BROWNSBURG – The first night of the 2012 SpeedFest at Lucas Oil Raceway saw Tracy Hines dominate the USAC Midget feature and in doing so became the all-time winningest USAC racer in the history of the story facility. Bobby Santos won in the Silver Crown event with Daniel Hemric winning the JEGS/CRA All-Star race. Hines started the feature in sixth place and the night got off to a rough start for the field when Bobby Santos, Darren Hagan, Taylor Ferns and David Byrne were involved in a large wreck after the first lap going into turn one. The race was red flagged for nearly 30-minutes as the wreckage was cleaned up. All the drivers were treated and released. When the race resumed Hines was able to jump out to a sizeable lead but had it all erased when Dalton Armstrong lost power on the front stretch and brought out the yellow and bunched up the field. When the feature restarted Hines was again able to once again build a sizeable lead to secure his his 81st career USAC victory and his 13th win at Lucas Oil Raceway. The win gives Hines the title of the winningest driver at the history of the facility. “We put on a set of tires that was very fast from the start,” Hines said. “We put on one set that wasn’t as good for the heats but the ones in the race made a huge difference.” Hines immediately jumped into his Silver Crown car for the 100-lap feature but his night in that race was short lived as he was knocked out early due to problems with his Fatheadz Eyewear machine. The class of the field in the event was Bobby Santos behind with wheel of his RW Motorsports Silver Crown car. Santos was able to jump out to an early lead and kept it for the race and was able to stretch it out at one point to over five seconds. Santos went on for the win, his second of the season in the Silver Crown series. “I always love running at Lucas Oil Raceway and winning here as well,” Santos said. “My car was able to get through traffic and survive the long green flag run.” The night concluded with Hemric working over the field for the win in the JEGS/CRA All-Star event. This was his sixth win in nine races for Hemric and in doing so stretched out his points lead going into the event in Berlin. “I didn’t want to see that last caution but that is the name of the game,” Hemric said. “I want to thank all my friends and family for coming out and it is good to be in victory lane. It speaks volumes for all involved with the success we’ve had.” SpeedFest continues when the green flag falls on the Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 on Friday at 9 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased for $35 for reserved; $20 for reserved general, children 12 and under; $25 for general admission with general admission junior 6-12 $10; children five and under free. From: Scott Smith
