Over the course of 100 miles, there’s seemingly ample time for a driver to make a charge to the front even if he didn’t quite qualify where he necessarily wanted to. 

This is especially true when it comes to Illinois State Fairgrounds which will play host this Sunday afternoon to the Bettenhausen 100. However, starting in front of the field gives that driver a theoretical head start on those in the thick of the pack.

Watch 2019 USAC Silver Crown At Illinois State Fairgrounds!

That scenario makes it a strain on driver, crew, and equipment alike. Having to be in a constant chase mode requires running a race that is not wholly dictated by yourself compared to being the front runner. Many Silver Crown drivers will play it conservatively, only turning up the wick in the last 30 laps or so.

Nonetheless, even at a conservative pace, tires can be used up throughout the course of 100 miles under the daylight if you’re not careful. A year ago at the Bettenhausen 100, Chris Windom feathered the limits of aggressiveness and restraint. He worked his way from the 13^th starting spot in the 31-car field to win on the Springfield Mile. He made the winning pass with just nine laps remaining.

It marked the 10th time in the 57 runnings of the Bettenhausen that a winning driver started outside the top 10.

Winners who started outside the top 10:

Irwin’s impressive charge from 28^th to 1^st is the furthest back any winning driver has started in the 49-year history of the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series. Swanson won again in 2015 after setting the fastest qualifying time, but was forced to start from 16^th due to missing his place in the qualifying line.

It took until the sixth running of the Bettenhausen 100 before a driver won from the pole at Springfield.

Hines was untouchable in 2006. He set the track record mark of 29.305 sec. around the mile, which translates to a 122.846 mph average lap. That record is still standing. He proceeded to lead all 100 laps that afternoon, according to the record books, notching the victory following a failed post-race technical inspection of Dave Steele’s car after he led the final 36 laps.

Watch 2019 USAC Silver Crown At Illinois State Fairgrounds!

Is it better to start from the pole or to play the role of the chaser? It depends on the situation and the comfort level of the driver. On the dirt, Silver Crown winners this year have started 3^rd (Tyler Courtney at the Indy Mile), 3^rd (Brady Bacon at Williams Grove) and 6^th (Jacob Wilson at Du Quoin). In fact, on dirt, a driver hasn’t won from the pole since Swanson at the May 2018 Hoosier 100.

In that span, pole sitters have finished 5^th (Jerry Coons, Jr. at Springfield 2018), 17^th (Jacob Wilson at Du Quoin 2018), 3^rd (Shane Cottle at Eldora 2018), 2^nd (Kevin Thomas, Jr. at the Indy Mile 2019), 3^rd (Justin Grant at Williams Grove 2019) and 3^rd (Tyler Courtney at Du Quoin 2019).

Being on the pole is great and all with a nice clean start waiting for you without any traffic stacked in your path. But even, starting from 28^th, doesn’t necessarily put you out of the game. That’s what makes it entertaining. The Springfield Mile has been resurgent in the last several years, producing unpredictability and an allotment of hard-chargers storming their way to the front to dice it up.

That unpredictability is what keeps us coming back and it’s something you can predict come this Sunday.

Schedule &Ticket Info: (All times CT)

Sunday’s Bettenhausen 100 in Springfield gets underway with pits opening and registration starting at 7am. The ticket office and grandstands opens at 9am and the drivers' meeting will be at 9:30am. Silver Crown practice will be from 10am to 11:10am and DIRTcar Modified hot laps will start at 11:15am. Fatheadz Silver Crown Qualifying begins at 11:35am, Silver Crown Qualifying Race at 12:30pm, Modified feature at 1pm, pre-race ceremonies at 1:30pm and the Bettenhausen 100-mile race at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on raceday 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. On race day, tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for adults and $20 for children 11 and under.

Watch 2019 USAC Silver Crown At Illinois State Fairgrounds!