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Cole Whitt of Alpine, California
became the youngest championship race winner at the Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, IL (August 22) - At 18
years and 2 months Cole Whitt of Alpine, California became the youngest
championship race winner at the Illinois State Fair as he led all 100 miles
enroute to a historic win in the 49th Tony Bettenhausen 100 for the USAC K&N
Filters Silver Crown Series on the Springfield Mile, besting veteran Jon
Stanbrough and 2006 Bettenhausen 100 winner Tracy Hines in the process.
Starting from the pole by virtue of a new procedure introduced this morning
Whitt out ran fellow front row starter Hines into the first turn and began
to build a sizeable lead completing the first ten miles in less than 6
minutes. Stanbrough took a number of laps before he was able to work around
Hines and attempted to catch the leader. The first of three cautions flew
for the flat tire of Matt Westfall on lap 22, then caution flew on the
restart as defending USAC National Champion Jerry Coons, Jr. Of Tucson,
Arizona hit the turn 2 wall in the only accident of the day. Coons was not
injured in the light contact with the outer wall.
Three time and defending race winner Brian Tyler suffered a broken oil line
on the Fatheadz Toyota Powered Beast just before the lap 22 caution and the
oil leak ended his day, despite the plfume of smoke Tyler had worked his way
into contention for a top 5 spot.
Whitt pulled away on the restart and despite a late caution on lap 78 for a
stalled car, was able to beat Stanbough to the checkered flag by several car
lengths. A.J. Fike of Galesburg was fastest in the morning practice session
and set quick time for the day at 29.618 but started sixth as the top six
qualifiers were inverted for the 100-mile grind.
Springfield's Donnie Beechler thrilled the crowd on a sunny and pleasant day
as he went from 15th to challenge for fifth before the engine gave way at
the 75 mile mark.
UNOFFICIAL FINISH:
Finish / Starting Position / Driver Name / Laps Completed
1. (1) Cole Whitt 100 Laps
2. (5) Jon Stanbrough 100 Laps
3. (3) Levi Jones 100 Laps
4. (6) A.J. Fike 100 Laps
5. (9) Josh Wise 100 Laps
6. (2) Tracy Hines 100 Laps
7. (4) Dave Darland 100 Laps
8. (22) Bud Kaeding 100 Laps
9. (11) Derek Hagar 100 Laps
10.(8) Shane Hollingsworth 100 Laps
11.(14) Tony Elliott 100 Laps
12. (16) Zach Daum 100 Laps
13.(13) Tom Capie 99 Laps
14.(20) Eric Todd 99 Laps
15.(23) Patrick Bruns 99 Laps
16.(21) Justin Carver 98 Laps
17.(24) Rex Norris III 94 Laps
18.(17) Terry Babb 91 Laps
19.(15) Donnie Beechler 76 Laps
20.(18) Kody Swanson 76 Laps
21.(7) Jerry Coons, Jr. 26 Laps
22.(10) Brian Tyler 22 Laps
23.(19) Matt Westfall 22 Laps
24.(12) Shane Hmiel 16 Laps
25.(25) John Barrick 10 Laps
26.(26) Russ Gamester 1 lap
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