Tracy Hines joined elite company on Thanksgiving night, as he clinched the 2015 Honda USAC National Midget Series title, which made him one of just six drivers who have claimed a USAC “Triple Crown” in the storied history of the organization. Hines won the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series championship in 2000 and was the 2002 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series titlist.
The Turkey Night Grand Prix at the half-mile Perris Auto Speedway in Southern California served as the season finale for the Honda USAC National Midget Series. Hines opened the night as the eighth-fastest driver in time trials. He followed that up with a second-place finish in the second heat race. In the 98-lap main event, he both started and finished sixth, surviving an attrition-filled race in the Parker Machinery/Powered by Toyota Spike.
“It’s really just a relief to end it and do this in the final night,” Hines said. “I’ve been running every race and chasing points for 20 years and it just has worn me down. I’m happy to have something good to do that is involved with racing now after my driving days, and I’m happy to go out on top winning the championship in this division.”
The 2015 season was a trying one for Hines, as he battled through a few different injuries, including having to have surgery in the summer, after breaking his collarbone. He also suffered cracked ribs in an accident. While he missed a few sprint car races, he did not miss a single midget race en route to claiming the title.
By winning the Honda USAC Midget Series title, Hines now adds his name to the list of “Triple Crown” winners that include Pancho Carter, Dave Darland, Jerry Coons Jr., Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley. Stewart and Yeley are the only two drivers to win all three titles in a single season.
“It’s been a trying year at times, but we persevered and met this goal,” he shard. “To join such a great group of racers who have won the Triple Crown is pretty cool, as I know them all and raced against all but one, and we’ve battled with each other all along the way.”
Hines wrapped up the 2015 Honda USAC National Midget Series season with 13 top-10 finishes in 17 races, with eight top-five performances. Hines finished second in the season opener at Kokomo Speedway in his home state of Indiana, which would be his best finish of the season. In the final tally, the native of New Castle, Indiana won the title by 18 points.
With the 2015 season complete, Hines will step away from being a full-time USAC driver and will join ThorSport Racing as Competition Director for the team's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series three-truck effort.
Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Parker Machinery, Powered by Toyota, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Shocks, Schoenfeld, Stanton Racing Engines, Daum Motorsport, Indiana Underground, Hoosier, Bell and Drivin Racing Oil.
For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin and “Like him” on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Tracyhinesracing.
- administrator on Nov 30, 2015
- Article Date: 11/27/2015