EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the September 2013 issue of SPEED SPORT Magazine.

Jack Hewitt’s sweep of the 1998 4-Crown Nationals is a story is so amazing and unlikely that it’s sometimes difficult to convince people that it really happened.

But it is the absolute truth, witnessed by thousands of race fans screaming at full throat on a warm, summer-like September night in Ohio.

One man, winning four feature races in one night? The very thought still seems so far-fetched as to be absurd. But Hewitt proved otherwise.

It was Sept. 26, 1998, amid the final night of the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway.

At the time the event maintained the original format — four divisions, qualifying and heats on Friday night, culminating with B-mains and features on Saturday night.

For Ohio race fans, two men rose above all else at Eldora. Dayton’s Larry Moore was beloved for his exploits in stock cars; Hewitt, from Troy, was revered for his open wheel success.

By 1998, Moore made only an occasional appearance behind the wheel, leaving Hewitt to draw the cheers of the Ohio faithful.

It had been a memorable year for the 47-year-old Hewitt. He fulfilled a lifelong quest in May by qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, where he finished 12th.

In July he suffered serious facial lacerations at Indianapolis Raceway Park when a steel rod penetrated his visor. With the wounds sewed shut, Hewitt forged on as only Hewitt could.

On Friday night he got himself locked into all four features. That alone was no small feat; lining up strong rides in all four divisions and making all four features was a challenge in itself.

Hewitt’s history at Eldora ran deep. His father Don was the man who took the inaugural laps when the track was carved out of the Ohio countryside in 1954.

Jack spent countless hours racing and watching at Eldora. He developed a keen eye for what the track was doing and what the other racers were doing.

The track suited him on this Saturday night: dry and slick with a slight crown in the middle. One year earlier, Hewitt had watched Donnie Moran win the World 100 with an unusual line, in which he cut across the bottom groove and slid to the outside.

Intrigued, Hewitt tried that same line in the opening midget feature and found it promising, winning from the sixth row in Bob Parker’s midget.

One down, three to go.

Next was the sprint car feature, where Hewitt would line up 10th in Bill Biddle’s BWB entry. Hewitt was immediately fast and he picked his way forward, slipping past series point leader Tony Elliott to take command.

Behind him, Dave Darland was coming fast, and that spelled trouble because Darland is also strong at Eldora. But at the finish, Hewitt climbed from the car in victory lane to celebrate.

Two-for-two.

The modified feature lined up with Hewitt starting fourth in John Orr’s machine. Hewitt had proven adept in the modified at Eldora and had won many races. On this night, he showed why, as he bounced off the wall in fearless fashion and stormed to victory.

Three races, three wins. One to go.

By this point the large crowd was fully aware of what was happening. They were sharply tuned in as the Silver Crown field lined up for the final feature of the night. Could he do it? Could Jack Hewitt sweep the 4-Crown Nationals?

An electric tension swept over the place as people sensed their brush with destiny.

At that point Hewitt recalled feeling little pressure. After all, he had already done the unthinkable.

Other drivers had won multiple features at the 4-Crown — Steve Kinser, Larry Rice, Ken Schrader, Rich Vogler and Tony Stewart had each won two. Nobody had won three. Hewitt and his three wins now stood alone.

To continue reading, advance to the next page.