-
|}
|}

==AMA Class C / Grand National / American Flat Track==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Rider
|-
! 1937
| Lester Hillbish
|-
! 1938
| Roul Castonguay
|-
! 1939
| Stanley Witinski
|-
! 1940
| Melvin Rhoades
|-
! 1941
| Wilfred Castonguay
|-
! 1942-45
| ''Not held''
|-
! 1946
| Chet Dykgraaf
|-
! 1947
| Jimmy Chann
|-
! 1948
| Jimmy Chann
|-
! 1949
| Jimmy Chann
|-
! 1950
| Larry Headrick
|-
! 1951
| [[Bobby Hill (motorcyclist)|Bobby Hill]]
|-
! 1952
| [[Bobby Hill (motorcyclist)|Bobby Hill]]
|-
! 1953
| Bill Tuman
|-
! 1954
| [[Joe Leonard]]
|-
! 1955
| Everett Brashear
|-
! 1956
| Everett Brashear
|-
! 1957
| [[Joe Leonard]]
|-
! 1958
| [[Joe Leonard]]
|-
! 1959
| Carroll Resweber
|-
! 1960
| Troy Lee
|-
! 1961
| Carroll Resweber
|-
! 1962
| Bart Markel
|-
! 1963
| George Roeder
|-
! 1964
| Sammy Tanner
|-
! 1965
| Ralph White
|-
! 1966
| Gary Nixon
|-
! 1967-81
| ''Not held''
|-
! 1982
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1983 (spring)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1983 (fall)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1984 (summer)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1984 (fall)
| Ted Boody
|-
! 1985 (spring)
| [[Bubba Shobert]]
|-
! 1985 (fall)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1986 (spring)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1986 (fall)
| [[Bubba Shobert]]
|-
! 1987 (spring)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1987 (fall)
| [[Bubba Shobert]]
|-
! 1988 (spring)
| [[Bubba Shobert]]
|-
! 1988 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1989 (July)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1989 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1990 (spring)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1990 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1991 (spring)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1991 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1992 (spring)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1992 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1993 (spring)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1993 (fall)
| Ricky Graham
|-
! 1994
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1995 (spring)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 1995 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1996 (fall)
| Dave Camlin
|-
! 1996 (fall)
| Dave Camlin
|-
! 1997 (fall)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1997 (fall)
| Kevin Atherton
|-
! 1998 (spring)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 1998 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 1999 (spring)
| Kevin Atherton
|-
! 1999 (fall)
| Rich King
|-
! 2000 (spring)
| Jay Springsteen
|-
! 2000 (fall race 1)
| Scott Parker
|-
! 2001 (spring)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2001 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2002 (spring)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2002 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2003 (spring)
| Rich King
|-
! 2003 (fall)
| Rich King
|-
! 2004 (spring)
| Rich King
|-
! 2004 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2005 (spring)
| Rich King
|-
! 2005 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2006 (spring)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2006 (fall)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2007 (spring)
| [[Kenny Coolbeth]]
|-
! 2007 (fall)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2008 (race 1)
| [[Kenny Coolbeth]]
|-
! 2008 (race 2)
| [[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]]
|-
! 2009 (spring)
| [[Kenny Coolbeth]]
|-
! 2009 (fall)
| Jake Johnson
|-
! 2010 (spring)
| Jake Johnson
|-
! 2010 (fall)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2011 (spring)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2011 (fall)
| Willie McCoy
|-
! 2012 (spring)
| Willie McCoy
|-
! 2012 (fall)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2013 (race 1)
| Brandon Robinson
|-
! 2013 (race 2)
| Brandon Robinson
|-
! 2014 (spring)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2014 (fall)
| [[Kenny Coolbeth]]
|-
! 2015 (spring)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2015 (fall)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2016 (spring)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2016 (fall)
| [[Kenny Coolbeth]]
|-
! 2017 (spring)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2017 (fall)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2018 (spring)
| Jeffrey Carver Jr.
|-
! 2018 (fall)
| Bryan Smith
|-
! 2019 (race 1)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2019 (race 2)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2020 (race 1)
| Sammy Halbert
|-
! 2020 (race 2)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2021 (race 1)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2021 (race 2)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2022
| ''Cancelled''
|-
! 2023 (race 1)
| [[Jared Mees]]
|-
! 2023 (race 2)
| Briar Bauman
|-
|}

References:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/sports/2008/08/30/motorcycle-tripleheader-at-fairgrounds/43206185007/ |title=Motorcycle tripleheader at fairgrounds |website=The State Journal-Register |date=30 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indd.adobe.com/view/3c8e89c4-41d6-472c-aa9d-dd2231004d38 |title=2020 Media Guide |website=American Flat Track}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 560: Line 911:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.illinois.gov/statefair/entertainment/grandstand/Pages/default.aspx Illinois State Fair Racetrack Official Site]
*[http://www.illinois.gov/statefair/entertainment/grandstand/Pages/default.aspx Illinois State Fair Racetrack Official Site]
*[http://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Illinois_State_Fairgrounds Illinois State Fairgrounds archive] at Racing-Reference

{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{USAC tracks}}
{{USAC tracks}}
{{USAC Silver Crown race venues}}
{{USAC Silver Crown race venues}}
{{USAC Stock Car racetracks}}
{{ARCA tracks}}
{{ARCA tracks}}
{{AAA tracks}}


[[Category:Motorsport venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:ARCA Racing Series tracks]]
[[Category:ARCA Menards Series tracks]]
[[Category:NASCAR tracks]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Springfield, Illinois]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Springfield, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Springfield, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Springfield, Illinois]]
Line 574: Line 930:
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1853]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1853]]
[[Category:1853 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:1853 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Illinois State Fair]]

Latest revision as of 20:42, 23 March 2024

Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack
The Springfield Mile
LocationSpringfield, Illinois
Time zoneGMT-6
Coordinates39°50′17″N 89°38′20″W / 39.838°N 89.639°W / 39.838; -89.639
OwnerState of Illinois
OperatorBob Sargent / Track Enterprises
Openedc. 1853
Major eventsARCA Racing Series
Allen Crowe Memorial
USAC Silver Crown Series
Bettenhausen 100
American Flat Track
Oval
SurfaceClay
Length1 miles (1.6 km)
Turns4
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack is located in Illinois
Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack
Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack is located in the United States
Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack
LocationJct. of Sangamon Ave. and Peoria Rd., Springfield, Illinois
Area366 acres (148 ha)
Built1894
ArchitectHammond, Charles Herrick
Architectural styleClassical Revival
MPSHistoric Fairgrounds in Illinois MPS
NRHP reference No.90000720[1]
Added to NRHPMay 14, 1990

Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack is a one mile long clay oval motor racetrack on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, the state capital. It is frequently nicknamed The Springfield Mile.[2] Constructed in the late 19th century and reconstructed in 1927, the track has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States. The original mile track utilized the current frontstretch and the other side was behind the current grandstands and the straightaways were connected by tight turns.[2] It is the oldest track to continually host national championship dirt track racing, holding its first national championship race in 1934 under the American Automobile Association banner. It is the home of five world records for automobile racing, making it one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Since 1993, the venue is managed by Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises.

The Illinois State Fair mile currently hosts the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 ARCA stock car race, USAC Silver Crown dirt cars, UMP Late Models and Modifieds and the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. The only driver who has won races in three disciplines of racing in Ken Schrader who won in ARCA cars (1998), UMP Modifieds (1998), and midgets.[2]

Billy Winn won the first national championship dirt track race held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1934. A.J. Foyt ran his first national championship race there in August 1957. The track is host to two of the older memorial events in the United States, the Bettenhausen 100 for the USAC dirt championship cars, first run in 1961 and the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 stock car event for USAC, now ARCA, stock cars, first held in 1963. Both races are now held on the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair. Chuck Gurney is the only seven-time winner of the Bettenhausen 100, while ARCA driver Frank Kimmel won the Allen Crowe Memorial for the seventh time in 2008.

The Bettenhausen 100 was part of the AAA/USAC Championship Car schedule from 1934 to 1940, 1947 to 1970 and again in 1981 and 1982, and has been a Silver Crown race since then.

From 1946 to 1953, the A.M.A. Grand National Champion was crowned based solely on the results of the Springfield Mile held at the fairground racetrack.[3] The 2020 Silver Crown race was delayed until October 18 by the COVID-19 pandemic; it was the latest that a race has been held at the track in a year and became the series' finale of the season.[4] The 2022 Silver Crown race was also postponed to October, this time by rain.

AAA/USAC Champ Car/Silver Crown race history

[edit]

All winners were United States American

Season Date Winning Driver Team Car
1934 August 25 Billy Winn James Winn Miller FD
1935 August 24 Billy Winn James Winn Miller FD
1936 August 22 Wilbur Shaw Wilbur Shaw Miller-Offy
1937 August 21 Mauri Rose Wilbur Shaw Miller-Offy
1938 August 20 Tony Willman ? Cragar-Ford
1939 August 19 John Crone ? Miller
October 15 Emil Andres Emil Andres Adams-Offy
1940 August 24 Rex Mays Bowes Racing Team Stevens-Winfield
1947 September 28 Tony Bettenhausen Belanger Motors Stevens-Offy
1948 August 21 Ted Horn Ted Horn Enterprises Horn-Offy
September 19 Myron Fohr Carl Marchese Marchese-Offy
1949 August 20 Mel Hansen Bowes Racing Team Lesovsky-Offy
September 25 Johnnie Parsons Kurtis Kraft Inc. Kurtis Kraft-Offy
1950 August 19 Paul Russo Russo-Nichels Russo-Nichels-Offy
October 1 Tony Bettenhausen Belanger Motors Kurtis Kraft-Offy
1951 August 18 Tony Bettenhausen Belanger Motors Kurtis Kraft-Offy
1952 August 16 Bill Schindler Harry Allen Chapman Russo-Nichels-Offy
1953 June 21 Rodger Ward M.A. Walker Electric Kurtis Kraft-Offy
August 22 Sam Hanks Bardahl/Ed Walsh Kurtis Kraft-Offy
1954 August 21 Jimmy Davies Pat Clancy Ewing-Offy
1955 August 20 Jimmy Bryan Dean Van Lines Kuzma-Offy
1956 August 19 Jimmy Bryan Dean Van Lines Kuzma-Offy
1957 August 17 Rodger Ward Roger Wolcott Lesovsky-Offy
1958 August 16 Johnny Thomson Racing Associates, Inc. Kuzma-Offy
1959 August 22 Len Sutton Central Excavating Kuzma-Offy
1960 August 20 Jim Packard Stearly Motor Freight Lesovsky-Offy
1961 August 21 Jim Hurtubise Barnett Brothers Kuzma-Offy
1962 August 19 Jim Hurtubise Barnett Brothers Kuzma-Offy
1963 August 17 Rodger Ward Leader Card Racers Watson-Offy
1964 August 22 A. J. Foyt Ansted-Thompson Racing Meskowski-Offy
1965 August 21 A. J. Foyt Ansted-Thompson Racing Meskowski-Offy
1966 August 20 Don Branson Leader Card Racers Watson-Offy
1967 August 19 A. J. Foyt Ansted-Thompson Racing Meskowski-Offy
1968 August 17 Roger McCluskey Lindsey Hopkins Racing Kuzma-Offy
1969 August 18 Mario Andretti STP Corporation Kuzma-Offy
1970 August 22 Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing King-Ford
1971 August 22 A. J. Foyt Gilmore Racing Meskowski-Foyt
1972 August 20 Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing King-Foyt
1973 August 19 Mario Andretti Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing King-Foyt
1974 August 18 Mario Andretti Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing King-Foyt
1975 August 16 Al Unser Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing King-Foyt
1976 August 21 Tom Bigelow Leader Card Racers Watson-Foyt
1977 August 20 Larry Rice David Lefrevre Lefevre-Chevrolet
1978 August 19 Gary Bettenhausen Agajanian-King Racing King-Chevrolet
1979 August 18 Bobby Olivero Leader Card Racers Watson-Chevrolet
1980 August 19 Pancho Carter Emcee, Inc. King-Chevrolet
1981 August 15 George Snider David Lefevre Lefevre-Chevrolet
1982 August 14 Bobby Olivero Hodgdon-Curb Racing Watson-Chevrolet
1983 August 20 Gary Bettenhausen Delrose-Holt Racing King-Chevrolet
1984 August 18 Chuck Gurney Transportation Computer Systems Watson-Chevrolet
1985 August 17 Chuck Gurney Transportation Computer Systems Watson-Chevrolet
1986 August 16 Jack Hewitt Bob Hampshire Racing Stanton-Chevrolet
1987 August 22 Jack Hewitt Bob Hampshire Racing Stanton-Chevrolet
1988 August 20 Steve Chassey Delmar McClure Adkins-Chevrolet
1989 August 19 Chuck Gurney Transportation Computer Systems Watson-Chevrolet
1990 August 18 Chuck Gurney Transportation Computer Systems Watson-Chevrolet
1991 August 17 Chuck Gurney Transportation Computer Systems Watson-Chevrolet
1992 August 22 Jimmy Sills Bob Consani Racing Beast-Chevrolet
1993 August 21 Jack Hewitt Team 6R Racing Beast-Chevrolet
1994 August 20 Chuck Gurney Foxco Engineering Beast-Chevrolet
1995 August 19 Kenny Irwin Calderwood Racing Beast-Chevrolet
1996 August 14 Chuck Gurney Johnny Vance Racing Beast-Chevrolet
1997 August 16 Dave Darland Foxco Engineering Beast-Chevrolet
1998 August 22 Russ Gamester Russ Gamester Beast-Chevrolet
1999 August 21 Dave Darland Foxco Engineering Beast-Chevrolet
2000 August 19 Jack Hewitt Dewitt Motorsports Beast-Chevrolet
2001 August 18 Paul White Paul Cook Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2002 August 17 J. J. Yeley East-Stewart Racing Beast-Ford
2003 August 16 Dave Darland Foxco Engineering Beast-Chevrolet
2004 August 21 Brian Tyler Team 6R Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2005 August 21 Brian Tyler Team 6R Racing Beast-Mopar
2006 August 19 Tracy Hines Indiana Underground Beast-Chevrolet
2007 August 18 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Tony Stewart Racing Eagle-Mopar
2008 August 16 Brian Tyler Team 6R Racing Beast-Toyota
2009 August 21 Cole Whitt Keith Kunz Motorsports Eagle-Chevrolet
2011 August 20 Brian Tyler Team 6R Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2012 August 18 A. J. Fike RFMS Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2013 August 17 A. J. Fike RFMS Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2014 September 7 Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports Maxim-Chevrolet
2015 August 22 Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports Maxim-Chevrolet
2017 August 19 Justin Grant Carli-Hemelgarn Racing DRC-Ford
2018 August 18 Chris Windom Nolen Racing Beast-Chevrolet
2020 October 18 Kyle Larson[5] Sean Michael Motorsports
2021 August 21 Kody Swanson Chris Dyson Racing

AMA Class C / Grand National / American Flat Track

[edit]
Year Rider
1937 Lester Hillbish
1938 Roul Castonguay
1939 Stanley Witinski
1940 Melvin Rhoades
1941 Wilfred Castonguay
1942-45 Not held
1946 Chet Dykgraaf
1947 Jimmy Chann
1948 Jimmy Chann
1949 Jimmy Chann
1950 Larry Headrick
1951 Bobby Hill
1952 Bobby Hill
1953 Bill Tuman
1954 Joe Leonard
1955 Everett Brashear
1956 Everett Brashear
1957 Joe Leonard
1958 Joe Leonard
1959 Carroll Resweber
1960 Troy Lee
1961 Carroll Resweber
1962 Bart Markel
1963 George Roeder
1964 Sammy Tanner
1965 Ralph White
1966 Gary Nixon
1967-81 Not held
1982 Ricky Graham
1983 (spring) Ricky Graham
1983 (fall) Ricky Graham
1984 (summer) Ricky Graham
1984 (fall) Ted Boody
1985 (spring) Bubba Shobert
1985 (fall) Ricky Graham
1986 (spring) Ricky Graham
1986 (fall) Bubba Shobert
1987 (spring) Scott Parker
1987 (fall) Bubba Shobert
1988 (spring) Bubba Shobert
1988 (fall) Scott Parker
1989 (July) Scott Parker
1989 (fall) Scott Parker
1990 (spring) Scott Parker
1990 (fall) Scott Parker
1991 (spring) Ricky Graham
1991 (fall) Scott Parker
1992 (spring) Scott Parker
1992 (fall) Scott Parker
1993 (spring) Ricky Graham
1993 (fall) Ricky Graham
1994 Scott Parker
1995 (spring) Chris Carr
1995 (fall) Scott Parker
1996 (fall) Dave Camlin
1996 (fall) Dave Camlin
1997 (fall) Scott Parker
1997 (fall) Kevin Atherton
1998 (spring) Scott Parker
1998 (fall) Chris Carr
1999 (spring) Kevin Atherton
1999 (fall) Rich King
2000 (spring) Jay Springsteen
2000 (fall race 1) Scott Parker
2001 (spring) Chris Carr
2001 (fall) Chris Carr
2002 (spring) Chris Carr
2002 (fall) Chris Carr
2003 (spring) Rich King
2003 (fall) Rich King
2004 (spring) Rich King
2004 (fall) Chris Carr
2005 (spring) Rich King
2005 (fall) Chris Carr
2006 (spring) Chris Carr
2006 (fall) Bryan Smith
2007 (spring) Kenny Coolbeth
2007 (fall) Chris Carr
2008 (race 1) Kenny Coolbeth
2008 (race 2) Chris Carr
2009 (spring) Kenny Coolbeth
2009 (fall) Jake Johnson
2010 (spring) Jake Johnson
2010 (fall) Bryan Smith
2011 (spring) Jared Mees
2011 (fall) Willie McCoy
2012 (spring) Willie McCoy
2012 (fall) Bryan Smith
2013 (race 1) Brandon Robinson
2013 (race 2) Brandon Robinson
2014 (spring) Bryan Smith
2014 (fall) Kenny Coolbeth
2015 (spring) Bryan Smith
2015 (fall) Bryan Smith
2016 (spring) Bryan Smith
2016 (fall) Kenny Coolbeth
2017 (spring) Bryan Smith
2017 (fall) Jared Mees
2018 (spring) Jeffrey Carver Jr.
2018 (fall) Bryan Smith
2019 (race 1) Jared Mees
2019 (race 2) Jared Mees
2020 (race 1) Sammy Halbert
2020 (race 2) Jared Mees
2021 (race 1) Jared Mees
2021 (race 2) Jared Mees
2022 Cancelled
2023 (race 1) Jared Mees
2023 (race 2) Briar Bauman

References:[6][7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "USAC Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield". USAC Silver Crown. August 21, 2021. Event occurs at 2 hr 38 minutes. FloRacing.
  3. ^ Assoc, American Motorcyclist (January 1984). The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association. Retrieved January 1, 2011. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Bettenhausen 100". USAC Silvercrown. October 18, 2020. Event occurs at 14:12. FloRacing.
  5. ^ "Bettenhausen 100". USAC Silvercrown. October 18, 2020. Event occurs at 15:30. FloRacing.
  6. ^ "Motorcycle tripleheader at fairgrounds". The State Journal-Register. August 30, 2008.
  7. ^ "2020 Media Guide". American Flat Track.
[edit]
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