Seavey Seeks Another Bettenhausen Win Saturday at Springfield
By: Jay Hardin – Track Enterprises Staff
Springfield, Illinois (August 14, 2024)………California’s Logan Seavey looks to become the first back-to-back winner of the Bettenhausen 100 in nine years on Saturday, August 17, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Since 2020, the 2023 USAC Silver Crown champion has finishes of eighth, second, third and first in the 100-mile classic. Last year’s win helped the Sutter, California native to his first Silver Crown national championship and deliver a coveted trophy to car owner Robbie Rice. Rice’s father, the late Larry Rice, also won the Bettenhausen in 1977 en route to the first of his two Silver Crown titles.
Last August, Seavey set quick time in qualifications at nearly 115 miles an hour, then watched as rookie Emerson Axsom led the opening lap from the outside of the front row. Seavey took the lead on lap two and led through lap 41 before veteran Shane Cottle took over the top slot.
Cottle looked like a winner until Seavey caught and passed him on lap 88 and captured his first Bettenhausen win. In doing so, Seavey became the 19th Springfield winner from the pole position and the fifth different winner since 2015. He also became the 24th Springfield winner from the state of California.
Seavey entered the 2024 season with eight career wins in the USAC series, tied for 15th all-time. This season he sits third in the USAC Silver Crown point standings, 62 behind seven-time national champion and fellow Californian Kody Swanson. A date at Worldwide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, pre-dates the Bettenhausen. A possible 76 points are at stake at Springfield. Seavey has yet to post a win in the big cars in 2024, as his best finishes are a second on the asphalt at Lucas Oil Raceway in May and a second in the July Salt City 100 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Seavey’s mile track success isn’t an accident. He made his mile dirt track debut in an ARCA stock car in 2018 on the tricky Du Quoin Magic Mile, starting fourth and leading 35 miles on his way to an ARCA victory. He came to Springfield in 2019 in the ARCA series, set fast time that day, then backed it up with a strong fourth place run after leading 34 laps. Seavey also won the Ted Horn 100 at Du Quoin in 2022, showing the steady drive that’s made him a threat in the big cars.
The 61st Bettenhausen is part of a huge weekend of racing that begins Friday night, August 16, at Lincoln Speedway featuring MOWA Sprint Cars, Saturday afternoon, August 17, with USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and Sunday afternoon, August 18 with the ARCA Allen Crowe Memorial 100 and the Sportsman Nationals at the Illinois State Fair.
RACE DETAILS:
On Saturday, August 17, in Springfield, Illinois, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race at 12:30pm, pre-race ceremonies at 1:30pm and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.
Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children age 6-11 and free children age 5 & under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes. All drivers/pit crews should enter through gate 7 or 8. The infield tunnel is gate 6.
Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/usac.
