LINCOLN, California — Five-time USAC champion Tony Hunt had one of the best weekends of his prestigious career, putting together a third place finish in Saturday’s “Little 500” at Anderson Speedway and winning his 49th career USAC feature Monday at Rocky Mountain Raceways.
Hunt qualified his #56 Metal Works, Schwanke spec engine-powered car fifth out of 45 entrants for the¬ 62nd annual “Little 500” at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana.
The field was comprised of primarily USAC National 410 Sprint Cars, but Hunt’s experience in previous Little 500s proved to be a huge benefit.
Hunt made it through the opening laps around the quarter-mile asphalt oval cleanly and was tenth at lap 80. At the half-way point, Hunt was still outside the top-five but running a smooth and steady race.
With 50 to go in the marathon event, Hunt was fourth before finally moving into third at the finish. Hunt completed 497 of 500 laps and finished ahead of USAC National Sprint Car champion Levi Jones.
The Metal Works team left Indiana and headed west for Monday’s USAC Amsoil Western Sprint Car Series combination event with the USAC Young Automotive Rocky Mountain Sprint Car Series. 13 cars were in the pits for the Memorial Day special with Hunt timing in fourth quick on the board.
Monday’s races proved to be a duel between local Jimmy Wysong and Hunt. Wysong took over the lead on lap seven.
Hunt took his time working the field, moving past Audra Sasselli on lap seven, Mel Andrus on lap 13, and winning a battle against Kody Swanson for second on lap 27.
After a hotly contested battle, Hunt took over the lead from Wysong on lap 36. Hunt held off Wysong on restarts on laps 44 and 47 to win by .111 seconds at the finish of the 50 lap contest.
Hunt leads USAC Amsoil Western Sprint Car Series points standings by 63 points over rookie Luis Ramos. His next race will be at the quarter-mile Orange Show Speedway on Saturday June 12.
Race fans can learn more about Tony Hunt by logging onto www.tonyhunt.com
Tony Hunt Motorsports Marketing partners include the following: MW Metal Works, Thompson’s Toyota, Paul Oil, Redline Oil, Earl's, Intercomp, GoPro, Hoosier, MPD, Justice Brothers, Racing Electronics, Eibach Springs, Wilwood, Simpson, JB Racing Products, Mr. Espresso, Lajoie of Seating, K&N Filters, Hunt's Race World, Carmichael Auto Service, Mettec, Outlaw Graphics, Permatex, Gold's Gym of Lincoln, Meguiar's, Oakley, Scribner Plastics., Fuel Safe, and Blakesley Sports Media.
