NEW CASTLE, Ind. — July 25, 2013— Tracy Hines really isn’t sure what has made him so successful at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis over the years, but he’s not going to argue. The native of New Castle, Ind., has amassed a total of 13 wins across the three USAC National Series at the paved oval located just outside of Indianapolis in Clermont, Ind., making him the winningest driver in USAC competition at the 0.686-mile paved oval.
Hines will have two more chances to add to his win total at the historic track this weekend as the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series and the Honda USAC National Midget Series compete on Saturday, July 27. The USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series event will open with qualifying, which will determine the starting lineup for the J.D. Byrider 100. The Honda USAC National Midget Series will contest the Rich Vogler Classic, which will be comprised of time trials, a pair of qualifying scrambles and a 30-lap main event.
Hines has made one start at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis this season in the No. 24 Parker Machinery/Powered by Toyota Spike. He finished third with the Honda USAC National Midget Series Pavement Championship in the famed Night Before the 500. He opened that contest as the fastest qualifier and charged from seventh to third in the first 12-lap scramble, which put him on the inside of the second row for the feature event.
“Raceway Park (Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis) has certainly been good to me over the years,” said Hines. “We were fast right out of the box in May in the midget. We had a couple of rain delays as well that night which made things a challenge and really washed a lot of the grip off the track. We know we have a good baseline, so hopefully we can pick up a few more spots this time around.”
The veteran driver was undefeated in a midget last season at the track, winning twice with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. He claimed his first Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis victory back in 1997 in a midget. Hines won at least one race at the track every year from 1997-2001.
Hines was victorious in his most recent Honda USAC National Midget Series pavement event at Pikes Peak International Raceway last month. He took the lead at the one-mile oval with two laps remaining to score the triumph.
“We feel pretty good about our pavement midget program right now,” he shared. “Going back the last few years we’ve been pretty fast and in contention at just about every pavement race on the schedule. When you know you have a good car and set-up, then it’s up to the driver to not make mistakes and bring it home in one piece. It also takes a little luck as well.”
The 2000 Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series champion has made a pair of starts in that series on the pavement in 2013 in the No. 16 Lightfoot Racing Beast. He finished third at Pikes Peak, after leading the first four laps of that 100-lapper. He opened the event by turning the second-fastest lap in time trials. Hines also raced on the asphalt in a Silver Crown car at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis in early June.
“After having trouble at Gateway (Motorsports Park), it was a relief to be back up front at Pikes Peak (International Raceway) and lead a few laps,” noted Hines. “After this race, we have a handful of dirt Silver Crown races, so hopefully we can have a good showing and gain a few points, before that stretch of races. Everyone is still pretty bunched up since we’ve had some rainouts this year.”
Hines enters the weekend fourth in points with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series, just 26 markers out of the lead. In three starts, he has a pair of top-five finishes. He is fourth in the USAC National Midget Series Pavement Championship on the strength of four top-10 finishes in four races and is only four points out of the top spot. Hines raced in the inaugural Mudsummer Classic for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Wednesday, July 24 at the famed Eldora Speedway, finishing 13th.
Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Hansen’s Welding Inc., Parker Machinery, Motor City Auto Transport, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Products, Daum Crop Insurance, Schoenfeld Headers, Allstar Performance, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers and Bell Racing.
For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.
