August 11, 2025 Springfield, IL-Second generation race driver Shane Cockrum spends his days as a first responder in his Benton, Illinois home but many weekends are spent behind the wheel of a sprint car or a USAC Silver Crown champ car. The Franklin County Fire Chief has three champ car wins on the Illinois dirt miles, two at Du Quoin and one at Springfield. This year, Cockrum teams with long time USAC car owner Hans Lein in search of a second Bettenhausen trophy. Cockrum is part of a stellar field that rolls into the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday for the 62nd Bettenhausen 100.
By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises
Shane has 11 championship car starts on the historic Springfield Mile with 5 top ten finishes. Shane led the first 40 miles of the 2015 event and the last 26 of the 2022 event that he won. Last year, Cockrum drove for Hans Lein but mechanical issues forced him to run the last chance race which he won. Cockrum started moving through the field in the 100-mile main, but the engine gave up after 68 miles and he finished 24th.
Lein, a long time USAC car owner in USAC Midget competition, added a big car to the Lein Acres stable in 2017 hiring young gun “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney for the seat. The pairing found victory lane on the dirt including the 2019 Hoosier Hundred. Cockrum and Lein will be among the contenders in a field of cars expected to exceed 30 on Saturday.
It’s all part of a huge weekend of racing in Central Illinois that opens on Friday, August 15 with MOWA Sprint cars at Lincoln Speedway before going to the Springfield Mile on Saturday, August 16 for USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman and then returning Sunday, August 17 for the ARCA Menards Series and the Sportsman Nationals.
Fans can save big by purchasing advance sale discount tickets for the Springfield events by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200. Additionally, Menards stores throughout the region are offering discounted ARCA Menards Series tickets, making it even easier to bring the whole family out for a day at the races.
For more information on the Illinois State Fair Racing Weekend, including full schedules and event details, visit http://www.trackenterprises.com.