Where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after many twists and turns, decided to not allow fans in the stands, the Hoosier Hundred would allow patrons at reduced capacity. Kyle Larson, who was the story of the open-wheel world in 2020, won the pole position but elected to change a tire. That decision relegated him to the rear, a situation that caused fans to rub their hands in anticipation. He didn‘t disappoint. C.J. Leary was in front when a yellow slowed the field. On the lap 69 restart, Larson made a bold move that could have resulted in calamity but, consistent with this magical year, made it stick. It was his first Silver Crown win since a dramatic night at Eldora‘s 4-Crown Nationals nine summers ago. In a race that had more mayhem than the norm, Kody Swanson flipped. Justin Grant now held a 22 point lead in the standings.
No one was certain if another race would be contested. Then it was announced that a race at Toledo would go as planned. Mother Nature had other ideas. Almost as stunning as the rebirth of the Hoosier Hundred, it was revealed that a race would be held at Springfield, Illinois in mid-October. Kody Swanson could still win the title, but Justin Grant was now in control. Justin‘s crew chief, Dennis LaCava, decided to roll the dice and put a new car together for the finale. The gamble clearly paid off, as Grant took the pole position.
In a raw day, Grant led the first 10 laps but surrendered the point to Kyle Larson. As the laps wound down, it began to look as if Grant had a shot. On the 95th lap Larson passed eventual series Rookie of the Year Bryan Gossel, but when Grant tried to follow suit he almost faced disaster. After contact with Gossel, it looked for a moment as if the two were locked together. Luckily, Justin got untangled from the mess, but not before World of Outlaws star David Gravel took over the runner-up spot. Gravel had started in the 26th position and was spectacular in his first Silver Crown start. Larson had now added a win at one of the truly historic venues to his resume, while Grant rounded out the podium and had secured the 2020 title.
It had been a tough year for five-time champ Kody Swanson. Team owner Gene Nolen had passed, but had left specific instructions that the team would continue. By the end of the year the popular Swanson appeared ready for a break. It would be easy for some to minimize Grant‘s title given the truncated season. That would be a mistake.
On the pavement, Swanson‘s primary threat has been Bobby Santos III, with others like Kyle Hamilton also in the mix. On dirt it is wide open. However, this is a dirt and pavement series, and the champion has to be at least competent on both surfaces. Grant checks those boxes. Justin was the runner-up in 2018 and 2019, and over the course of his Silver Crown career he has finished in the top five nearly 50 percent of the time. This is a series that fits him, and he has clear chemistry with his crew chief. There is no reason not to believe that this was just the first of several Silver Crown titles.
These teams are ready for more work and a 12-race slate awaits them this season. The first of five pavement shows on the card has been anticipated for years. Indiana‘s Winchester Speedway is one of the most historic ovals in short track history. The high banks are beloved by some and feared by others.
Brady Bacon has a soft spot in his heart for this oval because, not only did he find victory lane there, but once he got to that hallowed ground he met a young woman who would become his bride. Last year Bacon dipped his toe in race promotion at Port City Raceway in his home state (and he will do so again) and now he is prepared to organize this new event at the place he now calls home.
Ominous signs suggest that the end of the Hoosier Hundred really may be at hand again, and everyone is holding out hope we will be able to get under the wire for the 66th running of this classic race. There will be two dates at Eldora, one naturally being the 4-Crown Nationals. Two races are also on tap at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, with the August 14 Hoosier Classic gathering much attention. Sprint cars will race the night before, with midgets joining the Big Cars the following night. A $50,000 bonus is up for grabs if a driver can win two of three events, and a $100,000 prize is there if someone sweeps the card.
When the sprint cars head east in June, an appearance at Williams Grove will be folded in. Likewise, when the midgets migrate for the now-annual Eastern Midget Week, Selinsgrove will host the cars for the second straight year in August. Madison International Raceway in Wisconsin and Toledo Speedway are back, as well as the traditional dates at Springfield and Du Quoin.
Because this series has a later start date, the projected roster of participants takes a bit longer to take shape. Look for Justin Grant to be back with Hemelgarn Racing, with stoic Dennis LaCava at his side.
Kody Swanson will be on the move in 2021, and is set to go with Doran racing. Kody has done some endurance racing for this group and, given his prowess on the pavement, this was a natural move.
Owner Terry Klatt has used a platoon system with Kyle Hamilton on the hardtop, with Brady Bacon handling the dirt. In 2019 this combo helped their Nebraska-based owner win the entrant‘s crown. Brady has searched for some opportunities to return to the pavement and thought he might have had a line on the Doran entry. Even when those discussions were early in the process, he knew Kody was the wildcard. Now comes word that Jason McDougal moved into the seat for the dirt. Completing a game of musical chairs, Bacon has landed a ride with Five Three Motorsports for the five dirt races.
In 2020 Kyle Cummins piloted a beautiful car for owner Bill Floyd, while sprint car ace Jake Swanson was impressive in Mickey Meyers‘ mount. With a year under the belt, both men can be expected up front. Other strong performers expected to return include owner/driver Matt Goodnight. Matt has benefitted from the tutelage of Scott Benic and it showed a year ago. By signing in each night and putting in solid performances, he landed in the fourth position in the final standings.