      DUQUOIN, Ill. – A race car driver still building his reputation and another driver who is a household name among race fans are the defending champions as exciting auto racing returns to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds with a pair of 100-mile races on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1, the final two days of the DuQuoin State Fair. Chris Urish, of Elkhart, Ill., was the winner of the unpredictable Ted Horn 100 for USAC Silver Crown cars that races again Aug. 31 before NASCAR star Ken Schrader chases another victory on the legendary DuQuoin Mile in the Southern Illinois 100 as ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards hits the dirt with the stock cars for only the second time all season on Sept. 1. The traditional racing program provides a great contrast for race fans who can watch both open-wheel racing and full body stock cars.
“We always look forward to bringing the excitement of big-time auto racing to the DuQuoin State Fair,’’ said veteran race promoter Bob Sargent, who also holds USAC and ARCA races at the Illinois State Fair and Indiana State Fairgrounds. “A fairgrounds track brings racing back to its roots. The USAC Silver Crown cars and ARCA stock cars have always brought the crowd to the edge of its seat.’’
Urish scored the biggest win of his career last season in the Ted Horn 100. Urish won when misfortune caused the leaders to drop out. He was running third with four laps left, then inherited the lead after Chris Windom and Shane Cockrum ran out of fuel. Series director Andy Hillenburg has been building the car count, and a field of close to 30 cars is expected for this year’s race as he continues to build the series with more quality machinery and talented drivers.
Schrader is a three-time Southern Illinois 100 winner who took the checkered flag last season in his Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet. He also won the race in 2006 and 2007. The racing veteran also has an ARCA win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile dirt track. Schrader took the victory last year after passing Tom Hessert just before a late caution flag. Schrader then held off Hessert the final two laps. Earlier this month, Kevin Swindell drove the Venturini Motorsports Zaxby Toyota to victory in the Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100 at the Springfield Mile.
On Aug. 31, the UMP modifieds hold heat races to qualify for the Bill Oldani Memorial on Sept. 1.
Tickets are on sale at the Du Quoin State Fair ticket office (618-542-1535) and Track Enterprises (217-764-3200). For each event, advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. Tickets sold on day of the race are $30 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are sold race day only for $35. A two-day pass is $40.
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John Supinie
Track Enterprises, Inc.