SPEEDWAY, Ind. — October 8, 2026. Chelby Hinton did not enter the year expecting to challenge for the USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year award. He finished the season with the title after a remarkably consistent campaign across dirt and pavement.
The Dubberly, Louisiana racer recorded six top-ten finishes in six series starts in 2026 and edged Hayden Reinbold by eight points, 279 to 271. According to USAC, Hinton also became the first Louisiana driver to score Silver Crown points and to win its Rookie of the Year award.
What makes the achievement stand out is how late his campaign took shape. Hinton missed four of the first five races and began the year without prior pavement racing experience. In his first asphalt outing during the Hoosier Hundred at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, he finished ninth.
He later earned another ninth-place finish at Iowa, a tenth at Springfield, a sixth at Du Quoin and a ninth at Eldora. Heading to the Toledo finale, Hinton remained within striking distance of Reinbold. His final top-ten result, combined with Reinbold's 17th-place finish, was enough to secure the rookie title.
A team effort
Hinton credited the opportunities created by USAC Hall of Fame mechanic Bob East, Terry Klatt and car owner Charles Breidinger. What began as a limited schedule developed into a title pursuit when his results showed he could adapt quickly to very different tracks and cars.
From an uncertain start to a place in the Silver Crown record book, Hinton's 2026 season illustrates the impact of preparation, persistence and the people who keep a racer on track.
Reporting based on Richie Murray's October 8, 2026 USAC Media feature. Featured photograph: Josh James Artwork / USAC Media. Read the original USAC feature.
0 comments