Terre Haute Hut Hundred preview

SATURDAY'S "HUT HUNDRED" AT TERRE HAUTE CONCLUDES $25,000 2006 "TOYOTA CHALLENGE"

Four car owners have their eyes set on a $15,000 cash bonus Saturday when the USAC National Midget Series competes in the prestigious Clabber Girl "Hut Hundred" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.

The 2006 "Toyota Challenge" offers $25,000 in total prizes, including a $15,000 champion's prize and Nebraskan Terry Klatt will field defending race winner Johnny Rodriguez of Wilton, Calif. in his quest of the title. Rodriguez comes to Terre Haute fresh from a third-place finish in Saturday night's USAC/CRA Sprint race at Perris, Calif.

Saturday's 100-lap race, also presented by First Financial Bank and the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, continues a tradition dating back to Al Herman's victory in the 1954 classic. Former race winners Dave Darland, Mike Hess, Tracy Hines and Jay Drake are also expected to compete.

It's been 17 years since any driver has been able to win back-to-back "Hut Hundred" races. Eight-time winner Rich Vogler actually strung together six wins in seven years between 1983 and 1989!

Jerry Coons Jr. is the National Midget point leader in quest of his first USAC championship. Trailing by 18 points is 16-year-old Bryan Clauson, while Drake, Darland and defending titlist Josh Wise are also in the title chase.

Cars driven by Darland, Clauson and Billy Wease of Noblesville, Ind. are the challengers to Klatt for the Toyota bonus.

The field for Saturday's race is set at 33, starting three-abreast on the half-mile dirt oval. The fastest nine qualifiers earn the top starting spots, followed by the finishers from "qualifying races."

-credit: usac