Bettenhausen 100 Draws 33 Cars, 4 Past Winners to Springfield
NXTbets Pro | Published On: August 19, 2026
Bettenhausen 100 field
Thirty-three USAC Silver Crown cars are entered for the 63rd Bettenhausen 100 Presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza, and the entry list gives the race a deep, familiar look at the Illinois State Fairgrounds dirt mile oval in Springfield, Illinois. The field brings together proven winners, seasoned contenders and several newcomers in a mix that fits the event’s place on the series calendar. With 33 cars committed, the Bettenhausen 100 once again draws a sizeable lineup to one of the series’ best-known tracks, where the long straightaways and mile layout place a premium on speed, track position and clean runs through traffic. The race also carries the weight of its history. The Bettenhausen name has long been tied to this event, and the latest entry list shows that tradition continuing with a roster built around established Silver Crown names and drivers eager to make their mark at Springfield.
Past winners returning
Four past Bettenhausen 100 winners are in the field, with Brian Tyler, Justin Grant, Russ Gamester and Shane Cockrum all entered again. Their presence gives the race a strong veteran core and adds another layer of familiarity to the lineup, since each has already shown the ability to get the job done in this event. The entry list also includes Jerry Coons Jr. and Shane Cottle, two more names that stand out among the veterans. C.J. Leary arrives as the USAC Silver Crown points leader, which adds another storyline to the race and puts one of the series’ top drivers in a spot where he can build on an already strong season. Leary is also among several drivers looking to improve on previous Bettenhausen finishes, a detail that points to how demanding the Springfield race can be even for experienced runners. With winners, title contenders and accomplished regulars all in the same field, the event carries a competitive look from the start and sets up a wide-open battle among drivers who know the value of a clean result at a track like this.
Bettenhausen rookies
The entry list also includes six rookies, giving the Bettenhausen 100 a fresh layer of interest alongside its veteran names. Hayden Reinbold, Mark Bitner, Chelby Hinton and Bret Tripplett are among the rookies named, while Mitchell Davis and Colten Cottle are listed as first-time USAC Silver Crown competitors. That group brings new energy to a field already packed with established drivers, and it adds another reason to watch how the race unfolds at Springfield. New entrants often face a steep learning curve in Silver Crown competition, and the Bettenhausen 100 presents a demanding setting with its dirt mile oval format and strong field depth. The lineup also leaves room for uncertainty in one spot, with the Shawn Wood No. 27 entry listed as TBA. J.J. Yeyeley will miss the race because of a scheduling conflict, which trims one expected name from the roster and changes the shape of the field a bit more. Even with that absence, the field remains loaded with a blend of winners, veterans, rookies and first-time starters, and that combination gives the Bettenhausen 100 a clear identity. It is a race built on history, but the entry list shows that new names keep pushing into the picture while established drivers continue to anchor the top of the grid.
