USAC Silver Crown Series testing concluded this afternoon at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Among the drivers who took part in the session under cloudy skies and favorable temperatures were Davey Hamilton, Davey Hamilton Jr., Kaylee Bryson and Nathan Byrd. The racers were testing for the August 27 OUTFRONT 100, the opening act for the annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 INDYCAR race.
Of all the drivers testing today, Davey Hamilton has seen the most action. The native of Nampa, Idaho, is a veteran of 56 Indy Car starts, including 14 Indianapolis 500s.
“It started off good,” said Hamilton. “You got to remember it’s been a while. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been here (WWTR) in a Silver Crown car. We struggled a little bit early, but then it got better. We’re headed in the right direction. I kept trying to catch up to my kid and he’s still a little quicker. He’s a haIf-second quicker than everybody else. I feel good that we came, and I feel we have a really good chance come race time.”
For Hamilton Sr., WWTR’s OUTFRONT 100 will be his first race of 2023.
“I follow the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, that’s my primary deal. I drive the two-seater. I do the Fastest Seat in Sports, so I’ll be pacing the field. Then I’m on the radio broadcast. Sunday’s gonna be busy, because I’m doing this – practicing – in the morning, then I’ve gotta race this, then I’ve got to go to the two-seater, then run up to the radio booth. It’s going to be a busy day.”
Hamilton Jr. did not turn many laps, but they were quick ones to be sure.
“It was short, but it was good, said Hamilton Jr. “We struggled with some oil leaking, and we didn’t want to push the car too aggressively today so that we could come back on race day and be 100 percent. I traced here last year and had a chance to win it. Led quite a few laps and we ended up finishing second. We were close.”
Hamilton Jr. also is trying his hand at race promotion, on December 1-2, in Las Vegas.
“It’s a $50,000-to-win winged Sprint Car race. It’s actually the largest pavement Sprint Car race that’s ever been done. Growing up years ago and hearing about the Copper World Classic (Phoenix) and Turkey Night at Irwindale (California), it doesn’t exist anymore. I’m trying to make sure all the right personnel are involved. It should be one of the best events of the year, for sure.”
For those unfamiliar with USAC Silver Crown Series cars, they are pure, simple – and fast – racing machines. The right rear tire is a whopping 18 inches wide. The engine sports mechanical fuel injection and burns alcohol. There are no aerodynamics to speak of. At WWTR, the cars hit 180 miles per hour at the end of the straightaways.
The race is an all-out sprint – no tire changes, no pit stops for fuel. Just take the green flag and race as hard as you can until you see the checkered. But that doesn’t mean there’s no strategy involved. The cars start with a full tank of fuel, 75 gallons. At roughly 6.5 pounds per gallon, that’s almost 500 pounds of weight sitting on the back of the car. As the race wears on, the car becomes lighter as fuel is burned, but there also is tire wear to consider. The USAC OUTFRONT 100 will be a wild, can’t miss race on Sunday afternoon.
The annual NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline brings the cars and stars of the Indianapolis 500 to the St. Louis-Metro East region. The August 26-27 race weekend includes INDY NXT and USAC Silver Crown Series racing, as well as Vintage Indy exhibition runs and displays.
For INDYCAR tickets and information, please call WWTR at (618) 215-8888 or visit wwtraceway.com. Follow @WWTRaceway on social media.
Saturday, August 26
7 a.m. – Parking lots open.
7:30 a.m. – Spectator gates open. Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience open.
8 a.m. – Vintage Indy exhibition.
8:55 a.m. – INDY NXT practice.
10 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice.
11:45 a.m. – INDY NXT qualifying.
1 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying.
2:35 p.m. – INDY NXT OUTFRONT Showdown race.
4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group A highline practice.
4:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group B highline practice.
4:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice (all cars, 60 minutes).
7:30 p.m. – Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience closed.
Sunday, August 27
7 a.m. – Parking lots open.
7:30 a.m. – Spectator gates open. Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience open.
8 a.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series practice.
9 a.m. – Vintage Indy exhibition.
10:15 a.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series qualifying.
11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver autograph session.
12 p.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series pre-race ceremonies.
12:15 p.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series OUTFRONT 100 (80 laps, 100 miles, 60 minutes).
1:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline driver introductions.
2:19 p.m. – Invocation and national anthem.
2:22 p.m. – Command for drivers to cars.
2:35 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (260 laps, 325 miles).
5:30 p.m. – Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience closed.
Schedule subject to change.
WWTR PR
