DuQuoin Fast Facts

DuQuoin Century Quick Facts

What: The DuQuoin Century 10th of 13 races in the 1998 USAC Silver Crown Championship Series

Where: DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, Ill. 1-mile semi-banked dirt oval

When:  Monday, September 7, 1998 Practice: 9:00 am;  Qualifying: 10:30 am; 
Qualifying Race: 12:30 p.m.;  The DuQuoin Century: 1:30 p.m. 

Distance: 100 miles/100 laps

Tickets: $18 Adults, $10 Children (age 11 and under). Reserved seating. Ticket information available by calling (217) 764-3200

Posted Awards: More than $40,000 (winner receives $9,000 minimum)

1997 Race Winner: Russ Gamester

1997 Silver Crown Champion: Dave Darland

Current Points Leader: Jason Leffler

Track Records:        
(Qualifying)        Dave Darland, 30.308 seconds, 118.781 mph, September 1, 1997

(Race) Johnny Parsons, 56 minutes, 3 seconds, September 7, 1992 Average speed: 107.047 mph

Race Notes:

This is the 50th anniversary of this event, having been conducted every year, except 1950 and 1962, since 1948. The inaugural race was won by Lee Wallard.

Some of the previous winners of this event include A.J. Foyt (6 times), Gary Bettenhausen (5 times), Mario Andretti (3 times), Jack Hewitt (3 times), Chuck Gurney (3 times) and Al Unser (2 times).

Defending race winner Russ Gamester is "Mr. Illinois," having won each of the previous two dirt races in the state. In addition to last year's DuQuoin Century, Russ won this year's "Tony Bettenhausen 100" on the Springfield mile on August 22.

Series Notes:

Jason Leffler, in only his first full season of Silver Crown action, leads a tight battle for the championship over IRL participant Brian Tyler and Ryan Newman. They are currently separated by just 41 points going into DuQuoin, with 66 points available.

Another tight battle is forming for Turbines, Inc. Rookie of the Year honors. After leading the standings for most of the season, Todd Kane is now being chased down by Jerry Coons, Jr. Although final point standings are just part of the equation, the two are now only separated by just 40 points.

        Silver Crown Point Standings        1998 Series Winners
        1.        Jason Leffler        417        Tony Stewart (2)
        2.        Brian Tyler        393         Donnie Beechler (1)
        3.        Ryan Newman        376         Tony Elliott (1)
        4.        Jimmy Sills        297         Russ Gamester (1)
        5.        Russ Gamester        286         John Heydenreich (1)
        6.        Dave Darland        282         Jason Leffler (1)
        7.        Robby Flock        269         Dave Steele (1)
        8.        Jack Hewitt        264         Brian Tyler (1)
        9.        Dave Steele        259
        10.        J.J. Yeley        232