1999 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Indiana Governor’s Cup
Miss Madison Coming Home; Miss Budweiser Has Momentum
Hydros Ready To Battle For Indiana Governor's Cup in Madison, Indiana
The annual battle for the Indiana Governor's Cup will resume this weekend in Madison, Ind., at the Jasper Engines and Transmission Indiana Governor's Cup, the fourth event on the 1999 Ralph's Unlimited Thunder Tour. The hometown favorite Miss Madison team has a lot of favors to return while also helping driver Todd Yarling, who also calls Madison his home, rebound from an accident two weeks ago in Barrie, Ontario.
"It's payback time now," says Miss Madison team manager Charlie Grooms. "The entire year we ask our friends in the Madison community for help and always promise tickets to the race as payback. So, we are going to have a lot of people at the race. It does add some pressure, especially with us trying to get Todd back in his racing mode, but it's going to be fun. This race is a holiday tradition."
Two-time defending Madison winner Miss Budweiser driver Dave Villwock, who won the Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio last weekend in Evansville, Ind., and the Budweiser Thunderfest in Barrie two weeks ago, has the momentum heading into the Evansville event. With those two victories, Villwock moved into sole possession of fourth place in the all-time Hydros win category with 23. He trails legendary Bill Muncey (62), Chip Hanauer (60) and Dean Chenoweth (25).
Rookie-of-the-year favorite Greg Hopp is also entered in the Madison event. He has surprised many insiders with a pair of third-place and one fourth-place performances this season. Hopp is the son of veteran Hydro driver Jerry Hopp, who first competed in 1969 and placed third in the 1987 Gold Cup.
"We are just thrilled with Gregg," said Hopp Racing team manager Doug McIntosh . "Yes, he has surprised a lot of people, but we knew that he could do it. We're working as hard as we can to give him the equipment he needs to continue doing well. We're real proud of him and are looking forward to more of what he has shown us already."
York International driver Mark Weber finished a season-high second in Evansville last weekend after an incident that saw his boat upside-down a week earlier in Barrie. Miss PICO driver Chip Hanauer, who is returning to Hydros racing after a two-and-a-half year hiatus, won the season-opening race in Lake Havasu, Ariz. Hanauer has six Madison wins to his credit (1984, '86, '90, '92, '93, and '94).
With 4,645 points, Villwock currently leads the points race over Hanauer (3,698), Hopp (3,191), Mark Weber (2,703) and Mike Weber (1,544).
Testing and qualifying will begin on Friday, July 2 and continue through raceday on July 4.
(Republished from Hydros™)