USAC : Jack Hewitt Sweeps Eldora '4-Crown' Nationals
28 September 1998
Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio became the first driver in the 18-year history of the "4-Crown Nationals" to sweep all four feature events Saturday night at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.Hewitt's feat is totally unprecedented in major motorsports. Winning more than one feature event in a single day is a remarkable achievement, but to win four back-to-back in four different race cars is absolutely incredible!
Jack capped one of the sport's most amazing accomplishments by winning the 50-lap USAC Silver Crown Championship Series feature. He earlier had won the 25-lap USAC National Midget race, the 30-lap Stoops Freightliner/USAC Sprint Car feature and the 20-lap UMP Modified main event.
"This has been a fairy tale night," said Hewitt after his four wins. "Snow White and Cinderella have nothing on me! I never thought anybody could win all four of these in one night. Maybe three, but not all four."
Jack felt the bumps in turn three helped him in the 50-lap finale. "It helped save the tires," he said. "Usually the tires go away late in that long a race, but not tonight.
Following Jack to the checkered flag in the Silver Crown race were Dave Darland, "Rookie of the Race" Todd Kane, Kevin Huntley and Jimmy Sills.
John Heydenreich of Bloomsburg, Pa. was transported to Mercy Hospital in Coldwater, Ohio for treatment of an undisclosed head injury after flipping into the catch fencing on the front straightaway during the Sprint car feature.
Indy Racing League veteran Brian Tyler of Parma, Mich. snatched the Silver Crown point lead from Jason Leffler by finishing seventh. Leffler was 16th.
Tony Elliott of Kokomo, Ind., by virtue of his third-place finish in the Sprint car feature, snatched the USAC National Sprint Car point lead away from Kevin Thomas with just two races remaining in the series.
Jason Leffler continues to lead the USAC National Midget Series after finishing eighth in the 25-lap Midget race.
1. (2) Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio, 50, $8,600.
2. (3) Dave Darland, Walton, Ind., 50, $4,800.
3. (16) Todd Kane, Powell, Ohio, 50, $2,500.
4. (9) Kevin Huntley, Bloomington, Ind., 50, $1,500.
5. (1) Jimmy Sills, Placerville, Calif., 49, $1,200.
6. (7) Derek Davidson, Lafayette, Ind., 49, $1,050.
7. (6) Brian Tyler, Parma, Mich., 49, $950.
8. (14) Tony Elliott, Kokomo, Ind., 49, $800.
9. (18) Ryan Newman, South Bend, Ind., 49, $750.
10. (4) J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 49, $700.
11. (20) Jimmy Stinson, Englewood, Ohio, 49, $650.
12. (15) Aaron Mosley, Lapel, Ind., 49, $625.
13. (13) Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, Ohio, 49, $600.
14. (8) Jay Drake, Canyon Country, Calif., 49, $575.
15. (21) Terry Babb, Decatur, Ill., 49, $500.
16. (23) Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif., 49, $525.
17. (24) Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 48, $500.
18. (12) Kevin Thomas, Danville, Ind., 48, $475.
19. (19) Donnie Beechler, Springfield, Ill., 48, $450.
20. (11) Rusty McClure, Ashland, Ohio, 48, $425.
21. (22) Ricky Shelton, Huntington Beach, Calif.,48, $400.
22. (10) Russ Gamester, Peru, Ind., 47, $400.
23. (5) Robby Flock, Murrieta, Calif., 30, Overheating,
$400.
24. (17) Tracy Hines, New Castle, Ind., 13, Engine, $400.
Average Speed: 89.616 mph.
Time of Race: 16:44.29
Caution Flags: None.
Lead Changes: None.
Lap Leaders: Hewitt, 1-50.
Fastest Qualifier (Held Sept. 25): Jimmy Sills -- 16.391
seconds --
109.816
mph.
Qualifying Race Winner: (20 laps-Held Sept. 26) Kevin Thomas.
New Silver Crown Point Standings: 1-Brian Tyler-474; 2-Jason Leffler-463; 3-Ryan Newman-421; 4-Jimmy Sills-411; 5-Dave Darland-366; 6-Jack Hewitt-350; 7-Russ Gamester-316; 8-J.J. Yeley-313; 9-Robby Flock-289; 10-Dave Steele-259.
Next Silver Crown Race: October 10 - Sacramento, Calif. - CalExpo State Fairgrounds - "Silver Crown 100"
