GARY BETTENHAUSEN, 72
The eldest son of Tony Bettenhausen's three racing sons, Gary Bettenhausen passed away Sunday night in Monrovia, Ind. at the age of 72. One of the 2012 inaugural inductees into the USAC Hall of Fame, Gary won four USAC National Championships during his storied career. He was the 1969 and 1971 National Sprint Car Champion and the 1980 and 1983 Silver Crown king. He ranks sixth on USAC's all-time list of National race winners with 82 total victories. A 21-time veteran of the Indianapolis 500, Gary nearly won the 1972 race and finished third in 1980 after coming from 32nd starting position! A member of the National Sprint Car and National Midget Halls of Fame, he scored significant wins in the inaugural Astro Grand Prix Midget race in the Houston Astrodome, the Turkey Night Grand Prix, the Hut Hundred and numerous other major USAC events. USAC extends its sincerest condolences to the entire Bettenhausen family. The services will be at Jones Family Mortuary at 4165 E. Allison Rd. in Mooresville, Ind., located on State Route 67. Visitation is from 3-6 pm Saturday, with a memorial service at 7 pm.
GARDNER, SPENCER DUEL SPICES “SOKOLA SHOOTOUT” AT THE PAS
Defending AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Champion Damion Gardner and five-time series king Mike Spencer continue their battle for the all-time Perris Auto Speedway victory lead Saturday when the series visits the half-mile southern California oval for the “Sokola Shootout.”
Honoring the memory of the Sokola family and longtime CRA and USAC coordinator Gary Sokola, the race opens the 2014 Perris USAC calendar and Gardner, of Concord, Calif. leads the all-time PAS victory list at 26. Spencer has 25 and each notched a victory last year.
Gardner opened the 2014 USAC/CRA calendar with a victory in the February 28 “Copper on Dirt” main event at Peoria, Ariz. Spencer, after posting the fastest qualifying time, finished a disappointing 16th.
Other CRA regulars who scored 2013 PAS wins include Nic Faas, Matt Mitchell and Cory Kruseman, all among possible favorites Saturday.
Spencer leads in the all-time list of Perris USAC/CRA lap leaders, with 644 laps in 39 races.
