News
May 10, 2006
A quarter of a million dollars is the lofty figure representing
the cash bundle which will be distributed to USAC Silver Crown
Championship participants at the end of the 2006 racing season, nearly
triple last year's point fund. The record series payout was announced
today by USAC President/CEO Rollie Helmling.
"We are proud that we have been able to arrange for this
significant amount," said Helmling. "It represents the impact of our
expanded schedule, the substantial increase in purses, the influx of
major venues, the expansion of our fan base and the valued commitment of
series presenter K & N Engineering. With a $250,000 point fund, which is
almost three times what we paid in 2005, and total posted purses
exceeding $1.3 million (over twice the 2005 figure), USAC Silver Crown
participants are enjoying the rewards of this expansion."
The increased point fund will allow for a wider distribution
base with the emphasis on a tremendous increase in the amount realized
by the series championship team.
"This is a good deal," said 2006 Silver Crown point leader Brian
Tyler, winner of the March 25 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "I love
racing, but I'm racing for the money too, so I hope I can be there when
the champion's money is handed out. I've been close several times but
haven't been able to land the big check yet. Maybe this will be the
year."
Tyler, who finished second in points in 1998, realizes the
importance of racing in front of larger crowds and at larger venues.
"The bigger the track, the better," he said. "I enjoy
super-speedways and the increased money is important to me. Plus, I get
to showcase my talent in front of some influential people. My team (6R
Racing) has done a great job so far and now it's up to me to do the
rest. This huge point fund is obviously going to stir interest in new
participants for this series."
The series which has expanded this year from 10 to 14 events and
to tracks up to 1.5 miles in length, will also realize average purse
increases of more than $30,000 per race from 2005, with race purses
topping out at $150,000 and winners shares reaching the $25,000 figure.
The next series event is the prestigious "Hoosier Hundred' at
the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, where the 1-mile dirt
oval will play host to the 54th running of one of America's greatest
dirt-track traditions. The next series pavement event is the "Kentucky
100" as USAC's new generation Silver Crown cars visit the 1.5-mile
Sparta, Ky. oval for the first time in their history.
For more information on the series, contact the USAC website -
www.usacracing.com - or call the USAC office at (317)247-5151.
- USAC -
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