Eldora Speedway | 13929
St Route 118 | New Weston | OH | 45348
For immediate news release e-mail: mail@eldoraspeedway.com
USAC'S
BRANSON/LARSON CLASSIC KICKS OFF ELDORA
ROSSBURG, OH (March 17) – Since 1962,
the United States Auto Club (USAC) has been a fixture at Eldora
Speedway, with their unique brand of non-winged open wheel racing
instrumental in the establishment of rich heritage and tradition.
That tradition continues on into 2008 as the
famed southwestern Ohio speed plant kicks off the season with
the time-honored Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic for USAC Sprints
on Saturday, April 5.
Begun in 1981 when Dave Peperak pulled off
a huge upset victory in front of a live television audience
on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, the event has been repeated
annually, with only two interruptions due to weather.
A total of 203 drivers have qualified for
starting positions in the previous 25 Branson/Larson Classic
events, with eighteen different drivers etching their names
into the record books as victors. Of those 18, six are multiple
winners, with Jay Drake’s 2000, 2004 and 2005 victories
leading the way. Double winners include Jack Hewitt (1982, 1988)),
Jac Haudenschild (1985, 1988), Frankie Kerr (1994, 1996) and
Kevin Doty (1995, 1998).
The significance of this showcase event is
the talent that has made the starting grid, yet failed to reach
victory lane. Among those are six current NASCAR Cup stars –
Dave Blaney, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart
and J. J. Yeley. A further glance reveals two other names with
current USAC management ties, Greg Staab and Jason McCord. Staab,
the National Sprint Car Series Coordinator has four starts to
his credit, with a fourth place finish in 1990 the highest,
while McCord, USAC’s National Silver Crown Coordinator,
has a pair of starts, with a 12th place finish in 1998 the highest.
Robert Ballou is the defending Branson/Larson champion.
Joining
the non-winged USAC Sprints for Eldora’s opening night
action will be the Moser UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Modifieds
and the Advance Auto Parts Stock Cars in a tripleheader card.
In light of the high cost of gasoline and travel, Eldora Speedway
officials have opted to maintain 2007’s admission pricing
of $18 for adults. Hot laps April 5 get underway at 6:00, with
the first race of 2008 slated to take the green flag at 7:30
PM.
