Looking for One More Spot: Tracy Hines Tackles Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown at Kokomo
By Tracy Hines Racing PR
NEW CASTLE, Ind.— Aug. 21, 2013— Tracy Hines is seeking to seal the deal this weekend in the Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown, at Kokomo Speedway in Indiana, after coming very, very close to winning a pair of races during the event last year. He earned two runner-up finishes in the inaugural edition of the three-day extravaganza in 2012. Hines led a total of 35 laps, including the first 28 on the second night of the event, when he was passed with just two laps remaining.
The Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series at Kokomo Speedway kicks-off on Thursday, Aug. 22. Action continues on Friday, Aug. 23 and culminates on Saturday, Aug. 24 with a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win main event.
“The Sprint Car Smackdown has definitely turned into one of the biggest events of the season in just one year of existence, which is pretty remarkable,” said Hines. “Getting to race three straight nights at the same track helps you really get dialed in. It’s great for the fans as well and traditionally Kokomo (Speedway) has always put on a great show.”
This season at Kokomo Speedway, Hines has made two starts, with one of those coming in a sprint car and the other in a midget. He finished 11th with the Amsoil USAC Sprint Car Series on the second night of Indiana Sprint Week in July, piloting the Hansen’s Welding Inc. DRC. The veteran also raced at the quarter-mile bullring during Indiana Midget Week for the Honda USAC National Midget Series.
Last season in the inaugural Sprint Car Smackdown, the 2002 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series champion, opened the three-day event with a fifth-place finish. On the second night, the native of New Castle, Ind., started on the outside of the front row in the 30-lap feature and jumped out to the lead at the drop of the green flag. He would pace the field for 28 circuits, before Chris Windom slipped by him on the 29th go-around for the lead and ultimately the win.
The finale of the 2012 Sprint Car Smackdown saw Hines start on the pole after winning the King of the Hill Dash. He ran second in the early going and took the top spot from Thomas Meseraull on the ninth circuit. Hines would lead the next seven laps before Bryan Clauson would get by him and pace the remainder of the 40-lap contest.
“Those were a couple of tough ones to swallow last year, especially on the night we led all but two laps,” he shared. “We’ve had a whole year to think about it and definitely am anxious to get back there. We’ve only raced once in a sprint car at Kokomo this year and didn’t have the best of luck that night, so we’re looking to make up for that.”
Entering the Second Annual Sprint Car Smackdown, Hines is eighth in points with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He has won twice and has recorded eight top-10 finishes. A total of 14 nights of racing remain this season for the series.
“We have a good amount of sprint races left this year, compared to the Silver Crown and Midget and want to contend for some wins and move up in points,” he noted. “We started the season off strong with the two wins in Florida, then kind of hit a bump and recently have gotten back on track with the sprint car, so hopefully we can keep that going.”
