USAC: Wynn's Challenge Resumes this Saturday
21 May 1998
INDIANAPOLIS (May 21, 1998) -- The Wynn Oil Company of Azuza, Calif. has once again issued the "Wynn's Challenge" to USAC competitors. Nearly $20,000 is up for grabs in twelve nationally televised ESPN2 "Thunder" events featuring the USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Series, National Midget Series, Western States Midget Series and the Western States Sprint Car Series. The opening event in the 1998 "Wynn's Challenge" will be this Saturday's Budweiser "Night Before the 500" National Midget race at Indianapolis Raceway Park.The "Wynn's Challenge" offers a $1,000 bonus to the winner of each of these events if he or she is one of three drivers selected by ESPN2 announcers prior to the feature event. The pool for the drawing is made up of the event's fast qualifier, each heat race winner and the semi-feature winner. If the bonus is not claimed, it simply rolls over to the next eligible event. In addition, Wynn's will also award $250 to each of the two teams in the feature event with the slowest posted qualifying time. Wynn's has also posted $1,800 in special incentive bonuses.
According to Wynn Oil Company President Dr. Mark Filowitz, "Wynn's does not support USAC's series of televised races by accident. We selected this series from options in all 50 states. USAC's "Thunder Series" is the best bargain in racing. . .combining its cost and what the returns are. Plus Wynn's believes strongly in the local and regional racer and this series gives us a chance to reward them. We have carefully structured our "Wynn's Challenge" program so that every team-from first to last-has a chance at winning a few extra dollars from us. We're proud of that and just as proud of the drivers and teams in USAC. One extra benefit, darn, it's exciting!"
Last year, four drivers were able to claim the "Wynn's Challenge" bonus money. Jimmy Sills gathered $2,000 in a Western States Midget race at Bakersfield, Calif. Ryan Newman took $2,000 to the bank after his win in the "Night Before the 500" at IRP, and Dave Steele also claimed $2,000 in a Stoops Freightliner Sprint race on the high banks at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway. However, Doug Kalitta took the lion's share at Winchester later in the year taking a Stoops Freightliner feature win along with $5,000 in Wynn's bonus money.
Wynn's is also continuing its "Rookie of the Year" program in the USAC National Midget Series. Last year, Nick Lundgreen of New Berlin, Wis. took the honors. The candidates for 1998 honors include Tony Ave (Indianapolis), Jeffrey Bird (Canada), Dane Carter (Brownsburg, Ind.), Derek Davidson (Indianapolis), Chris Hayes (Rockford, Mich.), Michael Lewis (Noblesville, Ind.), Jason Lynch (Terre Haute, Ind.) and Michael Roselli, Jr. (Brodheadsville, Pa.).
1998 "WYNN'S CHALLENGE" EVENTS
May 23; Indianapolis Raceway Park; National Midget Series
June 3; Winchester (Ind.) Speedway; Stoops Freightliner Sprint Series
June 17; Anderson (Ind.) Speedway; National Midget Series
July 1; Indianapolis Raceway Park; Stoops Freightliner Sprint Series
July 12; Pikes Peak International Raceway (Fountain, Colo.); National Midget Series
July 22; Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track; Stoops Freightliner Sprint Series
Aug. 5; Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio); Stoops Freightliner Sprint Series
Aug. 12; Indianapolis Raceway Park; National Midget Series
Sept. 2; Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track; National Midget Series
Sept. 30; Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway; Western States Midget Series
Oct. 7; Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway; Western States Midget Series
Oct. 9; Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Western States Sprint Series
-USAC-
