Dave Darland
Encyclopedia
David Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana
, is an American
auto racing
driver who was the 1997 USAC
Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC
National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC
National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships. Race wins include the 2007 Turkey Night Grand Prix
, a Southern California traditional race held on Thanksgiving Day for many years, and two wins at the Oval Nationals, held at Perris Auto Speedway
in Perris, California
.
His personality and popularity with fans has earned him the nickame "The People's Champ"
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard and Tipton counties....
, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver who was the 1997 USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships. Race wins include the 2007 Turkey Night Grand Prix
Turkey Night Grand Prix
The Turkey Night Grand Prix is an annual race of midget cars. It has been held on Thanksgiving night most years since 1934. It is currently held in Irwindale, California.-Drivers:The event is considered a major event in the midget cars series...
, a Southern California traditional race held on Thanksgiving Day for many years, and two wins at the Oval Nationals, held at Perris Auto Speedway
Perris Auto Speedway
Perris Auto Speedway, also known as The PAS, is a 1/2 mile clay oval track located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds in Perris, California. The track features a raised backstretch offering fans a better view over the infield of the oval. The track hosts USAC/CRA sprint cars, street stocks, dirt...
in Perris, California
Perris, California
Perris is a city in Riverside County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city population was 68,386, up from 36,189 at the 2000 census. The city is named in honor of Fred T. Perris, chief engineer of the California Southern Railroad...
.
Awards
- 2011 Won the King of Indiana Sprint Series title
- 2008 Won The Bob Darland Memorial Race in honor of his father.
- 2007 Indiana Sprintweek Champion
- 2002 USAC National Midget Series Champion
- 2001 USAC National Midget Series Champion
- 2001 Indiana Sprintweek Champion
- 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Series Champion
- 1999 HARF "Driver of the Year"
- 1997 USAC Silver Crown Series Champion
- 1997 HARF Co-"Driver of the Year" with Tony Stewart
- 1995 USAC Silver Crown Series "Most Improved Driver"
- 1994 HARF "Driver of the Year"
His personality and popularity with fans has earned him the nickame "The People's Champ"