STATESVILLE, N.C. – Niece Motorsports and Ross Chastain will pay tribute to one of dirt racing’s greatest this week at Eldora Speedway.
The No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the iconic JW Hunt paint scheme, made famous by Jack Hewitt, during the seventh annual Eldora Dirt Derby at the half-mile dirt oval.
“I grew up coming to Eldora,” said team general manager Cody Efaw. “This place means the world to me. To be able to race a truck here that pays homage to one of the best dirt racers there ever was is truly an honor. I hope Jack is proud of it.
“I know this whole team is proud to carry that paint scheme.”
Hewitt, who was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2002, was beloved by fans for his no-nonsense attitude. Never one to mince words, Hewitt did his talking on the race track, but did not shy away from speaking his mind.
In 1975, the Troy, Ohio native took his first spin in a sprint car at Eldora. Hewitt was no stranger to Earl Baltes’ dirt track, as his father Don had his fair share of success at the track too.
In 1998, Hewitt made history at Eldora as the first driver to win all four legs of the USAC Four Crown Nationals. Kyle Larson later repeated the feat in 2011.
Among Hewitt’s other accomplishments at the half-mile dirt track are 13 USAC National Sprint Car Series feature wins, three USAC National Midget Series wins, eight USAC Silver Crown Series wins, 16 modified wins, two All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car and one dirt late model Victory.
Hewitt’s success was not confined to Eldora, as on the strength of 12 victories, Hewitt secured the points title in 1985 with the All Star Circuit of Champions.
He was also a back-to-back champion in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1986 and 1987.
“I’m excited to get to Eldora,” said Chastain. “This is definitely a new challenge for me, but I’m excited about the opportunity to race at a track with such a rich history, and to carry this paint scheme makes it even more special.”
Chastain, who is coming off a win last week at Pocono Raceway, looks to solidify his position in the top 20 in the driver point standings before the playoffs begin.
“We’re not going to back down,” said Chastain. “I always thought dirt was for farming, and asphalt is for racing. But we’re going to learn something new.”