USAC Race Results & Press Releases

A WINNER AT IMS! T-MEZ BREAKS THROUGH AT INDY IN BC39 OPENER

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 28, 2023)………There’s no denying that 2023 has been a challenging one for Thomas Meseraull and RMS Racing on the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship trail.

To have their season breakthrough finally arrive on Thursday during the opening night of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that’s about as sweet as it gets.

Indy is the place of dreams and heartache, and Meseraull has certainly had his share. He led the most laps on the final night feature of the BC39 in both 2019 and 2021, just narrowly missing victory with accidents prematurely putting an end to his night each time.

This time around, albeit occurring on the opening night, it was the kind that Meseraull had always dreamt of having on the dirt at IMS. No heartache, no headache, just pure jubilation from start to finish. Just pure T-Mez.

“I just picked up a win at IMS; how awesome is that?” Meseraull exclaimed.

The San Jose, Calif. native started from the outside of the front row and raced into the lead on the opening lap of the feature, leading the entire 30-lap distance while enduring intermittent spurts of heavy lapped traffic and a late surge from Taylor Reimer to earn his first feature victory of the 2023 campaign in his RMS Racing/EnviroFab – Response Management Services – Engler Machine/Spike/Engler Ford.

Meseraull’s 10th career USAC National Midget victory pushed him into 73rd all-time alongside Allen Heath, Doug Kalitta, Brad Kuhn, Steve Lotshaw, Jerry McClung and Chuck Weyant.

But with nary a top-three finish with the series in more than four months and just seven top-ten results in 18 outings this year, Meseraull even admitted that things came to a head a bit after last weekend’s events. But in the competitive spirit and the desire to win remaining so strong despite the setbacks, the performance they’d striven after for so long finally struck the right chord.

The high majority of the year’s storyline surrounding the team has been the continuous development of the EA Stealth Engler Ford engine, a one-of-one type of engine that has been used by them, and only them, throughout the year. With the program making strides, and now with the recent re-addition of Donnie Gentry to the crew, Meseraull is back in USAC National Midget victory lane for the first time in 26 starts, dating back to November of 2022 at California’s Bakersfield Speedway.

“We’ve put in a lot of time and effort on this thing,” Meseraull said of his engine package. “It’s kind of been a year of throwing out the books because we’re getting better, and I think we’ve got this thing figured out.”

Meseraull grabbed the initial lead on the opening lap from pole sitter Chase McDermand while Reimer also swept around the outside of McDermand to slot into second. The first stoppage of the main event came on lap six when 16th running Bryant Wiedeman tipped over on his side in turn one. Thirteen-time Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association champion Keith Rauch also stopped in the incident without contact. Both drivers restarted with Wiedeman racing back to 12th and Rauch to 19th.

A turn two melee also occurred on the lap six restart when fifth-running Jade Avedisian got a tad sideways in turn two, setting off a chain reaction of events behind her that resulted in Kyle Jones (10th), Kevin Thomas Jr. (11th), Jerry Coons Jr. (13th) and Matt Westfall (14th) all stopping. Thomas and Westfall did not return. However, Coons and Jones did, finishing 14th and 17th, respectively.

When action resumed, Meseraull throttled a path away from the rest of the field and found himself in lapped traffic on the 1/4-mile dirt oval by the midway point, forcing him to split between the triumvirate of Taylor Courtney, Rauch and Weston Gorham to escape with a healthy lead and a one-plus second advantage.

Thereafter, Meseraull discovered the proverbial daylight in the nighttime as he came out the other side of traffic to find a clear view ahead while Reimer and McDermand in second and third received their turn to maneuver through the traffic. In the meantime, Meseraull extended his lead to 1.7 sec.

On lap 23, Meseraull found himself in a conundrum as he and Kyle Jones made bumper-to-bumper contact while Meseraull was attempting to put Jones a lap down. Jones wound up in a spin into the infield in turn two. The resulting caution saw Meseraull’s 1.545 second lead disappear. Nonetheless, it gave him a chance to race his way to the finish line without the challenge of traffic.

Meseraull was seemingly cruising with a near full second advantage over Reimer and just four laps to go when the turn four cushion nearly jumped right up and bit him on the ankles. Meseraull biked on the high side before coming back down on all fours, motoring down the front straight with a waft of smoke momentarily emanating from the headers.

Just like that, Meseraull’s lead was snipped nearly in half. Entering the third turn on the final circuit, Reimer made one last ditch effort to challenge Meseraull, and was able to pull even for a split second. However, Meseraull’s high side momentum propelled him past Reimer and across the finish line one final time 0.529 sec. ahead of the pack.

Meseraull was followed to the stripe by Taylor Reimer in second and Chase McDermand in third, all three of whom are locked into Saturday night’s $20,039-to-win BC39 final night feature by virtue of their finishing positions on Thursday night. Jacob Denney and Buddy Kofoid rounded out the top-five.

For Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) it was her best career finish in USAC National Midget competition aboard her Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Yahoo – TRD - BuzzBallz/Lynk/Speedway Toyota. Her second-place result topped her previous best USAC feature finish of fourth this past May in Sweet Springs, Mo.

“I honestly felt we were a little better than T-Mez,” Reimer said. “We just weren’t able to capitalize on his mistakes there. In the middle, there was a rut there, and I got a little sideways a couple of times, so we started going above it and began following T-Mez. I tried to do a Hail Mary at the end, but I wasn’t close enough to him.”

It was a superb night for the Chase McDermand (Springfield, Ill.) as he equaled his best career USAC National Midget feature finish with a third-place result on Thursday night at IMS in his Mounce-Stout Motorsports/McDermand Plumbing – Rockwell Security/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

“I was struggling off the center of one and two, and that’s where everybody would pull me down the backstretch,” McDermand explained. “We definitely have a good package; we’ve just got to fine tune it a little bit, but we’re really close.”

Daniel Whitley (Ferndale, Calif.) made his first run on The Dirt Track at IMS a successful one in his Abacus Racing/Indy Custom Stone – CG CPAs – Forecheck Marketing/Spike/Stanton SR-11x. He charged from 21st to 13th to earn the Max Papis Innovations Up on the Wheel Award. Whitley received a trophy as well as a pair of MPI racing gloves and a $250 MPI gift card for his efforts.

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 28, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Speedway, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Driven2SaveLives BC39

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, passing points) 1. Hayden Reinbold (#19AZ Reinbold/Underwood), 2. Blake Brannon (#40B Brannon), 3. Taylor Reimer (#25K Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 4. Taylor Courtney (#22p RAMCO), 5. Chris Baue (#136 Baue), 6. Tommy Colburn (#10A MWR), 7. John Heydenreich (#22 Heydenreich), 8. Weston Gorham (#18N Gorham), 9. Adam Andretti (#44 Johnson). NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, passing points) 1. Buddy Kofoid (#67K Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 2. Gary Taylor (#32 Dunlap), 3. Jade Avedisian (#71 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 4. Keith Rauch (#27 Bourke), 5. Mitchel Moles (#19T Reinbold-Underwood), 6. Randi Pankratz (#8 Pankratz), 7. Josh Bilicki (#7c RAMCO), 8. Justin Dickerson (#21D Dickerson), 9. Josh Hodge (#5J Hodge). 1:42.10

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, passing points) 1. Kameron Key (#21J THK), 2. Kaylee Bryson (#89 CBI), 3. Matt Westfall (#84 Bordner), 4. Chelby Hinton (#4 Klatt), 5. Kevin Thomas Jr. (#1 Crouch), 6. Kyle Jones (#7m RAMCO), 7. Nick Drake (#55D Cline), 8. Robert Carson (#99K LOK/Carson-Segur), 9. Kevin Cook (#9p Cook). NT

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, passing points) 1. Thomas Meseraull (#7x RMS), 2. Bryant Wiedeman (#81 CBI), 3. Chase McDermand (#40 Mounce-Stout), 4. Jacob Denney (#25 Malloy), 5. Jerry Coons Jr. (#85 Central), 6. Daniel Whitley (#58 Abacus), 7. Mariah Ede (#71E Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 8. C.J. Leary (#14 Legacy), 9. Preston Lattomus (#23 Mounce-Stout). 1:42.14

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST QUALIFIER: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Jade Avedisian, 2. Jacob Denney, 3. Kameron Key, 4. Buddy Kofoid, 5. Chelby Hinton, 6. Daniel Whitley, 7. Tommy Colburn, 8. Weston Gorham, 9. Adam Andretti. 2:09.58

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND QUALIFIER: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Matt Westfall, 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 4. Taylor Reimer, 5. Nick Drake, 6. Randi Pankratz, 7. Justin Dickerson, 8. Robert Carson, 9. Blake Brannon. 2:08.42

T.J. FORGED THIRD QUALIFIER: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Kyle Jones, 2. Gary Taylor, 3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Mitchel Moles, 5. Hayden Reinbold, 6. Josh Bilicki, 7. Preton Lattomus, 8. John Heydenreich, 9. C.J. Leary. 2:10.82

CAR IQ FOURTH QUALIFIER: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Chase McDermand, 2. Mariah Ede, 3. Kaylee Bryson, 4. Bryant Wiedeman, 5. Taylor Courtney, 6. Josh Hodge, 7. Keith Rauch, 8. Kevin Cook, 9. Chris Baue. NT

ELLIOTTS’ CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Chelby Hinton, 3. Taylor Courtney, 4. Keith Rauch, 5. Daniel Whitley, 6. Weston Gorham, 7. Chris Baue, 8. Nick Drake, 9. Josh Bilicki, 10. Tommy Colburn, 11. John Heydenreich, 12. Kevin Cook, 13. Randi Pankratz, 14. Blake Brannon, 15. Preston Lattomus, 16. C.J. Leary, 17. Robert Carson, 18. Justin Dickerson, 19. Josh Hodge. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Thomas Meseraull (2), 2. Taylor Reimer (4), 3. Chase McDermand (1), 4. Jacob Denney (7), 5. Buddy Kofoid (3), 6. Kameron Key (5), 7. Jade Avedisian (6), 8. Gary Taylor (8), 9. Kaylee Bryson (10), 10. Hayden Reinbold (14), 11. Mitchel Moles (17), 12. Bryant Wiedeman (15), 13. Daniel Whitley (21), 14. Jerry Coons Jr. (13), 15. Mariah Ede (16), 16. Chelby Hinton (18), 17. Kyle Jones (12), 18. Weston Gorham (22), 19. Keith Rauch (20), 20. Taylor Courtney (19), 21. Kevin Thomas Jr. (11), 22. Matt Westfall (9). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Thomas Meseraull.

**Keith Rauch flipped during the fourth qualifying race. Blake Brannon flipped during the semi. Bryant Wiedeman flipped on lap 6 of the feature.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1297, 2-Bryant Wiedeman-1138, 3-Jade Avedisian-1081, 4-Justin Grant-1066, 5-Ryan Timms-1041, 6-Daison Pursley-1037, 7-Jacob Denney-1015, 8-Gavin Miller-945, 9-Cannon McIntosh-868, 10-Taylor Reimer-868.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-179, 2-Logan Seavey-130, 3-Emerson Axsom-112, 4-Justin Grant-106, 5-Shane Cottle-106, 6-Matt Westfall-105, 7-Robert Ballou-100, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Mitchel Moles-79.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES: September 29-30, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Speedway, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Driven2SaveLives BC39

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Chase McDermand (12.186)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Hayden Reinbold

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Buddy Kofoid

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Kameron Key

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Thomas Meseraull

Simpson Race Products First Qualifier Winner: Jade Avedisian

Rod End Supply Second Qualifier Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

T.J. Forged Third Qualifier Winner: Kyle Jones

Car IQ Fourth Qualifier Winner: Chase McDermand

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Mitchel Moles

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Thomas Meseraull

MPI Up on the Wheel Hard Charger: Daniel Whitley (21st to 13th)

 

 

BC39 STOOPS PURSUIT RESCHEDULED

FOR FRIDAY NIGHT AT IMS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 28, 2023)………The annual running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 Stoops Pursuit has been rescheduled for this Friday, September 29, following the night’s preliminary feature event at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Drivers eligible for the event include all individuals who currently stand inside the top-10 of the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship point standings, plus all of Thursday’s and Friday’s heat race winners and qualifying race winners. Promoters options will start at the rear of the 24-car field.

The Stoops Pursuit race will consist of 25 laps split into five-lap segments with the starting lineup being inverted based on each driver’s hot lap times during Thursday and Friday’s programs. Any car involved in a caution is eliminated. Every five laps, a competition yellow flag will be displayed, and cars with a net loss in position will be called to exit the track.

A checkered flag ends the final segment with the winner earning $1,500 plus $100 for each position gained. All race participants will receive a free right rear tire courtesy of Hoosier.

The BC39 will resume on Thursday night, September 28 at IMS with the first of two preliminary night events featuring a split field with one half of the field competing on Thursday and the other half competing on Friday.

Thursday’s event will have a bit of an earlier start than initially scheduled. The front gates will open at 4pm Eastern followed by practice at 5pm. The regularly scheduled program will begin with hot laps at 6pm and finish off with the first full night of racing action, consisting of heat races, qualifiers and the main events, concluding with a $5,000-to-win, 30-lap feature.

The racing program on Friday, September 29, will resemble much the same as Thursday’s event with hot laps followed by heat races, qualifiers and the main events, concluding with a $5,000-to-win, 30-lap feature.

The BC39 finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm with a driver meet and greet scheduled for 4pm in the midway and a public driver’s meeting at the USAC merchandise trailer at 4:45pm. Cars hit the track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

Spectator tickets are also available at www.IMS.com/BC39. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39. Zeb Wise (2018), Kyle Larson (2019 & 2021) and Dominic Gorden (2022) have won the four previous runnings of the Stoops Pursuit.

 

 

WEDNESDAY’S BC39 OPENER RAINED OUT,

USAC MIDGETS RESUME THURSDAY AT IMS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 27, 2023)………Wednesday night’s Driven2SaveLives BC39 opening night program at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been canceled due to rain.

Wednesday’s program was to feature two sessions of USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship practice followed by the Stoops Pursuit 25-lap race. USAC and IMS are working to determine if there is a suitable option to run the Stoops Pursuit this weekend.

The BC39 will resume on Thursday night, September 28 at IMS with the first of two preliminary night events featuring a split field with one half of the field competing on Thursday and the other half competing on Friday.

Thursday’s event will have a bit of an earlier start than initially scheduled. The front gates will open at 4pm Eastern followed practice at 5pm. The regularly scheduled program will begin with hot laps at 6pm and finish off with the first full night of racing action, consisting of heat races, qualifiers and the main events, concluding with a $5,000-to-win, 30-lap feature.

The racing program on Friday, September 29, will resemble much the same as Thursday’s event with hot laps followed by heat races, qualifiers and the main events, concluding with a $5,000-to-win, 30-lap feature.

The BC39 finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm with a driver meet and greet scheduled for 4pm in the midway and a public driver’s meeting at the USAC merchandise trailer at 4:45pm. Cars hit the track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

For any questions regarding BC39 tickets, please contact the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket office at 317-492-6700 and they will assist you with ticketing options.

 

 

USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS RETURN TO ANTIOCH
By Lance Jennings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023... The chase for the USAC Western States Midget Championship resumes this Saturday, September 30th at Antioch Speedway. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Tel Tac Digital Tachometers, the “Chet Thomson Memorial” and final round of the Antioch Challenge Mini Series Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises will pay $2,000-to-win, $1,100-for-second, and $800-for-third. The tenth point race will also feature Dwarf Cars, Super Stocks, and Hardtops. Located at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch, California, the Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, the Front Gates open at 4:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 6:00pm. For more event information “Where Action is The Attraction,” visit the track’s website at antiochspeedway.com or call 925.779.9220.

The Antioch Challenge Mini-Series Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises consists of the August 5th and September 30th races at Antioch Speedway. Points are kept and the champion will earn $500. $500 will also be awarded to fifth (5th) and tenth (10th) place finishers.

Tickets are still available for the October 7th “Championship Night Banquet” at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park. Starting approximately 30 minutes after the final checkered flag of the “George Snider Classic,” the event is the year-end celebration for the USAC Western States Midgets and the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars. Tickets are $40 until September 30th and will be $50 after that date. The event will have awards, dinner (chicken or tri-tip), photo slide show, beverages, and music. To purchase tickets and RSVP, contact Stephanie Odom at the races or email her at odom.stephanie@me.com.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit (TP) online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet, COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s, EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272730-78, RODELA FAB: 2557-01 *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC Western States Midget Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In addition to championship points, every event will award points for the season-long Woodland Auto Display Top Qualifier Standings and the unsponsored Passing Master Standings. Drivers that finish in the top-3 in Woodland points will take home $500-for-1st, $300-for-2nd, and $200-for-3rd. Last season, Michael Faccinto earned Top Qualifier honors and veteran driver Randi Pankratz passed the most cars in the main events.

The “mighty midgets” made their Antioch debut on August 5th and T.J. Smith claimed the victory aboard the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Stewart. That night, Brody Fuson established the track record of 13.882 seconds.

Returning to Antioch, Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) has a 34-point lead over the competition. Driving Rusty Carlile’s #51 RacePa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, Fuson claimed his fourth win of the season at Ventura Raceway on September 9th. At press time, the point leader also has six Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, four heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, eight top-10 finishes, and 63 feature laps led on the season. Brody has eight career victories and is tied with Stan Fox, Michael Lewis, Steve Paden, Dave Steele, and Danny Stratton on the series win list. Fuson will be looking to add Antioch to his resume and get closer to the 2023 championship.

Cade Lewis (Bakersfield, California) is second in the championship point standings. Racing Dean “Kiwi” Alexander’s #5K Wireless 101 / Mobil 1 Spike, Lewis placed fifth in the September 9th feature. To date, the young driver has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, nine top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led on the year. Cade has two career wins and will have his sights on winning the Thomson Memorial.

Veteran driver Ron Hazelton (Chatsworth, California) is tied for third in the chase for the championship. The owner/driver of the #15 TRC Transmission / West Evans Motorsports Beast scored eleventh at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on September 9th. At press time, Hazelton has five top-10 finishes in the campaign and will be looking for the first win of his career at Antioch.

C.J. Sarna (Brea, California) is tied with Ron Hazelton for third in the USAC Western States Midget point chase. The owner/driver of the #20 ZMax / Final Final Lifestyle Spike placed seventh the last time out at Ventura Raceway. As this writing goes to press, the 2007 Co-Rookie of the Year has six top-10 finishes to his credit. Sarna has one career victory and will have his sights on winning the $2,000 victory at Antioch Speedway.

Ben Worth (Coalinga, California) sits fifth in the USAC Western States Midget point chase. The pilot of Dean “Kiwi” Alexander’s #5V Wireless 101 / Mobil 1 Spike did not compete at Ventura but has one feature win, six top-10 finishes, and 31 feature laps led in the campaign. The 2019 Rookie of the Year has four career wins and will be looking to gain points with the Saturday night victory.

Leading rookie contender, Ben Covich (Auckland, New Zealand) ranks eighth in the point standings. The owner/driver of the #65 Dean “Kiwi” Alexander / Matt Streeter Racing backed Spike has four top-10 finishes to his credit. The young driver will be looking the upset the field and claim the win at Antioch.

While Ben Covich leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors, he is followed by Samuel May (Oxnard, California), David Gasper (Goleta, California), Kevin Gray (Yuba City, California), Garrett Twitty (Bakersfield, California), Brandon Wiley (Santa Maria, California), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, California), Nicco Panella (Stockton, California), and Steve Hix (Ventura, California).

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Caden Sarale, T.J. Smith, Danika Jo Faccinto, Marvin Mitchell, Floyd Alvis, Jim Keene, Jerry Kobza, and more.

Antioch Speedway is located on the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch, California. General Admission Adult tickets are $20, Military tickets are $15, Senior tickets (60 and over) are $15, Child tickets (under 11) are $15, and Children (5 and under) are FREE. Parking is priced at $10 by the fair board. For more event information, visit the track’s website at antiochspeedway.com or call 925.779.9220.

The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Ebbco Offroad, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Graunstadt Enterprises, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Tel Tach Digital Tachometers, Turn Fun, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET CHAMPIONS: 1982-Jeff Heywood, 1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner, 2015-Ronnie Gardner, 2016-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner, 2018-Michael Faccinto, 2019-Robert Dalby, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Blake Bower, 2022-Michael Faccinto.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 4-Brody Fuson, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Cade Lewis, 1-Caden Sarale, 1-T.J. Smith, 1-Ben Worth.

ANTIOCH USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET TRACK RECORD: Brody Fuson – 13.882 (08/05/23)

ANTIOCH USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WIN: 1-T.J. Smith.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brody Fuson-671, 2. Cade Lewis-637, 3. Ron Hazelton-440, -. C.J. Sarna-440, 5. Ben Worth-434, 6. Randi Pankratz-403, 7. Caden Sarale-332, 8. Ben Covich®-319, 9. Samuel May®-293, 10. David Gasper®-264, 11. Blake Bower-255, 12. Steve Paden-220, 13. Robby Josett-207, --. T.J. Smith-207, 15. Danika Jo Faccinto-187, 16. Marvin Mitchell-170, 17. Bryan Drollinger-169, 18. Kevin Gray®-162, 19. Jake Andreotti-160, 20. Garrett Twitty®-142, 21. A.J. Bender-113, 22. Brandon Wiley®-96, 23. Michael Faccinto-80, 24. Mitchel Moles®-78, --. Chase Johnson-78, 26. Mike Leach Jr.-76, 27. Ryan Bernal-73, 28. Floyd Alvis-61, 29. Jim Keene-52, 30. Nicco Panella®-50, 31. Terry Nichols-42, 32. Colby Johnson-41, 33. Billy Rayburn-40, 34. Jerry Kobza-38, 35. Steve Hix®-37.

ANTIOCH CHALLENGE MINI SERIES PRESENTED BY GRAUNSTADT ENTERPRISES POINT STANDINGS: 1. T.J. Smith-78, 2. Cade Lewis-76, --. Jake Andreotti-76, 4. Ben Worth-71, 5. David Gasper®-64, 6. C.J. Sarna-56, 7. Samuel May®-54, --. Danika Jo Faccinto-54, 9. Nikko Panella®-50, 10. Randi Pankratz-47, 11. Ben Covich®-44, 12. Colby Johnson-41, 13. Ron Hazelton-40, ---. Caden Sarale-40, 15. Marvin Mitchell-39, 16. Jerry Kobza-38, 17. Brody Fuson-34, 18. Kevin Gray®-30.

2023 WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALFIER POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-50, 2. Cade Lewis-30, 3. Caden Sarale-14, 4. Ben Worth-12, 5. C.J. Sarna-11, -. David Gasper®-11, 7. Jake Andreotti-9, 8. Robby Josett-8, 9. Blake Bower-7, --. Randi Pankratz-7, 11. T.J. Smith-6, 12. Michael Faccinto-5, 13. Danika Jo Faccinto-4, 14. A.J. Bender-3, --. Mitchel Moles-3, --. Chase Johnson-3, 17. Brandon Wiley®-2, 18. Ryan Bernal-1, --. Garrett Twitty®-1, --. Ron Hazelton-1, --. Samuel May-1.

2023 SAMMY BAHR FEATURE POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-563, 2. Cade Lewis-549, 3. Ron Hazelton-408, 4. C.J. Sarna-395, 5. Ben Worth-382, 6. Randi Pankratz-362, 7. Ben Covich®-303, 8. Caden Sarale-287, 9. Samuel May®-255, 10. David Gasper®-232, 11. Blake Bower-223, 12. Steve Paden-199, 13. Robby Josett-180, --. T.J. Smith-180, 15. Danika Jo Faccinto-168, 16. Marvin Mitchell-163, 17. Bryan Drollinger-157, 18. Kevin Gray®-152, 19. Jake Andreotti-137, 20. Garrett Twitty®-130, 21. A.J. Bender-99, 22. Brandon Wiley®-85, 23. Mitchel Moles-67, --. Chase Johnson-67, --. Michael Faccinto-67, 26. Mike Leach Jr.-64, --. Ryan Bernal-64, 28. Floyd Alvis-55, 29. Jim Keene-49, 30. Nicco Panella®-46, 31. Terry Nichols-39, 32. Billy Rayburn-37, 33. Jerry Kobza-35, 34. Steve Hix®-33, --. Colby Johnson-33.

2023 PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1. Cade Lewis-33, 2. Brody Fuson-28, 3. Ron Hazelton-23, 4. Ben Covich®-15, 5. Marvin Mitchell-10, -. David Gasper®-10, 7. C.J. Sarna-9, 8. Caden Sarale-8, 9. Steve Paden-7, --. Robby Josett-7, --. Samuel May-7, 12. Jake Andreotti-6, --. Danika Jo Faccinto-6, 14. Jim Keene-5, 15. Bryan Drollinger-4, --. Garrett Twitty®-4, --. Randi Pankratz-4, 18. Brandon Wiley®-3, 18. Brandon Wiley®-3, --. Michael Faccinto-3, --. Ben Worth-3, 21. Chase Johnson-1, --. Blake Bower-1

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 18: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (RAINED OUT)
March 25: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (RAINED OUT)
April 15: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Ben Worth)
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Jake Andreotti)
May 6: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (RAINED OUT)
May 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 24: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Cade Lewis)
July 8: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
July 22: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Winner: Caden Sarale)
August 5: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Winner: T.J. Smith)
September 9: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
September 30: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Antioch Challenge #2 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises)
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.

 

 

72 USAC MIDGETS VIE FOR

$20,039 BC39 PAYDAY AT THE DIRT TRACK AT IMS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 26, 2023)………The fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 is set to roll with 72 drivers in a field that consists of 19 past USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship feature winners and represents 20 different United States.

They’ll play in the dirt for four-straight nights on September 27-28-29-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 1/4-mile oval located within the confines of the world famous 2.5-mile course.

The BC39 boasts the largest car count of the season, the highest stakes of the season and the highest payout of the season in an event which has already become one of the defining crown jewels in all of midget racing.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is already magic, but after laying a bit of dirt down, you’ve got magic.

We’ve also got six storylines for you to let sink in as we get ready for one of the marquee events on the entire USAC calendar.


AN ENORMOUS FIELD OF 72

Besides the on-track action, the annual car count for the BC39 makes plenty of headlines for itself. Of the 72 drivers, 20 different states are represented in the field from coast-to-coast: California (15), Indiana (13), Illinois (6), Oklahoma (6), Ohio (5), North Carolina (4), Texas (4), Arizona (2), Colorado (2), Kansas (2), Missouri (2), Pennsylvania (2), Wisconsin (2), Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Florida (1), Louisiana (1), Nevada (1) and Washington (1).

Over the first four editions of the BC39, three states have been represented in victory lane: Oklahoma’s Brady Bacon (2018), Indiana’s Zeb Wise (2019), California’s Kyle Larson (2021) and California’s Buddy Kofoid (2022).

Furthermore, of the 72, more than a quarter are previous USAC National Midget feature winners representing 155 total series wins: Tanner Thorson (29), Buddy Kofoid (24), Jerry Coons Jr. (19), Justin Grant (14), Logan Seavey (14), Thomas Meseraull (9), Brady Bacon (8), Cannon McIntosh (6), Kevin Thomas Jr. (6), Ryan Timms (5), Zach Daum (4), John Heydenreich (4), Jacob Denney (3), Mitchel Moles (3), Emerson Axsom (2), Daison Pursley (2), Gavin Miller (1), Keith Rauch (1) and Bryant Wiedeman (1).

But only one of those aforementioned drivers will be striving for a final night BC39 victory this year.


LONE BACON

Brady Bacon made the winning pass with nine laps to go to score a win in the very first BC39 in 2018. To the surprise of no one, he’s been a solid citizen annually in the event, finishing 3rd in 2021 and 8th in 2022.

Others have come similarly close. Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) finished 3rd in 2018 after leading a race-high 30 laps. Thomas Meseraull (San Joes, Calif.) led a combined 34 laps over a two-race span in 2019-21, then finished a best of 3rd in 2022.

Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) led a lap and finished 2nd in 2021, then scored a 4th in 2022, while Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) led for 16 circuits en route to a 4th place result in 2021. Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.), meanwhile, came home fifth in the 2019 race.

Cannon McIntosh (Bixby, Okla.) waged a fascinating duel with Buddy Kofoid for the win in 2022, with McIntosh leading a race-high 20 laps before finishing 2nd behind Kofoid.

Speaking of Kofoid, you may be saying, “wait, he’s in this year’s field too.” Right you are. However, he will only be participating during Wednesday and Thursday’s programs before other racing duties will prevent him from competing on Saturday for a repeat BC39 victory.


SPLIT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE

Not one, not two, not three but four nights of racing greet BC39 competitors in 2023, doubling the number of events held annually during the first four runnings.

Wednesday's program will feature all cars on the track for practice, followed by the Stoops Pursuit race, a 25-lap race split into five-lap segments. The field consists of a total of 24 starters with the top-10 drivers in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points being locked into the event as are the 10 fastest during Wednesday night’s practice who are not already locked in. Up to four promoters options will be available to start the event.

The Stoops Pursuit starting lineup is inverted by fastest hot lap time, with promoter’s options starting at the rear. Any car involved in a caution is eliminated. Every five laps, a competition yellow flag will be displayed, and cars with a net loss in position will be called to exit the track.

A checkered flag ends the final segment, with the winner earning $1,500 plus $100 for each position gained. All race participants will receive a free right rear tire courtesy of Hoosier.

On Thursday and Friday, the field will be split with half the field competing on Thursday and the other half of the field competing on Friday. Both nights will feature a full program of racing consisting of 8-lap heat races and 10-lap qualifying races, followed by a 10-lap C-main (if needed), a 12-lap semi-feature and a 30-lap feature race paying $5,000-to-win with the top-3 feature finishers on each night’s prelim being locked into Saturday’s feature.

All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive 50 appearance points during each night of their participation on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday’s Championship Night program will consist of hot laps and main events only, starting with the E-Main, two D-Mains, two C-Mains, two semi-features and a last chance race. The 39-lap feature will have 22 starters, plus two USAC provisional starters (if applicable) and two IMS options.

All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive feature points only on Saturday based on their finishing position. All non-transfers will receive 10 points.


THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE OF SEAVEY

Logan Seavey is seemingly the unstoppable force in the USAC National Midget ranks entering the BC39. He’s reeled off 14 consecutive top-fives with the series, the most since Jason Leffler’s championship season in 1997 in which he strung together 21 consecutive top-fives.

Seavey is also coming off a weekend in which he swept the USAC portion of the 4-Crown Nationals at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, joining only Jack Hewitt and Kyle Larson in that regard.

At the BC39, Seavey is looking to up the ante even though he may be the odds-on favorite with six feature victories in his last 14 outings. His best result thus far in the event was a fifth in 2019.


CANNON & THE AXE

Two frontrunners find themselves in new rides for the event with Cannon McIntosh taking the reins of the CB Industries No. 86 while Emerson Axsom has slid over to the Keith Kunz Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports No. 68.

Between the two teams, they have won the past two BC39 main events, and in each of those two events, the two drivers have finished inside the top-five in each. Axsom scored a 5th in 2021 and McIntosh a close 2nd in 2022.

McIntosh arrives at CBI after competing on the USAC tour for the past three seasons on the Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports team. Axsom, meanwhile, has competed mainly for the Petry-Hayward Motorsports team throughout 2023.

Both McIntosh and Seavey know their way to USAC National Midget victory lane with McIntosh owning six series victories and Axsom six, but both are aiming for their first one of the season this week at The BC39, which would be a monumental breakthrough win for each respective driver.


A HOARD OF ROOKIES

Twenty-seven of the 72 drivers in this year’s BC39 lineup are race rookies who are taking on the event for the first time in their career.

Max Papis Innovations (MPI) will reward this year’s top Rookie drivers at the Driven2SaveLives BC39 with a bevy of bonuses and awards for their achievements. During both the Thursday and Friday night programs, the hard charger of the feature event will receive the MPI Up on the Wheel Award consisting of a trophy as well as a pair of MPI racing gloves and a $250 gift card to be used toward MPI products that can be redeemed directly through MPI.

During Saturday night’s finale, the MPI Rookie of the Race award will reward the highest finishing BC39 Rookie in the feature with a custom trophy, a custom MPI steering wheel, MPI racing gloves plus a $700 check and a custom lasered BC39 racing wheel.

Among the Rookies in this year’s BC39 field are a pair of USAC National Midget winners in Keith Rauch (Thornton, Colo.) and Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.). Rauch, a 13-time Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association champion, scored his lone USAC National win back in 1990. Miller gained his first series victory just this past June and is USAC’s leading Rookie driver in 2023.

Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, Calif.) finished 2nd in the USAC National Midget season opener at Kansas’ Belleville Short Track and is among the top candidates to score the MPI prize. Daniel Whitley (Ferndale, Calif.) has run inside the top-five with the USAC National Midget series in 2023 and has been a winner with the Xtreme Outlaw series this summer.

Also joining the Rookie fray are 360 Sprint standout Jake Bubak (Arvada, Colo.) as well as USAC regional champion Mark McMahill (Peoria, Ill.) and USAC regional winners Preston Lattomus (Lewes, Del.), Wes Pinkerton (Reynolds, Ind.) and Zach Wigal (Belpre, Ohio), plus BCRA Midget titlist Robert Carson (Concord, Calif.).

Josh Bilicki (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) has competed in both the Brickyard 400 and on the road course with the NASCAR Cup series at IMS and will be in one of six RAMCO Speed Group entries for the BC39.

Also a familiar name to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “Andretti,” will be in the BC39 lineup. Adam Andretti (Brownsburg, Ind.) recently competed on the IMS Road Course with the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli. Andretti is the younger brother of 1983 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year John Andretti, the son of Aldo Andretti and the nephew of 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner, Formula 1 champion and four-time IndyCar champion Mario Andretti.


RACE DETAILS

The fifth running of the Driven2Save BC39 featuring the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship comes to The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for four consecutive nights on September 27-28-29-30.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action starts Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 6pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by heat races, qualifying races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the $5,000-to-win Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm with a driver meet and greet scheduled for 4pm in the midway and a public driver’s meeting at the USAC merchandise trailer at 4:45pm. Cars hit the track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track. Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands. You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

All four days of the #BC39 can be watched LIVE on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/40w7aPg


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2023 DRIVEN2SAVELIVES BC39 ENTRIES

1 Kevin Thomas Jr./Cullman, AL (Crouch Motorsports)

1D (R) Landon Brooks/Rio Oso, CA (RAMCO Speed Group)

1G (R) Connor Wolf/Lafayette, IN (RAMCO Speed Group)

1z (R) Justin Zimmerman/Athens, TX (Justin Zimmerman)

2 Justin Grant/Ione, CA (RMS Racing)

4 (R) Chelby Hinton/Dubberly, LA (Klatt Enterprises)

5J Josh Hodge/Brownsburg, IN (Josh Hodge Racing)

5s Scott Orr/Columbia City, IN (Josh Hodge Racing)

6 Isaac Chapple/Willow Branch, IN (Doug Hall)

7c (R) Josh Bilicki/Menomonee Falls, WI (RAMCO Speed Group)

7m Kyle Jones/Kennedale, TX (RAMCO Speed Group)

7p Zach Daum/Pocahontas, IL (RAMCO Speed Group)

7x Thomas Meseraull/San Jose, CA (RMS Racing)

8 Randi Pankratz/Atascadero, CA (Wally Pankratz)

8x Jeff Schindler/Evansville, IN (Jeff Schindler)

9 (R) Wes Pinkerton/Reynolds, IN (Wes Pinkerton)

9p (R) Kevin Cook/Winchester, IN (Kevin Cook)

10A (R) Tommy Colburn/New Berlin, WI (MWR Technology)

10c (R) Mark McMahill/Peoria, IL (MWR Technology)

11 Clinton Boyles/Greenwood, MO (Scott Beierle)

11L Aaron Leffel/Springfield, OH (Team Taylor Racing)

14 C.J. Leary/Greenfield, IN (Legacy Autosport)

17B Austin Barnhill/Wilmington, NC (Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports)

18N (R) Weston Gorham/Colleyville, TX (Kelly Gorham)

19 Daison Pursley/Locust Grove, OK (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19AZ Hayden Reinbold/Gilbert, AZ (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19m Ethan Mitchell/Mooresville, NC (Bundy Built Motorsports)

19T Mitchel Moles/Raisin City, CA (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

21D Justin Dickerson/Pittsboro, IN (Mike Dickerson)

21H Brady Bacon/Broken Arrow, OK (TKH Motorsports)

21J (R) Kameron Key/Warrensburg, MO (TKH Motorsports)

21K Karter Sarff/Mason City, IL (Jayme Sarff)

22 John Heydenreich/Bloomsburg, PA (John Heydenreich)

22p (R) Taylor Courtney/Indianapolis, IN (RAMCO Speed Group)

23 (R) Preston Lattomus/Lewes, DE (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

25 Jacob Denney/Galloway, OH (Tom Malloy)

25K Taylor Reimer/Bixby, OK (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

25m (R) Jake Andreotti/Castro Valley, CA (Tom Malloy)

27 (R) Keith Rauch/Thornton, CO (Bourke Motorsports)

27B (R) Jake Bubak/Arvada, CO (Bourke Motorsports)

32 Gary Taylor/Snohomish, WA (Brian Dunlap)

36 Ian Creager/Covington, OH (Tod Creager)

40 Chase McDermand/Springfield, IL (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

40B Blake Brannon/Morgan Hill, CA (Blake Brannon)

40x (R) Zach Wigal/Belpre, OH (Chase McDermand)

41 Oliver Akard/Fort Myers, FL (Team OMR)

44 (R) Adam Andretti/Brownsburg, IN (Jeff Johnson)

46 (R) Kenney Johnson/Bethany, CT (Jeff Johnson)

54 Matt Westfall/Pleasant Hill, OH (Steve Bordner)

55 (R) Trevor Cline/Mooresville, NC (Troy Cline)

55D Nick Drake/Mooresville, NC (Troy Cline)

56 (R) Mitchell Davis/Auburn, IL (Pat O’Dell)

57 Logan Seavey/Sutter, CA (Abacus Racing)

57A Daniel Robinson/Wayne City, IL (RAB Racing)

58 (R) Daniel Whitley/Ferndale, CA (Abacus Racing)

67 Ryan Timms/Oklahoma City, OK (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

67K Buddy Kofoid/Penngrove, CA (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

68 Emerson Axsom/Franklin, IN (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71 Jade Avedisian/Clovis, CA (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71E Mariah Ede/Fresno, CA (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71T (R) Kyler Johnson/Quinter, KS (Todd Henry)

75AU Bryan Stanfill/Bakersfield, CA (Griffiths Motorsports)

81 Bryant Wiedeman/Colby, KS (CB Industries)

85 Jerry Coons Jr./Tucson, AZ (Central Motorsports)

86 Cannon McIntosh/Bixby, OK (CB Industries)

88 Tanner Thorson/Minden, NV (Tanner Thorson Racing)

89 Kaylee Bryson/Muskogee, OK (CB Industries)

97 (R) Gavin Miller/Allentown, PA (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

99 (R) Don O’Keefe Jr. /Union City, CA (LOK/Carson-Segur Racing)

99K (R) Robert Carson/Concord, CA (LOK/Carson-Segur Racing)

118 (R) Scott Evans/Rhome, TX (Scott Evans)

136 Chris Baue/Indianapolis, IN (Bill Baue)

(R) represents a BC39 Rookie


================


BC39 FEATURE WINNERS: 2018-Brady Bacon, 2019-Zeb Wise, 2020-Not Held, 2021-Kyle Larson, 2022-Buddy Kofoid


STOOPS PURSUIT WINNERS: 2018-Zeb Wise, 2019-Kyle Larson, 2020-Not Held, 2021-Kyle Larson, 2022-Dominic Gorden



USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1297, 2-Bryant Wiedeman-1088, 3-Justin Grant-1066, 4-Ryan Timms-1041, 5-Daison Pursley-1037, 6-Jade Avedisian-1031, 7-Jacob Denney-965, 8-Gavin Miller-945, 9-Cannon McIntosh-868, 10-Taylor Reimer-818.


================


PAST BC39 FEATURE RESULTS:

2018 FEATURE: (39 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (7), 2. Chad Boat (10), 3. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (1), 4. Tyler Courtney (2), 5. Christopher Bell (17), 6. Alex Bright (8), 7. Justin Grant (6), 8. Holly Shelton (9), 9. Jerry Coons, Jr. (5), 10. Ryan Robinson (3), 11. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (11), 12. Chris Windom (22), 13. Logan Seavey (23), 14. Zeb Wise (14), 15. Shane Cottle (13), 16. Jason McDougal (25), 17. Maria Cofer (24), 18. Terry Babb (20), 19. Brayton Lynch (4), 20. David Budres (19), 21. Brian Karraker (21), 22. Tyler Thomas (18), 23. Tucker Klaasmeyer (15), 24. Jake Neuman (16), 25. Dillon Welch (12), 26. Dave Darland (26). NT

2019 FEATURE: (39 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Zeb Wise (5), 2. Tyler Courtney (20), 3. Chris Windom (6), 4. Chad Boat (16), 5. Logan Seavey (14), 6. Jesse Colwell (24), 7. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (15), 8. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (3), 9. Kyle Larson (12), 10. Justin Grant (11), 11. Dillon Welch (8), 12. Tanner Carrick (23), 13. Michael Pickens (4), 14. Gio Scelzi (9), 15. Christopher Bell (17), 16. Brady Bacon (10), 17. Jason McDougal (7), 18. Cannon McIntosh (22), 19. Thomas Meseraull (1), 20. Spencer Bayston (2), 21. Tyler Thomas (13), 22. Tucker Klaasmeyer (18), 23. Jerry Coons, Jr. (19), 24. Chase Briscoe (21), 25. Jake Neuman (26), 26. C.J. Leary (25). NT

2021 FEATURE: (39 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Larson (4), 2. Justin Grant (1), 3. Brady Bacon (6), 4. Daison Pursley (3), 5. Emerson Axsom (19), 6. Ryan Timms (2), 7. Tanner Thorson (21-P), 8. Tyler Courtney (7), 9. Jerry Coons Jr. (9), 10. Buddy Kofoid (13), 11. Chase Briscoe (22), 12. Spencer Bayston (14), 13. Kevin Thomas Jr. (11), 14. Zeb Wise (25-P), 15. Logan Seavey (20), 16. Cole Bodine (12), 17. Kyle Cummins (16), 18. Karter Sarff (17), 19. Kaylee Bryson (18), 20. Chase Randall (24-P), 21. Chris Windom (8), 22. Cannon McIntosh (10), 23. Hayden Williams (23), 24. Thomas Meseraull (5), 25. Corey Day (15). NT

2022 FEATURE: (39 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Buddy Kofoid (6), 2. Cannon McIntosh (1), 3. Thomas Meseraull (11), 4. Justin Grant (18), 5. Kyle Larson (10), 6. Zach Daum (3), 7. Kaylee Bryson (15), 8. Brady Bacon (5), 9. Dominic Gorden (8), 10. Brenham Crouch (23-U), 11. Bryant Wiedeman (14), 12. Chris Windom (9), 13. Emerson Axsom (19), 14. Taylor Reimer (24-U), 15. Trey Gropp (7), 16. Jason McDougal (21), 17. Tyler Courtney (25-P), 18. Chase McDermand (17), 19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (22), 20. Karter Sarff (13), 21. Chase Briscoe (26-P), 22. Michael Pickens (16), 23. Mitchel Moles (2), 24. Jacob Denney (12), 25. Ethan Mitchell (4), 26. Kyle Cummins (20). NT

 

 

CANNON RESETS, JOINS CB INDUSTRIES

FOR REST OF 2023 USAC MIDGET SEASON

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 25, 2023)………Cannon McIntosh hopes a change will do him good as he joins CB Industries for the remainder of the 2023 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship schedule starting this week, September 27-30, during the Driven2SaveLives BC39 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

McIntosh (Bixby, Okla.) vacates the Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports No. 08, which he had driven full-time on the USAC circuit since 2021. Now, he’ll drive Chad Boat’s CB Industries No. 86 for the team alongside fellow full-time series driver Bryant Wiedeman.

Over his career, McIntosh has accumulated six series victories and twice finished fifth in USAC points in both 2020 and 2022. However, the 2023 season, by his own admission, has been a struggle as he remains winless and stands ninth in points.

McIntosh was absent for the past two races last weekend at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, ending his run of 119 consecutive USAC National Midget feature starts since 2019, second most in series history behind only Tracy Hines’ run of 131 straight between 2009-15.

Present at the facility, but without a ride at Eldora, McIntosh officially hit the reset button, serving as a spectator not only of the racing action, but also of the CBI team, who he officially becomes a member of this week.

“It’s a good reset for me,” McIntosh explained. “I feel like the middle of this season became a big struggle for me. I’ve just been looking for a turnaround point. Now, with this opportunity lining up, I feel like it’s a good chance for me to just go out and try to do my best and turn everything around. Chad has great cars and likes to win, and I feel like we’re going to do really well. Just getting to watch Eldora and be around and see how everything was done at CB Industries, it definitely made me confident in what they could do. I feel like we’re going to have some success for sure.”

A midseason change isn’t the most ideal situation for any team, driver or crew member, but McIntosh felt that, at this juncture, it was prudent to do what was best for him, as he put it.

“Racing was becoming very tough,” McIntosh acknowledged. “Our finishes weren’t there at all and I wasn’t having fun doing it for myself. I felt like I had to do something that was going to be a good change for me. It’s a reset to jump into a really good car, which is kind of a bonus. I felt like we always had good cars as well (at Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports). It just wasn’t clicking as well as it used to. Chad’s stuff has been really good lately, so I’m definitely confident in making this switch.”

Now residing in North Carolina, McIntosh acknowledges the differences from being involved in a family-owned team to driving for another outfit. McIntosh knows this firsthand as he previously competed for Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports during the 2020 season. With CBI, he expects to be able to focus a bit more on the driving side of things. Furthermore, the CB Industries team is located just about five minutes down the road from his current residence, allowing him to pop-in to the shop anytime.

This week’s BC39 marks the first set of events on McIntosh’s schedule with CB Industries. At the 2022 BC39, McIntosh led a race-high 20 of the 39 laps before finishing second following a riveting duel with winner Buddy Kofoid. The hunger for winning the BC39 has only grown stronger since for the 20-year-old McIntosh, as does the desire of getting back into victory lane with USAC for the first time this year.

“This one had a big highlight on it when I first saw the schedule after last year,” McIntosh explained. “We led a lot of laps and had speed the whole week, then it came down to the wire with Buddy. We were really close, so it’s really one I’d love to snag this year. Winning that race or not, it was cool just to being able to put on a show like that in front of all the fans inside of IMS, but to finish it out on top would be even cooler, I’d imagine. It definitely gives me a little more hunger going into it, especially with the struggles I’ve had. I just needed something to turn it around, so this would be the perfect place to turn it around, I’d say.”

Brent Crews, previously scheduled to compete in the CB Industries No. 86 at the BC39, will not compete in the event. Instead, he will race in this weekend’s Atlas 200 ARCA Menards Series event at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.


RACE DETAILS

The fifth running of the Driven2Save BC39 featuring the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship comes to The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for four consecutive nights on September 27-28-29-30.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action starts Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 6pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by hot laps, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the $5,000-to-win Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm with a driver meet and greet scheduled for 4pm in the midway and a public driver’s meeting at the USAC merchandise trailer at 4:45pm. Cars hit the track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track. Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands. You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

 

 

3 WINS, 1 FAIRYTALE NIGHT!

SEAVEY SWEEPS USAC PORTION

OF ELDORA’S 4-CROWN NATIONALS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Rossburg, Ohio (September 23, 2023)………In a season in which he’s already captured a Chili Bowl victory, a USAC Indiana Midget Week title and even posted two USAC National feature wins in one day, Logan Seavey managed to top himself once more.

The Sutter, Calif. native scored not one, not two but three USAC National feature wins on Saturday night during the 41st running of the 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO at Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.

Seavey clicked off an avalanche of successive feature victories, first earning a 25-lap USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget main, followed by a wire-to-wire 30-lap USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship triumph and a dominating 50-lap USAC Silver Crown triumph to cap the night.

In doing so, he joined an exclusive list of three drivers who’ve been able to achieve the monumental task and turn a Saturday night in western Ohio into a fairytale night.

Jack Hewitt swept all three USAC wins during the 1998 4-Crown Nationals and added a UMP Modified win to boot. Kyle Larson followed suit by knocking out three consecutive USAC wins on 4-Crown night in 2011.

On this particular night, Seavey collected $10,000 for each feature victory, totaling $30,000 in all. But to put together one of the greatest nights of racing in the 68-year history of the United States Auto Club, well, that’s priceless.

“This is probably one of the coolest nights of my life,” Seavey basked in the moment. “I’m just driving three good racecars and I can do whatever I want, wherever I want with them. It’s just one of those nearly perfect nights. You just have to be driving great racecars and I’ve got three incredible racecars.”


USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE

First up was the midget main event, which saw Seavey starting from the outside of the front row alongside Daison Pursley. By the end of lap one, Bryant Wiedeman had raced his way to the front of the field from the inside of the second row. However, on lap four, Seavey was ready to make his move.

There, Seavey dove to the inside of turn one to overtake Wiedeman for the top spot. Wiedeman fought back to retake the position with a slider entering turn three. However, Seavey quickly countered back underneath off the exit of turn four to beat Wiedeman back to the line by a single car length.

On lap six, major trouble ensued when sixth place running Jade Avedisian clipped the turn one wall, which sent her flipping wildly. Meanwhile, Thomas Meseraull (10th), in an effort to avoid the incident, ramped up the wall and also found himself upside down. Both drivers walked away, but their rides were finished for the evening.

Down the stretch, Wiedeman continuously tried to make up ground toward Seavey on the low line. Wiedeman continuously hugged the bottom while Seavey embraced the high side. Wiedeman was able to draw close time after time, but the low groove was unable to match the top side momentum that pushed Seavey back out front at the exit of turns two and four each and every time.

Under green, Seavey admitted to glancing up at the video board located between turns one and two at the facility to see where Wiedeman was located. Ultimately, Seavey worked himself out of the habit, and instead, refocused his attention away from what Wiedeman was doing and hammered it late to win going away.

In the final tally, Seavey claimed his first career Eldora midget victory by a 1.215 second margin in his Abacus Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Indy Custom Stone – Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax/Spike/Stanton SR-11x. Seavey had previously finished as the runner-up during the midget feature at the 2021 4-Crown. This weekend also marked Abacus Racing’s first ever visit to Eldora and snapped CB Industries record four-race Eldora winning streak.

CBI’s Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.) took second for the third time in four career midget starts at Eldora with no finish worse than third. Rico Abreu (St. Helena, Calif.) took third with Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.) fourth and Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio) rounding out the top-five. Hayden Reinbold (Gilbert, Ariz.) was the night’s hard charger, finishing a career best seventh after starting 15th.


USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE

With the first crown in his pocket, at this point in the night, Seavey felt his confidence brewing going into feature number two.

“After last night, I knew we had some work to do with our midget and we got that way better,” Seavey explained. “After we won the midget race, I was really, really excited knowing that my sprint car was on the pole. I knew that thing was going to drive good.”

As it turned out, Seavey was right on the mark with that remark as he immediately stepped out in front to command the USAC Sprint Car field. However, the major breaking story at the moment was the tumultuous night for Brady Bacon.

On lap six, Bacon suffered an engine woe that forced him to the pits and a 22nd place finish, dropping him from 15 points out of the championship lead to 66 behind Grant with just three races remaining. With that said, it was just the latest in a nightmarish evening for Bacon, starting with methanol splashing into his eye during a pit mishap, which caused his eye to swell shut. To add insult to injury, during his qualifying run, Bacon tagged the turn four wall and flipped, forcing him into a backup ride.

Back up front, Seavey never relented control as he maintained roughly a one second lead throughout the duration, although Grant was able draw closer than anyone else with 10 laps to go until smacking the outside turn one wall with his right rear tire.

At that point, Seavey worked lapped traffic with ease and coasted to victory lane in his 2B Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises – Goodnight Racing/DRC/Claxton Chevy. The nine-year old chassis dubbed “Barney” for its proximity in age to the era of dinosaurs, guided the 2B team with Scott Benic at the helm to their first 4-Crown victory since Levi Jones popularized the term “four-in-the-fluff” in 2005.

Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) was 1.131 sec. behind Seavey at the finish line in second with Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) third, Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) fourth and Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) fifth. Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) scored hard charger honors with an 18th to 10th run in his first 4-Crown sprint car experience.


USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE

It was two down and one to go for Seavey entering the USAC Silver Crown night capper. But after two front row starts, Seavey was slated to start fifth in the Silver Crown finale. However, that was just a temporary hangup in his pursuit to the front.

Silver Crown Rookie Chase Dietz was the first big mover and shaker in the field as he burst through to the opening lap lead from his fourth starting position. After a lap six caution for Matt Mitchell who stalled with a car that jumped out of gear, Seavey began to haul.

On the ensuing lap seven restart, Seavey scooted under pole sitter Justin Grant in turn three to slot into third. Seavey did the same to Matt Westfall in turn two to grab second on lap nine. One lap later, Seavey broadsided past Dietz in turns one and two to corral the race lead for good on the 10th circuit.

Seavey rode the rim the rest of the way aboard his Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing/STIDA.com – CG CPAs – Indy Custom Stone/DRC/Felker Chevy, controlling the remaining 41 laps with relative ease and precision, crossing the line 2.169 seconds ahead of Westfall to complete the USAC portion sweep of the night.

Rounding out the top-five behind Seavey and Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio) were Chase Dietz (York, Pa.) followed by a career-best fourth place run for Carmen Perigo (Stoystown, Pa.) while Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, Calif.) rounded out the top-five.

Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) drove from 14th to 7th, earning himself ProSource Passing Master honors for the 4-Crown weekend with 18 total positions advanced throughout the three USAC divisions combined. Furthermore, Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, Ind.), subbing for Brady Bacon in Chris Dyson’s No. 9, made a major charge from the 26th starting spot to finish 8th. Russ Gamester (Peru, Ind.), a 25th place finisher, equaled Brian Tyler with the most career Silver Crown starts, making his 212th on Saturday night at Eldora.

But the headline story was Seavey who joined Jack Hewitt in a multitude of manners on Saturday night. Another feather in the cap for Seavey was his third straight USAC Silver Crown win at Eldora, a feat that only Hewitt had achieved before with three consecutive in 1994-95-96. It was par for the course for Seavey on a historical night at The Big E.

“I feel so confident when we get in this thing anywhere, especially this dirt car, miles, half-miles, it doesn’t really matter, but especially these half-miles,” Seavey noted. “This thing drives so good and A.J. Felker does such a great job with our engine. This is exactly what you need for the dirt stuff we do.”

Seavey now exits Eldora with a 16-point lead over Kody Swanson in the pursuit of his first Silver Crown championship with one race remaining on October 14 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.


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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS/ROD END SUPPLY FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Chris Windom (#89 CBI), 2. Rico Abreu (#24 Thorson), 3. Jacob Denney (#25 Malloy), 4. Logan Seavey (#57 Abacus), 5. Thomas Meseraull (#7x RMS), 6. Justin Grant (#2 RMS), 7. Daniel Whitley (#58 Abacus), 8. Hayden Reinbold (#19AZ Reinbold/Underwood), 9. Briggs Danner (#98 Schneider). NT

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Ryan Timms (#67 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 2. Jade Avedisian (#71 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 3. Daison Pursley (#19 Reinbold-Underwood), 4. Bryant Wiedeman (#81 CBI), 5. Taylor Reimer (#25K Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 6. Mitchel Moles (#19T Reinbold/Underwood), 7. Gavin Miller (#97 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 8. Jake Andreotti (#25m Malloy), 9. Ethan Mitchell (#4 Bundy Built). NT

FEATURE: (25 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (2), 2. Bryant Wiedeman (3), 3. Rico Abreu (4), 4. Gavin Miller (9), 5. Jacob Denney (11), 6. Daison Pursley (1), 7. Hayden Reinbold (15), 8. Ryan Timms (7), 9. Mitchel Moles (12), 10. Chris Windom (6), 11. Jake Andreotti (14), 12. Briggs Danner (17), 13. Daniel Whitley (13), 14. Justin Grant (8), 15. Taylor Reimer (16), 16. Jade Avedisian (5), 17. Thomas Meseraull (10), 18. Ethan Mitchell (18). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-3 Bryant Wiedeman, Laps 4-25 Logan Seavey.

**Jade Avedisian & Thomas Meseraull flipped on lap 6 of the feature.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1297, 2-Bryant Wiedeman-1088, 3-Justin Grant-1066, 4-Ryan Timms-1041, 5-Daison Pursley-1037, 6-Jade Avedisian-1031, 7-Jacob Denney-965, 8-Gavin Miller-945, 9-Cannon McIntosh-868, 10-Taylor Reimer-818.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-171, 2-Logan Seavey-126, 3-Emerson Axsom-108, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Justin Grant-103, 6-Matt Westfall-101, 7-Robert Ballou-98, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-71.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 27-30, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Speedway, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Driven2SaveLives BC39


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Rico Abreu (16.988)

Simpson Race Products / Rod End Supply First Heat Winner: Chris Windom

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Second Heat Winner: Ryan Timms

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Bryant Wiedeman

Hard Charger: Hayden Reinbold (15th to 7th)


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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-16.390; 2. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-16.402; 3. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-16.415; 4. Mario Clouser, 6, Clouser-16.453; 5. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-16.464; 6. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-16.497; 7. Max Adams, 5x, Adams-16.507; 8. Thomas Meseraull, 23, NIKSTE-16.508; 9. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-16.690; 10. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-16.716; 11. Paul Dues, 87, Dues-16.872; 12. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-16.897; 13. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-16.916; 14. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-16.927; 15. Kody Swanson, 3R, Rock Steady-16.938; 16. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-17.030; 17. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-17.063; 18. Hunter Maddox, 24m, Maddox-17.152; 19. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-17.166; 20. Keith Sheffer II, 86, Sheffer-17.305; 21. Chance Crum, 26, Rudeen-17.394; 22. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-17.408; 23. Korbyn Hayslett, 1H, Hayslett-17.435; 24. Ryan Barr, 21B, Barr-17.462; 25. Brian Ruhlman, 49, Ruhlman-17.523; 26. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-17.530; 27. Nick Bilbee, 17, Bilbee-17.549; 28. Kevin Thomas Jr., 16TH, Newton-17.637; 29. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-17.651; 30. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-17.748; 31. Saban Bibent, 98, Wedgewood-17.763; 32. Dallas Hewitt, 6, Miller-17.854; 33. Jack James, 99, James-18.014; 34. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-18.456; 35. Curt Elliott, 28, Elliott-18.803; 36. Jason Cherry, 67c, Cherry-19.256; 37. Sterling Cling, 34, SCR-NT; 38. Evan Mosley, 20T, Thomas-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. Chance Crum, 3. Logan Seavey, 4. C.J. Leary, 5. Briggs Danner, 6. Jadon Rogers, 7. Brian Ruhlman, 8. Braxton Cummings, 9. Jack James. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. Matt Westfall, 3. Carson Garrett, 4. Jake Swanson, 5. Matt Mitchell, 6. Mitchel Moles, 7. Zack Pretorius, 8. Hunter Maddox, 9. Sterling Cling, 10. Tayte Williamson. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Korbyn Hayslett, 2. Chase Stockon, 3. Daison Pursley, 4. Paul Dues, 5. Kody Swanson, 6. Nick Bilbee, 7. Saban Bibent, 8. Curt Elliott, 9. Max Adams. NT

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Emerson Axsom, 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3. Brady Bacon, 4. Thomas Meseraull, 5. Mario Clouser, 6. Dallas Hewitt, 7. Ryan Barr, 8. Jason Cherry, 9. Keith Sheffer II. NT

C-MAIN: (6 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Saban Bibent, 2. Dallas Hewitt, 3. Sterling Cling, 4. Tayte Williamson, 5. Jason Cherry, 6. Jack James, 7. Curt Elliott.

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Kody Swanson, 3. Briggs Danner, 4. Mario Clouser, 5. Brian Ruhlman, 6. Max Adams, 7. Hunter Maddox, 8. Tayte Williamson, 9. Saban Bibent, 10. Braxton Cummings, 11. Sterling Cling, 12. Zack Pretorius, 13. Dallas Hewitt, 14. Jadon Rogers, 15. Keith Sheffer II, 16. Ryan Barr, 17. Nick Bilbee, 18. Matt Mitchell.

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (1), 2. Justin Grant (5), 3. Emerson Axsom (7), 4. C.J. Leary (6), 5. Briggs Danner (11), 6. Robert Ballou (8), 7. Jake Swanson (13), 8. Thomas Meseraull (2), 9. Matt Westfall (3), 10. Daison Pursley (18), 11. Chase Stockon (4), 12. Chance Crum (19), 13. Carson Garrett (20), 14. Mitchel Moles (15), 15. Paul Dues (14), 16. Kody Swanson (16), 17. Korbyn Hayslett (9), 18. Mario Clouser (10), 19. Brian Ruhlman (21), 20. Kevin Thomas Jr. (22), 21. Max Adams (12), 22. Brady Bacon (17). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Logan Seavey.

**Mitchel Moles flipped during qualifying. Brady Bacon flipped during qualifying. Keith Sheffer II flipped during the semi.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-2251, 2-Brady Bacon-2185, 3-Emerson Axsom-2107, 4-Jake Swanson-2031, 6-C.J. Leary-1973, 5-Kyle Cummins-1966, 7-Robert Ballou-1903, 8-Chase Stockon-1717, 9-Mitchel Moles-1679, 10-Logan Seavey-1678.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-179, 2-Logan Seavey-126, 3-Emerson Axsom-112, 4-Justin Grant-106, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 6-Matt Westfall-101, 7-Robert Ballou-100, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-73.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: October 7, 2023 – Lawrenceburg Speedway – Lawrenceburg, Indiana – 3/8-Mile Dirt Track – 16th Fall Nationals


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Brady Bacon (16.269)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: C.J. Leary (16.390)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Robert Ballou

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Justin Grant

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Korbyn Hayslett

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Emerson Axsom

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Mitchel Moles

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Logan Seavey

Hard Charger: Daison Pursley (18th to 10th)


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USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 22-23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Oval – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: (Top-20 locked into the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-17.076; 2. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-17.145; 3. Brady Bacon, 9, Dyson-17.264; 4. Jake Swanson, 10, DMW-17.336; 5. Chase Dietz, 86, Lee-17.444; 6. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-17.497; 7. Matt Westfall, 54, Westfall-17.516; 8. Kody Swanson, 77, Doran/Binks-17.534; 9. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-17.696; 10. Carmen Perigo, 52, Stehman-17.735; 11. Chase Stockon, 69, Pink 69-17.764; 12. Kevin Thomas Jr., 24, Haggenbottom-17.813; 13. Emerson Axsom, 20, Nolen-17.926; 14. Trey Osborne, 81, BCR-17.943; 15. Brian Ruhlman, 49, Ruhlman-17.974; 16. Mitchel Moles, 97, Lein-18.023; 17. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR-18.032; 18. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-18.043; 19. Matt Mitchell, 5, DMW-18.045; 20. Dallas Hewitt, 57, Hewitt-18.117; 21. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-18.171; 22. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-18.227; 23. Sterling Cling, 07, Tosti-18.240; 24. Jerry Coons Jr., 55, Bateman-18.334; 25. Zach Hampton, 99, Armstrong-18.347; 26. Joss Moffatt, 37, Felker-18.361; 27. Wayne Johnson, 12, Two C-18.434; 28. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-18.558; 29. Chris Fetter, 15, Fetter-18.572; 30. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-18.655; 31. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-18.738; 32. Mark Bitner, 4, Yeska-18.803; 33. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-18.854; 34. Danny Long, 44, Long-18.866; 35. Tim Simmons, 3, Simmons-19.590; 36. Gary Dunkle, 34, Dunkle-20.704.

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Jerry Coons Jr., 2. Kyle Steffens, 3. Zach Hampton, 4. Trey Burke, 5. Russ Gamester, 6. Wayne Johnson, 7. Joss Moffatt, 8. Chris Fetter, 9. Taylor Ferns, 10. Dave Berkheimer, 11. Danny Long, 12. Tim Simmons, 13. Gary Dunkle, 14. Sterling Cling, 15. Mark Bitner. NT

FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (5), 2. Matt Westfall (6), 3. Chase Dietz (4), 4. Carmen Perigo (8), 5. Kody Swanson (7), 6. Justin Grant (1), 7. Mitchel Moles (14), 8. Tyler Courtney (#9) (26), 9. C.J. Leary (2), 10. Chase Stockon (9) 11. Jake Swanson (3), 12. Kevin Thomas Jr. (10), 13. Wayne Johnson (23), 14. Emerson Axsom (11), 15. Brian Ruhlman (13), 16. Kaylee Bryson (16), 17. Trey Burke (21), 18. Jerry Coons Jr. (19), 19. Kyle Robbins (15), 20. Taylor Ferns (24-P), 21. Trey Osborne (12), 22. Travis Welpott (27-P), 23. Zach Hampton (20), 24. Dallas Hewitt (18), 25. Russ Gamester (22), 26. Matt Mitchell (17), 27. Kyle Steffens (25), 28. Mario Clouser (28). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-9 Chase Dietz, Laps 10-50 Logan Seavey.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-621, 2-Kody Swanson-605, 3-Justin Grant-497, 4-C.J. Leary-404, 5-Mario Clouser-395, 6-Kaylee Bryson-395, 7-Taylor Ferns-389, 8-Matt Westfall-382, 9-Bobby Santos-315, 10-Trey Burke-307.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-179, 2-Logan Seavey-130, 3-Emerson Axsom-112, 4-Justin Grant-106, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 6-Matt Westfall-105, 7-Robert Ballou-100, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-73.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: October 14, 2023 – Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Brownsburg, Indiana – .686-Mile Paved Oval – Howard Companies Championship Saturday


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: C.J. Leary (16.498)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Justin Grant (17.076)

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Qualifying Race Winner: Jerry Coons Jr.

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Chase Dietz

Hard Charger: Tyler Courtney (26th to 8th)

 

 

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS:

September 23, 2023 – Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, California – “Glenn Howard Classic”

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-16.831; 2. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-16.842; 3. Tommy Malcom, 5X, Napier-16.844; 4. Austin Williams, 2, Williams-16.847; 5. Brody Roa, 17R, Dunkel/BR-16.872; 6. Cody Williams, 44, Williams-16.879; 7. Chris Gansen, 4G, Gansen-16.907; 8. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-16.991; 9. Don Gansen, 7G, Gansen-17.011; 10. Grant Sexton, 22, Sexton-17.019; 11. Matt McCarthy, 28M, McCarthy-17.028; 12. Kyle Edwards, 39E, Edwards-17.046; 13. Logan Williams, 5W, McCarthy-17.049; 14. A.J. Bender, 21, Bender-17.133; 15. Brent Owens, 71, Martin-17.361; 16. Austin Grabowski, 72, Grabowski-17.474; 17. Verne Sweeney, 98, Guerrero-17.568; 18. Malyssa Perkins, 73M, Perkins-17.646; 19. Tanner Boul, 99T, Boul-17.714; 20. Shane Sexton, 74, Sexton/Gatlin-17.791; 21. 21. Brent Sexton, 44I, Sexton-18.198; 22. Mark Henry, 39R, Henry-18.379; 23. Gary Marshall Jr., 23, Bellegante-18.883; 24. Chris Bonneau, 15, Bonneau-NT.

FLOWDYNAMICS INCORPORATED / BILLSJERKY.NET FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Grabowski, 2. L.Wiliams, 3. C.Gansen, 4. Tafoya, 5. A.Williams, 6. Boul, 7. Henry, 8. G.Sexton. 2:58.38.

IN MEMORY OF JIM & CHET GARDNER / FACTORY WRAPS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Davis, 2. Bender, 3. McCarthy, 4. Calderwood, 5. Roa, 6. Sweeney, 7. S.Sexton, 8. Marshall. NT.

WC FRIEND COMPANY THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Malcolm, 2. Edwards, 3. D.Gansen, 4. Perkins, 5. Owens, 6. C.Williams, 2:58.28.

FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Tommy Malcolm (4), 2. Brody Roa (8), 3. Austin Williams (7), 4. Austin Grabowski (15), 5. Charles Davis Jr. (5), 6. Matt McCarthy (11), 7. Cody Williams (9), 8. Logan Calderwood (2), 9. Kyle Edwards (12), 10. Tanner Boul (18), 11. Verne Sweeney (16), 12. Shane Sexton (19), 13. Grant Sexton (10), 14. Chris Gansen (3), 15. Logan Williams (13), 16. Gary Marshall Jr. (22), 17. Brent Sexton (20), 18. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (6), 19. A.J. Bender (14), 20. Malyssa Perkins (17), 21. Mark Henry (21), 22. Don Gansen (1). NT.
----------------------------
**Bonneau flipped during practice.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-11 D.Gansen, Lap 12 C.Gansen, Laps 13-30 Malcolm.
IN MEMORY OF JIM & CHET GARDNER HARD CHARGER: Austin Grabowski (15th to 4th)
WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13 AWARD: Grant Sexton

NEXT AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: October 14 – Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, Arizona

 

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 23, 2023 – Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, California – “Glenn Howard Classic”

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-16.831; 2. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-16.842; 3. Tommy Malcom, 5X, Napier-16.844; 4. Austin Williams, 2, Williams-16.847; 5. Brody Roa, 17R, Dunkel/BR-16.872; 6. Cody Williams, 44, Williams-16.879; 7. Chris Gansen, 4G, Gansen-16.907; 8. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-16.991; 9. Don Gansen, 7G, Gansen-17.011; 10. Grant Sexton, 22, Sexton-17.019; 11. Matt McCarthy, 28M, McCarthy-17.028; 12. Kyle Edwards, 39E, Edwards-17.046; 13. Logan Williams, 5W, McCarthy-17.049; 14. A.J. Bender, 21, Bender-17.133; 15. Brent Owens, 71, Martin-17.361; 16. Austin Grabowski, 72, Grabowski-17.474; 17. Verne Sweeney, 98, Guerrero-17.568; 18. Malyssa Perkins, 73M, Perkins-17.646; 19. Tanner Boul, 99T, Boul-17.714; 20. Shane Sexton, 74, Sexton/Gatlin-17.791; 21. 21. Brent Sexton, 44I, Sexton-18.198; 22. Mark Henry, 39R, Henry-18.379; 23. Gary Marshall Jr., 23, Bellegante-18.883; 24. Chris Bonneau, 15, Bonneau-NT.

FLOWDYNAMICS INCORPORATED / BILLSJERKY.NET FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Grabowski, 2. L.Wiliams, 3. C.Gansen, 4. Tafoya, 5. A.Williams, 6. Boul, 7. Henry, 8. G.Sexton. 2:58.38.

IN MEMORY OF JIM & CHET GARDNER / FACTORY WRAPS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Davis, 2. Bender, 3. McCarthy, 4. Calderwood, 5. Roa, 6. Sweeney, 7. S.Sexton, 8. Marshall. NT.

WC FRIEND COMPANY THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Malcolm, 2. Edwards, 3. D.Gansen, 4. Perkins, 5. Owens, 6. C.Williams, 2:58.28.

FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Tommy Malcolm (4), 2. Brody Roa (8), 3. Austin Williams (7), 4. Austin Grabowski (15), 5. Charles Davis Jr. (5), 6. Matt McCarthy (11), 7. Cody Williams (9), 8. Logan Calderwood (2), 9. Kyle Edwards (12), 10. Tanner Boul (18), 11. Verne Sweeney (16), 12. Shane Sexton (19), 13. Grant Sexton (10), 14. Chris Gansen (3), 15. Logan Williams (13), 16. Gary Marshall Jr. (22), 17. Brent Sexton (20), 18. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (6), 19. A.J. Bender (14), 20. Malyssa Perkins (17), 21. Mark Henry (21), 22. Don Gansen (1). NT.
----------------------------
**Bonneau flipped during practice.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-11 D.Gansen, Lap 12 C.Gansen, Laps 13-30 Malcolm.
IN MEMORY OF JIM & CHET GARDNER HARD CHARGER: Austin Grabowski (15th to 4th)
WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13 AWARD: Grant Sexton

NEXT AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: October 14 – Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, Arizona

 

 

WINDOM & THEN SOME!

BIG DADDY & CBI WIN AGAIN AT ELDORA

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Rossburg, Ohio (September 22, 2023)………Death, taxes and Chris Windom/CB Industries winning USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget races at Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.

That is the itemized list of life’s seemingly inevitabilities that have been certain in recent years, and nobody has proven it more often of late at the 1/2-mile dirt oval than the Canton, Ill. driver and the Mooresville, N.C. based team.

During Friday night’s BeFour The Crowns 25-lap feature event, Windom checked out on the field from his front row starting position and kept himself and his right rear tire firmly planted within inches of the outside wall en route to a wire-to-wire victory in his CB Industries/NOS Energy Drink – PristineAuction.com – K & C Drywall/Spike/Speedway Toyota.

It was Windom’s third Eldora midget win in his last four starts at The Big E dating back to 2021. His 15th overall USAC National Midget feature triumph also moved him inside the top-50 all-time alongside USAC Hall of Fame inductees Don Branson and Larry Rice.

Furthermore, CB Industries’ prowess on the high banks was once again on full display as the team became the first entrant to earn four consecutive Eldora feature wins – three with Windom in 2021-22-23 and another with Mitchel Moles on the opening night of the 2022 4-Crown Nationals weekend.

The outfits who had previously earned three-straight at Eldora are synonymous with the sport: Steve Lewis (2001-02), Keith Kunz Motorsports (2011-13 & 2015-17) and Clauson Marshall Racing (2018-21). However, one team now stands alone in uncharted territory – CB Industries.

Windom’s sixth overall 4-Crown Nationals feature win (3 Midget, 2 Silver Crown, 1 Sprint) ranks fourth all-time behind only Jack Hewitt (19), Tyler Courtney (7) and Dave Darland (7). In all those wins, nothing compares to the moment when everything clicks from the track to the car to the individaul behind the wheel. All of it worked in perfect synchronicity for Windom and CBI on this night. Their night.

“It’s just such a fun racetrack when it’s like this, up on the fence,” Windom, the 2020 USAC National Midget champion, explained. “You’ve got a lot of room and midgets are so fun to run when it’s like that. I’ve had a decent amount of experience here doing it too. I always enjoy coming back and racing for (team owner) Chad (Boat) every chance I can; we have a lot of fun together. It’s so much fun and it’s one I look forward to doing every season.”

Windom’s initial starting spot was slated to be the outside of the front row. However, original pole starter Jade Avedisian was ruled to have jumped the initial start and was subsequently penalized, dropping her back to the second row for a complete restart. That moved Windom to the pole, yet still, the outside line is where he preferred as he immediately slid right up to the high line in turn one right after the 21-car field took the green flag.

By halfway, Windom had stretched his lead to more than a full second over Bryant Wiedeman and Avedisian who utilized two distinctly differing approaches in their pursuit of Windom. Wiedeman stuck his CB Industries machine to the bottom wall while Jade stayed true against the outside wall lap after lap.

Avedisian raced her way back into the second spot on lap 16 as she dug in on the high line to beat Wiedeman to the stripe, then began to track down Windom little-by-little to within a half second. However, with Windom occupying the same top side path, Avedisian followed his tracks up top, a location Windom had no intention of straying from.

“Early on throughout the night, guys were able to run the middle and the bottom, and there’s enough juice on exit to where you can do that,” Windom detailed. “Once it cleans off and the sprint cars run, it’s hard to beat momentum here. If you can get up top and hit your marks and not make a mistake, it’s really tough to beat a guy up there. I knew that’s where I needed to be, and I wasn’t going to move until I saw anybody else.”

Under five laps to go, traffic began to loom for the front runners with Avedisian feeling she just might have a shot to pounce for the win. However, Windom navigated with extreme precision, refusing to cave to the pressurized situation that lay ahead, and instead, never wavered off his line.

With that said, Avedisian remained well withing striking distance to the tune of about a half second behind Windom. Nonetheless, with three laps remaining, Avedisian stumbled against the turn three cushion/wall, which cost her another half second along with a shot at stealing one away from Windom late in the going.

In the end, Windom was 2.149 seconds ahead of the field when he crossed under the checkered flag in front of Jade Avedisian, Rico Abreu, Bryant Wiedeman and Logan Seavey, the series point leader who recorded his 13th consecutive top-five result.

For Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.), it was a fine first-time run as she rode the high line in spectacular fashion to finish as the runner-up in her Eldora Speedway debut aboard her Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Mobil 1 – TRD – JBL Audio/Lynk/Speedway Toyota. Eldora is a venue she considers a bucket list track, and to her, it lived up to hype, as she equaled her best career series finish once again for the third time this year.

“This is awesome,” I’ve always dreamed of coming to Eldora and it lived up to the moment,” Avedisian exclaimed. “I was going hard from the start, and I just really want to win one of these races. If we keep finishing up front, our time will come. From the start, I got put back, which kind of set us back, but during the last 10 laps, we were closing the gap on him, and I made a mistake in three and lost the gap again.”

For Rico Abreu (St. Helena, Calif.), it was a solid reemergence in midget racing for the two-time 4-Crown Midget race winner. Abreu made his first series start since 2020 a good one, finishing third in his Tanner Thorson Racing/Maestro’s Classic - Eddie Gilstrap Motors - Smith Titanium/Spike/Stanton SR-11x. After jumping out of the midget, he promptly strapped in for a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car feature and proceeded to win it about a half-hour later.


===============


USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 22, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – BeFour The Crowns

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-16.637; 2. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-16.743; 3. Rico Abreu, 24, Thorson-16.782; 4. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-16.845; 5. Chris Windom, 89, CBI-16.846; 6. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-16.905; 7. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-16.978; 8. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-16.987; 9. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-17.005; 10. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-17.008; 11. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-17.071; 12. Jacob Denney, 25, Malloy-17.093; 13. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-17.207; 14. Jake Andreotti, 25m, Malloy-17.248; 15. Mitchel Moles, 19T, Reinbold/Underwood-17.274; 16. Clinton Boyles, 98x, RMS-17.299; 17. Briggs Danner, 98, Schneider-17.351; 18. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-17.364; 19. Holly Jones, 4, Bundy Built-17.528; 20. Kyle Simon, 23, Simon-17.757; 21. Ian Creager, 36, Creager-17.944.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Ryan Timms, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Thomas Meseraull, 5. Daison Pursley, 6. Clinton Boyles, 7. Holly Jones. 2:18.90

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Bryant Wiedeman, 2. Jake Andreotti, 3. Chris Windom, 4. Gavin Miller, 5. Taylor Reimer, 6. Briggs Danner, 7. Kyle Simon. 2:20.94

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Hayden Reinbold, 3. Rico Abreu, 4. Jade Avedisian, 5. Jacob Denney, 6. Daniel Whitley, 7. Ian Creager. 2:20.78

FEATURE: (25 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chris Windom (2), 2. Jade Avedisian (1), 3. Rico Abreu (4), 4. Bryant Wiedeman (5), 5. Logan Seavey (6), 6. Daison Pursley (3), 7. Justin Grant (9), 8. Gavin Miller (10), 9. Thomas Meseraull (14), 10. Ryan Timms (7), 11. Jacob Denney (13), 12. Mitchel Moles (8), 13. Daniel Whitley (11), 14. Jake Andreotti (15), 15. Hayden Reinbold (18), 16. Taylor Reimer (12), 17. Clinton Boyles (16), 18. Briggs Danner (17), 19. Holly Jones (19), 20. Kyle Simon (20), 21. Ian Creager (21). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-25 Chris Windom.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1227, 2-Justin Grant-1031, 3-Bryant Wiedeman-1021, 4-Jade Avedisian-1000, 5-Ryan Timms-992, 6-Daison Pursley-982, 7-Jacob Denney-907, 8-Gavin Miller-884, 9-Cannon McIntosh-868, 10-Thomas Meseraull-785.

4-CROWN NATIONALS PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Bryant Wiedeman-6, 2-Logan Seavey-5, 3-Thomas Meseraull-5, 4-Rico Abreu-4, 5-Kyle Steffens-4, 6-Trey Burke-4, 7-Chris Windom-3, 8-Justin Grant-3, 9-Hayden Reinbold-3, 10-Dave Berkheimer-3.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-171, 2-Logan Seavey-125, 3-Emerson Axsom-108, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Justin Grant-103, 6-Matt Westfall-101, 7-Robert Ballou-98, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-71.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Ryan Timms (16.735)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Logan Seavey (16.637)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Ryan Timms

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Bryant Wiedeman

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Mitchel Moles

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Chris Windom

Hard Charger: Thomas Meseraull (14th to 9th)

 

 

GRANT SCORES USAC SILVER CROWN POLE

FOR SATURDAY'S 4-CROWN AT ELDORA

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Rossburg, Ohio (September 22, 2023)………Justin Grant scored the pole position for Saturday night’s USAC Silver Crown main event at Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, part of the 41st running of the 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO.

Grant (Ione, Calif.) made the Honest Abe Qualifying run during Friday night’s preliminary program with a time of 17.076 seconds around the half-mile dirt oval in his Hemelgarn Racing/NOS Energy Drink – Super Fitness – Nick Bohanon LLC/DRC/Foxco Chevy.

It’s Grant’s second consecutive pole position with the series after also starting from the number one spot for the Ted Horn 100 at the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds on September 2. Grant’s ninth career Silver Crown pole position tied past series champions Chuck Gurney (1989) and Jason Leffler (1998) for ninth all-time.

The top-20 qualifiers were locked in through time trials with Dallas Hewitt (Troy, Ohio) making the final cut for Saturday’s event.

A subsequent 12-lap Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Qualifying race was held with the top-six transferring their way into Saturday's feature. Jerry Coons Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.) captured the victory, thus making the cut for his 20th career Eldora 4-Crown Nationals USAC Silver Crown start. Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.) secured the final transfer spot by a car length over Joss Moffatt (Columbus, Ind.).

USAC Silver Crown National Championship point leader Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) will start sixth in Saturday’s field while Kody Swanson (Sutter, Calif.) will roll off eighth. Seavey leads Swanson in the standings by one single point entering Saturday, which serves as the penultimate race of the series’ season. Seavey has also won the past two Eldora Silver Crown features in 2021 and 2022.

Furthermore, Russ Gamester’s fifth place finish in the Qualifying Race secured his spot in Saturday’s feature lineup. It will be a milestone run for the Peru, Ind. native as he gets set to make his 212th career Silver Crown start, which will tie him with Brian Tyler for first place all-time.


===============


USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 22, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Oval – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: (Top-20 locked into the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-17.076; 2. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-17.145; 3. Brady Bacon, 9, Dyson-17.264; 4. Jake Swanson, 10, DMW-17.336; 5. Chase Dietz, 86, Lee-17.444; 6. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-17.497; 7. Matt Westfall, 54, Westfall-17.516; 8. Kody Swanson, 77, Doran/Binks-17.534; 9. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-17.696; 10. Carmen Perigo, 52, Stehman-17.735; 11. Chase Stockon, 69, Pink 69-17.764; 12. Kevin Thomas Jr., 24, Haggenbottom-17.813; 13. Emerson Axsom, 20, Nolen-17.926; 14. Trey Osborne, 81, BCR-17.943; 15. Brian Ruhlman, 49, Ruhlman-17.974; 16. Mitchel Moles, 97, Lein-18.023; 17. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR-18.032; 18. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-18.043; 19. Matt Mitchell, 5, DMW-18.045; 20. Dallas Hewitt, 57, Hewitt-18.117; 21. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-18.171; 22. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-18.227; 23. Sterling Cling, 07, Tosti-18.240; 24. Jerry Coons Jr., 55, Bateman-18.334; 25. Zach Hampton, 99, Armstrong-18.347; 26. Joss Moffatt, 37, Felker-18.361; 27. Wayne Johnson, 12, Two C-18.434; 28. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-18.558; 29. Chris Fetter, 15, Fetter-18.572; 30. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-18.655; 31. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-18.738; 32. Mark Bitner, 4, Yeska-18.803; 33. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-18.854; 34. Danny Long, 44, Long-18.866; 35. Tim Simmons, 3, Simmons-19.590; 36. Gary Dunkle, 34, Dunkle-20.704.

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Jerry Coons Jr., 2. Kyle Steffens, 3. Zach Hampton, 4. Trey Burke, 5. Russ Gamester, 6. Wayne Johnson, 7. Joss Moffatt, 8. Chris Fetter, 9. Taylor Ferns, 10. Dave Berkheimer, 11. Danny Long, 12. Tim Simmons, 13. Gary Dunkle, 14. Sterling Cling, 15. Mark Bitner. NT

FEATURE STARTING LINEUP: (50 laps)

ROW 1: 91 Justin Grant – 6 C.J. Leary

ROW 2: 9 Brady Bacon – 10 Jake Swanson

ROW 3: 86 Chase Dietz – 22-Logan Seavey

ROW 4: 54 Matt Westfall – 77-Kody Swanson

ROW 5: 92 Mario Clouser – 52 Carmen Perigo

ROW 6: 69 Chase Stockon – 24 Kevin Thomas Jr.

ROW 7: 20 Emerson Axsom – 81 Trey Osborne

ROW 8: 49 Brian Ruhlman – 97 Mitchel Moles

ROW 9: 7 Kyle Robbins – 26 Kaylee Bryson

ROW 10: 5 Matt Mitchell – 57 Dallas Hewitt

ROW 11: 55 Jerry Coons Jr. – 08 Kyle Steffens

ROW 12: 99 Zach Hampton – 11 Trey Burke

ROW 13: 51 Russ Gamester – 12 Wayne Johnson

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-548, 2-Kody Swanson-547, 3-Justin Grant-439, 4-Mario Clouser-380, 5-Taylor Ferns-366, 6-Kaylee Bryson-364, 7-C.J. Leary-358, 8-Bobby Santos-315, 9-Matt Westfall-315, 10-Trey Burke-278.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-152, 2-Logan Seavey-104, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Robert Ballou-87, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Justin Grant-85, 7-Brady Bacon-85, 8-Emerson Axsom-81, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Oval – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: C.J. Leary (16.498)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Justin Grant (17.076)

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Qualifying Race Winner: Jerry Coons Jr.

 

 

BC39 FORMAT REVEALED FOR SEPT. 27-30

USAC EVENT AT THE DIRT TRACK AT IMS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 20, 2023)………A new format expanded across four nights at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome competitors to an fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 featuring the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship on September 27-28-29-30.

The competition to make the field for the event has proven to be intense with only 24 starting positions available for the final night’s $20,039-to-win main event on Saturday, September 30 at the action-packed quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 39-lap feature race honors late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign.

Let’s take a look at the format.


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

**Wednesday's program will feature all cars on the track for practice.

**The Stoops Pursuit race on Wednesday night is a 25-lap race split into five-lap segments. The field consists of a total of 24 starters. The top-10 drivers in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points are locked into the event as are the 10 fastest during Wednesday night’s practice who are not already locked in. Up to four promoters options will be available to start the event.

**The Stoops Pursuit starting lineup is inverted by fastest hot lap time, with promoter’s options starting at the rear. Any car involved in a caution is eliminated. Every five laps, a competition yellow flag will be displayed, and cars with a net loss in position will be called to exit the track.

**A checkered flag ends the final segment, with the winner earning $1,500 plus $100 for each position gained. All race participants will receive a free right rear tire courtesy of Hoosier.


THURSDAY & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28-29

**The field will be split for Thursday and Friday’s racing program with half the field competing on Thursday and the other half of the field competing on Friday.

**Thursday and Friday night will both feature a full program of racing consisting of 8-lap heat races and 10-lap qualifying races, followed by a 10-lap C-main (if needed), a 12-lap semi-feature and a 30-lap feature race paying $5,000-to-win.

**Points for the heats will be accumulated by finishing position and total number of positions advanced. Cars will be positioned into qualifying races based on the passing points accumulated in the heats.

**Total points from the heat races and qualifying races will be added to set the starting lineups for the prelim main events on Thursday and Friday. The top-16 overall in accumulated points will start straight-up in the first eight rows of Thursday and Friday’s A-Main feature.

**The top-3 feature finishers on each night’s prelim will be locked into Saturday’s feature. Prelim night finishers 4-17 will be slated for one of two semi-features on Saturday night. Prelim night feature finishers 18-22, plus finishers 7-15 in the semi-feature, will start in Saturday’s C-Main. Prelim night semi-feature finishers 16th on back will start in Saturday’s D-Main.

**All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive 50 appearance points during each night of their participation on Thursday and Friday.


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

**Hot laps and main events only will take place on Saturday night.

**E-Main (if needed): 10 laps, top-4 transfer (2 to each D-Main).

**2 D-Mains: 10 laps, top-4 transfer to the C-Main.

**2 C-Mains: 12 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi-feature.

**2 Semi-Features: 12 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature.

**Last Chance Race: 15 laps, top-8 transfer to the feature.

**The 39-lap feature will have 22 starters, plus two USAC provisional starters (if applicable) and two IMS options.

**All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive feature points only on Saturday based on their finishing position. All non-transfers will receive 10 points.


THE DETAILS

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.


DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the $5,000-to-win Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

 

 

GAS SEAVEY:

USAC MIDGET POINT LEADER

STRIKES ANOTHER WIN AT GAS CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Gas City, Indiana (September 21, 2023)………Back in June, Gas City I-69 Speedway served as the turning point of the 2023 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship season for Logan Seavey.

On Thursday night during the fifth running of the James Dean Classic, the Sutter, Calif. native cemented the case that his quest for a second career season championship shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Seavey racked up his second straight series win at the Gas City, Ind. 1/4-mile dirt oval this season, doing so with even more late-race heroics in his Abacus Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Indy Custom Stone – Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

Three months earlier, Seavey took over the lead just two laps from the finish line en route to victory at Gas City during USAC Indiana Midget Week, but on Thursday, he got a bit of a head start on his pursuit, swiping the lead from Jacob Denney six laps from the checkered flag in the 30-lap affair.

In the end, Seavey bested Denney to the stripe by a 0.728 second margin to earn his fifth victory of the season and the 13th of his career with the series. That elevated him to 56th on the all-time list alongside Steve Knepper, Don Meacham, Ryan Newman and Stevie Reeves.

Entering the Gas City round in June, Seavey was mired an astonishing 110 points out of the championship lead and stood sixth overall in the standings. In the 12 races since, he’s reeled off 12 consecutive top-five results and now leads the series standings by a staggering 183 points.

Seavey started his feature run on Thursday from the eighth position and had already surged into the second spot by lap three. Up front, outside front row starter Justin Grant nipped pole sitter Hayden Reinbold by about a foot or two to lead lap one, but soon had to contend with a surging Seavey.

However, on lap six, defending James Dean Classic winner Buddy Kofoid found himself in an unsavory position when he cracked the turn one cushion with his right rear tire, causing him to helicopter several times before landing upside down. By that point, the 2021-22 USAC National Midget champ had already advanced from 12th to 5th. After his car spent time in the Indy Metal Finishing Work Area, Kofoid restarted at the tail and worked his way back up to a seventh place finish.

The night’s Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier, Cannon McIntosh, scooted to third by lap seven, but soon after, clipped an infield tire, which knocked his left front suspension a little wonky and askew, forcing him to a stop in between turns one and two on lap 12. He too returned to action after time in the work area, ultimately finishing 11th.

Nearing halfway, Grant worked high in turns one and two with Seavey operating the low line, but on lap 16, Seavey attempted to slide Grant in turn two, and instead, swung wide, thus matadoring Denney right by him into second.

Denney drove past Grant for the lead on the bottom of turn four on lap 18, and a half lap later, lightning struck Grant twice as he slid sideways in turn two, allowing Seavey to fly around the outside of him and slot into second.

Seavey stayed with the game as he chased down Denney, drawing nearer and nearer with each passing lap until, six laps later, he zipped past into the lead on lap 25. Seavey revealed that the seas sort of parted due to the pressure from Denney on Grant, which forced Grant to search around on the track’s surface.

“I knew the track was slowing down and I knew the bottom was just going to keep getting trickier,” Seavey explained. “I knew Grant would have to do something different for me to pass him. I was trying to show my nose on the bottom, and I got him to go down there once but I wasn’t close enough. It’s cat and mouse when you’re running against somebody that good.”

However, it was a chain of successive events that brought Seavey to the forefront, seemingly all occurring within a split second of each other amid high speed and high stakes.

“Denney was a lifesaver, really,” Seavey revealed. “He got Grant searching for me, which got Grant kind of messed up and I was finally able to go by him. I was just a hair too free to cut the bottom like that, and Grant knew that as long as he didn’t screw up, he was probably okay, then Denney came by.”

If this scenario sounds oddly familiar, perhaps you saw last Friday night’s USAC National Sprint Car feature when a much similar scenario played out during Seavey’s victorious last lap performance at Indiana’s Circle City Raceway.

“It felt a lot like Circle City when (Shane) Cottle pulled Kyle (Cummins) off my back bumper and I was able to get clean track again, make some good laps and run him back down,” Seavey documented. “Denney and I were wheel-to-wheel over in turns three and four for like five or six laps. I was on the chip for the whole straightaway, but the SR-11 ran great all day and Denney ran a great race too.”

Seavey had a few fisticuffs with traffic to avoid in order to navigate his way home during the final six voyages, but not a single misstep was detected as Seavey became just the second driver, along with Shane Cottle, to earn multiple USAC National Sprint Car and USAC National Midget feature victories in a career at Gas City.

Jacob Denney collected a second-place result with Bryant Wiedeman third, Daison Pursley fourth and Justin Grant fifth.

Denney (Galloway, Ohio) felt the bottom of the track going away quite abruptly late in the race and practically knew it was a matter of time before the sand in the hourglass would run out on the bottom in his Tom Malloy/Trench Shoring – Rodela Specialty Fabrication/King/Ed Pink Toyota. However, it was quite the homecoming for Denney who missed the last two series races due to a crash in an Xtreme Outlaw series event at Paragon (Ind.) Speedway that forced him to take some time off. In his Gas City return, Denney raced all the way from 10th to finish second, earning hard charger honors for the evening.

After getting upside down in the James Dean Classic at Gas City a year ago this weekend, Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.) scored a third-place finish in his CB Industries/Nutrien Ag Solutions – PristineAuction.com – K & C Drywall/Spike/Speedway Toyota at Gas City. In USAC competition, it was Wiedeman’s first podium result since his July victory at the Mitchell County Fairgrounds in his home state of Kansas.


===============


USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 21, 2023 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – James Dean Classic

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac Dalby-12.170; 2. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.211; 3. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-12.215; 4. Jacob Denney, 25, Malloy-12.216; 5. Ethan Mitchell, 19m, Bundy Built-12.242; 6. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-12.242; 7. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-12.269; 8. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-12.304; 9. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-12.331; 10. Buddy Kofoid, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.345; 11. Briggs Danner, 98, Schneider-12.365; 12. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.370; 13. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-12.371; 14. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-12.402; 15. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.443; 16. Jake Andreotti, 25m, Malloy-12.486; 17. Kaylee Bryson, 89, CBI-12.513; 18. Holly Jones, 4, Bundy Built-12.537; 19. Weston Gorham, 18N, Gorham-12.611; 20. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.639; 21. Clinton Boyles, 98x, RMS-12.739; 22. Justin Dickerson, 21D, Dickerson-12.790; 23. Devon Dobie, 23DD, Dobie-12.902.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. Buddy Kofoid, 3. Jake Andreotti, 4. Cannon McIntosh, 5. Daniel Whitley, 6. Jacob Denney, 7. Justin Dickerson, 8. Weston Gorham. 2:08.18

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 2. Briggs Danner, 3. Hayden Reinbold, 4. Ethan Mitchell, 5. Taylor Reimer, 6. Gavin Miller, 7. Kaylee Bryson, 8. Devon Dobie. 2:09.51

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Ryan Timms, 2. Thomas Meseraull, 3. Daison Pursley, 4. Jade Avedisian, 5. Bryant Wiedeman, 6. Holly Jones, 7. Clinton Boyles. 2:10.41

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (8), 2. Jacob Denney (10), 3. Bryant Wiedeman (3), 4. Daison Pursley (5), 5. Justin Grant (2), 6. Thomas Meseraull (11), 7. Buddy Kofoid (12), 8. Ryan Timms (7), 9. Daniel Whitley (14), 10. Jake Andreotti (16), 11. Cannon McIntosh (6), 12. Kaylee Bryson (17), 13. Clinton Boyles (21), 14. Gavin Miller (9), 15. Hayden Reinbold (1), 16. Jade Avedisian (15), 17. Taylor Reimer (20), 18. Holly Jones (18), 19. Weston Gorham (19), 20. Justin Dickerson (22), 21. Ethan Mitchell (4), 22. Briggs Danner (13), 23. Devon Dobie (23). NT

**Buddy Kofoid flipped on lap 6 of the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-17 Justin Grant, Laps 18-24 Jacob Denney, Laps 25-30 Logan Seavey.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1156, 2-Justin Grant-973, 3-Bryant Wiedeman-947, 4-Ryan Timms-941, 5-Jade Avedisian-927, 6-Daison Pursley-920, 7-Cannon McIntosh-868, 8-Jacob Denney-862, 9-Gavin Miller-830, 10-Taylor Reimer-750.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-171, 2-Logan Seavey-122, 3-Emerson Axsom-108, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Robert Ballou-98, 6-Justin Grant-95, 7-Matt Westfall-92, 8-Brady Bacon-91, 9-Chase Stockon-86, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-70.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES: September 22-23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Bryant Wiedeman (12.327)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Cannon McIntosh (12.170)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Justin Grant

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Logan Seavey

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Ryan Timms

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Justin Grant

Hard Charger: Jacob Denney (10th to 2nd)

 

 

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT:

GRANT SPRINTS TO JAMES DEAN CLASSIC

WIN AT GAS CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Gas City, Indiana (September 21, 2023)………Throughout Thursday night’s James Dean Classic at Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway, Justin Grant experienced the fluctuating feeling of a season-long USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship battle swaying in the balance.

During the heat races, his point lead vanished for a brief moment when Brady Bacon scored a victory. Shortly thereafter, Grant regained a grip on the lead when he answered with his very own heat race win.

With all that said, there was absolutely no fluctuation whatsoever in the feature from the eighth lap onward. As soon as Grant assumed the point, he gained total command of the race at hand and control of the big picture in terms of the series point lead by scoring his 10th series win of the season aboard his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – Bow Foundation – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

The performance turned in by Grant was one for the record books as he became just the 11th driver in the series’ 68-year history to reach double-digit feature victories in a single USAC National Sprint Car season, joining Tom Bigelow (14 in 1977), Robert Ballou (13 in 2015), J.J. Yeley (13 in 2003), Larry Dickson (12 in 1968), Pancho Carter (12 in 1976), Bubby Jones (11 in 1979), Tyler Courtney (11 in 2018), Larry Dickson (10 in 1970), Pancho Carter (10 in 1977) and Jay Drake (10 in 2000).

Grant officially owns the bragging rights for USAC National Sprint Car racing at Gas City in 2023, already staking claim as the winner of the Indiana Sprint Week round in July. Furthermore, Grant posted his second career James Dean Classic victory, previously doing so in 2020.

The 44th USAC National Sprint Car win of Grant’s career now moves him to within one of 1968-70-75 series champion Larry Dickson (45 wins) for sixth place on the all-time list.

Starting seventh in the 22-car field, Grant had some strenuous work to perform in the 30-lap span. Initially, Shane Cottle bolted to the lead from his outside front row starting position on lap one. However, Cottle’s lay of the land was short-lived as third-starting Robert Ballou split between Cottle and pole starter Emerson Axsom in turn one on lap two to position himself at the forefront of the field.

Following a yellow flag for a spin by 22nd running Rylan Gray between turns one and two on lap six, Bacon was the newest riser through the pack as he flashed around the outside of Emerson Axsom for second place on the restart.

Quickly, though, it became readily apparent that Grant came to play. First, he hit the alley between Axsom and Bacon in turn four on lap seven to escape from fourth to second. Less than a lap later, Grant was in the lead as he blazed by Ballou midway down the back straight to surge into the lead on lap eight.

Immediately, Grant launched away to a near full-straightaway lead as the race neared the halfway mark, more than three seconds ahead with 15 laps remaining as Ballou, Axsom and Bacon fought like bulldogs on a porkchop for the second spot.

In traffic, Grant was unattainable as his lead ballooned to five seconds with 10 laps to go. But funny enough, as his lead continuously expanded lap after lap, Grant truly believed that more and more pressure was mounting from the second-place car of Axsom. As it turned out, it was just a mirage in the form of another lapped car.

“While I was working lapped traffic, I kept seeing a black and white car kind of poking down there; I thought it was Axsom,” Grant revealed. “I thought I had mega pressure in lapped traffic the whole time, so I had no idea we were that good. It was so slick around here, but I knew our car was really, really good. I was kind of worried about somebody getting the bottom rolling.”

Meanwhile, behind him, Matt Westfall was crawling the bottom with perfection to edge his way up to the third spot past Ballou on lap 24 after beginning his race from mid-pack in the 22-car starting field.

However, Grant’s lead was erased on lap 25 when Daison Pursley (14th) performed a 360-degree spin in turn four which necessitated a caution. Nonetheless, it wasn’t enough to deter Grant who stepped away from the pack over the final six laps while riding the rim as the trailing Axsom and Westfall rolled the bottom in their pursuit.

In the end, Grant was too much to handle as he earned a 1.408 second margin of victory over Emerson Axsom, Matt Westfall, Robert Ballou and Brady Bacon. With Bacon finishing fifth and Grant first, Grant’s series point lead increased to 15 markers with four races remaining. But in this pressure cooker, the night sweats never cease when thinking about the championship.

“With Brady, the pressure is never off,” Grant acknowledged. “He’s a really good racecar driver; he always finds a way; and he keeps his cool. He’s just so, so hard to beat. It’s an honor to compete with him in this deal. I’ve had to become a lot better of a racecar driver because of him. It’s fun to go toe-to-toe with him and he’s as good as it gets. When we can come out on top, it feels really, really good and really rewarding.”

Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) had gone seven consecutive USAC National Sprint Car starts without a top-five result in his Clauson Marshall Newman Racing/Driven2SaveLives – ZMax Race Lubricants/Spike/Kistler Chevy. On this night, he ended that streak with a runner-up result.

Patience is a virtue and Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio) possesses that in droves. At Gas City, he took to the low side and picked his way from his 12th starting spot to a third-place result in his Ray Marshall Motorsports/Buckeye Machine – Hempy Water/DRC/Gressman Chevy. His plus-nine performance earned him hard charger honors for the evening.


=====================


USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 21, 2023 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – James Dean Classic

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-11.712; 2. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-11.792; 3. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-11.829; 4. Max Adams, 5x, Adams-11.841; 5. Jack Hoyer, 11, Hoyer-11.906; 6. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-11.944; 7. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-11.959; 8. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-11.962; 9. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-11.965; 10. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-11.991; 11. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-11.992; 12. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-12.010; 13. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-12.050; 14. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-12.089; 15. Chance Crum, 26, Rudeen-12.114; 16. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-12.121; 17. Harley Burns, 16B, Burns-12.134; 18. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3R, Rock Steady-12.135; 19. Isaac Chapple, 6, Chapple/Hall-12.146; 20. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-12.146; 21. Saban Bibent, 98, Wedgewood-12.168; 22. Colten Cottle, 57, Hazen-12.202; 23. Rylan Gray, 06, Gray-12.209; 24. Jackson Slone, 16, Borzio/Slone-12.236; 25. Sterling Cling, 34, SCR-12.250; 26. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-12.288; 27. Thomas Meseraull, 23, NIKSTE-12.314; 28. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Ensign-12.360; 29. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.481; 30. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-12.488; 31. Wes Pinkerton, 21, Hajduk-12.548; 32. Dustin Ingle, 2DI, Ingle-12.556.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Emerson Axsom, 3. Harley Burns, 4. Mitchel Moles, 5. Jack Hoyer, 6. Matt Mitchell, 7. Saban Bibent, 8. Brandon Mattox. 2:06.47

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Robert Ballou, 3. Matt Westfall, 4. C.J. Leary, 5. Logan Seavey, 6. Thomas Meseraull, 7. Colten Cottle, 8. Wes Pinkerton. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. Jake Swanson, 3. Rylan Gray, 4. Shane Cottle, 5. Isaac Chapple, 6. Dustin Ingle, 7. Chance Crum, 8. Geoff Ensign. NT

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Zack Pretorius, 2. Max Adams, 3. Carson Garrett, 4. Chase Stockon, 5. Jadon Rogers, 6. Sterling Cling, 7. Daison Pursley. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 2. Daison Pursley, 3. Chance Crum, 4. Jadon Rogers, 5. Thomas Meseraull, 6. Isaac Chapple, 7. Dustin Ingle, 8. Jack Hoyer, 9. Brandon Mattox, 10. Geoff Ensign, 11. Saban Bibent, 12. Colten Cottle, 13. Matt Mitchell, 14. Wes Pinkerton. 2:44.36

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (7), 2. Emerson Axsom (1), 3. Matt Westfall (12), 4. Robert Ballou (3), 5. Brady Bacon (6), 6. Max Adams (4), 7. Kevin Thomas Jr. (8), 8. Logan Seavey (10), 9. Jadon Rogers (17), 10. C.J. Leary (15), 11. Mitchel Moles (14), 12. Carson Garrett (13), 13. Jake Swanson (5), 14. Harley Burns (18), 15. Daison Pursley (11), 16. Chance Crum (16), 17. Isaac Chapple (19), 18. Chase Stockon (22), 19. Zack Pretorius (9), 20. Rylan Gray (20), 21. Shane Cottle (2), 22. Thomas Meseraull (21). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Shane Cottle, Laps 2-7 Robert Ballou, Laps 8-30 Justin Grant.

**Jackson Slone flipped during qualifying. Sterling Cling & Daison Pursley flipped during the fourth heat.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-2171, 2-Brady Bacon-2156, 3-Emerson Axsom-2035, 4-Jake Swanson-1974, 5-Kyle Cummins-1966, 6-C.J. Leary-1901, 7-Robert Ballou-1840, 8-Chase Stockon-1665, 9-Mitchel Moles-1640, 10-Logan Seavey-1602.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-171, 2-Logan Seavey-124, 3-Emerson Axsom-108, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Justin Grant-101, 6-Matt Westfall-101, 7-Robert Ballou-98, 8-Brady Bacon-92, 9-Chase Stockon-90, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-71.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 41st 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Jake Swanson (11.911)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Brady Bacon (11.712)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Brady Bacon

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Justin Grant

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Zack Pretorius

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Logan Seavey

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Shane Cottle

Hard Charger: Matt Westfall (12th to 3rd)

 

 

BC39 PRELIM NIGHT

USAC MIDGET ROSTERS REVEALED!

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 21, 2023)………The preliminary night driver rosters for the Driven2SaveLives BC39 have been revealed for the September 27-28-29-30 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

With the new split field format in place for the fifth running of the event, the 71 cars entered thus far have been separated into two nights of competition on Thursday, September 28, and Friday, September 29.

Each car can only compete one night or the other with 36 assigned to Thursday’s event and 35 assigned to Friday’s event at press time with a possibility of a handful more entries set to be filed in the coming days.

Both preliminary night events on Thursday and Friday will present full racing programs consisting of practice, heat races and qualifying races, the points of which will seed the lineups for that night’s C-Main (if needed), semi-feature and 30-lap feature event.

All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive 50 appearance points during each preliminary night of their participation on Thursday and Friday.

The top-three feature finishers from each preliminary night will be locked into the 39-lap, $20,039-to-win main event on Saturday night, September 30. All other finishers will seed the E, D, C and B-Main lineups for Saturday night’s program based on their prelim night finishing position.

All USAC National Midget licensed drivers and entrants will receive feature points only on Saturday based on their finishing position. All non-transfers will receive 10 points.

Wednesday night's, September 27, program will feature all cars on the track for practice. The Stoops Pursuit race on Wednesday night is a 25-lap race split into five-lap segments. The field consists of a total of 24 starters. The top-10 drivers in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points are locked into the event as are the 10 fastest during Wednesday night’s practice who are not already locked in. Up to four promoters’ options will be available to start the event.

Without further ado, here are the driver rosters for each prelim night of the BC39 on Thursday and Friday.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, FIELD

08 Cannon McIntosh (Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports)

1 Kevin Thomas Jr. (Crouch Motorsports)

4 Chelby Hinton (Klatt Enterprises)

5J Josh Hodge (Josh Hodge Racing)

7c Josh Bilicki (RAMCO Speed Group)

7m Kyle Jones (RAMCO Speed Group)

7x Thomas Meseraull (RMS Racing)

8 Randi Pankratz (Wally Pankratz)

9p Kevin Cook (Kevin Cook)

10A Tommy Colburn (MWR Technology)

14 C.J. Leary (Legacy Autosport)

18N Weston Gorham (Kelly Gorham)

19AZ Hayden Reinbold (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

21D Justin Dickerson (Mike Dickerson)

21J Kameron Key (TKH Motorsports)

22 John Heydenreich (John Heydenreich)

22p Taylor Courtney (RAMCO Speed Group)

23 Preston Lattomus (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

25 Jacob Denney (Tom Malloy)

25K Taylor Reimer (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

27 Keith Rauch (Bourke Motorsports)

32 Gary Taylor (Brian Dunlap)

40 Chase McDermand (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

40B Blake Brannon (Blake Brannon)

44 Adam Andretti (Jeff Johnson)

54 Matt Westfall (Steve Bordner)

58 Daniel Whitley (Abacus Racing)

67K Buddy Kofoid (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71 Jade Avedisian (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71E Mariah Ede (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71T Kyler Johnson (Todd Henry)

81 Bryant Wiedeman (CB Industries)

85 Jerry Coons Jr. (Central Motorsports)

89 Kaylee Bryson (CB Industries)

99K Robert Carson (LOK/Carson-Segur Racing)

136 Chris Baue (Bill Baue)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, FIELD

1D Landon Brooks (RAMCO Speed Group)

1G Connor Wolf (RAMCO Speed Group)

1z Justin Zimmerman (Justin Zimmerman)

2 Justin Grant (RMS Racing)

3G Kyle Cummins (Glenn Styres Racing)

5s Scott Orr (Josh Hodge Racing)

6 Isaac Chapple (Doug Hall)

7p Zach Daum (RAMCO Speed Group)

8x Jeff Schindler (Jeff Schindler)

9 Wes Pinkerton (Wes Pinkerton)

10c Mark McMahill (MWR Technology)

11 Clinton Boyles (Scott Beierle)

11L Aaron Leffel (Team Taylor Racing)

17B Austin Barnhill (Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports)

19 Daison Pursley (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19m Ethan Mitchell (Bundy Built Motorsports)

19T Mitchel Moles (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19x TBA (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

21H Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports)

21K Karter Sarff (Jayme Sarff)

25m Jake Andreotti (Tom Malloy)

27B Jake Bubak (Bourke Motorsports)

36 Ian Creager (Tod Creager)

40x Zach Wigal (Chase McDermand)

41 Oliver Akard (Team OMR)

46 Kenney Johnson (Jeff Johnson)

56 Mitchell Davis (Pat O’Dell)

57 Logan Seavey (Abacus Racing)

57A Daniel Robinson (RAB Racing)

67 Ryan Timms (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

68 Emerson Axsom (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

86 Brent Crews (CB Industries)

97 Gavin Miller (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

99 Don O’Keefe Jr. (LOK/Carson-Segur Racing)

118 Scott Evans (Scott Evans)

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DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

 

 

 

USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS RETURN TO PERRIS FOR “GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC”
By Lance Jennings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023... This Saturday, September 23rd, the chase for the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Championship returns to Perris Auto Speedway. Promoted by Don Kazarian, the annual “Glenn Howard Classic” is presented by Heimark Distributors / Anheuser Busch and will also feature the PAS Senior Sprint Cars, PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars, and PASSCAR Super Stocks. Located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California, the Spectator Gates will open at 5:00pm and racing at "America's Premier Dirt Track" will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.

Race fans are encouraged to support the race track and watch the races in person. Events at Perris Auto Speedway WILL NOT be live streamed on FloRacing in 2023.

NOTE: The November 3&4 “Western World Championships” has been moved from Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, Arizona to Cocopah Speedway in Yuma, Arizona. Please update your schedules.

NOTE: The November 11 main event at Perris Auto Speedway is now scheduled for 30 laps.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- ALL RACERS MUST PURCHASE THEIR USAC LICENSE / MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE PRIOR TO THE EVENT AT USACRACING.COM OR USACLICENSE.COM. (If racers have a membership question, contact Julie Tanaka at julietanaka@aol.com.)
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535; SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78; FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101; COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S; B&B: FRAC-0375S; SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK, P1 AUSTRALIA: SSM5C.
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS: Front axle tether systems (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS: Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.

Saturday's event honors Glenn Howard who is considered by many in the industry as a "racer's racer." Throughout his involvement in the sport, Glenn had served as a crew member, driver, car owner, sponsor, official, and businessman. Howard's So-Cal Performance was recognized as a major parts supplier to racers across the globe for many years. In 1993, Glenn became the first president of the Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) and helped to build the foundation of the nationally respected club. After his term was over, Howard remained active in motorsports until his passing in September 2007. Kazarian, Perris Auto Speedway, and the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series are proud to honor Glenn's memory with the annual event and the winner’s list is at the end of the release.

Since March 6, 2004, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds has held 247 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car events and forty-three different drivers have claimed victory. “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with 51 “home track” wins and this year’s races have been claimed by Justin Grant, Matt Mitchell, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, and Brody Roa (twice). Nic Faas set the 1-lap track record of 15.833 on February 25, 2012 and the complete Perris USAC/CRA win list is at the end of this release.

After scoring his eighth win of the season at Perris on July 15th, “The Pride of Garden Grove” Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) leads the USAC/CRA standings with a stout 151 point lead. Driving the Tom & Christy Dunkel / BR Performance owned #17R Inland Rigging / Dunkel Farms DRC, Roa has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, five heat race victories, one In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, twelve top-10 finishes, and 177 feature laps led to his credit. The 2019 USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion ranks fourth with 21 career USAC/CRA triumphs and will be looking to get closer to his first CRA title with his first Howard Classic victory.

Having a career year, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm (Corona, California) ranks second in the USAC/CRA point standings. Racing Dino Napier’s #5X Indiana Truck Salvage / B&B Powder Coating Maxim, Malcolm scored a thirteenth place finish on July 15th. To date, the veteran driver has two feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, four heat race victories, two Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Awards, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, ten top-10 finishes, and 77 feature laps led on the year. Tommy “Thunder” will have his sights on earning another “home track” victory this Saturday night.

“The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams (Yorba Linda, California) sits third in the USAC/CRA championship standings. Piloting the family owned #2 Digalert / Ramona Duck Club DRC, Williams had mechanical problems in the outing at Perris. At press time, the 2009 Co-Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, nine top-10 finishes, and 32 feature laps led to his credit. With eleven career triumphs, Austin will be looking to earn his first win of the season at Perris Auto Speedway.

“The Cadillac” Cody Williams (Corona, California) is fourth in the chase for the championship. The owner/driver of the #44 WC Friend Company / Trench Shoring DRC raced to a third place finish in the July 15 main event. To date, the former National Non-Wing Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has six Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, and eighth top-10 finishes on the season. “The Cadillac” has three career wins and will have his sights on his victory of 2023 at the “Glenn Howard Classic.”

A.J. Bender (San Diego, California) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA championship points. Racing the family owned #21 Bender Pool & Spa / GAS Chassis entry, Bender finished second to Brody Roa on July 15th after starting ninth. At press time, last season’s USAC Western States Midget Rookie of the Year has six heat race victories, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, and ten top-10 finishes to his credit. This Saturday night, Bender will be looking to claim the first USAC/CRA victory of his career.

Grant Sexton (Lakeside, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors and ranks seventh in the point standings. The driver of the family owned #22 Sexton Fire Protection / East County Electric Works Triple X is followed by James Turnbull II (Indio, California), Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, California), Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California), Dawson Faria (Tipton, California), Jim Vanzant (Prescott, Arizona), and Tom Dunkel (Menifee, California).

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Logan Calderwood, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Verne Sweeney, Logan Williams, Chris Gansen, Brent Owens, James Herrera, Matt McCarthy, Andrew Sweeney, “The Gunslinger” Austin Grabowski, Chris Bonneau, Kyle Edwards, Gary Marshall Jr., Don Gansen, Tyler Hatzikian, Mark Henry, and more.

Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. Adult tickets are $30, Senior tickets (65 & over) are $25, Kids tickets (6 to 12) are $5, and Children (5 and under) are FREE. The Fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. Advance tickets are available and for more event information, visit the track’s website at perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.

The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks BillsJerky.net, Factory Wraps, Flowdynamics Incorporated, The Gardner Family (In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner), Hoosier Racing Tires, WC Friend Company, Woodland Auto Display, BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, and Wilwood Disc Brakes for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact Tony Jones at tonyjonesracing@gmail.com or PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-Damion Gardner, 2018-Damion Gardner, 2019-Damion Gardner, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Damion Gardner, 2022-Damion Gardner.

GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC/MEMORIAL WINNERS: 2008-Tony Jones, 2009-Bryan Clauson, 2010-Cory Kruseman, 2011-Nic Faas, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Nic Faas, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Austin Williams, 2017-Damion Gardner, 2018-Damion Gardner, 2019-Austin Williams, 2020-CANCELLED, 2021-Charles Davis Jr., 2022-Damion Gardner.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 8-Brody Roa, 2-Tommy Malcolm, 1-Justin Grant, 1-Chase Johnson, 1-Matt Mitchell.

PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA 1-LAP QUALIFYING RECORD: Nic Faas – 15.833 (02/25/12)

PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 51-Damion Gardner, 24-Mike Spencer, 19-Tony Jones, 17-Cory Kruseman, 9-Nic Faas, 8-David Cardey, 8-Matt Mitchell, 8-Richard Vander Weerd, 7-Brody Roa, 7-Rip Williams, 6-Bryan Clauson, 6-Justin Grant, 6-Mike Kirby, 6-Danny Sheridan, 6-Austin Williams, 5-Brady Bacon, 5-Robert Ballou, 5-Rickie Gaunt, 4-Dave Darland, 4-R.J. Johnson, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 3-Garrett Hansen, 3-Kevin Thomas Jr., 2-Darren Hagen, 2-Jesse Hockett, 2-Levi Jones, 2-Blake Miller, 2-Jake Swanson, 2-Chris Windom, 1-Chad Boespflug, 1-Greg Bragg, 1-Daron Clayton, 1-Josh Ford, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-C.J. Leary, 1-Tommy Malcolm, 1-Adam Mitchell, 1-Johnny Rodriguez, 1-Hunter Schuerenberg, 1-Chase Stockon, 1-Scotty Weir, 1-Cody Williams, 1-Jason York.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1-Brody Roa-991, 2-Tommy Malcolm-840, 3-Austin Williams-745, 4-Cody Williams-723, 5-A.J. Bender-717, 6-Logan Calderwood-609, 7-Grant Sexton-506, 8-Charles Davis Jr.-500, 9-Verne Sweeney-417, 10-R.J. Johnson-377.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
January 27: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
January 28: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
March 3: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (RAIN)
March 4: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (RAIN)
March 18: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Justin Grant)
March 24: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (RAIN)
March 25: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (RAIN)
April 1: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ (Winner: Chase Johnson)
April 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Matt Mitchell)
April 22: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 6: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 20: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Winner: Tommy Malcolm)
May 27: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Tommy Malcolm)
June 10: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
June 24: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
July 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
August 19: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (RAIN)
September 23: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
October 14: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ
November 3: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 4: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 11: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (30 Laps)
---------------------------------------------
TBA = To Be Announced.
This schedule is subject to change.

 

 

ROCK ON!

JAMES DEAN CLASSIC STORYLINES

FOR THURSDAY’S USAC DOUBLE AT GAS CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Gas City, Indiana (September 19, 2023)………Double the series. Double the action. Double the fun!

That’s how the agenda rolls each year in late September at Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway when the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National join together for a rare doubleheader.

The best of both worlds is presented this Thursday night, September 21, at the Hoosier state 1/4-mile dirt oval during the fifth edition of the James Dean Classic.

Gas City has hosted two of the best finishes of the entire USAC National season with Logan Seavey’s late-race heroics with the midgets in June and Justin Grant’s last turn photo finish triumph in July with the sprint cars.

Gas City never disappoints. Gas City always delivers. And we’ve got the goods two times over this Thursday night.

Here’s six storylines fit for the silver screen. Six storylines in honor of Jimmy Dean. James Dean. Rock on!


SEAVEY’S GAS CITY TURNING POINT

Logan Seavey’s streak of 11 consecutive top-five finishes with the USAC National Midgets started right at Gas City in June during Indiana Midget Week.

Entering the Gas City round three months ago, Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) was mired an astonishing 110 points out of the championship lead and stood sixth overall in the standings.

After leading the final two laps of a 30-lap racelong duel with Emerson Axsom, Seavey scored his and Abacus Racing’ first ever USAC victory. Since that point, the team has been nearly unstoppable, winning four, finishing second on three occasions, taking third another three times and once finishing fourth.

All of it has boosted Seavey to a whopping 171-point lead entering his return to Gas City this Thursday.


SEE SAW STORY: GRANT & BACON SPRINT CAR TITLE FIGHT CONTINUES

Between Justin Grant and Brady Bacon, the pair have captured each of the last three USAC National Sprint Car driving titles with Grant attempting to defend his 2022 championship while Bacon aims to reach the top for a fifth time after previous crowns in 2014-16-20-21.

It’s readily apparent that the same two vets will be duking it out to the finish line once again in 2023 with Grant holding on to a nine-point edge over Bacon with five races remaining starting Thursday at Gas City.

Grant (Ione, Calif.) owns the bragging rights at Gas City this year, already having won the Indiana Sprint Week round in July. Furthermore, Grant is a past James Dean Classic victor in 2020. Bacon owns winning experience at Gas City too, collecting the USAC Sprint Cars’ springtime appearance in 2015.

Grant and Bacon also are the two winningest drivers in USAC National Sprint Car competition this season with Grant taking nine and Bacon seven of his own. Either is clearly capable of hitting double-digits in the win column, something that hasn’t been done with the series since Tyler Courtney in 2018.

DOUBLE DOUBLE, IN-N-OUT OF TWO DIFFERENT RIDES

The fun part of a USAC doubleheader on the fan side is getting to watch drivers tackle multiple disciplines of racing on one track on one night.

For drivers, it gets busy with double the workload, but also presents a chance for a rare opportunity to not only race a sprint car and midget on the same night, but also the chance to win in both on one night.

At least four drivers are set to compete in both ends of Gas City’s doubleheader: Logan Seavey, Justin Grant, Thomas Meseraull and Daison Pursley.

Seavey and Grant have both been victorious in USAC National Sprint Car and USAC National Midget racing at Gas City in their careers. In fact, Seavey has already experienced the joy of winning two USAC National features in one day this past August when he scored a Silver Crown win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds during the day and with the National Midgets during the night at Macon (Ill.) Speedway.

Meseraull (San Jose, Calif. has twice been a track champion at Gas City and has won with the USAC Regional Midgets there as well. Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) has found himself in victory lane behind the wheel of sprints and midgets in his young career but is eying a first points victory of the season this Thursday.

BUDDY ON THE GAS ONCE AGAIN

No driver has won three career USAC National Midget features at Gas City I-69 Speedway, but Buddy Kofoid will be taking his shot at that record this Thursday night in a fifth Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports machine.

Fresh off a pair of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car wins over the past couple weekends in his home state of California, Kofoid (Penngrove, Calif.) has made four USAC Midget starts in 2023, winning twice during USAC Indiana Midget Week at Lincoln Park Speedway and at Circle City Raceway while also finishing second and fourth in his other two appearances.

Kofoid’s two victories in USAC National Midget competition are tied for the most all-time alongside Shane Cottle, Darren Hagen and Kyle Larson.

KAYLEE, JADE, TAYLOR & HOLLY

Four of the most successful women ever to compete in the USAC National Midget ranks will be on hand to race with the series at Gas City this Thursday night, aiming to make some history of their own.

Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) equaled the best ever finish by a woman in a USAC National Midget event during the 2022 James Dean Classic at Gas City when she led a race-high 18 laps and finished as the runner-up. This Thursday, she’ll make her season debut with the series in the CB Industries No. 89.

Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.) is among the group, and has finished as the runner-up multiple times in her career with the series, both this season. She scored a second in her Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports ride at the Belleville (Kan.) Short Track in May and notched another second during the most recent round at Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway in early September.

Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) finished eighth in her lone visit to Gas City this season. Reimer’s most recent outing with the USAC National Midgets resulted in her leading a race-high 16 laps en route to a fifth-place finish at Angell Park.

Holly Jones (nee Shelton), a veteran of 53 career USAC National Midget feature starts, returns to the series after a five-year absence to drive for Bundy Built Motorsports, and owns a best career series finish of third.


MOLES BACK UP TO SPEED

It wasn’t long ago that Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) found himself on the sidelines, dejected after a string of major crashes through the months of July and August.

In the four races since that point when he missed the entirety of the three-night Sprint Car Smackdown XII due to a concussion suffered during a major incident on the opening night of event, few drivers have been more productive than the second year USAC Sprint Car driver.

Down south at Texas’ Devil’s Bowl Speedway, he raked in a ninth, followed by a fifth at Arkansas’ Texarkana 67 Speedway. Moles swung into Indiana last weekend and recorded an eighth at Circle City Raceway and a fourth at Tri-State Speedway.

Only Moles, Justin Grant and Kyle Cummins have finished inside the top-10 in each of their past four USAC National Sprint Car feature starts entering Gas City.


RACE DETAILS

The fifth running of the James Dean Classic features the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship.

Pit gates open at 2pm Eastern with the grandstands opening at 4pm, drivers meeting at 5:45pm and cars on track at 6:15pm with qualifying and racing immediately following.

General admission tickets are $30. Kids 12 & under are free. Pit passes are $30 for members and $35 for non-members.

The full event can be watched LIVE on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/40w7aPg.


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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-2093, 2-Brady Bacon-2084, 3-Kyle Cummins-1966, 4-Emerson Axsom-1961, 5-Jake Swanson-1926, 6-C.J. Leary-1853, 7-Robert Ballou-1771, 8-Chase Stockon-1633, 9-Mitchel Moles-1594, 10-Logan Seavey-1544.


TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 4/26/2013 - Thomas Meseraull - 11.441 - 78.665 mph

6 Laps - 7/18/2003 - Bud Kaeding - 1:18.03 - 69.204 mph

8 Laps - 7/11/2008 - A.J. Anderson - 1:41.67 - 71.266 mph

10 Laps - 7/10/2015 - Brady Bacon - 2:01.65 - 73.983 mph

12 Laps - 9/26/2019 - Chad Boespflug - 2:28.28 - 72.835 mph

30 Laps - 7/8/2011 - Dave Darland - 6:25.08 - 70.115 mph


JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2-Kevin Thomas Jr.

1-Justin Grant & Chris Windom

JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2018: Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/28)

2019: Chris Windom (9/26)

2020: Justin Grant (9/25)

2022: Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/22)

USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

6-Jon Stanbrough

4-Shane Cottle

3-Tracy Hines & Kevin Thomas Jr.

2-Cory Kruseman, Dave Darland, Justin Grant, Hunter Schuerenberg, Logan Seavey & J.J. Yeley

1-Brady Bacon, Bryan Clauson, Tyler Courtney, Daron Clayton, Jay Drake, Levi Jones, C.J. Leary, Chase Stockon, Scotty Weir, Cole Whitt & Chris Windom

USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2002: Cory Kruseman (7/19)

2003: J.J. Yeley (5/30) & J.J. Yeley (7/18)

2004: Tracy Hines (4/30)

2005: Jay Drake (6/3) & Cory Kruseman (7/20)

2006: Shane Cottle & Jon Stanbrough (7/19)

2007: Jon Stanbrough (6/14), Daron Clayton (7/13) & Jon Stanbrough (7/14)

2008: Shane Cottle (4/18) & Cole Whitt (7/11)

2009: Dave Darland (4/17) & Levi Jones (7/11)

2010: Tracy Hines (4/16) & Jon Stanbrough (7/10)

2011: Hunter Schuerenberg (4/29) & Dave Darland (7/8)

2012: Hunter Schuerenberg (4/27) & Bryan Clauson (7/13)

2013: Kevin Thomas, Jr. (4/26) & Jon Stanbrough (7/12)

2014: Tracy Hines (4/25) & Jon Stanbrough (7/11)

2015: Brady Bacon (5/15) & Chase Stockon (7/10)

2016: Scotty Weir (5/20) & Tyler Courtney (7/8)

2017: C.J. Leary (7/10)

2018: Kevin Thomas, Jr. (9/28)

2019: Shane Cottle (7/18) & Chris Windom (9/26)

2020: Logan Seavey (7/24) & Justin Grant (9/25)

2021: Logan Seavey (7/26)

2022: Shane Cottle (7/22) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/22)

2023: Justin Grant (7/22)

PAST JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC SPRINT CAR RESULTS:

2018 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 2. C.J. Leary (5), 3. Isaac Chapple (2), 4. Chris Windom (6), 5. Chase Stockon (3), 6. Dave Darland (12), 7. Kyle Cummins (18), 8. Justin Grant (7), 9. Tyler Thomas (8), 10. Clinton Boyles (20), 11. Shane Cottle (9), 12. Matt Westfall (13), 13. Brady Bacon (14), 14. Carson Short (16), 15. Tyler Hewitt (22), 16. Tony DiMattia (15), 17. Tyler Courtney (17), 18. Jason McDougal (1), 19. Josh Hodges (11), 20. Dallas Hewitt (21), 21. Dustin Ingle (19), 22. Thomas Meseraull (10). NT

2019 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Chris Windom (1), 2. Tyler Courtney (7), 3. Justin Grant (3), 4. Kevin Thomas Jr. (2), 5. Chase Stockon (8), 6. C.J. Leary (6), 7. Brady Bacon (4), 8. Jason McDougal (17), 9. Isaac Chapple (9), 10. Max Adams (15), 11. Scotty Weir (14), 12. Matt Westfall (20), 13. Tye Mihocko (18), 14. Matt Goodnight (10), 15. Harley Burns (12), 16. Cody White (16), 17. Cole Ketcham (13), 18. Dustin Ingle (19), 19. Dave Darland (21), 20. Chad Boespflug (11), 21. Thomas Meseraull (5), 22. Dustin Clark (23), 23. Shane Cottle (22). NT

2020 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (8), 2. Brady Bacon (5), 3. Chase Stockon (3), 4. Chris Windom (22), 5. Shane Cottle (15), 6. Dave Darland (2), 7. Jadon Rogers (4), 8. Robert Ballou (18), 9. Mario Clouser (23*), 10. Carson Short (17), 11. Brandon Mattox (10), 12. Kevin Thomas Jr. (12), 13. Chase Johnson (16), 14. Scotty Weir (19), 15. Kyle Cummins (7), 16. Brandon Long (11), 17. Clinton Boyles (9), 18. Ricky Lewis (14), 19. Evan Mosley (21), 20. Kendall Ruble (20), 21. Logan Seavey (6), 22. Anton Hernandez (13). (Feature winner C.J. Leary (1) was disqualified for a tire violation.) NT

2021: RAINED OUT

2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (1), 2. Logan Seavey (2), 3. Kyle Cummins (6), 4. Robert Ballou (11), 5. Justin Grant (14), 6. Mitchel Moles (4), 7. C.J. Leary (5), 8. Emerson Axsom (13), 9. Brent Beauchamp (8), 10. Brady Bacon (3), 11. Jake Swanson (10), 12. Thomas Meseraull (16), 13. Jason McDougal (9), 14. Geoff Ensign (18), 15. Shane Cottle (15), 16. Jadon Rogers (20), 17. Colten Cottle (12), 18. Max Adams (17), 19. Chase Stockon (7), 20. Scotty Weir (19), 21. Matt Westfall (22), 22. Harley Burns (21). 7:04.41


=====================



USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1078, 2-Justin Grant-907, 3-Jade Avedisian-891, 4-Ryan Timms-884, 5-Bryant Wiedeman-878, 6-Daison Pursley-849, 7-Cannon McIntosh-816, 8-Jacob Denney-789, 9-Gavin Miller-787, 10-Taylor Reimer-717.

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL MIDGETS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 6/1/2016 - Rico Abreu - 12.048 - 74.701 mph

8 Laps - 6/10/2011 - Matt Smith - 1:39.76 - 72.173 mph

10 Laps - 6/5/2019 - Tyler Courtney - 2:05.54 - 71.690 mph

12 Laps - 6/17/2020 - Rico Abreu - 2:43.872 - 65.905 mph

JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

1-Buddy Kofoid & Cannon McIntosh

JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINNERS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2020: Cannon McIntosh (9/25)

2022: Buddy Kofoid (9/22)

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2-Shane Cottle, Darren Hagen, Buddy Kofoid & Kyle Larson

1-Spencer Bayston, Steve Buckwalter, Jerry Coons Jr., Justin Grant, Brad Kuhn, Cannon McIntosh, Michael Pickens, Davey Ray, Logan Seavey & Tanner Thorson

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINNERS AT GAS CITY I-69 SPEEDWAY:

2005: Davey Ray (8/19)

2006: Shane Cottle (8/18)

2007: Shane Cottle (8/10)

2008: Brad Kuhn (8/6)

2009: Jerry Coons Jr. (6/10)

2010: Steve Buckwalter (6/16)

2011: Darren Hagen (6/8)

2012: Darren Hagen (6/13)

2013: Kyle Larson (6/12)

2015: Tanner Thorson (6/10)

2016: Spencer Bayston (6/1)

2017: Michael Pickens (6/7)

2019: Justin Grant (6/5)

2020: Kyle Larson (6/17) & Cannon McIntosh (9/25)

2021: Buddy Kofoid (6/11)

2022: Buddy Kofoid (9/22)

2023: Logan Seavey (6/7)

PAST JAMES DEAN CLASSIC USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RESULTS:

2020 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Cannon McIntosh (4), 2. Tyler Courtney (6), 3. Kyle Cummins (11), 4. Tanner Thorson (17), 5. Emerson Axsom (5), 6. Justin Grant (8), 7. Buddy Kofoid (18), 8. Daison Pursley (1), 9. Chris Windom (15), 10. Tanner Carrick (13), 11. Brady Bacon (22), 12. Andrew Layser (9), 13. Logan Seavey (14), 14. Clinton Boyles (19), 15. Thomas Meseraull (7), 16. Chase Johnson (2), 17. Cole Bodine (10), 18. Robert Dalby (21), 19. Kaylee Bryson (20), 20. Chase Randall (16), 21. Tyler Nelson (12), 22. Hayden Reinbold (23*), 23. Ethan Mitchell (3). NT

2021 FEATURE: RAINED OUT

2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Buddy Kofoid (8), 2. Kaylee Bryson (2), 3. Brenham Crouch (1), 4. Chance Crum (3), 5. Jacob Denney (4), 6. Ethan Mitchell (5), 7. Cannon McIntosh (23), 8. Thomas Meseraull (9), 9. Tanner Carrick (10), 10. Justin Grant (11), 11. Dominic Gorden (19), 12. Mitchel Moles (14), 13. Alex Bright (15), 14. Kyle Cummins (16), 15. Taylor Reimer (7), 16. Maria Cofer (6), 17. Michael Magic (21), 18. Hayden Reinbold (13), 19. Adam Taylor (17), 20. Blake Brannon (18), 21. Bryan Stanfill (20), 22. Bryant Wiedeman (12), 23. Jakeb Boxell (22). NT

 

 

MAJOR BOUNTY POSTED

FOR USAC NON-FULL-TIMERS

AT LAWRENCEBURG’S FALL NATIONALS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Lawrenceburg, Indiana (September 19, 2023)………USAC regulars have gone undefeated all season in AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competition with full-time series drivers and teams winning every event run thus far in 2023.

Now, NOS Energy Drink and USAC are posting a $10,000 bounty to any driver who can beat the USAC regulars during the Saturday night, October 7, Fall Nationals at Indiana’s Lawrenceburg Speedway.

Any driver outside the top-12 in the USAC National Sprint Car standings will be eligible for the opportunity to cash in an extra $10,000 bonus by winning that night’s feature event.

With the Fall Nationals already paying $20,000 to the feature winner, it is possible that a driver could walk out of the southeastern Indiana 3/8-mile dirt oval that night with a total of $30,000 in earnings.

The Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway began in 2007, and this year, enters its 16th edition under the promotion of Dave and Kim Rudisell. Robert Ballou captured the inaugural running of the Fall Nationals in 2007.

Furthermore, the Fall Nationals presents the finale of the 10-race Bubby Jones Master of Going Faster Series presented by Spire Sports + Entertainment. Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) leads the miniseries’ point standings by five points over C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.). Defending “Bubby Jones” champ Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) sits third, 14 points out of the lead.

The Bubby Jones Master of Goin’ Faster driving champion will earn a $10,000 bonus while the champion crew chief will receive a $2,500 reward.

 

 

BIGGEST FIELD EVER FOR

USAC SILVER CROWN AT ELDORA THIS WEEKEND!

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Rossburg, Ohio (September 19, 2023)………A record-high field of 37 USAC Silver Crown drivers and cars are entered for the 41st running of the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway this Friday-Saturday, September 22-23.

That’s the most ever for a USAC Silver Crown event at the Rossburg, Ohio half-mile dirt oval dating back to the first running in 1981.

The previous highest car count of 36 champ cars at Eldora occurred in both the 1996 and 2001 runnings of the 4-Crown Nationals Presented By NKTELCO.

This weekend’s field includes four past Eldora 4-Crown Nationals USAC Silver Crown winners, including Jerry Coons Jr. (2007 & 2014), C.J. Leary (2018), Brady Bacon (2019) and Logan Seavey (2021-22).

Seavey leads the USAC Silver Crown National Championship point standings by a single point entering the Eldora round this weekend.

The USAC Silver Crown portion of the program encompasses two nights at Eldora this weekend. On Friday, USAC Silver Crown practice will be held, followed by two-at-a-time USAC Silver Crown qualifying in which the top-20 fastest on time will be locked into Saturday’s feature.

Also on Friday night, a 12-lap qualifying race will be held for all those who are not locked into the feature. From that field, the top-six finishers will transfer into the Saturday’s 50-lap feature.

RACE DETAILS

On Friday, September 22, at Eldora, the BeFour the Crowns program will feature the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship, USAC Silver Crown Qualifying & Qualifying Race and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars. Spectator gates open at 2pm Eastern with the drivers meeting taking place at 5:30pm and cars on track at 6pm. General admission tickets are $35 for adults and free for ages 12 and under. Reserved tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and under.

On Saturday, September 23, at Eldora, the 41st running of the 4-Crown Nationals presented by NKTELCO features the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship, USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, All Star Circuit of Champions and the USAC Silver Crown National Championship. Spectator gates open at Noon Eastern with a driver autograph session taking place from 3-4pm in the Fan Zone. The drivers meeting will take place at 4:30pm and cars on track at 6pm. General admission tickets are $40 for adults and free for ages 12 and under. Reserved tickets are $45 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and under.

ELDORA USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRY LIST: (37 CARS & DRIVERS)

07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

4 (R) MARK BITNER/Columbus, NJ (Henry Yeska)

5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

7 KYLE ROBBINS/New Castle, IN (KR Racing)

9 BRADY BACON/Broken Arrow, OK (Chris Dyson Racing)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)

12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Oklahoma City, OK (Two C Racing)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

24 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (John Haggenbottom)

26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

49 BRIAN RUHLMAN/Clarklake, MI (Brian Ruhlman)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

54 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (Westfall Motorsports)

55 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (Patty Bateman)

57 DALLAS HEWITT/Troy, OH (Dallas Hewitt)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

77 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

81 (R) TREY OSBORNE/Columbus, OH (BCR Group)

86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)

99 (R) ZACH HAMPTON/Mooresville, IN (Armstrong Racing)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

 

BRODY FUSON SURGES TO LATE VENTURA VICTORY
By Lance Jennings

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2023…Fresh off winning the previous weekend in a USAC Western States Midget, Brody Fuson of Bakersfield, California returned to Ventura Raceway and topped last Saturday’s 250th USAC West Coast Sprint Car event. By winning a dash off the last corner, Fuson took the checkered flag ahead of Jake Andreotti, Logan Calderwood, point leader Ryan Timmons, and David Gasper.

Making his first start in Joey Bishop’s #45 JBM Golf Carts entry, San Diego, California’s A.J. Bender started on the pole position. Bender led the opening ten laps until mechanical problems sidelined the former Turkey Night Grand Prix Sprint Car winner. Still under green flag conditions, June 17th Ventura winner Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley, California inherited the lead. Andreotti set a fast pace and sliced his way through slower traffic as Calderwood, Gasper, Fuson, and Timmons were gaining ground.

A lap 25 caution flag reset the field as Andreotti had a great restart and maintained command. Fuson charged forward and challenged the leader on the last lap with three corners to go. Going down the back straightaway and going into the third turn, Fuson looked to have the lead. Andreotti drove hard into the corner and it was even off the last turn. Going to the finish line, Fuson surged ahead and claimed the third USAC West Coast Sprint Car victory of his career.

Racing Bob & Toni Van Meter’s #51 Race Pa Motorsports / WE Spike, Brody Fuson qualified second overall, won the 10-lap Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Second Heat Race, and topped the 30-lap “Sammy Bahr and Ray Stansberry” main event after starting fifth. Heading to the final point race on October 7th at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park, the USAC Western States Midget point leader ranks fourth in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car standings.

Menifee, California’s Tom Dunkel opened the night by winning the “Lucky Pill Draw” presented by High Tech Performance and earned ten gallons of fuel. In addition, he won the Rod End Supply / Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Pill Draw Award. Driving the Tom & Christy Dunkel #17A Inland Rigging / Dunkel Farms DRC, Dunkel was eleventh quick in time trials, ran fourth in his heat race, and scored eighth in the feature from twelfth. In limited starts, Tom has climbed to nineteenth in the point chase.

David Gasper of Goleta, California won the Brown & Miller Racing Solutions / Rod End Supply “lucky pill draw award.” Driving the Gasper Racing / Kittle Motorsports owned #18 AR Air Repair / Valley Precision Products Triple X, Gasper qualified sixth overall, ran third in his heat race, and finished fifth in the main event. David left the Ventura County Fairgrounds ranked fifth in the point standings and second in rookie honors.

Point leader Ryan Timmons of Pleasant Hill, California earned his sixth career Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award. Piloting the family owned #29T Red Line Oil / Evergood Fine Foods Maxim, Timmons posted a time of 12.198 seconds over the 21-car roster. Ryan placed third in his heat race and powered to fourth in the main event from the sixth starting spot. By finishing fourth, the former rookie of the year earned $100 from an anonymous race fan. At press time, Timmons has a 72-point advantage heading to the October 7th “Championship Night.”

Racing the May Motorsports’ #8M RDM Mechanics / Keen Concrete Maxim, Jake Andreotti qualified seventh overall, won the 10-lap Extreme Mufflers Heat Race, and led nineteen laps of the main event. Running a limited schedule, Andreotti has moved into a tie with Elexa Herrera for thirteenth in USAC West Coast points.

Simi Valley, California’s Tom Hendricks raced to victory in the 10-lap Competition Suspension Incorporated Third Heat Race. The owner / driver of the #14 Snap-On Tools / Powerhouse Performance ITI, Hendricks was eighteenth fast in time trials and scored twentieth in the feature after an early exit. The veteran driver left Ventura Raceway ranked seventh in the point standings.

Ron LaPlant of Oroville, California earned his third BR Motorsports / Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award with a ninth place run from seventeenth. The owner / driver of the #69 RJL Truck and Tractor Painting / Feather Falls Casino Eagle was sixteenth quick in time trials and placed second in his heat race. Heading to the last point race, Ron is second in the standings and leads the chase for top rookie honors.

Santa Clara, California’s Adam Christian claimed the Wilwood Disc Brakes “Lucky 13 Award” after finishing thirteenth in the main event. The owner/driver of the #12 Yak Graphics Triple X qualified fourteenth overall and scored third in his heat race. The rookie contender heads to the “George Snider Classic” ranked twelfth in the USAC West Coast standings.

The non-winged 360 sprint cars will return to action on Saturday, October 7th at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California for “Championship Night” and the “George Snider Classic.” The final point race will also feature the USAC Western States Midgets and Dwarf Cars.

The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, High Tech Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Wagtimers, Wilwood Disc Brakes, and Woodland Auto Display for their support.

For more information on the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series, visit usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 16, 2023 – Ventura Raceway - Ventura, California

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Ryan Timmons, 29T, Timmons-12.198; 2. Brody Fuson, 51, Van Meter-12.264; 3. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-12.357; 4. Kyle Edwards, 39, Edwards-12.379; 5. Cole Wakim, 9, Wakim-12.424; 6. David Gasper, 18, Gasper/Kittle-12.464; 7. Jake Andreotti, 8M, May-12.475; 8. A.J. Bender, 45, Bishop-12.555; 9. Rick Hendrix, 15, Hendrix-12.575; 10. Chris Wakim, 9W, Wakim-12.613; 11. Tom Dunkel, 17A, Dunkel-12.631; 12. Tyler Hatzikian, 27, Hatzikian-12.638; 13. Bryan Whitley, 22, Whitley-12.638; 14. Adam Christian, 12, Christian-12.750; 15. Jon DeWees, 63D, DeWees-12.785; 16. Ron LaPlant, 69, LaPlant-12.914; 17. Heath Holdsclaw, 33, Case-12.965; 18. Tom Hendricks, 14, Hendricks-13.049; 19. Chris Ennis, 86, Ennis-13.469; 20. Elexa Herrera, 5E, Herrera-13.833; 21. Camie Bell, 29C, Bell-14.503.

EXTREME MUFFLERS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Andreotti, 2. LaPlant, 3. Timmons, 4. Whitley, 5. Edwards, 6. Ch.Wakim, 7. Ennis. NT.

BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Fuson, 2. Bender, 3. Christian, 4. Dunkel, 5. Co.Wakim, 6. Holdsclaw, 7. Herrera. NT.

COMPETITION SUSPENSION INCORPORATED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Hendricks, 2. Hendrix, 3. Gasper, 4. Calderwood, 5. DeWees, 6. Bell. NT.

SAMMY BAHR & RAY STANSBERRY FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Brody Fuson (5), 2. Jake Andreotti (2), 3. Logan Calderwood (4), 4. Ryan Timmons (6), 5. David Gasper (3), 6. Cole Wakim (9), 7. Kyle Edwards (8), 8. Tom Dunkel (12), 9. Ron LaPlant (17), 10. Heath Holdsclaw (18), 11. Jon DeWees (16), 12. Rick Hendrix (10), 13. Adam Christian (15), 14. Bryan Whitley (14), 15. Camie Bell (21), 16. Elexa Herrera (20), 17. Chris Wakim (11), 18. Tyler Hatzikian (13), 19. A.J. Bender (1), 20. Tom Hendricks (7). NT.
----------------------------
**Chris Ennis did not start feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-10 Bender, Laps 11-29 Andreotti, Lap 30 Fuson.

BR MOTORSPORTS / ROD END SUPPLY HARD CHARGER: Ron LaPlant (17th to 9th)
WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13 AWARD: Adam Christian
BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS / ROD END SUPPLY PILL DRAW: David Gasper
ROD END SUPPLY / BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS PILL DRAW: Tom Dunkel
WHEEL PACK AWARD: Elexa Herrera
HIGH TECH PERFORMANCE LUCKY PILL DRAW AWARD: Tom Dunkel

NEW USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Ryan Timmons-372, 2-Ron LaPlant-300, --Kyle Edwards-300, 4-Brody Fuson-295, 5-David Gasper-244, 6-Tyler Hatzikian-232, 7-Tom Hendricks-210, 8-Jon DeWees-198, 9-Cody Majors-197, 10-Trent Carter-182.

NEW WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALIFIER POINTS: 1-Ryan Timmons-24, 3-Brody Fuson-16, 3-David Gasper-13, --Kyle Edwards-13, 5-Troy Rutherford-12, 6-Cody Majors-9, 7-Logan Calderwood-6, 8-Kaleb Montgomery-5, 9-Ron LaPlant-3, 10-Cole Wakim-2.

NEW SAMMY BAHR & RAY STANSBERRY FEATURE POINTS: 1-Ryan Timmons-317, 2-Ron LaPlant-272, 3-Kyle Edwards-261, 4-Brody Fuson-241, 5-Tyler Hatzikian-215, 6-Davis Gasper-196, 7-Tom Hendricks-188, 8-Jon DeWees-175, 9-Cody Majors-168, 10-Trent Carter-166.

NEW PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Ron LaPlant-29, 2-Jon DeWees-23, 3-Tom Hendricks-19, 4-Heath Holdsclaw-16, 5-Elexa Herrera-15, 6-Adam Christian-14, 7-Ryan Timmons-13, 8-Brody Fuson-11, --Camie Bell-11, --Hannah Mayhew-10, --Trent Carter-10.

NEXT USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR RACE: October 7 – The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, California – “Championship Night” & “George Snider Classic”

 

 

THE NEXT GENERATION: CALE COONS WINS HIS FIRST AT MONTPELIER

Montpelier, Indiana (September 16, 2023)………The Coons name is synonymous in USAC racing lore with Jerry Coons Jr. earning a total of four career national championships with the club in his Triple Crown career.

Now, the next generation of the Coons racing family has entered victory lane for the first time in USAC competition.

Cale Coons, son of Jerry Coons Jr., raced to his first career USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midget victory on Saturday night at Indiana’s Montpelier Motor Speedway.

The Greencastle, Ind. native zipped by racelong leader Zach Wigal with six laps remaining to reign victorious in the 20-lap main event in his Team Taylor Racing ride.

Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) led the first 14 laps of the feature before falling back to third at the finish line. Bryce Massingill (Troy, Ohio) took the second spot from Wigal in the waning laps and was able to extend his series point lead over Wigal to 29.

Aaron Leffel (Springfield, Ohio) grabbed fourth while Luke Lemons (Dayton, Ohio) scored a fifth after starting all the way back in the 19th position, which earned him Performance Powder Coating Hard Charger honors.

==============

USAC MIDWEST THUNDER SPEED2 MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 16, 2023 – Montpelier Motor Speedway – Montpelier, Indiana

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1. Cale Coons (#11T Taylor), 2. Bryce Massingill (#35 Massingill), 3. Zach Wigal (#18 Wigal), 4. Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 5. Luke Lemons (#33L Lemons), 6. Matt Lux (#5KB Wells), 7. Stratton Briggs (#21 Fedorczyk), 8. Cole Morgan (#7m Morgan), 9. Gunnar Lucius (#22 Lucius), 10. Ian Creager (#36 Creager), 11. Tyler Nelson (#10N Nelson), 12. Tate Martz (#34 GMB), 13. Josh Yenser (#16y Yenser), 14. Michael Magic (#5m Magic), 15. Tyler Kalb (#32 Kalb), 16. Jimmie Guidry (#21G Guidry), 17. Abby Hohlbein (#11H Hohlbein), 18. Jon Watson (#20x Watson), 19. Ryan Moran (#01 Moran), 20. Jakeb Boxell (#44JB Boxell-Merkler). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-14 Zach Wigal, Laps 15-20 Cale Coons.

ALSO AT THE TRACK: Marcel Berndt (#2 Briggs), Luke Hall (#74 Heitmeyer), Blake Adams (#44 Adams), Jim Jones (#97 Jones), Jody Paul (#5J Paul), Thomas Bigelow (#2B Bigelow), John Ralsten (#6m Ralsten) & Brayden Schwartz (#55 Schwartz).

USAC MIDWEST THUNDER SPEED2 MIDGET POINTS: 1-Bryce Massingill-1112, 2-Zach Wigal-1083, 3-Stratton Briggs-1033, 4-Matt Lux-1016, 5-Ian Creager-959, 6-Gunnar Lucius-941, 7-Abby Hohlbein-857, 8-Jakeb Boxell-786, 9-Josh Yenser-581, 10-Luke Lemons-628.

NEXT USAC MIDWEST THUNDER SPEED2 MIDGET RACE: October 7, 2023 – Waynesfield Raceway Park – Waynesfield, Ohio

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

VMS Motorsports Fast Qualifier: Bryce Massingill

Performance Electronics First Heat Winner: Zach Wigal

U.S. Lawns Second Heat Winner: Aaron Leffel

Stiefel’s Home & Auto Third Heat: Bryce Massingill

Semi Winner: Jakeb Boxell

Performance Powder Coating Hard Charger: Luke Lemons (19th to 5th)

Rosewood Machine Precision Move of the Race: Cole Morgan

HARF/DARF Hard Luck: Jim Jones

Impact Racing Lucky Racer: Ian Creager

Larry Hajduk Memorial Crew Chief Awards: Thomas Briggs & Noah Lemons

 

 

$20 GRAND MACHO MAN!

BACON HURRIES TO HAUBSTADT HUSTLER WIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Haubstadt, Indiana (September 16, 2023)………Tri-State Speedway has been very, very good to Brady Bacon in 2023.

In April, the Broken Arrow, Okla. native earned his first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car win at the track, and on Saturday night, he raced to a first career Haubstadt Hustler victory in the richest event ever held at the Haubstadt, Indiana dirt oval worth $20,000.

The 16th running of the event, co-sanctioned by the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and the Midwest Sprint Car Series, came down to a duel between Bacon and four-time Haubstadt Hustler victor Kevin Thomas Jr. en route to Bacon’s 40-lap triumph at a track he’s admittedly struggled at in the past and hadn’t won a USAC race at since the spring of 2015.

Wheeling his Dynamics, Inc./4-Wide Salute Podcast – Tel-Star Technologies – DriveWFX.com/Triple X/Rider Chevy, Bacon’s victory was a major milestone, providing him with his 53rd career USAC National Sprint Car feature win and giving him sole possession of second place on the all-time list ahead of 1978 series champion Tom Bigelow. Now, Bacon trails only Dave Darland’s record of 62 series wins, which sits number one all-time.

Utilizing the MSCS format of group qualifying, a four-car heat race invert and a redraw for position to set the feature lineup, the USAC National Sprint Car points race was on hiatus for the evening with every licensed driver and entrant with the series receiving 50 appearance points across the board regardless of finishing position. For four-time USAC champion Bacon, it was a nice change of pace amidst the pressurized title race of which he trails Justin Grant by nine with only five events left to go.

“It was kind of nice,” Bacon admitted. “It’s been pretty stressful I’m sure for him and I both to get through each night, but tonight, I finally got to try something different, and obviously, it paid off. It’s the biggest race here and at a place where we have admittedly struggled in the past. It was good to me earlier this year with my first World of Outlaws win and this is a pretty special one tonight. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve last won here in a non-wing sprint car.”

Bacon started from the pole position and immediately engaged in a tumultuous opening lap scuffle with outside front row starter Robert Ballou. As Bacon worked the middle line and Ballou the outside, the two came together at the exit of turn four, smacking wheels together as they crossed the stripe to complete lap one. To begin lap two, chrome-to-chrome contact was on the docket between Ballou’s front bumper and Bacon’s rear bumper which sent Bacon sideways in turn one. However, Bacon mashed the gas and was able to escape unscathed after the early race attack from Ballou.

By lap 10, Bacon had entered lapped traffic with a full second lead over Ballou. However, on lap 13, Ballou’s car suddenly lost power, knocking him out of the race and relegating him to watching the rest of the race from the infield with an unsavory 22nd place result.

Dustin Beck was the beneficiary of Ballou’s misfortune with the former modified standout and Tri-State Speedway regular moving up to second in only his fourth career USAC feature start. He split through traffic and kept pace with Bacon for the lead, albeit about five car lengths back as the race neared the midway point.

Trouble hit fourth running Justin Grant on the 20th lap when he suddenly slowed with a broken tie-rod. He was able to make it back to the Indy Metal Finishing Work Area for repairs and returned to the tail of the field for the restart before going on to race his way back to an eighth-place result.

On the race’s resumption, ninth starting Kevin Thomas Jr. darted into the second position when Beck slid high in turn two on the 22nd lap. Now down a half-straightaway to Bacon for the lead, it was “game on” for the stalwarts of the sport who own a whopping 92 USAC National Sprint Car features between the two.

The gap was closed even further at the front of the field on lap 24 when the caution flag was displayed after Carson Short and Jadon Rogers found calamity in the corner amid a tussle for the seventh spot. The two drivers connected wheels in turn two with Short nearly getting upside before landing on all fours and stopping with extensive damage to his car, ending his fantastic charge from the 17th starting position. Three laps later, Rogers slowed to bring out the caution, prematurely ending the defending Haubstadt Hustler champion’s reign.

Down the stretch, the unflappable Bacon kept Thomas Jr. at arm’s length. For the most part. With five laps remaining, Bacon had his rhythm disrupted when he went low off turn four to overtake the lapped car of Andy Bradley. In doing so, Bacon’s car slipped completely sideways. Second running Thomas Jr. closed in and made slight contact with the rear of Bacon’s machine, but both managed to continue without harm or foul.

With three laps to go, third-running Beck was in the camera frame, running just a few car lengths from the tail tank of Thomas Jr. However, he soon skated up the track in turn two and caught the outside wall, resulting in the loss of a full-straightaway of ground.

Moments later, 16th running Kayla Roell walked away from a wild flip in turn one, ending her first Haubstadt Hustler run on lap 38. For the feature, she was behind the wheel of KO Motorsports teammate Daison Pursley's backup car after earlier trouble in her primary ride.

At the front of the field, Bacon had a bit of anxiousness, but at this point in his career, he’d seen it all and was prepared for the final stretch run at a major payday.

“I was a little concerned because I was actually tight,” Bacon remembered. “Sitting under the red, I was worried that my tire was going to go down a little bit. I just drove it as hard as I could, and I knew if I could get a couple laps in, the bottom gets slower, and you can get your momentum going on the top.”

On Bacon’s rear bumper for the late-race restart was Kevin Thomas Jr., one of the best in the business and a driver who’s tied for the all-time lead in USAC National Sprint Car victories (6) at the venue known as The Class Track.

“On the green-white-checker, he’s one of the best here, and I just tried to not make any mistakes,” Bacon explained. “I was getting kind of sloppy there catching a lapped car and about spun out. Once we could get rolling on the top, I felt really good. I’ve never been that good on the top here like that. I was struggling a little bit in lapped traffic, which is usually where I’m good at on the bottom. I just had a lot of speed on the top.”

That’s where Bacon stayed for the remaining two laps, never straying from the high line. Thomas Jr. was able to pull even with Bacon for a fleeting moment in turn four on the final lap, but Bacon’s momentum propelled him ahead to the win by a 0.289 second margin.

Thomas Jr. ran second ahead of Dustin Beck in third with Mitchel Moles fourth and Kyle Cummins fifth, who earned hard charger honors after officially starting 15th, but dropped to as far back as 22nd after an opening lap skirmish into the infield sent him nearly all the way back to the tail.

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) made his first USAC run in Kevin Newton’s No. 16 a successful one as he turned in his best finish of the USAC season to finish second, his sixth career top-two Haubstadt Hustler finish aboard the Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises/DRC/Claxton Chevy.

“I felt like we were pretty equal there,” Thomas Jr. said of he and Bacon’s late-race battle. “On the long runs, I could search around. He was leading, so it’s hard to move around. He was running the top there and it was a little lippy on the edge of wanting to push. The way you run this track is very inconsistent as a driver. But he’s one of the best at being consistent. I gave it everything I’ve got, but I think I maybe needed a little bit of lapped traffic and some more laps. I mean, they gave us 40, so how much more can you ask for?”

Dustin Beck (Petersburg, Ind.) recorded his best career USAC National Sprint Car result in a fine drive in the seat of his Hensen-Rupp/Royal Express Car Wash – Clark’s Commercial Services/Maxim/SPEC Chevy. The finish came on the heels of his best performance in a sprint car just two weeks earlier with a similar third place run in MSCS competition at Tri-State.

“I actually podiumed for the first time here two weeks ago and that really hasn’t sunk in yet either,” Beck revealed. “This is definitely a confidence builder. I think we can run with these guys, and we’ve hit on something lately that’s working, so I’m confident now running here.”

In Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying, Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) posted his 10th career fast time in USAC National Sprint Car competition. That moved him to 50th place all-time alongside Sonny Ates, Jim Hurtubise, Thomas Meseraull and Jake Swanson.

Tenth place finishing driver C.J. Leary reached a milestone with his 400th career USAC National Sprint Car feature start, becoming just the ninth driver to reach the mark. Dave Darland holds the all-time record of 797 starts ahead of Tracy Hines (484), Brady Bacon (473), Robert Ballou (470), Chris Windom (470), Jon Stanbrough (448), Tom Bigelow (447) and Chase Stockon (440).


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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 16, 2023 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 16th Haubstadt Hustler – Co-Sanctioned by the Midwest Sprint Car Series

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-13.123; 2. Adyn Schmidt, 12s, Schmidt-13.201; 3. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-13.209; 4. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-13.250; 5. Kevin Thomas Jr., 16, Newton-13.288; 6. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-13.309; 7. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-13.320; 8. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-13.345; 9. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-13.353; 10. Dustin Beck, 75, Hensen/Rupp-13.360; 11. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-13.381; 12. Stephen Schnapf, 39, Hoosier Speed/Fortune-13.414; 13. Kendall Ruble, 17, Ruble-13.445; 14. J.J. Hughes, 76, Hughes-13.463; 15. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-13.478; 16. Andy Bradley, 86, Hoosier Speed/Fortune-13.539; 17. Kayla Roell, 5K, KO-13.581; 18. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-13.658; 19. Brady Short, 61m, Edwards-13.688; 20. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-13.754; 21. Sam Scott, 7s, Scott-13.755; 22. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-13.772; 23. Donny Brackett, 4B, Brackett-13.886; 24. Carson Short, 84, Beadles-13.900; 25. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-13.971; 26. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-13.985; 27. Michael Daugherty, 3.14, Daugherty-14.050; 28. Aric Gentry, 10, Gentry-14.077; 29. Jeff Pritchett, 2J, Nine-One-One-14.170; 30. Johnny Ivers, 55, Ivers/Thomas-14.198; 31. Allen Howard Jr., 4u, AJR-14.230; 32. Kevin Newton, 16TH, Newton-14.552; 33. Raymond Holden, 2R, Holden-14.934.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kendall Ruble, 2. Mitchel Moles, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr., 4. Emerson Axsom, 5. Jadon Rogers, 6. Sam Scott, 7. Kayla Roell, 8. Jeff Pritchett, 9. Raymond Holden. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Dustin Beck, 2. J.J. Hughes, 3. Carson Garrett, 4. Adyn Schmidt, 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Logan Seavey, 7. Matt Westfall, 8. Johnny Ivers. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Justin Grant, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Kyle Cummins, 5. Brady Short, 6. Michael Daugherty, 7. Allen Howard Jr., 8. Donny Brackett. NT

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. Stephen Schnapf, 3. Daison Pursley, 4. Andy Bradley, 5. Carson Short, 6. Aric Gentry, 7. Jake Swanson, 8. Kevin Newton. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Short, 2. Jadon Rogers, 3. Brady Short, 4. Logan Seavey, 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Matt Westfall, 7. Jake Swanson, 8. Sam Scott, 9. Jeff Pritchett, 10. Allen Howard Jr., 11. Johnny Ivers, 12. Aric Gentry, 13. Raymond Holden, 14. Michael Daugherty. NT

FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (1), 2. Kevin Thomas Jr. (9), 3. Dustin Beck (3), 4. Mitchel Moles (5), 5. Kyle Cummins (15), 6. J.J. Hughes (6), 7. Kendall Ruble (4), 8. Justin Grant (7), 9. Carson Garrett (10), 10. C.J. Leary (11), 11. Logan Seavey (20), 12. Chase Stockon (21), 13. Daison Pursley (12), 14. Emerson Axsom (13), 15. Brady Short (19), 16. Adyn Schmidt (14), 17. Kayla Roell (23-P), 18. Andy Bradley (16), 19. Jadon Rogers (18), 20. Carson Short (17), 21. Matt Westfall (22), 22. Robert Ballou (2), 23. Stephen Schnapf (8). NT

**(P) represents an MSCS provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-40 Brady Bacon.

**Aric Gentry flipped during the semi. Kayla Roell flipped on lap 38 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-2093, 2-Brady Bacon-2084, 3-Kyle Cummins-1966, 4-Emerson Axsom-1961, 5-Jake Swanson-1926, 6-C.J. Leary-1853, 7-Robert Ballou-1771, 8-Chase Stockon-1633, 9-Mitchel Moles-1594, 10-Logan Seavey-1544.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-170, 2-Logan Seavey-115, 3-Emerson Axsom-108, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Robert Ballou-98, 6-Justin Grant-95, 7-Matt Westfall-92, 8-Brady Bacon-91, 9-Chase Stockon-86, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-70.

BUBBY JONES MASTER OF GOIN’ FASTER PRESENTED BY SPIRE SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-574, 2-C.J. Leary-569, 3-Brady Bacon-560, 4-Mitchel Moles-541, 5-Jake Swanson-508, 6-Kyle Cummins-495, 7-Justin Grant-490, 8-Chase Stockon-485, 9-Daison Pursley-452, 10-Matt Westfall-398.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 21, 2023 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – James Dean Classic


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Mitchel Moles (13.123)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Mitchel Moles (13.123)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Kendall Ruble

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Dustin Beck

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Robert Ballou

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Brady Bacon

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Carson Short

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Brady Bacon

Hard Charger: Kyle Cummins (15th to 5th)

 

 

LAST LAP, LAST TURN HERO:

SEAVEY SCORES PHOTO FINISH

USAC SPRINT CAR WIN AT CIRCLE CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Indianapolis, Indiana (September 15, 2023)………Throughout the first 31 races of the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship season, Logan Seavey had led just one single, solitary lap.

During Friday night’s feature at Indianapolis, Indiana’s Circle City Raceway, all the Sutter, Calif. native led was about 10 feet or so to pull off his first series victory of the year in his 2B Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises – Goodnight Racing/DRC/Claxton Chevy.

Shane Cottle, who had taken over the lead on lap 19 of the 30-lap main event, appeared to have the race in his grasp until roughly four laps to go. That’s when Seavey began to make some headway on Cottle who had pegged himself to the bottom groove.

Lap after lap, Seavey got a little bit closer, until he found himself trailing Cottle by a single car length at the line on the white flag lap. Seavey dug in, and at the exit of turn four on the 30th and final lap, finally emerged ahead of Cottle, just moments before the two crossed the finish line with Seavey out front.

Seavey’s one car length margin of victory was calculated at a 0.142 second interval over Cottle, the second closest finish of the series season behind only Mitchel Moles’ 0.093 second score over Carson Garrett in July at Macon (Ill.) Speedway.

Already a four-time NOS Energy Drink National Midget winner and twice a Silver Crown victor in 2023, Seavey’s National Sprint Car win made him the first driver this season to earn victories in all three of USAC’s national divisions.

Furthermore, Seavey provided his 2B Racing team with its first USAC National Sprint Car feature triumph since a May 18, 2012, win by driver Bobby East at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway more than 11 years ago.

Overall, it was Seavey’s ninth career USAC National Sprint Car win, moving him to 57th on the all-time list and into a tie with Mario Andretti, Pat O'Connor, Hunter Schuerenberg and Robbie Stanley. But this one at Circle City was certainly among the most satisfying.

“I was just watching the laps click down with seven or eight to go and I really wasn’t gaining on him,” Seavey recalled. “I knew that the harder I ran, the slower I’d go. I just talked to myself a little bit and made sure I hit my marks rather than overdrive it. There were a few laps where I was turning down off four and it was okay, but I knew that in order to run him down earlier, I had to get up there and pound it.”

Prior to this night, Seavey’s best performance of the USAC National Sprint Car season came via a runner-up result in July at the very same place – Circle City Raceway. Although it had been his best run to this point in the year, Seavey felt he left one on the table. He was determined not to let that happen this time around.

“The last time I was here, I got myself a little bit out of balance in the middle of the race and I felt like I gave one away,” Seavey admitted. “This time, I wanted to make sure my car was going to stay good against the cushion so I could run it as hard as I could, but man, it was tough.”

To boot, Seavey’s car was one he had not driven before. The chassis is a nine-year-old DRC built in 2014 that has been driven occasionally by Scotty Weir on the local level at Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway. It was originally owned by Baldwin Brothers Racing but was later sold to Lou Gagliardi’s team and driven by Dustin Smith. When Gagliardi sold his equipment a couple years ago, 2B Racing team owner Scott Benic purchased the car. But that’s only where the story begins.

Benic had the car powder coated and sold it to Australian driver Travis Millar, who raced it during this summer’s USAC Indiana Sprint Week series. At the conclusion of ISW, Millar sold the car back to Benic and the 2B Racing team made the machine their backup car. After not running up to their expectations last weekend, the car with a long, winding history was upgraded to the primary ride for Seavey at Circle City. Thanks to the car affectionately nicknamed “Barney,” the old dinosaur put Seavey and 2B Racing back in victory lane.

Carson Garrett started first and ran first for the initial six laps of the feature until outside front row starting Seavey made a flourish into the lead with a full head of steam as he charged around the outside of Garrett to lead lap seven by a foot with Cummins, winner of the last two USAC Sprint Car races this season at Circle City, right on their heels back in third.

Seventh running Jadon Rogers spun to a stop in turn three on lap eight to bring out the yellow. Sixth starting Cottle had held steady in sixth until the caution, but the emperor soon found his new groove along the bottom of the 1/4-mile dirt oval as he marched his way up to fourth three laps later.

After clipping the turn four infield tire on lap 14, Cottle lost substantial ground in his quest. However, he soon received a reprieve due to the misfortune of those just in front of him. On lap 17, Garrett (2nd) and Cummins (3rd) headed for the same piece of real estate entering turn one. Cummins climbed Garrett's left side wheels, resulting in Garrett spinning to a stop as Cummins continued onward.

Seavey's 1.154 second lead was eradicated with the stoppage, and the beneficiary soon after was Cottle. In one fell swoop, Cottle drove under both Cummins and Seavey to advance from third to first on lap 19. With five to go, Cottle’s seemingly healthy lead stood at more than a full second until Seavey tracked him down to earn his first series win since June of 2022 at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway.

The confidence and swagger for Seavey and the 2B Racing team has rekindled of late after what has been a trying season that has had the team outside of the top-10 in the series point standings all year long. But the team stuck with it, and finally, good fortune was theirs in the end.

“These guys are doing everything they can to make this car good for us,” Seavey praised. “We’ve had some good runs and we’ve also struggled a lot too. Scott (Benic), Derek (Claxton), Matt (Meeks), Kevin Newton and everyone who works on this thing has put in the time and effort and has not given up. There have been a lot of nights where we were all just looking at each other not knowing what we were doing wrong. They brought in a new car this week and it drove really good all day. Hopefully we can keep this speed up for the rest of the year.”

For Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.), it was a frustrating end to what was a spectacular performance which saw him nearly win his first USAC feature of the season. But just like the end of his USAC Silver Crown run at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in August, his winning expedition was ripped away in the waning laps by Seavey. Nonetheless, Cottle earned Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifying honors to open the night, then drove his Epperson Racing/Epperson Painting – PPG Paints/DRC/Claxton Chevy to a season-best second place result.

“I don’t know what I could’ve done differently,” Cottle lamented. “I was good around the bottom, and I kept hearing him for about two or three laps. All I could do was just keep hitting my marks. He was just better than I was. It’s just one of them deals.”

Mired back in the 14th starting spot, Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) had a long road to hoe on his way to a third-place result in his Ballou Motorsports/The Boss Builder’s Outlet Super Store – Dragonfly Aviation/Twister-X/Ott Chevy. That effort of 11 positions gained earned Ballou hard charger honors for the evening.

“You’ve just got to go where they’re not, so I picked the middle land,” Ballou explained. “At the beginning, they were kind of dicing around the bottom. I went a lane above them and got by some guys that are normally really difficult to pass. I think I must’ve caught them by surprise. The seas kind of parted, so I moved to the middle, and we were okay until about 10 to go and I just kind of lost a little drive. These top-five to 10 guys are extremely tough and they’ve got really good crews and they’ve got really good engines and they’ve got their package together. I’ve been just a tick off all season and we’re finally starting to creep around to where I think we’re almost in a stride.”

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 15, 2023 – Circle City Raceway – Indianapolis, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-12.133; 2. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-12.159; 3. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-12.176; 4. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-12.183; 5. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.184; 6. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-12.234; 7. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.260; 8. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-12.321; 9. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-12.367; 10. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-12.392; 11. Trey Osborne, 6T, Osborne-12.414; 12. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-12.465; 13. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-12.470; 14. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-12.481; 15. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-12.503; 16. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.515; 17. Brent Beauchamp, 11, Beauchamp-12.616; 18. Kody Swanson, 77, Wedgewood-12.626; 19. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-12.659; 20. Frankie Guerrini, 63, F & F-12.752; 21. Thomas Meseraull, 23, NIKSTE-12.839; 22. Jack Hoyer, 5, Baldwin/Fox-12.849; 23. Hunter Maddox, 24m, Maddox-12.870; 24. John Sluss, 4R, RayPro-12.958; 25. Scott Hampton, 51, Slinkard-12.963; 26. Devan Myers, 75, Myers-12.987; 27. Chance Crum, 26, Rudeen-12.999; 28. Bryar Schroeter, 21s, Schroeter-13.156; 29. Gabriel Gilbert, 10G, Gilbert-13.293; 30. Wes Pinkerton, 21, Hajduk-13.545.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Matt Westfall, 2. Shane Cottle, 3. Jake Swanson, 4. C.J. Leary, 5. Emerson Axsom, 6. Mitchel Moles, 7. Bryar Schroeter, 8. Scott Hampton, 9. Jack Hoyer, 10. Chase Stockon. 2:10.14

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Brent Beauchamp, 2. Justin Grant, 3. Brady Bacon, 4. Logan Seavey, 5. Brandon Mattox, 6. Frankie Guerrini, 7. Gabriel Gilbert, 8. Hunter Maddox, 9. Trey Osborne, 10. Devan Myers. 2:11.70

T.J. FORGED / CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Jadon Rogers, 2. Robert Ballou, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Carson Garrett, 5. Kody Swanson, 6. Thomas Meseraull, 7. Daison Pursley, 8. Chance Crum, 9. John Sluss. 2:11.46

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Daison Pursley, 3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Chase Stockon, 5. Trey Osborne, 6. Chance Crum, 7. Jack Hoyer, 8. Frankie Guerrini, 9. Hunter Maddox, 10. Bryar Schroeter, 11. John Sluss, 12. Gabriel Gilbert, 13. Devan Myers, 14. Scott Hampton. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (2), 2. Shane Cottle (6), 3. Robert Ballou (14), 4. Kyle Cummins (4), 5. Brady Bacon (11), 6. Matt Westfall (7), 7. Justin Grant (5), 8. Mitchel Moles (15), 9. Emerson Axsom (19), 10. C.J. Leary (3), 11. Thomas Meseraull (20), 12. Brent Beauchamp (9), 13. Chance Crum (22), 14. Jake Swanson (10), 15. Daison Pursley (12), 16. Chase Stockon (17), 17. Brandon Mattox (16), 18. Jack Hoyer (21), 19. Kody Swanson (18), 20. Trey Osborne (13), 21. Jadon Rogers (8), 22. Carson Garrett (1). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-6 Carson Garrett, Laps 7-18 Logan Seavey, Laps 19-29 Shane Cottle, Lap 30 Logan Seavey.

**Scott Hampton flipped during the semi.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-2043, 2-Brady Bacon-2034, 3-Kyle Cummins-1916, 4-Emerson Axsom-1911, 5-Jake Swanson-1876, 6-C.J. Leary-1803, 7-Robert Ballou-1721, 8-Chase Stockon-1583, 9-Mitchel Moles-1544, 10-Logan Seavey-1494.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-170, 2-Emerson Axsom-108, 3-Logan Seavey-106, 4-Shane Cottle-106, 5-Robert Ballou-98, 6-Justin Grant-95, 7-Brady Bacon-91, 8-Matt Westfall-91, 9-Chase Stockon-77, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-63.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 16, 2023 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 16th Haubstadt Hustler – Co-Sanctioned by the Midwest Sprint Car Series

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Brady Bacon (12.351)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Shane Cottle (12.133)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Matt Westfall

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Brent Beauchamp

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Jadon Rogers

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Mitchel Moles

Kenny Baldwin Hard Work Award: Chance Crum

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Carson Garrett

Hard Charger: Robert Ballou (14th to 3rd)

 

 

BC39 ENTRY LIST HITS 70!

CANNON, AXSOM & KTJ JOIN IN ON THE IMS DIRT

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 14, 2023)………Seventy (70) USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets are now entered for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 on September 27-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The latest additions to the lineup include driver Cannon McIntosh and the Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports team. The Bixby, Okla. native finished as the runner-up in the 2022 BC39 and led a race-high 20 of the 39 laps at the 1/4-mile dirt track.

Additionally, Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) has officially been added as the seventh driver for the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports stable. The 2021 fifth place finishing BC39 driver will pilot car No. 68 for the reigning BC39 winning team.

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) led the first ever laps in BC39 history during the inaugural 2018 event in which he finished third. KTJ will be behind the wheel of the Crouch Motorsports No. 1 for the 2023 edition of the race.

Also filing BC39 entries today were Louisiana driver Chelby Hinton who’ll wheel a car owned by Klatt Enterprises and wrenched by USAC Hall of Famer Bob East. North Carolina’s Austin Barnhill will drive for Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports. Kevin Cook (Winchester, Ind.) will be in the seat of his own No. 9p.

** The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25, at www.TheBC39.com. **

Previously filing their entries to compete in this year’s BC39 were Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.), the 2018 BC39 winner, plus 2022 BC39 winner, Buddy Kofoid (Penngrove, Calif.), who will be participating during Wednesday and Thursday’s preliminary rounds.

Current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader and 2018 series champion Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) is entered as well as two-time USAC National champion Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) and 2019 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National champion C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.).

The always exciting Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.) is entered after contending for the win in each of the past two editions of the BC39 in 2021-22 as is top USAC Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) who owns the best finish by a woman in BC39 history with a 7th in 2022.

USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons (Tucson, Ariz.) is entered for the four-night event as is three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio), 2023 series winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.) and USAC national feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio).

Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, the winning team of the 2022 running of the BC39, has entered seven cars for the event, including entries for series for 2023 USAC National Midget winners Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.), plus Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.), Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) and Mariah Ede (Fresno, Calif.).

The 2022 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year, Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.), will make his second BC39 appearance this year after leading the initial 12 laps of last year’s BC39. Two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) will also return to the BC39 as well as first-time 2023 USAC National Midget feature winner Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.) and recent series winner Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.).


DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.


2023 DRIVEN2SAVELIVES BC39 ENTRIES

(70 cars as of September 14, 2023)

08 Cannon McIntosh (Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports)

1 Kevin Thomas Jr. (Crouch Motorsports)

1D Landon Brooks (RAMCO Speed Group)

1G Connor Wolf (RAMCO Speed Group)

1z Justin Zimmerman (Justin Zimmerman)

2 Justin Grant (RMS Racing)

3G Kyle Cummins (Glenn Styres Racing)

4 Chelby Hinton (Klatt Enterprises)

5J Josh Hodge (Josh Hodge Racing)

5s Scott Orr (Josh Hodge Racing)

6 Isaac Chapple (Doug Hall)

7c Josh Bilicki (RAMCO Speed Group)

7m Kyle Jones (RAMCO Speed Group)

7p Zach Daum (RAMCO Speed Group)

7x Thomas Meseraull (RMS Racing)

8 Randi Pankratz (Wally Pankratz)

8x Jeff Schindler (Jeff Schindler)

9 Wes Pinkerton (Wes Pinkerton)

9p Kevin Cook (Kevin Cook)

10A Tommy Colburn (MWR Technology)

10c Mark McMahill (MWR Technology)

11 Clinton Boyles (Scott Beierle)

11L Aaron Leffel (Team Taylor Racing)

14 C.J. Leary (Legacy Autosport)

17B Austin Barnhill (Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports)

18N Weston Gorham (Kelly Gorham)

19 Daison Pursley (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19AZ Hayden Reinbold (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19m Ethan Mitchell (Bundy Built Motorsports)

19T Mitchel Moles (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19x TBA (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

21D Justin Dickerson (Mike Dickerson)

21H Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports)

21J Kameron Key (TKH Motorsports)

21K Karter Sarff (Jayme Sarff)

22 John Heydenreich (John Heydenreich)

22p Taylor Courtney (RAMCO Speed Group)

23 Preston Lattomus (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

25 Jacob Denney (Tom Malloy)

25K Taylor Reimer (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

25m Jake Andreotti (Tom Malloy)

27 Keith Rauch (Bourke Motorsports)

27B Jake Bubak (Bourke Motorsports)

32 Gary Taylor (Brian Dunlap)

36 Ian Creager (Tod Creager)

40 Chase McDermand (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

40B Blake Brannon (Blake Brannon)

40x Zach Wigal (Chase McDermand)

41 Oliver Akard (Team OMR)

44 Adam Andretti (Jeff Johnson)

46 Kenney Johnson (Jeff Johnson)

54 Matt Westfall (Steve Bordner)

56 Mitchell Davis (Pat O’Dell)

57 Logan Seavey (Abacus Racing)

57A Daniel Robinson (RAB Racing)

58 Daniel Whitley (Abacus Racing)

67 Ryan Timms (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

67K Buddy Kofoid (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

68 Emerson Axsom (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71 Jade Avedisian (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71E Mariah Ede (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71T Kyler Johnson (Todd Henry)

81 Bryant Wiedeman (CB Industries)

85 Jerry Coons Jr. (Central Motorsports)

86 Brent Crews (CB Industries)

89 Kaylee Bryson (CB Industries)

97 Gavin Miller (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

99 TBA (Carson-Segur Racing)

99K Robert Carson (Carson-Segur Racing)

118 Scott Evans (Scott Evans)

 

 

HUSTLIN’ FOR $20,000:

USAC & MSCS SPRINT CARS FACE OFF

SATURDAY AT TRI-STATE

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Haubstadt, Indiana (September 13, 2023)………The richest Haubstadt Hustler to date is on tap for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and Midwest Sprint Car Series this Saturday night, September 16, at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana.

Forty laps will lead to a $20,000 payday for one driver and one team to experience this weekend at The Class Track’s 1/4-mile dirt oval during the 16th running of the Haubstadt Hustler.

A long(er) distance, a big payout, the prospect of Jadon Rogers repeating, Kyle Cummins setting a new all-time record and the possibility of an emerging first-time USAC National Sprint Car points-paying race winner such as Daison Pursley, Carson Garrett and others are more than enough to whet the appetite.

But that only scratches the surface with the Haubstadt Hustler presenting round two of the USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta and the penultimate round of the Bubby Jones Master of Goin’ Faster Presented By Spire Sports + Entertainment series.

All hotly contested races and all at the forefront of the storylines that we have our eyes peeled to this coming Saturday in southern Indiana.


RODGERS RUNNIN' IT BACK

Countless individuals have clutched onto the dream of winning their first career USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature race. Some are able to realize that dream but, for most, it remains but a fleeting notion that is never fully seized.

It was “carpe diem” for Jadon Rogers (Worthington, Ind.) during the 2022 Haubstadt Hustler as he led the final five laps to score his first career USAC feature victory.

It had been a long time coming for the 2020 USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year, the same season in which he raced from his 14th starting position to finish 2nd during his first Haubstadt Hustler start.

He’s also the most recent winner at Tri-State, scoring the Midwest Sprint Car Series show on Labor Day weekend, September 3. He ran fourth with USAC there in the spring of this year, equaling his best performance of the season with the series.

Furthermore, he seems to have found a home with Michael Dutcher Motorsports, finishing 5th, 4th, 7th and 4th in four of his past five starts with the team as he angles to return to victory lane for the first time in a calendar year with USAC and also provide Dutcher his first USAC win since 2015. A Dutcher-owned car won the Haubstadt Hustler in 2013 with Kevin Thomas Jr. at the wheel.


CUMMINS ONE AWAY

Two-time Haubstadt Hustler winner Kyle Cummins has been the barometer that many others have measured themselves against when it comes to racing at Tri-State Speedway.

Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) is tied atop the list for all-time USAC National Sprint Car victories at the track, having won six times, including the Haubstadt Hustler on two occasions in 2016 and 2019. With one more victory, he’d officially become the king of USAC Sprint Car racing at Tri-State in terms of total wins.

However, he’s been shut out of victory lane in each of his last five outings with USAC at TSS dating back to the spring of 2021, the longest such stretch of his career.

Cummins, who swept to victory in all eight of his sprint car starts at Tri-State in 2019, has already won twice this year at TSS with MSCS, during May’s Memorial Weekend Classic and August’s Hoosier Sprint Nationals.


DAISON & CARSON, FIRST ONE?

Daron Clayton (2006), Hunter Schuerenberg (2008), Blake Fitzpatrick (2010), Carson Short (2016), Stephen Schnapf (2020) and Jadon Rogers (2022) all know the feeling well.

They’ve all experienced a first career USAC National Sprint Car feature win at Tri-State Speedway.

Daison Pursley and Carson Garrett are two individuals looking to experience the same feeling this Saturday night during the Haubstadt Hustler, both of whom have ties to the southern Indiana dirt oval.

Mind you, yes, Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) did win a non-point paying USAC Sprint Car feature down in Florida at Volusia Speedway Park to kick off the season, but another on Saturday would actually be his first points-paying victory with the series. The top-Rookie in the 2023 USAC National Sprint Car standings finished 8th in his Haubstadt Hustler debut in 2021, which also marked his first career USAC Sprint Car start with the KO Motorsports team, a team that is a regular fixture at Tri-State.

Meanwhile, Garrett (Littleton, Colo.) has already won twice with MSCS this season, once in May and again in June. He ran seventh in the spring with USAC at Tri-State but has grown by leaps and bounds ever since. With USAC, he finished with a career best second place result (by inches) at Illinois’ Macon Speedway and has also run inside the top-five multiple times since. Now he’s primed to be USAC’s first “first-time” Sprint Car winner of 2023.


TRIFECTA ROUND TWO

And then there were three!

Justin Grant, Kyle Cummins and Logan Seavey are gunning for their share of the USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta, round two of which arrives during this Saturday’s Haubstadt Hustler.

Two Trifecta events remain with a pair of $20,000-to-win showdowns on Saturday at Tri-State and on Saturday, October 7, during Lawrenceburg Speedway’s Fall Nationals.

Grant took round one of the Trifecta in August at Kokomo’s Smackdown ahead of Cummins and Seavey. Now Grant is chasing a clean sweep worth more than $100,000 in total prize money if he can win at both Tri-State and Lawrenceburg.

The driver with the highest average Trifecta finishing position and also finishes inside the top-three in the trio of events will earn the prize – over 100,000 dollars in total to win all three, a $20,000 bonus to finish second or better in all three and $10,000 to score a top-three result in all three races.


BUBBY JONES PENULTIMATE ROUND

Emerson Axsom leads a hotly contested title race in the Bubby Jones Master of Goin’ Faster Presented By Spire Sports + Entertainment standings.

The 10-race miniseries for the USAC National Sprint Cars takes on round nine on Saturday at Tri-State, a series in which Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) possesses a 13-point lead over C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.).

Jake Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.) remains 41 points out of the lead with defending “Bubby” champ Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) 49 markers back and Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) 59 tallies behind the leader.

The driver accumulating the most total points throughout the 2023 Bubby Jones Racing Master of Goin’ Faster series will be rewarded with a $10,000 prize. Furthermore, the championship winning crew chief will collect a $2,500 bonus.

Winners of the Bubby Jones races thus far in 2023 include C.J. Leary (May 6 at Eldora), Brady Bacon (May 23 at Terre Haute), Jake Swanson (June 3 at Knoxville), Emerson Axsom (June 16 at Williams Grove), Justin Grant (June 17 at Port Royal), C.J. Leary (July 22 at Kokomo), Emerson Axsom (July 28 at Bloomington) and Matt Westfall (September 9 at Texarkana 67).

Two Bubby Jones events remain in 2023 starting at Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, September 16, and ending on Saturday, October 7, at Lawrenceburg Speedway.


DIFFERENT FORMAT & “POINT”ING IT OUT

At this time of the season, much of the talk surrounds the season-long championship points races. While Saturday’s Haubstadt Hustler, co-sanctioned by the Midwest Sprint Car Series, will pay points toward the USAC National Sprint Car title race, the points will only be distributed in the form of appearance points.

All participating USAC National Sprint Car licensed drivers and entrants will receive 50 points across the board for their participation in the event regardless of finishing position this Saturday night.

The MSCS format of group qualifying to set heat race lineups and a draw to determine the feature inversion will be utilized for the Haubstadt Hustler, as has traditionally been the case in this event. April’s Spring Showdown at Tri-State, also co-sanctioned by USAC and MSCS, routinely uses the USAC format.

That takes points out of the equation for the night, meaning teams and drivers might play it a bit less conservatively when it comes to taking chances, and perhaps, on the set-up. But knowing this group, there’s not much “conserving” when $20,000 and bragging rights are on the line.


RACE DETAILS

Saturday’s program at Tri-State Speedway features the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship (co-sanctioned by the Midwest Sprint Car Series) as well as the Midwest Mini Sprint Association.

Pits open at 2pm Central with grandstands opening at 3:30pm, the drivers meeting at 5:30pm and cars on track at 6pm followed by qualifying and racing.

Adult general admission tickets are $30, students (ages 13-18) are $20 and children 12 and under free. Pit passes are $30 for members and $35 for non-members.


=====================


USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-1979, 2-Brady Bacon-1970, 3-Emerson Axsom-1861, 4-Kyle Cummins-1845, 5-Jake Swanson-1835, 6-C.J. Leary-1752, 7-Robert Ballou-1650, 8-Chase Stockon-1551, 9-Mitchel Moles-1491, 10-Daison Pursley-1455.



TRACK RECORD FOR USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS AT TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 7/30/2000 - Levi Jones - 12.644 - 71.180 mph

6 Laps - 7/07/2005 - Hud Cone - 1:20.59 - 67.006 mph

8 Laps - 7/15/2006 - Shane Hollingsworth - 1:49.65 - 65.664 mph

10 Laps - 9/2/2006 - Dave Darland - 2:09.02 - 69.757 mph

12 Laps - 9/14/2013 - Chase Stockon - 2:42.02 - 66.658 mph

30 Laps - 7/18/2015 - Brady Short - 7:31.50 - 59.801 mph


HAUBSTADT HUSTLER WINNERS:

2008: Jeff Bland Jr.

2009: Bryan Clauson

2010: Jon Stanbrough

2011: Casey Riggs

2012: Daron Clayton

2013: Kevin Thomas Jr.

2014: Daron Clayton

2015: Brady Short

2016: Kyle Cummins

2017: Kevin Thomas Jr.

2018: Kevin Thomas Jr.

2019: Kyle Cummins

2020: Chase Stockon

2021: Kevin Thomas Jr.

2022: Jadon Rogers


TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS

6-Kyle Cummins & Kevin Thomas Jr.

5-Daron Clayton

4-Cory Kruseman

3-Rick Hood

2-Robert Ballou, Justin Grant, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brady Short, Jon Stanbrough & Chase Stockon

1-Brady Bacon, Steve Butler, Dave Darland, Jay Drake, Tony Elliott, Blake Fitzpatrick, Damion Gardner, Tracy Hines, Kenny Jacobs, Levi Jones, Casey Riggs, Jadon Rogers, Stephen Schnapf, Carson Short, Chris Windom & J.J. Yeley

TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS

1983: Rick Hood (9/4)

1984: Steve Butler (5/28) & Rick Hood (9/2)

1988: Kenny Jacobs (8/7)

1989: Rick Hood (6/3)

2000: Cory Kruseman (7/30)

2001: Tony Elliott (5/13) & Jay Drake (7/22)

2002: Tracy Hines (5/19) & Cory Kruseman (7/21)

2003: J.J. Yeley (7/20)

2004: Cory Kruseman (7/18)

2005: Cory Kruseman (7/17)

2006: Jon Stanbrough (7/15) & Daron Clayton (9/2)

2007: Daron Clayton (7/21)

2008: Hunter Schuerenberg (7/19)

2009: Levi Jones (7/18)

2010: Blake Fitzpatrick (7/17)

2011: Damion Gardner (7/16) & Casey Riggs (9/17)

2012: Hunter Schuerenberg (5/12), Jon Stanbrough (7/21) & Daron Clayton (9/15)

2013: Kevin Thomas, Jr. (5/11) & Kevin Thomas, Jr. (9/14)

2014: Daron Clayton (4/26), Robert Ballou (7/19) & Daron Clayton (9/13)

2015: Brady Bacon (4/18), Brady Short (7/18) & Brady Short (9/19)

2016: Chase Stockon (4/16), Carson Short (7/16) & Kyle Cummins (9/17)

2017: Chris Windom (4/15), Kyle Cummins (7/15) & Kevin Thomas, Jr., (9/16)

2018: Kevin Thomas, Jr. (4/28), Dave Darland (7/28) & Kevin Thomas, Jr. (9/15)

2019: Kyle Cummins (7/27) & Kyle Cummins (9/14)

2020: Stephen Schnapf (6/14), Kyle Cummins (8/2) & Chase Stockon (9/19)

2021: Kyle Cummins (4/17), Justin Grant (7/31) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/18)

2022: Robert Ballou (7/30) & Jadon Rogers (9/17)

2023: Justin Grant (4/15)

PAST HAUBSTADT HUSTLER RESULTS:

2008 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Jeff Bland Jr., 2. Brady Short, 3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Levi Jones, 5. Hunter Schuerenberg, 6. Darren Hagen, 7. Chad Boat, 8. Jon Stanbrough, 9. Kyle Cummins, 10. Hud Cone, 11. A.J. Anderson, 12. Robert Ballou, 13. Blake Fitzpatrick, 14. Daron Clayton, 15. Chris Windom, 16. Shawn Krockenberger, 17. John Memmer, 18. Shane Cottle, 19. J.J. Yeley, 20. Alex Shanks, 21. Ricky Williams.

2009 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Josh Wise, 3. Brady Short, 4. Jon Stanbrough, 5. Damion Gardner, 6. Levi Jones, 7. Scotty Weir, 8. Casey Shuman, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Blake Fitzpatrick, 11. Chris Windom, 12. Hunter Schuerenberg, 13. Jeff Bland Jr., 14. Hud Cone, 15. Kevin Thomas Jr., 16. Kyle Cummins, 17. Mark Perry III, 18. Thomas Meseraull, 19. Nic Faas, 20. Robert Ballou, 21. Danny Holtsclaw.

2010 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Jon Stanbrough, 2. Blake Fitzpatrick, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Scotty Weir, 5. Hunter Schuerenberg, 6. Levi Jones, 7. Critter Malone, 8. Chase Stockon, 9. Jonathan Hendrick, 10. Thomas Meseraull, 11. Damion Gardner, 12. Kurt Gross, 13. Jeff Bland Jr., 14. Adam Nigg, 15. Jared Harris, 16. Chase Briscoe, 17. Justin Grant, 18. Jonathan Vennard, 19. Kevin Thomas Jr., 20. Brady Short, 21. Daron Clayton.

2011 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Casey Riggs, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Damion Gardner, 4. Levi Jones, 5. Brady Bacon, 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 7. Hunter Schuerenberg, 8. Tracy Hines, 9. Keith Bloom, 10. Critter Malone, 11. Jonathan Hendrick, 12. Kyle Cummins, 13. Jon Stanbrough, 14. Wes McIntyre, 15. Dave Darland, 16. Daron Clayton, 17. Blake Fitzpatrick, 18. Braylon Fitzpatrick, 19. Robert Ballou, 20. Hud Cone, 21. Brady Short, 22. Chris Windom, 23. Chase Stockon, 24. Chase Briscoe, 25. Shane Cottle. NT

2012 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Daron Clayton, 2. Kyle Larson, 3. Robert Ballou, 4. Dave Darland, 5. Chris Windom, 6. Damion Gardner, 7. Kevin Thomas Jr., 8. Jon Stanbrough, 9. Chase Briscoe, 10. Chase Stockon, 11. Thomas Meseraull, 12. Shane Cottle, 13. Dakota Jackson, 14. Hunter Schuerenberg, 15. Bobby East, 16. Jerry Coons Jr., 17. Tracy Hines, 18. Brady Short, 19. Seth Parker, 20. Brandon Mattox, 21. Wes McIntyre, 22. Kyle Cummins, 23. Bryan Clauson (re-positioned due to missing scales). NT

2013 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Brady Short, 3. Brady Bacon, 4. Jon Stanbrough, 5. Kyle Cummins, 6. Chase Stockon, 7. Daron Clayton, 8. Tracy Hines, 9. Bryan Clauson, 10. Shane Cottle, 11. Robert Ballou, 12. Blake Fitzpatrick, 13. Jeff Bland Jr., 14. Bradley Sterrett, 15. Nick Drake, 16. Carson Short, 17. Chase Briscoe, 18. A.J. Hopkins, 19. Kurt Gross, 20. Tyler Courtney, 21. Dave Darland, 22. Wes McIntyre, 23. Seth Parker. NT

2014 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Daron Clayton, 2. Robert Ballou, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Jon Stanbrough, 7. Bryan Clauson, 8. Brady Bacon, 9. Tracy Hines, 10. Brian Karraker, 11. Dave Darland, 12. Aaron Farney, 13. C.J. Leary, 14. Brady Short, 15. Kevin Thomas Jr., 16. Shane Cockrum, 17. Chris Windom, 18. Donny Brackett, 19. Nick Hale, 20. Carson Short, 21. Brandon Mattox, 22. Hud Cone, 23. Mitch Wissmiller, 24. Jeff Bland Jr. NT

2015 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Brady Short, 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3. Dakota Jackson, 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Dave Darland, 7. Robert Ballou, 8. Chris Windom, 9. C.J. Leary, 10. Thomas Meseraull, 11. Shane Cottle, 12. Aaron Farney, 13. Brandon Mattox, 14. Kent Schmidt, 15. Jon Stanbrough, 16. James Lyerla, 17. Kyle Cummins, 18. Donny Brackett, 19. Chad Boespflug, 20. Tracy Hines, 21. Justin Grant, 22. Hunter Schuerenberg, 23. Mike Terry Jr., 24. Daron Clayton. NT

2016 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Kyle Cummins, 2. Tyler Courtney, 3. Shane Cottle, 4. Kevin Thomas Jr., 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Chris Windom, 7. Carson Short, 8. Justin Grant, 9. Brady Bacon, 10. Jon Stanbrough, 11. C.J. Leary, 12. Dave Darland, 13. Brian Karraker, 14. Tyler Hewitt, 15. Brandon Mattox, 16. Tyler Thomas, 17. Daron Clayton, 18. Dakota Jackson, 19. Brady Short, 20. Chad Boespflug, 21. Thomas Meseraull, 22. Donny Brackett, 23. Aaron Farney. NT

2017 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Kyle Cummins, 3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Chet Williams, 5. Tyler Courtney, 6. Chris Windom, 7. Brady Short, 8. Robert Ballou, 9. C.J. Leary, 10. Justin Grant, 11. Chad Boespflug, 12. Carson Short, 13. Dave Darland, 14. Donny Brackett, 15. Chase Stockon, 16. Isaac Chapple, 17. Josh Hodges, 18. Brady Bacon, 19. Dakota Jackson, 20. Aric Gentry, 21. Brandon Mattox, 22. Jon Stanbrough, 23. Shane Cottle, 24. Kendall Ruble. NT

2018 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3), 2. C.J. Leary (2), 3. Jason McDougal (8), 4. Dave Darland (7), 5. Carson Short (15), 6. Tyler Courtney (16), 7. Robert Ballou (10), 8. Chase Stockon (11), 9. Kyle Cummins (9), 10. Donny Brackett (13), 11. Stephen Schnapf (5), 12. Isaac Chapple (14), 13. Chet Williams (19), 14. Brady Bacon (6), 15. Critter Malone (21), 16. Kendall Ruble (20), 17. Chris Windom (4), 18. Daron Clayton (17), 19. Justin Grant (12), 20. Tony DiMattia (22), 21. Brandon Mattox (23), 22. Kent Schmidt (1), 23. Aric Gentry (18). NT

2019 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (3), 2. Tyler Courtney (4), 3. C.J. Leary (1), 4. Kendall Ruble (5), 5. Chris Windom (10), 6. Critter Malone (11), 7. Chase Stockon (9), 8. Brady Bacon (19), 9. Brady Short (18), 10. Josh Hodges (6), 11. Stephen Schnapf (23), 12. Max Adams (14), 13. Carson Short (22), 14. Kevin Thomas Jr. (17), 15. Donny Brackett (16), 16. Kent Schmidt (15), 17. Dustin Christie (2), 18. Jason McDougal (21), 19. Brian Karraker (8), 20. Chayse Hayhurst (12), 21. Dakota Jackson (20), 22. Justin Grant (13), 23. Isaac Chapple (24), 24. Collin Ambrose (25), 25. Shane Cottle (7). NT

2020 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chase Stockon (2), 2. Jadon Rogers (14), 3. Robert Ballou (18), 4. Critter Malone (19), 5. Chris Windom (8), 6. Justin Grant (7), 7. Brady Bacon (12), 8. C.J. Leary (10), 9. Kyle Cummins (1), 10. Brandon Mattox (13), 11. Kent Schmidt (6), 12. Dave Darland (5), 13. Anton Hernandez (16), 14. Dakota Jackson (17), 15. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3), 16. Carson Short (15), 17. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (22), 18. Chayse Hayhurst (24), 19. Aric Gentry (20), 20. Clinton Boyles (9), 21. Shane Cottle (21), 22. Jonathan Vennard (23), 23. Stephen Schnapf (11), DQ. Kendall Ruble.

2021 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 2. Justin Grant (3), 3. Brady Bacon (8), 4. Tanner Thorson (7), 5. Chase Stockon (2), 6. Robert Ballou (15), 7. Brady Short (1), 8. Daison Pursley (12), 9. Jason McDougal (11), 10. Jake Swanson (14), 11. Kyle Cummins (5), 12. Koby Barksdale (20), 13. Jadon Rogers (13), 14. Kent Schmidt (16), 15. C.J. Leary (19), 16. Chris Windom (10), 17. Emerson Axsom (17), 18. Stephen Schnapf (9), 19. Collin Ambrose (23-P), 20. Kendall Ruble (6), 21. Carson Garrett (18), 22. Cindy Chambers (24-P), 23. Max Adams (21), 24. Aric Gentry (22). NT

2022 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jadon Rogers (1), 2. Kyle Cummins (7), 3. Jason McDougal (3), 4. Chase Stockon (8), 5. Brady Bacon (10), 6. C.J. Leary (2), 7. Justin Grant (15), 8. Emerson Axsom (6), 9. Mitchel Moles (12), 10. Robert Ballou (11), 11. Carson Garrett (13), 12. Daison Pursley (17), 13. Matt Westfall (16), 14. Kendall Ruble (5), 15. Collin Ambrose (9), 16. Dustin Beck (20), 17. Brady Short (14), 18. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 19. Stan Beadles (19), 20. Carson Short (21), 21. Adyn Schmidt (22), 22. Brandon Mattox (23-U), 23. Aric Gentry (18), 24. Brandon Smith (24-M). NT

 

 

USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CARS RETURN TO VENTURA SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023... After a break in the schedule, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will return to Ventura Raceway this Saturday, September 16th. Promoted by Jim Naylor, the championship point race will also feature the VRA Dwarf Cars, WMR Midgets, VRA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts, and VRA Junior Classes. Located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California, the Pit Gates will open at noon, the Front Gates open at 3:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 5:30pm at “The Best Little Dirt Track in America.” For more event information, visit the track’s website at venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All USAC racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com or usacracing.com.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL TIRES: Due to current shortages, ANY Hoosier Right Rear Tire is legal for competition until further notice. All four corners must be Hoosier.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78, FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101, COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S, B&B: FRAC-0375S, SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK. P1 AUSTRALIA: SSM5C. *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS: Front axle tether systems (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS: Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.

In addition to championship points, each night will award points for the season-long Woodland Auto Display Top Qualifier Standings, Sammy Bahr & Ray Stansberry Feature Points, and Passing Master Standings. The top drivers in Woodland TQ points will take home $500-for-1st, $300-for-2nd, and $200-for-3rd. The winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet following the “George Snider Classic / Championship Night” on October 7th at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park.

Since April 4, 2009, the Ventura County Fairgrounds has held twenty-six West Coast 360 events and eighteen different drivers have claimed victory. Rookie contender David Gasper took the checkered flags in just the second start of his career on May 13th and Jake Andreotti led all 30-laps to add his name to the winner’s list on June 17th. Former VRA Champion, Troy Rutherford established the 1-lap track record of 11.941 on June 4, 2022 and the complete Ventura winner’s list is at the end of the release.

After running fifth at Ventura on June 17th, Ryan Timmons (Pleasant Hill, California) has extended his point lead to 52 markers over the competition. Driving the family owned #29T Red Line Oil / Evergood Fine Foods Maxim, Timmons has two feature wins, one heat race victory, four top-10 finishes, and 14 feature laps led on the season. The 2016 Rookie of the Year is tied with Chase Johnson for twelfth on the win list and will be looking for his eighth career victory this Saturday night.

Ron LaPlant (Oroville, California) is second in the USAC West Coast point standings. Racing his #69 RJL Truck & Tractor Painting / Feather Falls Casino Eagle, LaPlant earned the Hard Charger / “Best Passing Job” honors at Ventura with a ninth place run eighteenth. At press time, the leading rookie contender has two BR Motorsports / Rod End Supply Hard Charger Awards, four top-ten finishes, and 18 feature laps led to his credit. Ron will have his sights on the first victory of his career at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Kyle Edwards (Fountain Valley, California) sits third in the chase for the championship. Piloting the family owned #39 Safehouse Security / Van Dyne Engineering Triple X, Edwards charged from ninth to fourth in the July 17th main event. To date, the third generation driver has posted two heat race victories, three top-10 finishes, and 6 feature laps led in the campaign. Kyle will be looking for the first series win of his career at Ventura Raceway.

After scoring twelfth at Ventura on June 17th, Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) has climbed to fourth in the point chase. Driving Bob & Toni Van Meter’s #51 Race Pa Motorsports / W.E. Spike, Fuson has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, one BR Motorsports / Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award, one Wilwood Disc Brakes “Lucky 13” Award, one top-10 finish, and 13 feature laps led on the season. Fresh off last Saturday’s USAC Western States Midget win at Ventura, Brody will have his sights on the third USAC 360 win of his career.

Tyler Hatzikian (Murrieta, California) is fifth in the championship standings. The owner / driver of the #27 Tyler Surfboards / Original Roadhouse Bar & Grill Triple X placed seventeenth at the last Ventura visit. At press time, the 2022 Rookie of the Year has three top-10 finishes on the year and will have his sights on his first USAC win at Ventura Raceway.

While Ron LaPlant leads the chase for rookie of the year honors, David Gasper (Goleta, California), Jon DeWees (Lemoore, California), Adam Christian (Santa Clara, California), Bryan Whitley (Oak View, California), Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, California), Tom Dunkel (Menifee, California), Heath Holdsclaw (Loomis, California), Verne Sweeney (Lomita, California), and “The Gunslinger” Austin Grabowski (Riverside, California) are also in contention.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Cody Majors, 2022 Champion Trent Carter, Tom Hendricks, Chris Ennis, Hannah Mayhew, Elexa Herrera, Camie Bell, James Herrera, Tanner Boul, Joey Bishop, and more.

Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California. General Admission Adult tickets are $22, General Admission Senior (60 and older), Active Military (ID Required), and Student tickets (with ID) are $18. Kids tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.

The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, High Tech Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Wagtimers, Wilwood Disc Brakes, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email Stephanie Odom at Odom.Stephanie@me.com or Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the series, visit usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content at the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
-----------------------------------------------
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2009-Justyne Hamblin, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Richard Vander Weerd, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Matt Mitchell, 2015-Danny Faria Jr., 2016-Brody Roa, 2017-Jake Swanson, 2018-Austin Liggett, 2019-Tristan Guardino, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-D.J. Johnson, 2022-Trent Carter.

VENTURA USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR TRACK RECORD: Troy Rutherford - 11.941 (06/04/22)

VENTURA USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: (Includes Non-Point Races) 3-Tristan Guardino, 3-Troy Rutherford, 3-Jake Swanson, 2-Ryan Bernal, 2-Chase Johnson, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-A.J. Bender, 1-Tyler Courtney, 1-Geoff Ensign, 1-David Gasper, 1-Johnathon Henry, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Carson Macedo, 1-Brody Roa, 1-Ryan Timmons, 1-Ryan Timms, 1-Daniel Whitley.

2023 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: 2-Ryan Timmons, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-David Gasper.

2023 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Ryan Timmons-299, 2. Ron LaPlant®-247, 3. Kyle Edwards-241, 4. Brody Fuson-212, 5. Tyler Hatzikian-205, 6. Cody Majors-197, 7. Trent Carter-182, 8. David Gasper®-179, --. Tom Hendricks-179, 10. Chris Ennis-163, 11. Jon DeWees®-153, 12. Steve Hix-143, 13. Hannah Mayhew-133, 14. Troy Rutherford-125, 15. Adam Christian®-124, 16. Elexa Herrera-119, 17. Camie Bell-112, 18. Bryan Whitley®-97, 19. James Herrera-93, 20. Jake Andreotti®-77, 21. Matt Day-76, 22. Tom Dunkel®-75, 23. Tanner Boul-72, 24. Kaleb Montgomery-68, 25. D.J. Johnson-61, 26. Heath Holdsclaw®-55, 27. Verne Sweeney®-49, 28. Joey Bishop-47, 29. A.J. Bender-43, 30. Charlie Butcher-41, 31. Bruce Douglass-40, 32. Logan Calderwood-38, 33. Austin Grabowski®-33, 34. Grant Sexton®-29, 35. Eathon Lanfri®-28, ---. Chris Wakim®-28, 37. Cole Wakim®-24, 38. Malyssa Perkins®-10, ---. Tony Everhart®-10.

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALIFIER POINTS: 1. Ryan Timmons-18, 2. David Gasper®-12, -. Troy Rutherford-12, 4. Brody Fuson-11, 5. Kyle Edwards-10, 6. Cody Majors-9, 7. Kaleb Montgomery-5, 8. Ron LaPlant®-3, 9. Logan Calderwood-2, 10. Tyler Hatzikian-1, --. Chris Ennis-1.

SAMMY BAHR & RAY STANSBERRY FEATURE POINTS: 1. Ryan Timmons-256, 2. Ron LaPlant®-226, 3. Kyle Edwards-209, 4. Tyler Hatzikian-188, 5. Brody Fuson-171, 6. Cody Majors-168, 7. Trent Carter-166, 8. Tom Hendricks-165, 9. Chris Ennis-145, 10. David Gasper®-138, 11. Jon DeWees®-134, 12. Steve Hix-127, 13. Hannah Mayhew-111, 14. Adam Christian®-107, 15. Elexa Herrera-99, 16. Troy Rutherford-98, 17. Camie Bell-91, 18. James Herrera-87, 19. Bryan Whitley-84, 20. Jake Andreotti®-70, 21. Matt Day-68, 22. Tom Dunkel-66, 23. Tanner Boul-64, 24. D.J. Johnson-55, ---. Kaleb Montgomery-55, 26. Heath Holdsclaw®-49, 27. Verne Sweeney®-43, 28. A.J. Bender-37, 29. Bruce Douglass-35, 30. Joey Bishop-34, 31. Charlie Butcher-33, 32. Logan Calderwood-31, 33. Austin Grabowski®-27, ---. Chris Wakim®-27, 35. Eathon Lanfri®-25, 36. Cole Wakim®-23, ---. Grant Sexton®-23.

PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1. 1. Ron LaPlant®-21, 2. Tom Hendricks-19, 3. Jon DeWees®-18, 4. Adam Christian®-12, 5. Elexa Herrera-11, --. Ryan Timmons-11, 7. Hannah Mayhew-10, --. Trent Carter-10, 9. Heath Holdsclaw®-8, 10. Brody Fuson-7, 11. Chris Ennis-6, ---. Bryan Whitley-6, ---. Bruce Douglass-6, 14. D.J. Johnson-5, ---. James Herrera-5, ---. Matt Day-5, ---. Camie Bell-5, ---. Tyler Hatzikian-5, ---. Kyle Edwards-5, 20. Tanner Boul-4, ---. Steve Hix-4, ---. Troy Rutherford-4, 23. Cody Majors-3, ---. Verne Sweeney®-3, 25. David Gasper®-2, ---. Joey Bishop-2, ---. Tom Dunkel-2, 28. Eathon Lanfri®-1, ---. Jake Andreotti®-1, ---. Chris Wakim®-1.

2023 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
February 25: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (RAIN)
April 8: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Ryan Timmons)
May 13: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: David Gasper)
June 3: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Ryan Timmons)
June 17: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Jake Andreotti)
July 29: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (CANCELLED)
August 26: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (CANCELLED)
September 16: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC Western States Midgets / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)
November 24: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (82nd Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix / SE)
November 25: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (82nd Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix / SE)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.

 

 

STORYLINES! USAC SPRINTS GET AFTER IT AT CIRCLE CITY ON FRIDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Indianapolis, Indiana (September 13, 2023)………Circle City Raceway presents a smorgasbord of opportunities this Friday night, September 15, in Indianapolis, Ind.

For fans, it’s the final central Indiana race of the year for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, and that keyword “Championship” is more prevalent than ever this time of the year for drivers and teams with a tight point race on the board with a mere seven events remaining.

It’s time to make a final push before the curtain falls on 2023, from the top of the title race to those wanting to make a final splash to close the season on a sweet note and to make a lasting impression going into the fall and winter months.

It’s also time to run through the storylines we’re all going to be tuned into for this Friday’s showdown in the Circle City.

BATTLE ROYALE BETWEEN GRANT & BACON

First and foremost, as we enter the latter stages of the season, the race for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship becomes top of mind.

The point lead has switched hands 13 times this season among six different drivers. In comparison, in the three-year span between 2020-22, the series point lead changed only 11 times between six drivers. Needless to say, this has already become one of the fiercest title fights in series history, and we’re still a full seven events from the finish line.

Reigning champ Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) took over the lead after last week’s series venture to Texas and Arkansas, and now leads four-time titlist Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) by a mere nine-point margin.

Neither driver has won before at Circle City in USAC National Sprint Car competition. Both drivers have come close, however, with each collecting best results of second place along the way. Grant did so in July of 2022 and Bacon followed suit in September of 2022. Grant has recorded a pair of fast qualifying times at Circle City this season alone while Bacon won the first ever sprint car race run at Circle City in 2021, sanctioned by MSCS.

CUMMINS IS ROCK STEADY AT CIRCLE CITY

No driver of late has been as consistently successful at Circle City as Kyle Cummins has, especially this year. In three starts at the 1/4-mile dirt oval this season, the Princeton, Ind. driver has yet to finish outside the top-two.

In May, he finished as the runner-up to Jake Swanson before reeling off two-straight triumphs in May and again in July. He could become the second driver this season to pull off the rare feat of winning three-straight at a single track.

Tom Bigelow is the only driver to win three consecutive USAC National Sprint Car features at a dirt track in Indianapolis, doing so in succession at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the 1977 campaign.

WESTFALL ON THE CLIMB

Matt Westfall pulled off one of the most popular victories in recent USAC National Sprint Car history last weekend in the series debut at Arkansas’ Texarkana 67 Speedway.

There, the veteran racer burst from third to first on the opening lap, then carried onward to a dominant victory, his first with the series in more than 17 seasons!

The Pleasant Hill, Ohio driver hopes his next victory takes a little less time to achieve than the last. After all, his previous best finish of the season with the series before last Saturday came right at Circle City Raceway when he advanced from his ninth starting spot to finish fifth.

SWANSON & MORE LURKING AGAIN

Four drivers have finished inside the top-10 in all three of their USAC National Sprint Car starts this season at Circle City.

The aforementioned Cummins has finished inside the top-two in all three while C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) has earned a 7th, 9th and 9th in three appearances along with a fast qualifying time in July and is wheeling a car for the same BGE Dougherty Motorsports team which won the Fall Circle City event a year ago in 2022.

Top series Rookie Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) has excelled at Circle City this year, pocketing a 9th, 6th and a 10th in three tries with his KO Motorsports team.

However, only one other driver besides Cummins has raced to multiple top-two results at Circle City in 2023, that being Jake Swanson. The Anaheim, Calif. racer won the first night in May, then finished as the runner-up to Cummins the following night. In July, he returned to finish 8th and looks to add on to his tally which already features four wins in what has been a career-best year on the national tour.

FULL CIRCLE IN THE CITY

Not many times does one get a chance to compete at a track on four different occasions in one calendar year. But that’s what is on the docket this Friday for USAC National Sprint Car drivers at Circle City.

Many drivers have shown flashes of brilliance at the southeast side Indy oval this year and look to position themselves as a winner come this weekend.

Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) charged from 12th to 3rd at Circle City back in July. Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) possesses a pair of 4th place finishes in each of his past two tries there this season. Bacon finished 3rd on back-to-back nights in May. Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) led both May races for a total of 14 laps and finished 5th and 7th there this year.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) posted his best USAC National Sprint Car result of the season with a runner-up finish in July. Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) put up an 8th and a 7th, both in May while Grant took fourth back in May.

RACE DETAILS

On Friday night, September 15, at Circle City Raceway, the program card features the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship in addition to the USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midgets and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.

Pits open at 2pm Eastern with the front gates opening at 5pm and cars on track at 6:30pm followed by qualifying and racing.

General admission tickets will be available at the ticket booth the day of the event. Advance tickets are now on sale at www.circlecityraceway.com. General admission tickets for ages 13-64 are $30. General admission tickets for ages 12 and under are free. General admission tickets for Seniors 65+, Veterans, Military, First Responders and Teacher are $20. Pit passes for ages 11 and older are $45. Pit passes for ages 12 and under are $20.

===================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-1979, 2-Brady Bacon-1970, 3-Emerson Axsom-1861, 4-Kyle Cummins-1845, 5-Jake Swanson-1835, 6-C.J. Leary-1752, 7-Robert Ballou-1650, 8-Chase Stockon-1551, 9-Mitchel Moles-1491, 10-Daison Pursley-1455.

USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

2-Kyle Cummins

1-C.J. Leary, Jake Swanson, Kevin Thomas Jr. & Tanner Thorson

USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

2021: Tanner Thorson (9/17)

2022: C.J. Leary (7/25) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/16)

2023: Jake Swanson (5/24), Kyle Cummins (5/25) & Kyle Cummins (7/24)

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

1 Lap - 9/16/2022 - Mitchel Moles - 11.819

10 Laps - 9/16/2022 - Jadon Rogers - 2:04.23

12 Laps - 9/16/2022 - Jake Swanson - 2:39.26

PAST USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR RESULTS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Thorson (2), 2. Chris Windom (1), 3. Jake Swanson (10), 4. Brady Bacon (6), 5. C.J. Leary (3), 6. Shane Cottle (5), 7. Emerson Axsom (9), 8. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 9. Justin Grant (11), 10. Chase Stockon (12), 11. Jason McDougal (13), 12. Robert Ballou (20), 13. Koby Barksdale (14), 14. Matt Westfall (16), 15. Jadon Rogers (22), 16. Max Adams (7), 17. Brent Beauchamp (17), 18. Thomas Meseraull (8), 19. Brandon Mattox (21), 20. J.J. Hughes (15), 21. Ricky Lewis (18), 22. Travis Berryhill (19). NT

JULY 25, 2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. C.J. Leary (8), 2. Justin Grant (12), 3. Brady Bacon (4), 4. Chase Stockon (7), 5. Jason McDougal (3), 6. Matt Westfall (16), 7. Shane Cottle (22), 8. Jake Swanson (5), 9. Robert Ballou (10), 10. Ryan Timms (6), 11. Dave Darland (18), 12. Matt McDonald (20), 13. Brandon Mattox (P-23), 14. Briggs Danner (2), 15. Kevin Thomas Jr. (1), 16. Emerson Axsom (9), 17. Brent Beauchamp (14), 18. Logan Seavey (19), 19. Brody Roa (21), 20. Dalton Stevens (17), 21. Mitchel Moles (11), 22. Kyle Cummins (13), 23. Scotty Weir (15). NT

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (2), 2. Brady Bacon (4), 3. Thomas Meseraull (8), 4. C.J. Leary (3), 5. Matt Westfall (1), 6. Robert Ballou (15), 7. Mitchel Moles (6), 8. Emerson Axsom (5), 9. Jadon Rogers (9), 10. Jason McDougal (14), 11. Jake Swanson (13), 12. Logan Seavey (10), 13. Daison Pursley (19), 14. Koby Barksdale (16), 15. Max Adams (12), 16. Chase Stockon (21), 17. Anton Hernandez (7), 18. Kyle Shipley (17), 19. Brandon Mattox (23-P), 20. Matt McDonald (22), 21. J.J. Hughes (18), 22. Geoff Ensign (20), 23. Justin Grant (11). NT

MAY 24, 2023 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jake Swanson (4), 2. Kyle Cummins (3), 3. Brady Bacon (5), 4. Justin Grant (6), 5. Robert Ballou (1), 6. Mitchel Moles (8), 7. C.J. Leary (12), 8. Chase Stockon (10), 9. Daison Pursley (16), 10. Carson Garrett (7), 11. Emerson Axsom (17), 12. Rylan Gray (2), 13. Logan Seavey (9), 14. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 15. Scotty Weir (18), 16. Thomas Meseraull (19), 17. Jadon Rogers (15), 18. Matt Westfall (11), 19. Kevin Thomas Jr. (13), 20. Tye Mihocko (20), 21. Tyler Hewitt (22), 22. Ricky Lewis (21). NT

MAY 25, 2023 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (2), 2. Jake Swanson (3), 3. Brady Bacon (8), 4. Emerson Axsom (7), 5. Matt Westfall (9), 6. Daison Pursley (14), 7. Chase Stockon (18), 8. Thomas Meseraull (5), 9. C.J. Leary (17), 10. Mitchel Moles (15), 11. Logan Seavey (19), 12. Tye Mihocko (12), 13. Justin Grant (6), 14. Robert Ballou (1), 15. Rylan Gray (13), 16. Kevin Thomas Jr. (11), 17. Jadon Rogers (21), 18. Dave Darland (20), 19. Carson Garrett (4), 20. Charles Davis Jr. (10), 21. Jake Scott (16), 22. Sterling Cling (22). NT

JULY 24, 2023 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (4), 2. Logan Seavey (3), 3. Shane Cottle (12), 4. Emerson Axsom (8), 5. Xavier Doney (1), 6. Carson Garrett (2), 7. Robert Ballou (10), 8. Jake Swanson (5), 9. C.J. Leary (9), 10. Daison Pursley (16), 11. Justin Grant (11), 12. Chase Stockon (13), 13. Joey Amantea (21), 14. Matt Westfall (22), 15. Brent Beauchamp (17), 16. Brady Bacon (6), 17. Brandon Mattox (15), 18. Braxton Cummings (19), 19. Kevin Thomas Jr. (20), 20. Sterling Cling (18), 21. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 22. Mitchel Moles (7). NT

 

 

STORYLINES!

USAC SPRINTS GET AFTER IT

IN THE CIRCLE CITY THIS FRIDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Indianapolis, Indiana (September 12, 2023)………Circle City Raceway presents a smorgasbord of opportunities this Friday night, September 15, in Indianapolis, Ind.

For fans, it’s the final central Indiana race of the year for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, and that key word “Championship” is more prevalent than ever this time of the year for drivers and teams with a tight points race on the board with a mere seven events remaining.

It’s time to make a final push before the curtain falls on 2023, from the top of the title race to those wanting to make a final splash to close up the season on a sweet note and to make a lasting impression going into the fall and winter months.

It’s also time to run through the storylines we’re all going to be tuned into for this Friday’s showdown in the Circle City.


BATTLE ROYALE BETWEEN GRANT & BACON

First and foremost, as we enter the latter stages of the season, the race for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship becomes top of mind.

The point lead has switched hands 13 times this season among six different drivers. In comparison, in the three-year span between 2020-22, the series point lead changed only 11 times between six drivers. Needless to say, this has already become one of the fiercest title fights in series history, and we’re still a full seven events from the finish line.

Reigning champ Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) took over the lead after last week’s series venture to Texas and Arkansas, and now leads four-time titlist Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) by a mere nine-point margin.

Neither driver has won before at Circle City in USAC National Sprint Car competition. Both drivers have come close, however, with each collecting best results of second place along the way. Grant did so in July of 2022 and Bacon followed suit in September of 2022. Grant has recorded a pair of fast qualifying times at Circle City this season alone while Bacon won the first ever sprint car race run at Circle City in 2021, sanctioned by MSCS.


CUMMINS IS ROCK STEADY AT CIRCLE CITY

No driver of late has been as consistently successful at Circle City as Kyle Cummins has, especially this year. In three starts at the 1/4-mile dirt oval this season, the Princeton, Ind. driver has yet to finish outside the top-two.

In May, he finished as the runner-up to Jake Swanson before reeling off two-straight triumphs in May and again in July. He could become the second driver this season to pull off the rare feat of winning three-straight at a single track.

Tom Bigelow is the only driver to win three consecutive USAC National Sprint Car features at a dirt track in Indianapolis, doing so in succession at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the 1977 campaign.


WESTFALL ON THE CLIMB

Matt Westfall pulled off one of the most popular victories in recent USAC National Sprint Car history last weekend in the series debut at Arkansas’ Texarkana 67 Speedway.

There, the veteran racer burst from third to first on the opening lap, then carried onward to a dominant victory, his first with the series in more than 17 seasons!

The Pleasant Hill, Ohio driver hopes his next victory takes a little less time to achieve than the last. After all, his previous best finish of the season with the series before last Saturday came right at Circle City Raceway when he advanced from his ninth starting spot to finish fifth.


SWANSON & MORE LURKING AGAIN

Four drivers have finished inside the top-10 in all three of their USAC National Sprint Car starts this season at Circle City.

The aforementioned Cummins has finished inside the top-two in all three while C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) has earned a 7th, 9th and 9th in three appearances along with a fast qualifying time in July and is wheeling a car for the same BGE Dougherty Motorsports team which won the Fall Circle City event a year ago in 2022.

Top series Rookie Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) has excelled at Circle City this year, pocketing a 9th, 6th and a 10th in three tries with his KO Motorsports team.

However, only one other driver besides Cummins has raced to multiple top-two results at Circle City in 2023, that being Jake Swanson. The Anaheim, Calif. racer won the first night in May, then finished as the runner-up to Cummins the following night. In July, he returned to finish 8th and looks to add on to his tally which already features four wins in what has been a career-best year on the national tour.


FULL CIRCLE IN THE CITY

Not many times does one get a chance to compete at a track on four different occasions in one calendar year. But that’s what is on the docket this Friday for USAC National Sprint Car drivers at Circle City.

Many drivers have shown flashes of brilliance at the southeast side Indy oval this year and look to position themselves as a winner come this weekend.

Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) charged from 12th to 3rd at Circle City back in July. Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) possesses a pair of 4th place finishes in each of his past two tries there this season. Bacon finished 3rd on back-to-back nights in May. Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) led both May races for a total of 14 laps and finished 5th and 7th there this year.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) posted his best USAC National Sprint Car result of the season with a runner-up finish in July. Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) put up an 8th and a 7th, both in May while Grant took fourth back in May.


RACE DETAILS

On Friday night, September 15, at Circle City Raceway, the program card features the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship in addition to the USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midgets and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.

Pits open at 2pm Eastern with the front gates opening at 5pm and cars on track at 6:30pm followed by qualifying and racing.

General admission tickets will be available at the ticket booth the day of the event. Advance tickets are now on sale at www.circlecityraceway.com. General admission tickets for ages 13-64 are $30. General admission tickets for ages 12 and under are free. General admission tickets for Seniors 65+, Veterans, Military, First Responders and Teacher are $20. Pit passes for ages 11 and older are $45. Pit passes for ages 12 and under are $20.

Both nights of racing at Circle City Raceway can be watched LIVE on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/40w7aPg.


===================


USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-1979, 2-Brady Bacon-1970, 3-Emerson Axsom-1861, 4-Kyle Cummins-1845, 5-Jake Swanson-1835, 6-C.J. Leary-1752, 7-Robert Ballou-1650, 8-Chase Stockon-1551, 9-Mitchel Moles-1491, 10-Daison Pursley-1455.


USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

2-Kyle Cummins

1-C.J. Leary, Jake Swanson, Kevin Thomas Jr. & Tanner Thorson


USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

2021: Tanner Thorson (9/17)

2022: C.J. Leary (7/25) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (9/16)

2023: Jake Swanson (5/24), Kyle Cummins (5/25) & Kyle Cummins (7/24)

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

1 Lap - 9/16/2022 - Mitchel Moles - 11.819

10 Laps - 9/16/2022 - Jadon Rogers - 2:04.23

12 Laps - 9/16/2022 - Jake Swanson - 2:39.26


PAST USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR RESULTS AT CIRCLE CITY RACEWAY:

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Thorson (2), 2. Chris Windom (1), 3. Jake Swanson (10), 4. Brady Bacon (6), 5. C.J. Leary (3), 6. Shane Cottle (5), 7. Emerson Axsom (9), 8. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 9. Justin Grant (11), 10. Chase Stockon (12), 11. Jason McDougal (13), 12. Robert Ballou (20), 13. Koby Barksdale (14), 14. Matt Westfall (16), 15. Jadon Rogers (22), 16. Max Adams (7), 17. Brent Beauchamp (17), 18. Thomas Meseraull (8), 19. Brandon Mattox (21), 20. J.J. Hughes (15), 21. Ricky Lewis (18), 22. Travis Berryhill (19). NT

JULY 25, 2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. C.J. Leary (8), 2. Justin Grant (12), 3. Brady Bacon (4), 4. Chase Stockon (7), 5. Jason McDougal (3), 6. Matt Westfall (16), 7. Shane Cottle (22), 8. Jake Swanson (5), 9. Robert Ballou (10), 10. Ryan Timms (6), 11. Dave Darland (18), 12. Matt McDonald (20), 13. Brandon Mattox (P-23), 14. Briggs Danner (2), 15. Kevin Thomas Jr. (1), 16. Emerson Axsom (9), 17. Brent Beauchamp (14), 18. Logan Seavey (19), 19. Brody Roa (21), 20. Dalton Stevens (17), 21. Mitchel Moles (11), 22. Kyle Cummins (13), 23. Scotty Weir (15). NT

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (2), 2. Brady Bacon (4), 3. Thomas Meseraull (8), 4. C.J. Leary (3), 5. Matt Westfall (1), 6. Robert Ballou (15), 7. Mitchel Moles (6), 8. Emerson Axsom (5), 9. Jadon Rogers (9), 10. Jason McDougal (14), 11. Jake Swanson (13), 12. Logan Seavey (10), 13. Daison Pursley (19), 14. Koby Barksdale (16), 15. Max Adams (12), 16. Chase Stockon (21), 17. Anton Hernandez (7), 18. Kyle Shipley (17), 19. Brandon Mattox (23-P), 20. Matt McDonald (22), 21. J.J. Hughes (18), 22. Geoff Ensign (20), 23. Justin Grant (11). NT

MAY 24, 2023 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jake Swanson (4), 2. Kyle Cummins (3), 3. Brady Bacon (5), 4. Justin Grant (6), 5. Robert Ballou (1), 6. Mitchel Moles (8), 7. C.J. Leary (12), 8. Chase Stockon (10), 9. Daison Pursley (16), 10. Carson Garrett (7), 11. Emerson Axsom (17), 12. Rylan Gray (2), 13. Logan Seavey (9), 14. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 15. Scotty Weir (18), 16. Thomas Meseraull (19), 17. Jadon Rogers (15), 18. Matt Westfall (11), 19. Kevin Thomas Jr. (13), 20. Tye Mihocko (20), 21. Tyler Hewitt (22), 22. Ricky Lewis (21). NT

MAY 25, 2023 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (2), 2. Jake Swanson (3), 3. Brady Bacon (8), 4. Emerson Axsom (7), 5. Matt Westfall (9), 6. Daison Pursley (14), 7. Chase Stockon (18), 8. Thomas Meseraull (5), 9. C.J. Leary (17), 10. Mitchel Moles (15), 11. Logan Seavey (19), 12. Tye Mihocko (12), 13. Justin Grant (6), 14. Robert Ballou (1), 15. Rylan Gray (13), 16. Kevin Thomas Jr. (11), 17. Jadon Rogers (21), 18. Dave Darland (20), 19. Carson Garrett (4), 20. Charles Davis Jr. (10), 21. Jake Scott (16), 22. Sterling Cling (22). NT

JULY 24, 2023 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (4), 2. Logan Seavey (3), 3. Shane Cottle (12), 4. Emerson Axsom (8), 5. Xavier Doney (1), 6. Carson Garrett (2), 7. Robert Ballou (10), 8. Jake Swanson (5), 9. C.J. Leary (9), 10. Daison Pursley (16), 11. Justin Grant (11), 12. Chase Stockon (13), 13. Joey Amantea (21), 14. Matt Westfall (22), 15. Brent Beauchamp (17), 16. Brady Bacon (6), 17. Brandon Mattox (15), 18. Braxton Cummings (19), 19. Kevin Thomas Jr. (20), 20. Sterling Cling (18), 21. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 22. Mitchel Moles (7). NT

 

 

UP TO 65!

BC39 FIELD RISES AGAIN

AS KUNZ/CURB-AGAJANIAN ENTERS 7 CARS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 11, 2023)………The reigning Driven2SaveLives BC39 winning team and driver have filed their entries to compete in the fifth running of the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship events on September 27-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

** The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases from $75 to $150 on Monday, September 11. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25. **

Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, winner of the 2022 running of the BC39, has entered seven cars for the event for drivers Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.), Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.), Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.), Mariah Ede (Fresno, Calif.) and a yet-to-be announced entry are part of the team’s lineup.

The 2022 BC39 winner, Buddy Kofoid (Penngrove, Calif.), is among the seven entries for KKM, and will be participating during Wednesday and Thursday of this year’s edition in car number 67K. Kofoid, the 2021-22 USAC National Midget driving champion, captured the 2022 BC39 in a riveting duel with Cannon McIntosh for the victory.

Also among the latest BC39 entries are 2022 main event starters Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) and Ethan Mitchell (Mooresville, N.C.).

Previously filing their entries to compete in this year’s BC39 were Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.), the 2018 BC39 winner, plus current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader and 2018 series champion Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) as well as two-time USAC National champion Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) and 2019 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National champion C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.).

The always exciting Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.) is entered after contending for the win in each of the past two editions of the BC39 in 2021-22. Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.), who led the first laps in BC39 history during the 2018 event, is also entered as is top USAC Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) who owns the best finish by a woman in BC39 history with a 7th in 2022.

USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons (Tucson, Ariz.) is entered for the four-night event as is three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio), 2023 series winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.) and USAC National Sprint Car feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio).

The 2022 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) will make his second BC39 appearance this year along with two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) and first-time 2023 USAC National Midget feature winner Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.).


DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases from $75 to $150 after Monday, September 11. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.


2023 DRIVEN2SAVELIVES BC39 ENTRIES

(65 cars as of September 11, 2023)

1 Justin Zimmerman (Justin Zimmerman)

1D Landon Brooks (RAMCO Speed Group)

1G Connor Wolf (RAMCO Speed Group)

2 Justin Grant (RMS Racing)

3G Kyle Cummins (Glenn Styres Racing)

5J Josh Hodge (Josh Hodge Racing)

5s Scott Orr (Josh Hodge Racing)

6 Isaac Chapple (Doug Hall)

7c Josh Bilicki (RAMCO Speed Group)

7m Kyle Jones (RAMCO Speed Group)

7p Zach Daum (RAMCO Speed Group)

7x Thomas Meseraull (RMS Racing)

8 Randi Pankratz (Wally Pankratz)

8x Jeff Schindler (Jeff Schindler)

9p Wes Pinkerton (Wes Pinkerton)

10A Tommy Colburn (MWR Technology)

10c Mark McMahill (MWR Technology)

11 Clinton Boyles (Scott Beierle)

11L Aaron Leffel (Team Taylor Racing)

14 C.J. Leary (Legacy Autosport)

18N Weston Gorham (Kelly Gorham)

19 Daison Pursley (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19AZ Hayden Reinbold (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19m Ethan Mitchell (Bundy Built Motorsports)

19T Mitchel Moles (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19x TBA (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

21D Justin Dickerson (Mike Dickerson)

21H Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports)

21J Kameron Key (TKH Motorsports)

21K Karter Sarff (Jayme Sarff)

22 John Heydenreich (John Heydenreich)

22p Taylor Courtney (RAMCO Speed Group)

23 Preston Lattomus (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

25 Jacob Denney (Tom Malloy)

25K Taylor Reimer (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

25m Jake Andreotti (Tom Malloy)

27 Keith Rauch (Bourke Motorsports)

27B Jake Bubak (Bourke Motorsports)

32 Gary Taylor (Brian Dunlap)

36 Ian Creager (Tod Creager)

40 Chase McDermand (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

40B Blake Brannon (Blake Brannon)

40x Zach Wigal (Chase McDermand)

41 Oliver Akard (Team OMR)

44 Adam Andretti (Jeff Johnson)

46 Kenney Johnson (Jeff Johnson)

54 Matt Westfall (Steve Bordner)

56 Mitchell Davis (Pat O’Dell)

57 Logan Seavey (Abacus Racing)

57A Daniel Robinson (RAB Racing)

58 Daniel Whitley (Abacus Racing)

67 Ryan Timms (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

67K Buddy Kofoid (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

68 TBA (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71 Jade Avedisian (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71E Mariah Ede (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

71T Kyler Johnson (Todd Henry)

81 Bryant Wiedeman (CB Industries)

85 Jerry Coons Jr. (Central Motorsports)

86 Brent Crews (CB Industries)

89 Kaylee Bryson (CB Industries)

97 Gavin Miller (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports)

99 TBA (Carson-Segur Racing)

99K Robert Carson (Carson-Segur Racing)

118 Scott Evans (Scott Evans)


 

BRODY FUSON TOPS VENTURA FEATURE

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 10, 2023… Starting sixth, Brody Fuson of Bakersfield, California claimed Saturday’s USAC Western States Midget Series return to Ventura Raceway. Piloting Rusty Carlile’s #51 Race Pa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, the point leader took command from Robby Josett on the twenty-first circuit and scored his fourth win of the season. Rookie David Gasper, Caden Sarale, T.J. Smith, and Cade Lewis rounded out the top-five drivers.

Rookie driver Samuel May of Oxnard, California started on the pole position and led the opening lap. May’s lead was short lived as veteran driver Robby Josett of Santa Clarita, California took over for the next nineteen laps.

Before earning the eighth win of his career, Fuson posted his sixth Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award of the season with a time of 12.234 seconds. The Bakersfield driver scored third in his heat race and raced to his third straight win at the Ventura clay oval. The last time that happened, Billy Boat won four consecutive victories from November 1995 through April 1996. Brody left the Ventura County Fairgrounds with a 34-point advantage.

Atascadero, California’s Randi Pankratz raced to victory in the 10-lap Jordan Hanni Well Drilling First Heat Race. Piloting Wally Pankratz’s #8 HASA Pool Products / Sta-Rite Triple X, Pankratz qualified ninth overall and finished tenth in the main event. The veteran driver ranks sixth in the point chase.

David Gasper of Goleta, California topped the 10-lap Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters Second Heat Race. Driving Keith Ford’s #73 Naturipe / Surecan LLC Triple X, the rookie driver was second quick in time trials and finished second to Fuson in the main event after starting fifth. The California Lightning Sprint Champion has climbed to tenth in the point standings and third in rookie honors.

Starting ninth, Stockton, California’s Caden Sarale earned the night’s Ebbco Offroad Hard Charger Award after finishing third in the main event. Racing the Graunstadt Enterprises #14J T&T Trucking / Gary Silva Ranches Spike, Sarale was eighth fast in time trials and placed fourth in his heat race. The young driver heads to Antioch ranked seventh in points.

Jim Keene of Bakersfield, California made his first start of the year and opened the night by winning the “Lucky Pill Draw” to earn 10 gallons of fuel from High Tech Performance. Piloting Dennis Hart’s #15X Capital E Trucking Spike, Keene had mechanical issues in qualifying, finished sixth in his heat race, and charged from thirteenth to eighth in the main event. Jim also won the Brown & Miller Racing Solutions / Saldana Racing Products “lucky pill draw” and is twenty-ninth in the standings.

Leading Rookie, Ben Covich of Auckland, New Zealand won the Competition Suspension Incorporated / Brown & Miller Racing Solutions “lucky pill draw award.” The owner/driver of the #65 “Kiwi” Alexander / Matt Streeter Racing Spike qualified tenth overall, ran fifth in his heat race, and finished ninth in the main event. With two point races remaining, Ben is eighth in points and locked in a close rookie battle with Samuel May.

On Saturday, September 30th, the USAC Western States Midget Series will return to Antioch Speedway. For more event information, visit antiochspeedway.com.

The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Ebbco Offroad, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Graunstadt Enterprises, High Tech Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Tel Tac Digital Tachometers, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, and Woodland Auto Display for their support.

For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 9, 2023 – Ventura Raceway - Ventura, California

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Brody Fuson, 51, Carlile-12.234; 2. David Gasper, 73, Ford-12.284; 3. T.J. Smith, 68, Six8-12.341; 4. Cade Lewis, 5K, Alexander-12.346; 5. Robby Josett, 73X, Ford-12.371; 6. Samuel May, 55, Lambert-12.417; 7. C.J. Sarna, 20, Sarna-12.462; 8. Caden Sarale, 14J, Graunstadt-12.574; 9. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-12.662; 10. Ben Covich, 65, Covich-12.968; 11. Ron Hazelton, 15, Hazelton-14.513; 12. Billy Rayburn, 18K, Kruseman-14.613; 13. Jim Keene, 15X, Hart-NT.

JORDAN HANNI WELL DRILLING FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Pankratz, 2. Josett, 3. Fuson, 4. Smith, 5. Sarna, 6. Keene, 7. Hazelton. NT.

HOT HEAD COMPETITION ENGINE HEATERS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Gasper, 2. Lewis, 3. May, 4. Sarale, 5. Covich, 6. Rayburn. NT.

SAMMY BAHR FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Brody Fuson (6), 2. David Gasper (5), 3. Caden Sarale (9), 4. T.J. Smith (4), 5. Cade Lewis (3), 6. Robby Josett (2), 7. C.J. Sarna (8), 8. Jim Keene (13), 9. Ben Covich (10), 10. Randi Pankratz (7), 11. Ron Hazelton (11), 12. Samuel May (1), 13. Billy Rayburn (12). NT. ---------------------------- FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 May, Laps 2-20 Josett, Laps 21-30 Fuson

EBBCO OFFROAD HARD CHARGER: Caden Sarale (9th to 3rd) BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS / SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS PILL DRAW: Jim Keene COMPETITION SUSPENSION INCORPORATED / BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS PILL DRAW: Ben Covich HIGH TECH PERFORMANCE LUCKY PILL DRAW: Jim Keene WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13: Billy Rayburn

NEW USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-671, 2-Cade Lewis-637, 3-Ron Hazelton-440, --C.J. Sarna-440, 5-Ben Worth-434, 6-Randi Pankratz-403, 7-Caden Sarale-332, 8-Ben Covich-319, 9-Samuel May-293, 10-David Gasper-264.

NEW WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALIFIER POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-50, 2-Cade Lewis-30, 3-Caden Sarale-14, 4-Ben Worth-12, 5-C.J. Sarna-11, --David Gasper-11, 7-Jake Andreotti-9, 8-Robby Josett-8, 9-Blake Bower-7, --Randi Pankratz-7.

NEW SAMMY BAHR FEATURE POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-563, 2-Cade Lewis-549, 3-Ron Hazelton-408, 4-C.J. Sarna-395, 5-Ben Worth-382, 6-Randi Pankratz-362, 7-Ben Covich-303, 8-Caden Sarale-287, 9-Samuel May-255, 10-David Gasper-232.

NEW PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Cade Lewis-33, 2-Brody Fuson-28, 3-Ron Hazelton-23, 4-Ben Covich-15, 5-Marvin Mitchell-10, --David Gasper-10, 7-C.J. Sarna-9, 8-Caden Sarale-8, 9-Steve Paden-7, --Robby Josett-7, --Samuel May-7.

NEXT USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET RACE: September 30 – Antioch Speedway – Antioch, California - “Antioch Challenge Mini Series #2 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises”

 

 

17 YEARS IN THE MAKING!

WESTFALL IS A USAC SPRINT CAR WINNER

AGAIN AT TEXARKANA

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Texarkana, Arkansas (September 9, 2023)………Seventeen years, two months and twenty-three days.

That was the wait Matt Westfall endured between his first and second career USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature victories.

The dash in the years between his 2006 triumph at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway and Saturday night’s score at Arkansas’ Texarkana 67 Speedway was filled with countless hours of traveling the country chasing everything from sprint cars to midgets to Silver Crown cars to late models to modifieds to SpeedSTRs and nearly everything else in between.

However, the feeling of joy he experienced to finally put a cap on the gap between USAC win number one and two was both satisfying and gratifying for the 46-year-old Pleasant Hill, Ohio native who led all 30 laps in his Ray Marshall Motorsports/Buckeye Machine – Hempy Water/DRC/Gressman Chevy.

“It’s unbelievable,” Westfall exclaimed. “When I won my first one back in ‘06, I told my dad I could retire. We’ve been going up and down the road the last couple years with USAC and we got going really good at the end of last year. Then they came out with a new tire this year and I’ve struggled ever since. We went back to the main gameplan, and it worked out tonight.”

Not only did Westfall pocket a $10,000 Wingless Short Track Nationals payday, but it also came in the series debut at the 1/4-mile dirt oval as well as the first USAC race in The Natural State in a decade. Westfall also provided fellow Ohioan Ray Marshall, who has fielded cars in the series since 2010, his first USAC victory as a car owner.

In the process, Westfall also set a new USAC record for years between national feature victories. Westfall broke the USAC National Sprint record of 12 years, 11 months and 4 days between wins by Doug Wolfgang from 1978-1991. The previous longest interval between USAC National victories of any kind was a record owned by Arnie Knepper in the midgets, as he picked up wins 13 years, 2 months and 8 days apart from one another in a span lasting from 1970-1983.

Starting third, Westfall wasted no time leapfrogging the front row of Robert Ballou and Brody Roa on the initial lap. Both Ballou and Roa went topside while Westfall stuck his wheels as far on the bottom of the racing surface as humanly possible.

Westfall nailed it, driving by Roa immediately before surpassing pole sitter Ballou at the exit of turn four to beat him to the line by a car-length-and-a-half ahead at the end of lap one. By lap five, Westfall was a full two seconds ahead of the field with an equation of car, driver and track working in unison with perfect three-part harmony.

C.J. Leary slotted into second after driving underneath Ballou for the runner-up spot on lap three after starting fifth on the grid. A handful of laps later, Ballou had to contend with Brady Bacon for third, the same pair which went toe-to-toe for the win in the latter stages of the feature two nights earlier at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Texas.

This time around, Bacon slid Ballou on the ninth go-around for third before Ballou returned to the spot a half-lap later in turn three with a similar maneuver of his own. On lap 10, Bacon stuck the landing when he went topside around Ballou on the back straight before hitting the bottom to take away Ballou’s line in turn three. As Bacon headed back to the outside off the turn four exit, so too did Ballou, clipping his right rear tire against Bacon’s left front. Two laps later, Bacon kept the topside momentum up and surpassed Ballou on the back stretch to take over the position on lap 13.

By then, Westfall's lead was beginning to become more and more insurmountable with each arriving moment. Westfall’s four second advantage put him a full straightaway ahead of Leary in the second position nearing the halfway point and up to five seconds with just eight laps remaining with no one in the proximity of his area code or even his zip code for that matter.

Suddenly, the dynamics changed on lap 23 when third running Bacon caught the cushion between turns one and two, popping his car up into the air before making a 90-degree right hand turn which nosed him into the outside wall before completing a 360 twirl and coming to a stop.

An attempt was made to push Bacon away to refire, but instead, veered him straight left into the infield due to a disconnected draglink. Bacon was escorted back to the Indy Metal Finishing Work Area for repairs, making it back on track just in time before, ultimately, finishing 15th. The unsightly finish for Bacon took him off the top line of the season long USAC National Sprint Car championship standings where he now sits second behind Justin Grant.

The erasure of Westfall’s big lead was only temporary, as once the race restarted, he picked up right where he left off, in trouncing mode, spurting away from Leary et al as he perused the bottom directly into victory lane by a 1.576 second margin over C.J. Leary, Chase Stockon, Justin Grant and Mitchel Moles.

Westfall knew right what he wanted to do from the get-go, going straight to the low side of the racetrack and never once abandoning it throughout the 30-lap distance. While Westfall is accustomed to taking this particular path, on this night, it’s an avenue he saw as early as his heat race, and then made that his home for the main event.

“In the heat race, we went down there on the bottom,” Westfall recalled. “You keep watching all these young kids who just blow through it, and they can’t stick the bottom. I was pretty happy with how the car was for us and I’ve got to thank Ray Marshall for everything he does for me. This is really cool.”

Following an early race issue which knocked him out of Thursday’s series race and relegated him to a last place finish, C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) returned to form at Texarkana, finishing second in his BGE Dougherty Motorsports/Altoz – Hornbeck Concrete - Highsmith Guns - Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts/DRC/1-Way Chevy.

Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) began his quest from the 10th position. He steadily moved up through the pack, and by the end, he had netted himself a third-place result in his KO Motorsports/Banded Ag – Superior Tank & Trailer – Dewig Meats – AMSOIL/Triple X/Fisher Chevy. The finish equaled his best USAC performance of the season.

Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) finished sixth in the feature and retained his lead of the Bubby Jones Master of Goin’ Faster Presented By Spire Sports + Entertainment standings by 13 points over Leary with two races remaining in the 10-race miniseries.

Sixteenth starting Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) advanced six positions in the feature to finish 10th, providing him a surge to the top of the ProSource Passing Master standings for the Texas/Arkansas swing weekend, which encompassed Thursday’s race at Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Saturday’s round at Texarkana 67 Speedway. Cummins passed a total of 19 cars throughout the entirety of the two programs.

Kyle Jones (Kennedale, Texas), making just his second career USAC National Sprint Car start, earned hard charger honors for the night by advancing from 21st to 13th. Meanwhile, fellow Texan, Justin Zimmerman (Athens, Texas), was the recipient of the ProSource Hard Work Award as the slowest qualifying driver to transfer into the feature.

Jake Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.) recorded the 10th Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifying time of his USAC National Sprint Car career, moving him into the top-50 all-time alongside Sonny Ates, Jim Hurtubise and Thomas Meseraull.

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 9, 2023 – Texarkana 67 Speedway – Texarkana, Arkansas – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Wingless Short Track Nationals

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-14.311 (New Track Record); 2. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-14.397; 3. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-14.493; 4. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-14.708; 5. Jack Hoyer, 5, Baldwin/Fox-14.741; 6. Brody Roa, 17R, Dunkel/BR-14.744; 7. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-14.757; 8. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-14.758; 9. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-14.793; 10. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-14.809; 11. Cody Gardner, G6, Gaines-14.924; 12. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-15.016; 13. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2J, Yeley-15.060; 14. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-15.076; 15. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-15.089; 16. Paul White, 1, Wade-15.124; 17. Jason Howell, 44, Sturgeon-15.165; 18. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-15.196; 19. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-15.213; 20. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-15.262; 21. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-15.306; 22. Kyle Jones, 11, Melton-15.323; 23. A.J. Bender, 21, Bender-15.334; 24. Chase Parson, 57, Parson-15.476; 25. Bryan Debrick, 10, Debrick-15.494; 26. Justin Zimmerman, #1, D-Up-15.495; 27. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-15.515; 28. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-15.529; 29. Christian Moore, 6, Moore-15.707; 30. Chase Howard, 13, Howard-15.771; 31. Gary Floyd, 72, Sturgeon-15.814.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Chase Stockon, 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3. Jake Swanson, 4. Daison Pursley, 5. Jason Howell, 6. Jack Hoyer, 7. Bryan Debrick, 8. Christian Moore. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. C.J. Leary, 3. Brody Roa, 4. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 5. Justin Zimmerman, 6. Kyle Jones, 7. Chase Howard, 8. Charles Davis Jr. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Emerson Axsom, 2. Kyle Cummins, 3. Robert Ballou, 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Cody Gardner, 6. A.J. Bender, 7. Brandon Mattox, 8. Gary Floyd. 2:35.06 (New Track Record)

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Matt Westfall, 3. Jadon Rogers, 4. Paul White, 5. Logan Seavey, 6. Chase Parson, 7. Dalton Stevens. 2:40.09

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 2. Jack Hoyer, 3. Cody Gardner, 4. Justin Zimmerman, 5. Jason Howell, 6. Kyle Jones, 7. A.J. Bender, 8. Brandon Mattox, 9. Chase Parson, 10. Christian Moore, 11. Gary Floyd, 12. Chase Howard, 13. Bryan Debrick, 14. Dalton Stevens. 3:08.44 (New Track Record)

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Matt Westfall (3), 2. C.J. Leary (5), 3. Chase Stockon (10), 4. Justin Grant (7), 5. Mitchel Moles (8), 6. Emerson Axsom (9), 7. Jake Swanson (6), 8. Robert Ballou (1), 9. Cody Gardner (14), 10. Kyle Cummins (16), 11. Paul White (17), 12. Daison Pursley (13), 13. Kyle Jones (21), 14. Brody Roa (2), 15. Brady Bacon (4), 16. Logan Seavey (12), 17. Jason Howell (18), 18. Jack Hoyer (11), 19. Jadon Rogers (20), 20. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (19), 21. Kevin Thomas Jr. (15), 22. Justin Zimmerman (22). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Matt Westfall.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-1979, 2-Brady Bacon-1970, 3-Emerson Axsom-1861, 4-Kyle Cummins-1845, 5-Jake Swanson-1835, 6-C.J. Leary-1752, 7-Robert Ballou-1650, 8-Chase Stockon-1551, 9-Mitchel Moles-1491, 10-Daison Pursley-1455.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-170, 2-Logan Seavey-105, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Emerson Axsom-98, 5-Justin Grant-95, 6-Matt Westfall-90, 7-Robert Ballou-87, 8-Brady Bacon-85, 9-Chase Stockon-76, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-63.

BUBBY JONES MASTER OF GOIN’ FASTER PRESENTED BY SPIRE SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-539, 2-C.J. Leary-526, 3-Jake Swanson-498, 4-Brady Bacon-490, 5-Mitchel Moles-480, 6-Chase Stockon-446, 7-Justin Grant-441, 8-Kyle Cummins-437, 9-Daison Pursley-415, 10-Matt Westfall-375.

FINAL TEXAS & ARKANSAS SWING PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Kyle Cummins-19, 2-Emerson Axsom-17, 3-Brody Roa-12, 4-Kevin Thomas Jr.-11, 5-C.J. Leary-10, 6-Justin Zimmerman-10, 7-Chase Stockon-9, 8-Kyle Jones-9, 9-Matt Westfall-8, 10-Justin Grant-8.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 15, 2023 – Circle City Raceway – Indianapolis, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Robert Ballou (14.447)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Jake Swanson (14.311)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Chase Stockon

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Justin Grant

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Emerson Axsom

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Mitchel Moles

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Logan Seavey

ProSource Hard Work Award: Justin Zimmerman

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Matt Westfall

Hard Charger: Kyle Jones (21st to 13th)

 

 

BC39 ENTRY LIST HITS 55!

GRANT & T-MEZ ENTER SEPT. 27-30

USAC MIDGET EVENT AT IMS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 8, 2023)………RMS Racing teammates Justin Grant and Thomas Meseraull, both of whom finished inside the top-four a year ago, have filed their entries to compete in the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 on September 27-30 featuring the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

** The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Monday, September 11. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25. **

Grant (Ione, Calif.) captured the USAC Silver Crown National Championship in 2020 and the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship in 2022. He earned honors as the hard charger at the 2022 BC39, starting 18th and finishing 4th.

The always exciting Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.) made a big move from his 11th starting position to finish 3rd in the 2022 BC39, his best career finish in the event after contending for the win late in the 2021 event.

Previously filing their entries to compete in this year’s BC39 were Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.), the 2018 BC39 winner, plus current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader and 2018 series champion Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) as well as 2019 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National champion C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.).

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.), who led the first laps in BC39 history during the 2018 event, is entered as is top USAC Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) who owns the best finish by a woman in BC39 history with a 7th in 2022.

USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons (Tucson, Ariz.) is entered for the four-night event as is three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio), 2023 series winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.), USAC national feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio).

The 2022 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) will make his second BC39 appearance this year along with two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) and first-time 2023 USAC National Midget feature winner Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.).


DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Monday, September 11. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.


2023 DRIVEN2SAVELIVES BC39 ENTRIES

(55 cars as of September 8, 2023)

1 Justin Zimmerman (Justin Zimmerman)

1D Landon Brooks (RAMCO Speed Group)

1G Connor Wolf (RAMCO Speed Group)

2 Justin Grant (RMS Racing)

5J Josh Hodge (Josh Hodge Racing)

5s Scott Orr (Josh Hodge Racing)

6 Isaac Chapple (Doug Hall)

7c Josh Bilicki (RAMCO Speed Group)

7m Kyle Jones (RAMCO Speed Group)

7p Zach Daum (RAMCO Speed Group)

7x Thomas Meseraull (RMS Racing)

8 Randi Pankratz (Wally Pankratz)

9p Wes Pinkerton (Wes Pinkerton)

10A Tommy Colburn (MWR Technology)

10c Mark McMahill (MWR Technology)

11 Clinton Boyles (Scott Beierle)

11L Aaron Leffel (Team Taylor Racing)

14 C.J. Leary (Legacy Autosport)

18N Weston Gorham (Kelly Gorham)

19 Daison Pursley (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19AZ Hayden Reinbold (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

19K Kevin Thomas Jr. (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

19T Mitchel Moles (Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports)

21D Justin Dickerson (Mike Dickerson)

21H Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports)

21J Kameron Key (TKH Motorsports)

21K Karter Sarff (Jayme Sarff)

22 John Heydenreich (John Heydenreich)

22p Taylor Courtney (RAMCO Speed Group)

23 Preston Lattomus (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

25 Jacob Denney (Tom Malloy)

25m Jake Andreotti (Tom Malloy)

27 Keith Rauch (Bourke Motorsports)

27B Jake Bubak (Bourke Motorsports)

32 Gary Taylor (Brian Dunlap)

36 Ian Creager (Tod Creager)

40 Chase McDermand (Mounce-Stout Motorsports)

40B Blake Brannon (Blake Brannon)

40x Zach Wigal (Chase McDermand)

41 Oliver Akard (Team OMR)

44 Adam Andretti (Jeff Johnson)

46 Kenney Johnson (Jeff Johnson)

54 Matt Westfall (Steve Bordner)

56 Mitchell Davis (Pat O’Dell)

57 Logan Seavey (Abacus Racing)

57A Daniel Robinson (RAB Racing)

58 Daniel Whitley (Abacus Racing)

71T Kyler Johnson (Todd Henry)

81 Bryant Wiedeman (CB Industries)

85 Jerry Coons Jr. (Central Motorsports)

86 Brent Crews (CB Industries)

89 Kaylee Bryson (CB Industries)

99 TBA (Carson-Segur Racing)

99K Robert Carson (Carson-Segur Racing)

118 Scott Evans (Scott Evans)

 

LONE STAR MILESTONE!

BACON MOVES TO 2ND ALL-TIME

WITH USAC SPRINT WIN #52 AT DEVIL’S BOWL

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Mesquite, Texas (September 7, 2023)………For Brady Bacon, Devil’s Bowl Speedway was sort of like a Kokomo of the south. Both are tracks he’d competed at extensively but had long come up empty handed in the win column after an extensive number of runner-up finishes.

Not anymore.

The Broken Arrow, Okla. driver led all 30 laps on Thursday night at the 4/10-mile in Mesquite, Texas, prevailing following a late-race duel with Robert Ballou to earn a milestone victory in the first USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature held in the Lone Star State since 1985 – 38 years ago.

The triumph was the 52nd of Bacon’s USAC National Sprint Car career, tying him for second all-time with 1978 series champion Tom Bigelow. Now only Dave Darland stands ahead of Bacon with 62 career victories.

With Bacon sharing the spot with Bigelow, it’s also interesting to note that both currently reside in the same city even though both originally hail from other states – Wisconsin for Bigelow and Oklahoma for Bacon.

“It means a lot; Tom’s a friend of mine and lives in Winchester (Indiana) as well,” Bacon noted after piloting his Dynamics, Inc./Smiley’s Racing Products – Hobson Family – Tel-Star Technologies/Triple X/Rider Chevy to a sixth USAC National Sprint Car win of the season.

A win at Devil’s Bowl’s famed fast dirt oval is especially special to Bacon as well. More than a decade ago, Bacon competed regularly with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) and the Sprint Bandits Tour ‘N Topless series, finishing second place on numerous occasions before his breakthrough all those years later.

“Winning at Devil’s Bowl is pretty big for me,” Bacon exclaimed. “This place was a little bit like Kokomo for me earlier in my career. I ran second a bunch to a lot of really good guys like Jason Johnson, Gary Wright, Shane Stewart and Brian Brown. We could never quite get the job done with the wing here, so I’m glad to finally get it done with the non-wing car. I actually ran second in a non-wing car here about 13 years ago too and I haven’t been back since. I’m glad to get it done.”

Bacon established the point early from his pole starting position, leading the opening lap before 18th starting Dalton Stevens slipped over the turn one banking and coasted to a stop on lap two to bring out the first yellow.

Once again establishing the lead on the restart using the bottom side of the racetrack, the race was halted again on lap four when eighth running Charles Davis Jr. flipped violently down the back straightaway in a wicked tumble after clipping a turn two infield tire. The veteran Arizonian was able to climb out and walk away.

Under yellow, sixth running C.J. Leary's car refused to refire for the lap four restart, making laps around the track connected to the front bumper of a push vehicle, but wasn’t able to power on its own, signaling an unexpected and disappointing conclusion to the race for the 2019 series champ.

On the restart, the major mover was Robert Ballou as he slid past Jake Swanson in turn one for the second position on lap five as Justin Grant also followed en route to third. Meanwhile, Bacon had opened up a 1.359 second gap over Ballou as the race leader before heat race winner and 12th running Justin Zimmerman experienced a flat left rear tire in the middle of the pack on lap 13 as the field scrambled high and low to successfully avoid contact.

The first driver to really make headway somewhere other than the bottom of the racetrack was USAC CRA Sprint Car point leader who took to the high side on the lap 13 restart and proceeded to drive all the way up to third. As Roa made a bid for second on the outside of Ballou between turns three and four on lap 17, Ballou caught wind of Roa’s notion and decided to move to the top as well.

The high side suited Ballou well over the next several laps as he seemingly slashed a tenth of a second from the bottom-rolling Bacon’s lead with each ensuing lap. Closing in on the stripe with two laps to go, Ballou pulled even on the outside of Bacon in turns three and four. Out of the corner of his eye, Bacon saw Ballou’s nose, and in a split-second, said sayonara to the bottom and slid to the top of the front straightaway to steal Ballou’s line away.

Moments later, entering turn one nose-to-tail, Ballou spun off the edge of turn one, ending his run his run at a first USAC National Sprint Car victory of the season. Ballou restarted at the tail thereafter and drove from 18th to 14th in the final two laps.

Bacon had an inkling somebody behind him was going to make a run toward him up top, and just as soon he spotted it, he was prepared to make his move.

“I knew the bottom was going to be tough to beat in turns one and two,” Bacon explained. “It was getting pretty slow, but we were getting close to the end of the race, so I thought, ‘well, somebody’s going to have to beat me on the top.’ He poked his nose out there and I saw it and I knew it was time to move up. I got a good enough run to get in front of him and he kind of gave me a little tap getting down the front straightaway. I don’t know if he wasn’t expecting me to go to the top in front of him – probably not. I was ready for that move if I needed to do it.”

The final two laps were a bit less hectic for Bacon as he cruised to a 1.151 second victory. Meanwhile, a hardscrabble scramble for second on back was sorting itself out with Jake Swanson and Kyle Cummins making valiant late race runs to position themselves second and third at the line, respectively. Jadon Rogers equaled his best finish of the USAC season with a fourth while Justin Grant rounded out the top-five with a solid fifth, but also saw his three-race winning streak with the series come to an end.

On paper, Jake Swanson started second and finished second in his Team AZ Racing/Apache Transport – Stratis Construction – USW Cat Construction/DRC/1-Way Chevy. But it wasn't anywhere near that easy. No sir. The Anaheim, Calif. native fell back to seventh as late as with only seven laps to go but managed to charge back up through the pack to score a second-place result.

For much of the feature, Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) ran either just outside the top-10 or just inside the top-10. The last 10 laps were a different story, however, as he picked the field off one-by-one to break into the top-five late, then on the lap 28 restart, he went fifth to third to grab a podium finish in his Rock Steady Racing/Avanti Windows & Doors – Tim Mason ReMax/Mach-1/Stanton Chevy.

Mired back in the 21st starting spot, the only way to go was forward for Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), and he did that aplenty by advancing 13 spots to finish eighth and earn hard charger honors for the evening.

C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) was the best of the bunch in a tumultuous Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying session. His lap of 16.237 seconds broke the one-lap USAC track record at Devil’s Bowl of 16.626 held by Richard Summers since May of 1985. Qualifying, however, was marred by four separate ugly and violent incidents which sent drivers Anthony Nicholson, Kobe Simpson, Josh Hanna and J.J. Yeley flipping several times on their time trial runs. All four drivers’ nights were ended due to the crashes, but all four were able to walk away.

Thursday’s race at Devil’s Bowl was just the fifth USAC National Sprint Car event held in the state of Texas. A.J. Foyt (1959), Don Branson (1960) and Parnelli Jones (1960) all scored USAC Midwest Sprint Car victories at Meyer Speedway in Houston. Rick Hood (1985) captured a win at Devil’s Bowl. All four drivers are both USAC National Sprint Car champions and members of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, a club that Bacon is certainly on his way to belonging to as well.

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 7, 2023 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, Texas – 4/10-Mile Dirt Track – Co-Sanctioned by the ASCS Elite Non-Wing Sprint Car Series

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-16.237; 2. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-16.289; 3. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-16.305; 4. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-16.309; 5. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-16.314; 6. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-16.319; 7. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-16.372; 8. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-16.385; 9. J.J. Yeley, 2, Yeley-16.414; 10. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-16.420; 11. Brody Roa, 17R, Dunkel-16.468; 12. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-16.527; 13. Anthony Nicholson, 16, Nicholson-16.536; 14. Justin Zimmerman, #1, D-Up-16.549; 15. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2J, Yeley-16.565; 16. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-16.588; 17. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-16.632; 18. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-16.659; 19. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-16.686; 20. Kyle Jones, 11, Melton-16.752; 21. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-16.853; 22. A.J. Bender, 21, Bender-16.866; 23. Paul White, 1, Wade-16.920; 24. Jack Hoyer, 5, Baldwin/Fox-16.922; 25. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-16.931; 26. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-16.957; 27. Jason Howell, 44, Sturgeon-17.324; 28. Josh Hanna, 82, Hanna-17.686; 29. Bryan Debrick, 10, Debrick-17.717; 30. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-NT; 31. Chase Parson, 57, Parson-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Charles Davis Jr., 2. Kyle Cummins, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Jake Swanson, 5. Kevin Thomas Jr., 6. Paul White, 7. Jason Howell.

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kyle Jones, 2. Brody Roa, 3. Jack Hoyer, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Mitchel Moles, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Bryan Debrick. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Jadon Rogers, 2. Brady Bacon, 3. Emerson Axsom, 4. Logan Seavey, 5. Matt Westfall, 6. Brandon Mattox, 7. Chase Parson.

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Zimmerman, 2. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 3. Chase Stockon, 4. Robert Ballou, 5. A.J. Bender, 6. Dalton Stevens. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3. Matt Westfall, 4. Daison Pursley, 5. Dalton Stevens, 6. Brandon Mattox, 7. Jason Howell, 8. A.J. Bender, 9. Paul White, 10. Bryan Debrick, 11. Chase Parson. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (1), 2. Jake Swanson (2), 3. Kyle Cummins (13), 4. Jadon Rogers (8), 5. Justin Grant (5), 6. Brody Roa (14), 7. Kevin Thomas Jr. (16), 8. Emerson Axsom (21), 9. Mitchel Moles (11), 10. Kyle Jones (10), 11. Logan Seavey (4), 12. Chase Stockon (12), 13. Matt Westfall (15), 14. Robert Ballou (3), 15. Daison Pursley (17), 16. Jack Hoyer (20), 17. Brandon Mattox (19), 18. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (22), 19. Dalton Stevens (18), 20. Justin Zimmerman (7), 21. C.J. Leary (6), 22. Charles Davis Jr. (9). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Brady Bacon.

**Anthony Nicholson flipped during qualifying. Kobe Simpson flipped during qualifying. Josh Hanna flipped during qualifying. J.J. Yeley flipped during qualifying. Charles Davis Jr. flipped on lap 4 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1928, 2-Justin Grant-1910, 3-Emerson Axsom-1798, 4-Kyle Cummins-1795, 5-Jake Swanson-1771, 6-C.J. Leary-1673, 7-Robert Ballou-1595, 8-Chase Stockon-1479, 9-Mitchel Moles-1425, 10-Daison Pursley-1411.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-169, 2-Logan Seavey-105, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Emerson Axsom-95, 5-Justin Grant-92, 6-Matt Westfall-88, 7-Robert Ballou-87, 8-Brady Bacon-85, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-63.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES: September 8-9, 2023 – Texarkana 67 Speedway – Texarkana, Arkansas – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Wingless Short Track Nationals

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Robert Ballou (16.285)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: C.J. Leary (16.237)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Charles Davis Jr.

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Kyle Jones

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Jadon Rogers

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Justin Zimmerman

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Mitchel Moles

ProSource Hard Work Award: Eddie Tafoya Jr.

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Brady Bacon

Hard Charger: Emerson Axsom (21st to 8th)


NATIONAL MIDGET AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2023 REVEALED

Sun Prairie, Wis., Sept 6, 2023---Chuck Gurney, Jim Hettinger, Larry Howard, Gene Pastor, Stevie Reeves and Roy Richter have been announced today as the latest inductees into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made during the USAC National Midget Series event at Angell Park Speedway, the home of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Gurney was a two-time winner of the Copper World Classic Midget race at Phoenix International Raceway in 1992 and 1994 as well as a two-time winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park in 1988-89 and a one-time victor of the Belleville Nationals in 1989.

Hettinger won championships with the Wide World of Auto Racing (WWAR) in 1984, the National Alliance of Midget Auto Racing (NAMAR) in 1984 and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) in 1990. His career spanned a little over four decades, winning over 126 features.

Howard was one of the premier car owners between the late 1970s and early 1990s. His cars won six times in the Turkey Night Grand Prix between 1979-89 with Ron Shuman taking four-straight in 1979-80-81-82 and Chuck Gurney winning two in 1988-89. Howard also won the Bellville Nationals in 1989 with Gurney at the wheel.

After Pastor retired from driving in 1979, he became a well-respected official with the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) and the American Independent Midget Series (AIMS), serving as flagman, Director of Competition and was a member of their Board of Directors. He also worked with the Southwest Independent Midget Series (SWIMS) tour and the Belleville Nationals.

Reeves captured back-to-back USAC National Midget driving championships in 1992 and 1993. He won in his first ever USAC National Midget start in 1987 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, and in 1991, he scored three major wins at Phoenix International Raceway’s Copper World Classic, Angell Park Speedway’s Pepsi Firemen’s Nationals and the Terre Haute Action Track’s Hut 100.

Richter was the founder of Bell Helmets, which was the first safety-certified head protection in midget racing. He was an excellent fabricator, building and designing midgets driven by Sam Hanks and Freddie Agabashian to many victories. Richter was also a founding member of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association).

The 39th annual luncheon and induction ceremony for the six inductees will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024. The event will be held at Fair Meadow Hall at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in Oklahoma, adjacent to the Expo Center which will be hosting the Chili Bowl Nationals during the week.

For additional information on the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, contact Barb Hellyer at kingdoodlebug@sbcglobal.net.

 

 

USAC Western States Midget Series

VENTURA HOSTS USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023... After a break in the schedule, the USAC Western States Midgets will clash at Ventura Raceway this Saturday, September 9th. Promoted by Jim Naylor, the ninth championship point race will also showcase the VRA Sprint Cars, VRA Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, and IMCA Sport Mods. Located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California, the Pit Gates will open at Noon, the Front Gates open at 3:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 5:30pm at “The Best Little Dirt Track in America.” For more event information, visit the track’s website at venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit (TP) online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet, COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s, EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272730-78, RODELA FAB: 2557-01 *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC Western States Midget Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In addition to championship points, every event will award points for the season-long Woodland Auto Display Top Qualifier Standings and the unsponsored Passing Master Standings. Drivers that finish in the top-3 in Woodland points will take home $500-for-1st, $300-for-2nd, and $200-for-3rd. Last season, Michael Faccinto earned Top Qualifier honors and veteran driver Randi Pankratz passed the most cars in the main events.

Since May 24, 1986, 157USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Sleepy Tripp claimed the inaugural victory. Tripp leads all drivers with eighteen Ventura wins and Brody Fuson has claimed both to this year’s shows at Ventura. Johnny Cofer set the 1-lap qualifying record of 11.675 on November 18, 1995 and a complete series Ventura win list is at the bottom of this release.

After mechanical issues caused an eighteenth place finish on August 5th at Antioch, Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) leads the competition by 20 points. Driving Rusty Carlile’s #51 Race Pa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, Fuson has three feature wins, five Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, four heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, seven top-10 finishes, and 53 feature laps led on the season. Brody has seven career wins and will be looking for his third consecutive triumph at Ventura.

Cade Lewis (Bakersfield, California) ranks second in the championship point standings. Racing Dean “Kiwi” Alexander’s #5K Wireless 101 / Mobil 1 Spike, Lewis charged from sixth to third at the Antioch debut. To date, the young driver has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, eight top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led on the year. Cade has two career wins and will have his sights on winning at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Ben Worth (Coalinga, California) sits third in the USAC Western States Midget point chase. Making his first start in Dean “Kiwi” Alexander’s #5V Wireless 101 / Mobil 1 Spike, Worth placed fourth in the Antioch feature. At press time, the 2019 Rookie of the Year has one feature win, six top-10 finishes, and 31 feature laps led in the campaign. Ben has four career wins and will be looking to gain points with the Saturday night victory.

Veteran driver Ron Hazelton (Chatsworth, California) is fourth in the western point standings. The owner/driver of the #15 TRC Transmission / West Evans Motorsports Beast raced from seventeenth to twelfth at Antioch Speedway. To date, Hazelton has five top-10 finishes in the campaign and will be looking for his first career win at Ventura.

C.J. Sarna (Brea, California) ranks fifth in the chase for the championship. The owner/driver of the #20 ZMax / Final Final Lifestyle Spike charged from tenth to sixth at the Antioch debut. As this writing goes to press, the 2007 Co-Rookie of the Year has five top-10 finishes to his credit. Sarna has one career victory and will have his sights on winning Saturday’s return to Ventura.

Leading rookie contender, Ben Covich (Auckland, New Zealand) ranks seventh in the point standings. The owner/driver of the #65 Dean “Kiwi” Alexander / Matt Streeter Racing Spike raced from fourteenth to eleventh on August 5th. To date, Covich has three top-10 finishes on the season. The young driver will be looking the upset the field and claim the win at Ventura Raceway.

While Ben Covich leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors, he is followed by Samuel May (Oxnard, California), David Gasper (Goleta, California), Kevin Gray (Yuba City, California), Garrett Twitty (Bakersfield, California), Brandon Wiley (Santa Maria, California), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, California), Nikko Panella (Stockton, California) and Steve Hix (Ventura, California).

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Randi Pankratz, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower, Danika Jo Faccinto, Marvin Mitchell, Bryan Drollinger, Robby Josett, Mike Leach Jr., and more.

Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California. General Admission Adult tickets are $22, General Admission Senior (60 and older), Active Military (ID Required), and Student tickets (with ID) are $18. Kids tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.

The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Ebbco Offroad, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Graunstadt Enterprises, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Tel Tac Digital Tachometers, Turn Fun, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET CHAMPIONS: 1982-Jeff Heywood, 1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner, 2015-Ronnie Gardner, 2016-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner, 2018-Michael Faccinto, 2019-Robert Dalby, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Blake Bower, 2022-Michael Faccinto.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 3-Brody Fuson, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Cade Lewis, 1-Caden Sarale, 1-T.J. Smith, 1-Ben Worth.

VENTURA USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET TRACK RECORD: Johnny Cofer – 11.675 (11/18/95)

VENTURA USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 18-Sleepy Tripp, 13-Billy Boat, 8-Page Jones, 7-Garrett Hansen, 6-Ronnie Gardner, 6-Jimmy Sills, 5-Johnny Cofer, 5-Robby Flock, 5-Cory Kruseman, 4-Robert Dolacki, 4- P.J. Jones, 4-Robby Josett, 3-Jay Drake, 3-Chris Rahe, 3-Tony Stewart, 2-Tommy Astone, 2-Christopher Bell, 2-Tyler Brown, 2-Josh Ford, 2-Brody Fuson, 2-Dennis Hart, 2-Johnathon Henry, 2-Chase Johnson, 2-Brad Kuhn, 2-Kyle Larson, 2-Frank Pedregon, 2-Jerome Rodela, 2-Chuck West, 2-Ben Worth, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Mike Appio, 1-Wayne Bennet, 1-Chad Boat, 1-Bobby Boone, 1-Mario Bringetto Jr., 1-Hank Butcher, 1-Keith Chrisco, 1-Robert Dalby, 1-Kevin Doty, 1-Tony Elliott, 1-Nic Faas, 1-Michael Faccinto, 1-Stan Fox, 1-Russ Gamester, 1-Chuck Gurney, 1-Daryl Haugh, 1-Rick Hendrix, 1-A.J. Johnson, 1-Ryan Kaplan, 1-Josh Lakatos, 1-Brad Loyet, 1-Carson Macedo, 1-Lealand McSpadden, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Steve Paden, 1-Rusty Rasmussen, 1-Keith Rauch, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Shane Scully, 1-Ron Shuman, 1-Bryan Stanfill, 1-Jake Swanson, 1-Tommy White, 1-Hayden Williams.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brody Fuson-589, 2. Cade Lewis-569, 3. Ben Worth-434, 4. Ron Hazelton-397, 5. C.J. Sarna-384, 6. Randi Pankratz-352, 7. Ben Covich®-269, 8. Caden Sarale-263, 9. Blake Bower-255, 10. Samuel May®-247, 11. Steve Paden-220, 12. Danika Jo Faccinto-187, 13. David Gasper®-184, 14. Marvin Mitchell-170, 15. Bryan Drollinger-169, 16. Kevin Gray®-162, 17. Jake Andreotti-160, 18. Robby Josett-143, 19. Garrett Twitty®-142, 20. T.J. Smith-137, 21. A.J. Bender-113, 22. Brandon Wiley®-96, 23. Michael Faccinto-80, 24. Mitchel Moles®-78, --. Chase Johnson-78, 26. Mike Leach Jr.-76, 27. Ryan Bernal-73, 28. Floyd Alvis-61, 29. Nikko Panella®-50, 30. Terry Nichols-42, 31. Colby Johnson-41, 32. Jerry Kobza-38, 33. Steve Hix®-37.

2023 WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALFIER POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-44, 2. Cade Lewis-27, 3. Caden Sarale-14, 4. Ben Worth-12, 5. C.J. Sarna-11, 6. Jake Andreotti-9, 7. Blake Bower-7, --. Randi Pankratz-7, 9. Robby Josett-6, ---. David Gasper®-6, 11. Michael Faccinto-5, 12. Danika Jo Faccinto-4, 13. A.J. Bender-3, ---. Mitchel Moles-3, ---. Chase Johnson-3, 16. T.J. Smith-2, ---. Brandon Wiley®-2, 18. Ryan Bernal-1, ---. Garrett Twitty®-1, ---. Ron Hazelton-1.

2023 SAMMY BAHR FEATURE POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-493, 2. Cade Lewis-491, 3. Ben Worth-382, 4. Ron Hazelton-367, 5. C.J. Sarna-343, 6. Randi Pankratz-319, 7. Ben Covich®-257, 8. Blake Bower-223, -. Caden Sarale-223, 10. Samuel May®-216, 11. Steve Paden-199, 12. Danika Jo Faccinto-168, 13. David Gasper®-165, 14. Marvin Mitchell-163, 15. Bryan Drollinger-157, 16. Kevin Gray®-152, 17. Jake Andreotti-137, 18. Garrett Twitty®-130, 19. Robby Josett-125, 20. T.J. Smith-119, 21. A.J. Bender-99, 22. Brandon Wiley®-85, 23. Mitchel Moles-67, --. Chase Johnson-67, --. Michael Faccinto-67, 26. Mike Leach Jr.-64, --. Ryan Bernal-64, 28. Floyd Alvis-55, 29. Nikko Panella®-46, 30. Terry Nichols-39, 31. Jerry Kobza-35, 32. Steve Hix®-33, --. Colby Johnson-33.

2023 PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1. Cade Lewis-33, 2. Brody Fuson-23, -. Ron Hazelton-23, 4. Ben Covich®-14, 5. Marvin Mitchell-10, 6. C.J. Sarna-8, 7. Steve Paden-7, -. David Gasper®-7, -. Robby Josett-7, --. Samuel May-7, 11. Jake Andreotti-6, --. Danika Jo Faccinto-6, 13. Bryan Drollinger-4, --. Garrett Twitty®-4, --. Randi Pankratz-4, 16. Brandon Wiley®-3, --. Michael Faccinto-3, --. Ben Worth-3, 19. Caden Sarale-2, 20. Chase Johnson-1, --. Blake Bower-1.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 18: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (RAINED OUT)
March 25: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (RAINED OUT)
April 15: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Ben Worth)
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Jake Andreotti)
May 6: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (RAINED OUT)
May 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 24: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Cade Lewis)
July 8: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
July 22: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Winner: Caden Sarale)
August 5: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Winner: T.J. Smith)
August 26: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (CANCELLED)
September 9: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
September 30: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Antioch Challenge #2 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises / $2,000-to-Win)
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.


 

BACON, C.J. & KTJ PUSH BC39 ENTRIES PAST 40!
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (September 5, 2023)………Inaugural race winner Brady Bacon, C.J. Leary and Kevin Thomas Jr. are the latest additions to the Driven2SaveLives BC39 entry list, which now stands at 40 and growing for the fifth running of the event on September 27-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The BC39 regularly presents the highest USAC car counts of the year. The 2022 event produced 85 entries, fifth most in the 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing. The newest look at the 2023 entry list is at the bottom of this release.

** The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Friday, September 8. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25. **

Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.), the 2018 BC39 winner, will drive one of two cars out of the TKH Motorsports stable during this year’s event alongside newcomer Kameron Key (Warrensburg, Mo.).

C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.), the 2019 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Champion, will make his return to the BC39 in an entry fielded by Legacy Autosport.

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.), who led the first laps in BC39 history during the 2018 event, is entered in a Mounce-Stout Motorsports entry alongside teammates Chase McDermand (Springfield, Ill.) and Preston Lattomus (Lewes, Del.).

Previously entered for this year’s BC39 are current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader and 2018 series champion Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) and top USAC Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.).

USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons (Tucson, Ariz.) is entered for the four-night event as is three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio), 2023 series winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.), USAC national feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio), 2022 series Rookie of the Year Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.), plus two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.).

CBI has also filed entries for 2023 USAC National Midget feature winner Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.), who finished 11th in the 2022 BC39. Brent Crews (Oklahoma City, Okla.), a recent ARCA Stock Car winner at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, will make his BC39 debut with CBI.

DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Friday, September 8. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

2023 DRIVEN2SAVELIVES BC39 ENTRIES
(40 cars as of September 5, 2023)
1 Justin Zimmerman
1D Landon Brooks
1G Connor Wolf
7c Josh Bilicki
7m Kyle Jones
7p Zach Daum
8 Randi Pankratz
11 Clinton Boyles
11L Aaron Leffel
14 C.J. Leary
18N Weston Gorham
19 Daison Pursley
19AZ Hayden Reinbold
19K Kevin Thomas Jr.
19T Mitchel Moles
21D Justin Dickerson
21H Brady Bacon
21J Kameron Key
21K Karter Sarff
22 John Heydenreich
22p Taylor Courtney
23 Preston Lattomus
25 Jacob Denney
25m Jake Andreotti
27 Keith Rauch
27B Jake Bubak
36 Ian Creager
40 Chase McDermand
40B Blake Brannon
40x Zach Wigal
41 Oliver Akard
44 Adam Andretti
46 Kenney Johnson
54 Matt Westfall
57 Logan Seavey
81 Bryant Wiedeman
85 Jerry Coons Jr.
86 Brent Crews
89 Kaylee Bryson
118 Scott Evans

 

SEAVEY STAYS HOT,
EXTINGUISHES FIREMEN’S NATIONALS FIELD
AT ANGELL PARK

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (September 4, 2023)………One night after his run of nine consecutive podium finishes came to an abrupt halt, Logan Seavey decided to begin a new kind of streak on Monday night at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway.

The Sutter, Calif. native raced his way to the front after tirelessly working high and low to work his way by racelong leader Taylor Reimer. Seavey made the winning move just after the halfway point and proceeded to lead the final 14 laps en route to victory on night two of the 38th running of the Firemen’s Nationals.

With four series wins in the bank already this season and a whopper of a 171-point lead in the standings, Seavey’s fourth place result on Sunday night was practically a letdown to both the team and driver of the Abacus Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Indy Custom Stone – Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

Despite the rare “misstep,” relatively speaking, Seavey and Abacus’ winning streak now stands at one while their string of 11 consecutive top-five finishes remains unblemished since early June, a good three months ago.

“It feels good to redeem myself a little bit,” Seavey admitted. “I know we ran fourth yesterday, but I was disappointed that I didn’t run a good race. I feel like I should’ve been competing for the win yesterday, but I didn’t do that, so it’s cool to come back today and win.”

Seavey’s 12th career USAC National Midget feature triumph elevated him to 60th place on the all-time series win list, equaling the mark set by series champions Danny Caruthers, Russ Gamester and Jeff Gordon, plus Gene Force, Bobby Grim and Ron Shuman.

Additionally, it was Seavey’s second score during the Firemen’s Nationals following his first win in the event during the 2019 season. It’s an event that’s the third most tenured on the USAC National Midget schedule with 38 editions taking place, trailing only the Turkey Night Grand Prix (81 years) and 4-Crown Nationals (40 years) in terms of active longevity. For Seavey, it’s a special win at a special race at a special place.

“This is such a cool place to come to,” Seavey beamed. “The history of midget racing here in Sun Prairie is tough to beat. I just love this place and I’ve loved it since the first time I came here, and I always have a blast coming here.”

Seavey began his race from the second slot outside of the front row, yet it was pole sitter Taylor Reimer who set the tone at the outset, leading the first 16 laps as Seavey gave constant chase. Seavey sought the high line; he sought the low line; he sought the middle, but Reimer was unflappable through the first half as Seavey was only able to get to within a car length of her back bumper before regathering, resetting and trying again.

On lap 17, Seavey’s sticktoitiveness paid off at the exit of turn four as he raced around the outside of Reimer to take over the race lead. By the time the two hit the back straightaway, the yellow flag was displayed for the slowing car of Emerson Axsom (15th) who eventually stopped on the back straight. The leader, plus one, crossed the start/finish line, so with split scoring in play, the lap officially counted, and Seavey was scored as the race leader with 13 laps to go.

“I was just trying to be patient,” Seavey explained. “If I could pace there long enough, I knew that eventually I’d get my shot and the bottom would slow down a little bit and I’d be able to go by. I’m just that confident in my car.”

Approaching the halfway point of the 30-lap feature, Seavey decided he had to move soon, or it could be too late, which had been the case for him on occasion this season.

“I just kept looking at the board and watching the laps count down,” Seavey said. “I think I saw like 15 or 16 to go and there have been times this year when I waited a little too long and never got that shot. So, I went for it there, and luckily, we caught the yellow at the right time and we were able to get to the lead there.”

Seavey chopped through the middle of turn one on the ensuing restart, but soon after, Jade Avedisian arrived on the scene, splitting hairs between Zach Daum and Reimer to shoot from fourth to second in the blink of an eye in turn two before taking off after Seavey. Meanwhile, Reimer, who was strong early, suddenly fell to sixth as Daum, Cannon McIntosh and Bryant Wiedeman all freight trained on by.

Seavey had opened up his lead to a 1.306 second margin with five laps remaining when the final caution was signaled for the slowing car of fourth-running Cannon McIntosh who stopped in turn three on lap 26, putting him out of the race with a disheartening 17th place result following a fine run.

It was a late yellow that stifled Seavey’s charge through the field the night before, but the yellow didn’t rattle him off course on this night as he stepped away from Avedisian on the restart to the tune of a full second while the lap count ran slim.

In the end, Seavey was 1.209 second ahead of the competition as he crossed under the double checkered flags in front of Avedisian with Justin Grant sneaking around the outside of Daum to grab the third spot off the fourth and final turn. Daum collected fourth, while Reimer scored a fifth.

Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.) made a late surge to finish second in her Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Mobil 1 – TRD – JBL Audio/Lynk/Speedway Toyota. The runner-up result equals her best career USAC National Midget finish, and once again, tied the best finish for a woman in USAC National competition alongside Sarah McCune at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway in 1999, Kaylee Bryson at Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway in 2022, and Avedisian twice in 2023 at the Belleville (Kan.) Short Track and Angell Park. Avedisian was also the only driver to finish on the podium during both nights at Angell Park this weekend following a third on Sunday night.

Approaching the final restart with five laps to go, Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) was running seventh. In those last five laps, he hustled up four more spots to score a third-place result and earned his second podium finish of the 2023 USAC National Midget season in his RMS Racing/NOS Energy Drink – EnviroFab – Response Management Services/Spike/Speedway Toyota. Grant’s’ advancement from his 10th starting spot to third in the running order also gave him hard charger bragging rights for the night.

During the evening’s Honest Abe Time Trial session, Avedisian posted her sixth career USAC National Midget fast qualifying time, tying her for 94th all-time with Chad Boat, Burt Foland, Brian Gerster, Mike Gregg, Kyle Hamilton, Buddy Kofoid, Lee Kunzman, Jerry McClung, Ron Shuman, Jimmy Sills, Don Vogler, Chris Windom and Billy Wood.

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 4, 2023 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – 1/3-Mile Dirt Track – Firemen’s Nationals

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.722; 2. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.726; 3. Chase McDermand, 19m, Bundy Built-14.792; 4. Zach Daum, 7u, Trifecta-14.796; 5. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-14.839; 6. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.905; 7. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-14.945; 8. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.949; 9. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac Dalby-14.982; 10. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-14.988; 11. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-15.004; 12. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-15.158; 13. Kyle Beilman, 31B, Beilman-15.199; 14. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-15.263; 15. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-15.293; 16. Emerson Axsom, 19A, Petry/Hayward-15.446; 17. Jake Andreotti, 25, Malloy-15.448; 18. Dekota Gay, 81A, Gay-15.499; 19. Parker Jones, 57A, RAB-15.563; 20. Cameron Weishoff, 55, Weishoff-15.736; 21. Bryan Stanfill, 75AU, Griffiths-15.775.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Bryant Wiedeman, 2. Zach Daum, 3. Jade Avedisian, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Emerson Axsom, 6. Kyle Beilman, 7. Parker Jones. 2:00.85

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Thomas Meseraull, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Daniel Whitley, 4. Ryan Timms, 5. Gavin Miller, 6. Jake Andreotti, 7. Cameron Weishoff. 2:01.25

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Daison Pursley, 2. Hayden Reinbold, 3. Chase McDermand, 4. Taylor Reimer, 5. Cannon McIntosh, 6. Bryan Stanfill, 7. Dekota Gay. 1:59.64 (New Track Record)

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (2), 2. Jade Avedisian (6), 3. Justin Grant (10), 4. Zach Daum (3), 5. Taylor Reimer (1), 6. Bryant Wiedeman (7), 7. Daison Pursley (8), 8. Chase McDermand (4), 9. Ryan Timms (11), 10. Gavin Miller (5), 11. Jake Andreotti (16), 12. Hayden Reinbold (18), 13. Thomas Meseraull (9), 14. Daniel Whitley (13), 15. Kyle Beilman (14), 16. Bryan Stanfill (19), 17. Cannon McIntosh (12), 18. Emerson Axsom (15), 19. Parker Jones (17), 20. Dekota Gay (20). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-16 Taylor Reimer, Laps 17-30 Logan Seavey.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-1078, 2-Justin Grant-907, 3-Jade Avedisian-891, 4-Ryan Timms-884, 5-Bryant Wiedeman-878, 6-Daison Pursley-849, 7-Cannon McIntosh-816, 8-Jacob Denney-789, 9-Gavin Miller-787, 10-Taylor Reimer-717.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-167, 2-Logan Seavey-105, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Justin Grant-92, 5-Robert Ballou-87, 6-Matt Westfall-86, 7-Brady Bacon-85, 8-Emerson Axsom-82, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 21, 2023 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – James Dean Classic

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Jade Avedisian (14.653)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Jade Avedisian (14.722)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Bryant Wiedeman

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Thomas Meseraull

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Daison Pursley

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Taylor Reimer

Hard Charger: Justin Grant (10th to 3rd)

 

ON FIRE!
TIMMS SWEEPS NIGHT ONE OF THE
FIREMEN’S NATIONALS AT ANGELL PARK

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (September 3, 2023)………It’d been more than a year since a driver last performed a complete sweep from start to finish throughout a USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event.

Meanwhile, it had been just a tick under a year since the last time a team recorded a complete podium sweep of the top-three finishing positions during a USAC National Midget feature race.

In both cases, the team and car number leading the field across the finish line first was the very same – the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports No. 67.

On Sunday, during the opening night of the 38th running of the Firemen’s Nationals at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway, the picture-perfect driver was Ryan Timms.

The Oklahoma City, Okla. native chased down teammate Gavin Miller, then waged a duel that consisted of slider after slider until Timms ultimately emerged ahead for good with eight laps remaining to earn his third series victory of the year in his Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/JBL Audio – TRD – Mobil 1/Lynk/Speedway Toyota.

For Timms, it was his fifth career USAC National Midget feature triumph, which moved him to 119th on the all-time list alongside Spencer Bayston, Mike Bliss, Lonnie Caruthers, Larry Dickson, Mike Fedorcak, Burt Foland, Mack McClellan, Danny McKnight, Cliff Spalding, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Jerry Weeks.

Timms was superb from the start on Sunday night, earning his first career USAC Honest Abe Roofing fast qualifying time before capturing a heat race win from the sixth starting position, then again went sixth to first in the feature. His “sweep” of the event was the first such instance since Buddy Kofoid did the same in June of 2022 at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill.

Following Timms across the line at Angell Park’s 1/3-mile dirt oval were KKM teammates Gavin Miller and Jade Avedisian. The most recent occurrence in series history of the top-three finishers all hailing from the same team came in September of 2022 when KKM took the top-three spots at Gas City I-69 Speedway with Kofoid leading the field to victory with then teammates Kaylee Bryson and Brenham Crouch in tow.

Sunday night, it was Miller getting the initial jump on the field from the pole position, building an early full two second lead during the first 12 laps. However, in that same timeframe, Timms had picked his way through the field from sixth to second in a hurry past a collection of talent including Logan Seavey, Jade Avedisian, Bryant Wiedeman and Justin Grant.

Timms immediately began to chop Miller’s wide margin of a lead from two seconds to a half second by lap 19 when Wiedeman, running seventh at the time, slowed to a stop between turns three and four. Under yellow, ninth running Chase McDermand, the three-time Badger Midget champ who was making his debut with Bundy Built Motorsports, pulled in with mechanical trouble.

The ensuing restart meant “go-time” for Timms as he immediately aimed for the bottom of turn one to execute a slide job for the lead on Miller, pulling it off successfully to lead lap 20. Nonetheless, Miller dug in and fought back, slide-jobbing Timms four consecutive times on both ends of the racetrack, coming up inches short of the lead on lap 21 before retaking over the lead briefly by inches at the stripe on lap 22.

As soon as Timms officially fell to second in the running order, he dropped the hammer, so to speak, and went back to the well, sliding across the nose of Miller in turn one on the 23rd circuit, then successfully fended off a return shot by Miller as he slid himself into turn three, thus preventing a slider from Miller and began to steadily break away from the field with seven laps to go.

“I was catching Gavin before that last restart,” Timms recalled. “I knew that if I could get a good enough restart, I could just bomb him going into one, and that’s what I did but it almost didn’t work out. He kept getting underneath me and I didn’t know whether to slide myself again and I didn’t really know what to do there. After about two or three crossovers, I just started sliding myself. Then I made a couple mistakes there at the end, but I chilled myself out and managed to bring it home.”

At the finish line, Timms was 0.932 sec. ahead of Miller who finished second. Jade Avedisian made a late move to grab third away from Logan Seavey who finished fourth.

Seavey came up about a car length short of extending his streak of top-three finishes to 10, which would’ve tied him for the all-time series record set by Mel Kenyon in 1967 and Tony Stewart in 1995. With that said, Seavey still maintains the championship lead by a hefty 161-point margin. Seavey’s Abacus Racing teammate Daniel Whitley, meanwhile, finished a career-best fifth.

Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.) has been on point of late. Tonight, the leading Rookie of the Year contender led a race-high 21 of 30 laps en route to a runner-up finish in his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Eibach Springs – Mobil 1/Lynk/Speedway Toyota. In his last three USAC National Midget starts, Miller has now finished 5th, 2nd and 2nd.

“On the restart, I didn’t know what he was going to do,” Miller recalled. “He just threw big slide job, then I had to cross him back over and slide him back. I think I had him if it wasn’t for the yellow, but that’s just racing. We’ll be better next time.”

Jade Avedisian's first visit to Angell Park resulted in her best USAC National Midget finish in nearly three months in her Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Mobil 1 – TRD – JBL Audio/Lynk/Speedway Toyota. The Clovis, Calif. racer finished third, her first top-three result since June at Lawrenceburg Speedway during Indiana Midget Week.

“I feel like I had a really, really fast car and I feel like I could’ve been there if I had done my first 15 laps a lot different,” Avedisian admitted. “I wasted a lot of time down there off turn two on the bottom, and I just needed to move up and keep up my momentum. I got to racing with Ryan (Timms) and just slowed my pace down and I was racing him instead of the cars in front of me.”

Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) salvaged his night after an adventurous qualifying run, which involved biking majorly in turn one on both of his laps, which prevented him from recording an official time. Starting dead last in the feature from the 23rd spot, he advanced 14 positions to finish ninth, thus earning hard charger honors. Pursley maintains his yearlong advantage in the ProSource Passing Master standings with 166 positions advanced in features alone across USAC’s three national series, 62 more than his closest competition.

Timms’ time of 2:01.97 during his heat race victory on Sunday night broke the eight-lap track record that had stood for more than 16 years. Ryan Durst had held the USAC National Midget mark for the distance at Angell Park of 2:04.98 since August 26, 2007.

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 3, 2023 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – 1/3-Mile Dirt Track – Firemen’s Nationals

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.366; 2. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-14.480; 3. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-14.495; 4. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-14.522; 5. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-14.559; 6. Zach Daum, 7u, Trifecta-14.578; 7. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.601; 8. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.657; 9. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.665; 10. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac Dalby-14.727; 11. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-14.757; 12. Chase McDermand, 19m, Bundy Built-14.819; 13. Tyler Baran, 11T, Baran-14.829; 14. Kyle Beilman, 31B, Beilman-14.841; 15. Emerson Axsom, 19A, Petry/Hayward-14.857; 16. Jake Andreotti, 25, Malloy-14.861; 17. Daniel Robinson, 57A, RAB-14.993; 18. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-15.018; 19. Dekota Gay, 81A, Gay-15.292; 20. Bryan Stanfill, 75AU, Griffiths-15.338; 21. Nick Baran, 7E, Engstrom-15.630; 22. Zach Boden, 51, Boden-15.658; 23. Cameron Weishoff, 55, Weishoff-15.950; 24. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Ryan Timms, 2. Jake Andreotti, 3. Gavin Miller, 4. Cannon McIntosh, 5. Bryant Wiedeman, 6. Tyler Baran, 7. Zach Boden, 8. Dekota Gay. 2:01.97 (New Track Record)

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Jade Avedisian, 2. Justin Grant, 3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Daniel Whitley, 5. Kyle Beilman, 6. Daniel Robinson, 7. Bryan Stanfill, 8. Cameron Weishoff. 2:03.66

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, all transfer to the feature) 1. Chase McDermand, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Hayden Reinbold, 4. Taylor Reimer, 5. Daison Pursley, 6. Zach Daum, 7. Emerson Axsom. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Ryan Timms (6), 2. Gavin Miller (1), 3. Jade Avedisian (7), 4. Logan Seavey (4), 5. Daniel Whitley (5), 6. Justin Grant (2), 7. Taylor Reimer (10), 8. Cannon McIntosh (11), 9. Daison Pursley (23), 10. Zach Daum (9), 11. Thomas Meseraull (12), 12. Jake Andreotti (16), 13. Hayden Reinbold (18), 14. Emerson Axsom (15), 15. Bryant Wiedeman (3), 16. Daniel Robinson (17), 17. Dekota Gay (19), 18. Tyler Baran (13), 19. Kyle Beilman (14), 20. Zach Boden (21), 21. Cameron Weishoff (22), 22. Chase McDermand (8), 23. Bryan Stanfill (20). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-19 Gavin Miller, Laps 20-21 Ryan Timms, Lap 22 Gavin Miller, Laps 23-30 Ryan Timms.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-999, 2-Justin Grant-838, 3-Ryan Timms-833, 4-Bryant Wiedeman-815, 5-Jade Avedisian-812, 6-Jacob Denney-789, 7-Daison Pursley-789, 8-Cannon McIntosh-783, 9-Gavin Miller-735, 10-Taylor Reimer-653.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-166, 2-Logan Seavey-104, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Robert Ballou-87, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Justin Grant-85, 7-Brady Bacon-85, 8-Emerson Axsom-82, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 4, 2023 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – 1/3-Mile Dirt Track – Firemen’s Nationals

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Daison Pursley (14.498)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Ryan Timms (14.366)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Ryan Timms

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Jade Avedisian

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Chase McDermand

Hard Charger: Daison Pursley (23rd to 9th)


 

 

THE BEAT GOES ON!
GRANT DEFEATS THE FIELD AT Du QUOIN’S 100-MILER

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Du Quoin, Illinois (September 2, 2023)………If you thought Justin Grant had any inkling of missing a beat after three-straight USAC National Sprint Car wins last weekend, well, you’d be mistaken.

Absolutely nothing broke the Ione, Calif. native’s stride on Saturday afternoon during the 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois as he scored his first USAC Silver Crown National Championship win of the season at an event he’s longed to win throughout the past decade of trying.

The 2020 USAC Silver Crown driving champion had made seven previous Ted Horn 100 starts, finishing a best of second back in 2019. On this day, he was nearly perfect, leading all but the first lap in the 100-miler as he controlled the final 99 trips around the legendary Magic Mile in his Hemelgarn Racing/NOS Energy Drink – Super Fitness – Nick Bohanon LLC/DRC/Foxco Chevy.

Grant also broke his 18-race string without a USAC Silver Crown win – which dated back to the 2022 season opener at the Terre Haute Action track – with his fifth career series win, tying him with Mario Andretti, Donnie Beechler, Pancho Carter, Shane Cockrum, Jay Drake, Tony Elliott, Bud Kaeding, Sheldon Kinser and Larry Rice for 26th on the all-time list.

After winning his first career Ted Horn 100 pole position, Grant proceeded to become the first driver to win the race from the first starting spot since Shane Cottle did the deed in 2007.

But more than anything, Grant is currently on one of the hottest streaks of his racing career after a down-and-out rough patch during the summer months. Last week, he reeled off three consecutive USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car victories in a three-night span at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, and in his first race since, he notched a Silver Crown win at the Du Quoin Mile.

“I’m super fortunate here lately,” Grant stated. “Everything I get in is an absolute rocket ship and I’m just having a ton of fun. Things are awesome right now and I’m just super, super fortunate for everybody who’s behind me and the racecars that I get to sit in.”

Grant spent much of the first couple laps side-by-side with outside front row starter C.J. Leary, and it was Leary who got around Grant on the outside line to lead lap one by a car length at the line. Grant swiped the lead back away from Leary on lap two as he raced by on the inside to beat Leary to the bottom rail in in turn three, which was an imperative aspect for Grant to establish early in the going.

“It wasn’t easy to pass, I don’t think, just because the straightaways were so dirty and kind of narrow,” Grant said. “I felt like I pushed pretty hard the first couple of laps to get back around C.J. because I wanted to be on the point of this deal and make them try to get by me. It just didn’t lend itself to a lot of options and a guy was going to have to make a mistake, but when you’re racing with these guys, they’re so good, mistakes are pretty few and far between.”

Davey Ray was on the move early from his third starting position, moving to second on the entry to turn one on lap nine when he glanced his left front tire off the inside guardrail, which ricocheted him right into Leary. As the two bounced off each other while sliding up the track, Leary fought to regain control while Ray scooted off into the runner-up spot.

Ray made a bid for the lead on lap 32 but didn’t reap the rewards as he slid high in between turns two and three, opening the door for Leary to drive back under and reassume the second position. Kody Swanson tried a similar maneuver on lap 48 as he slid across the nose of Ray for third in turn three, but instead, drifted wide and opened up a gap for Shane Cockrum to zip by to take over fourth as Swanson fell back to fifth.

Ray ultimately got loose at the exit of turn four on lap 53 after sliding a bit too far sideways. In response, Cockrum capitalized on the situation by driving under Ray for third and brought Swanson in tow to fourth as Ray slipped back to fifth just past the halfway mark.

One of the positive comeback stories during the middle portion of the race was that of Casey Buckman who spun in turn two on the opening lap but restarted at the tail and drove from 29th spot up to ninth by lap 63 when he spun and collected the outside turn three wall, ending a valiant effort. Under the subsequent yellow, sixth running Ray pulled off as smoke began to surface from the Cornell Racing Stables No. 8.

In the following days after the Springfield round two weeks ago, Shane Cockrum didn’t know if he would even have a ride for Du Quoin after the engine blew on his BLS Motorsports No. 71. Stepping into Hans Lein’s No. 97 as a substitute wheelman for the recovering Mitchel Moles, Cockrum shot up to second as he flew around the outside of Leary on the front straight on lap 68 and steadily closed right to the rear bumper of race leader Grant.

Grant staved off the pressure from Cockrum for the time being until ninth running Chase Stockon slowed dramatically on lap 82 with a flat right rear tire to bring out the caution. Leary took advantage of the ensuing restart and slipped back to second under Cockrum in turn one while Swanson followed him to third.

On the other end, Grant nearly met an unkind fate as he slid high, kicking up a cloud of dust as he fought to regain control in between turns three and four. However, he calmly pointed the nose back to the bottom rail to get back in the groove without harm and without foul back in the lead ahead of Leary.

“There on the restarts, when you get running and the tires are hot, the track would get hot and cleaned up. You can kind of move around a little bit,” Grant explained. “On the restarts, if you weren’t right on the rail, it was really slick, and I went smoking down in there and I thought was okay. When I went through one and two, I felt pretty stuck, and I hustled down into three and four, and I was like, ‘oh, way too soon for that, sliding across there.’”

With three laps remaining, Leary was able to slightly cut into Grant's lead, knocking off a couple tenths from the margin down to 0.6 sec. Nevertheless, he was unable to get any closer than that as Grant remained steady and in complete control as he finished off his second win on a dirt mile in the state of Illinois, but his first on the Du Quoin Mile.

Grant’s margin of victory was 0.999 sec. over Leary with Swanson third, Cockrum fourth and Seavey fifth.

Like Grant, C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) was keen on winning his first one at the Du Quoin mile aboard his Klatt Enterprises/Wilwood Disc Brakes – Lucas Oil Center– Brown & Miller Racing Solutions/Beast/Ford. But for Leary, on the line was a first dirt mile victory of any kind. Leary estimated he had a couple shots, but in the end, had to settle for second which not only was his best run of the USAC Silver Crown season, but it was also his best career Ted Horn 100 finish, besting his fourth place performance in 2017.

“We’ve had some bad luck and we’ve had some things that were probably a little bit of our own fault,” Leary said of the team’s struggles this season. “Overall, we’ve had a really good car. I feel like we’ve been in contention to win a bunch of them, but just haven’t been able to win any of them. It’s frustrating, but I knew we had a good car and Justin had a good car also and he might’ve been a little bit better than us. I had maybe one or two shots at him in three and four, but he just might’ve overdriven it a little bit. The last 15 to 20 laps are like qualifying runs and I was running for all we had, and I know Justin was too. I was pushing him and trying to force a mistake out of him but there was no mistake out of Justin. Hats off to him and his team. I know they’ve been on a rough road like we have, but I’m super happy and it’s going to make for a good drive home.”

Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, Calif.) battled a vibration issue early on and started back in eighth before driving his Doran-Binks Racing/Mission Foods – Glenn Farms/Maxim/Lanci Ford up to a solid third place result at Du Quoin. With Logan Seavey's fifth place run, that put Swanson just one point out of the USAC Silver Crown point lead with only two races remaining on the season. But that’s not what he’s here for.

“I’m not here to race for points,” Swanson revealed. “We’re here to try and win races and these guys prepare to try and win them. I just didn’t get it done today, but as far as weighing risk vs. reward, it’s all reward and it’s all upside to go for it and try to win the race. I made a mistake when I got inside of Davey (Ray) and couldn’t stick the bottom. He got back by, and Shane got there with him. I felt like I was just one mistake behind. Luckily, we were able to race our way back through, but we were just not fast enough to chase down Justin and C.J. there. They did a great job, and you never want to be happy with third but I’m thankful for the effort and the run we had.”

Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.) posted the biggest charge of the USAC Silver Crown season in his first ever start at Du Quoin. Following a broken rocker arm in practice, the Two C Racing team swapped out the engine and missed qualifying entirely, which put the Silver Crown “Rookie” near the tail of the field where he promptly and officially advanced 18 positions, starting 26th on the grid and finishing 8th.

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USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 2, 2023 – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Du Quoin, Illinois – 1-Mile Dirt Oval – Ted Horn 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza

HONEST ABE ROOFING/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SPORTS PRODUCTIONS QUALIFYING: 1. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-31.870; 2. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-32.437; 3. Davey Ray, 8, Cornell-32.446; 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 24, Haggenbottom-32.640; 5. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-32.641; 6. Chase Stockon, 69, Pink 69-32.802; 7. Shane Cottle, 9, Dyson-32.822; 8. Kody Swanson, 177, Doran/Binks-32.892; 9. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-32.909; 10. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-32.950; 11. Shane Cockrum, 97, Lein-33.001; 12. Emerson Axsom, 20, Nolen-33.035; 13. Chris Fetter, 15, Fetter-33.146; 14. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-33.162; 15. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-33.181; 16. Patrick Bruns, 95, Full Throttle-33.181; 17. Korey Weyant, 99, Weyant-33.476; 18. Casey Buckman, 25, C-Buck/Sachs-33.654; 19. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-33.896; 20. Ryan Thomas, 118, Wingo-33.909; 21. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-33.994; 22. A.J. Fike, 53, FTM-34.039; 23. Patrick Lawson, 2, Lawson-34.206; 24. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-34.348; 25. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-35.277; 26. Danny Long, 44, Long-36.307; 27. John Tosti, 07, Tosti-37.418; 28. Tim Simmons, 3, Simmons-37.908; 29. Cary Oliver, 110, Oliver-NT; 30. Dave Peperak, 777, Peperak-NT; 31. Matt Westfall, 81, BCR-NT; 32. Wayne Johnson, 12, Two C-NT; 33. Tom Paterson, 111, Paterson-NT; 34. Trey Osborne, 88, Fetter-NT; 35. Jacob Wilson, 107, WBR-NT.

FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (1), 2. C.J. Leary (2), 3. Kody Swanson (8), 4. Shane Cockrum (11), 5. Logan Seavey (5), 6. Jerry Coons Jr. (4), 7. Emerson Axsom (12), 8. Wayne Johnson (26), 9. Taylor Ferns (18), 10. Kyle Steffens (10), 11. Chris Urish (15), 12. Korey Weyant (16), 13. Chris Fetter (13), 14. Chase Stockon (6), 15. Dave Berkheimer (23), 16. Trey Burke (14), 17. Davey Ray (3), 18. Mario Clouser (9), 19. Casey Buckman (17), 20. Russ Gamester (22), 21. Ryan Thomas (27), 22. Danny Long (24), 23. Kaylee Bryson (19), 24. Patrick Lawson (21), 25. Shane Cottle (7), 26. A.J. Fike (20), 27. Tom Paterson (29), 28. John Tosti (25), 29. Tim Simmons (28). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 C.J. Leary, Laps 2-100 Justin Grant.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-548, 2-Kody Swanson-547, 3-Justin Grant-439, 4-Mario Clouser-380, 5-Taylor Ferns-366, 6-Kaylee Bryson-364, 7-C.J. Leary-358, 8-Bobby Santos-315, 9-Matt Westfall-315, 10-Trey Burke-278.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-152, 2-Logan Seavey-104, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Robert Ballou-87, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Justin Grant-85, 7-Brady Bacon-85, 8-Emerson Axsom-81, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 22-23, 2023 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Dirt Oval – 41st 4-Crown Nationals

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: Shane Cottle (30.287)

Honest Abe Roofing / Southern Illinois Sports Productions Fast Qualifier: Justin Grant (31.870)

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: C.J. Leary

Hard Charger: Wayne Johnson (26th to 8th)


 


TED HORN TALK:
6 STORYLINES FOR SATURDAY’S USAC RACE AT Du QUOIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Du Quoin, Illinois (August 31, 2023)………The most magical mile of them all is the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

That’s been true since the day it was built and remains true all these decades later as the USAC Silver Crown National Championship makes its annual once-a-year-voyage to the southern Illinois dirt mile for the Ted Horn 100.

The Ted Horn 100 dates to the year 1948 when the three-time AAA National champion in 1946, 1947 and 1948 and namesake of the race, lost his life on the very same Du Quoin track that the brave souls of today still try to conquer.

It’s the most tenured dirt race on the Silver Crown slate, celebrating its 69th running this Saturday, September 2, during the daylight hours of the early morning and afternoon, which is nice.

Let’s celebrate with six of the key champ car storylines you should be watching this Saturday at Du Quoin.

LOGAN LEADING, KODY CHASING

With three races remaining in the USAC Silver Crown season, the championship race is tight between Logan Seavey and Kody Swanson.

If you think you’ve seen this before, you have. It’s this generation’s version of The Gary & Larry Show featuring Gary Bettenhausen and Larry Dickson as they both swapped feature wins and championships back-and-forth, to-and-fro between 1968-71.

However, Seavey has yet to kick down the door with Swanson scoring the 2021-22 titles in a fashion that came down to the final event. In fact, over the past three seasons between 2021-23, Seavey and Swanson have run 1-2 in the point standings for 22 out of the 29 events held in that time frame.

Entering Du Quoin, Seavey holds the upper hand by just seven points as he moves right into his wheelhouse on the dirt where he has finished second and first over the past two seasons in 2021-22 at Du Quoin while Swanson is a two-time winner of the event in 2010 and 2017.

SEAVEY – A MONSTER ON THE DIRT

Logan Seavey seemingly holds the key to the dirt tracks of late on the USAC Silver Crown trail. He’s now won five of the last seven in that stretch, including the last two, and hasn’t finished outside the top-five in his last 12 appearances dating back to 2021.

He already won on the other Illinois dirt mile in Springfield just a couple weeks ago and now aims to become one of the very few to sweep both Springfield and Du Quoin champ car races in the same year.

That’s a list of drivers that includes Tony Bettenhausen (1951), Sam Hanks (1953) Jimmy Bryan (1955-56), Johnny Thomson (1958), A.J. Foyt (1964 & 1967), Al Unser (1970), Mario Andretti (1973-74), Gary Bettenhausen (1983), Jack Hewitt (1986-87-93), Chuck Gurney (1989-94-96), Paul White (2001), J.J. Yeley (2002), Tracy Hines (2006), Brian Tyler (2008) and Chris Windom (2018).

Showing his versatility, Seavey is one of only three drivers to win both a stock car and champ car race at Du Quoin, scoring an ARCA stock car victory in 2018 and a USAC Silver Crown triumph in 2022. Jimmy Bryan and A.J. Foyt are the only others. Pretty good company to keep.

SEVEN HORN WINNERS ON HAND

Seven past Ted Horn 100 winners are represented in this Saturday’s Ted Horn 100 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

Defending Ted Horn 100 winner Logan Seavey leads the cast of 36 USAC Silver Crown entries this weekend at the one-mile dirt oval. Seavey’s main nemesis in the championship fight is Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, Calif.), a two-time winner of the event in 2010 and 2017, the first of which was his first career USAC Silver Crown victory.

Two-time Ted Horn 100 winner Shane Cockrum (Benton, Ill.) grew up and resides just down the road from the Magic Mile where he won back-to-back in 2014-15.

Peru, Indiana’s Russ Gamester, the 1997 race winner, is the most experienced in the field with 22 Ted Horn 100 starts dating back to 1989.

Kansas, Illinois’ Shane Cottle (2007), Elkhart, Illinois’ Chris Urish (2013) and Crawfordsville, Indiana’s Jacob Wilson (2019) have all scored on the Du Quoin Mile as well.

Interestingly, for six of the seven past winners in Saturday’s field (all but Seavey), their Du Quoin win also marked their first career USAC Silver Crown victory. That includes Swanson, Cockrum, Gamester, Cottle, Urish and Wilson who all hold The Magic Mile near and dear to their hearts.

A LEIN MACHINE FOR COCKRUM

It was just a short while ago that Shane Cockrum thought he might not even have a ride for the Du Quoin race this year after the engine blew on his BLS Motorsports No. 71 during practice a couple weeks ago at the Springfield Mile.

Due to a recent racing accident, Mitchel Moles is sidelined for a bit from the Hans Lein-owned No. 97. The first call the team made to fill in for Moles was to Cockrum, who is undoubtedly one of the most popular winners ever at Du Quoin.

Hailing from nearby Benton, Ill., about 15 minutes away, Cockrum received a raucous response following back-to-back Ted Horn 100 wins in front of the home crowd in 2014-15.

Entering Saturday, Cockrum owns an incredible run of consistency, having finished inside the top-five in all eight of his Du Quoin Silver Crown starts since 2013 with wins in 2014-15, a 2nd in 2017 & 2022, a 3rd in 2018, a 4th in 2013 and a 5th in 2016 and 2021.

His 2022 Du Quoin run included his first career Silver Crown pole award, and ended in a heartbreaking manner, running out of fuel while leading on lap 86. After fueling up, he recovered to finish as the runner-up. Not only is he fortunate to have a ride for Saturday’s race, he also has a bit of a score to settle after last year’s sorrowful ending.

COTTLE (AND PEPPERIDGE FARMS) REMEMBERS

Like Cockrum, the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds are a bit of a happy place for Shane Cottle.

Cottle and his family regularly made the trip down to southern Illinois when he was a kid to catch both the USAC Silver Crown and ARCA Stock Car races. In fact, one of his earliest racing memories involves watching Jack Hewitt charge from 18th to win the champ car race at Du Quoin back in 1987.

In 2007, Du Quoin became even more special to Cottle when he captured the pole and raced to his first career USAC Silver Crown victory on the same night aboard Larry Contos’ Hat World machine.

Two weeks ago at Springfield, Cottle nearly picked up his second career dirt mile Silver Crown victory when he stepped into Chris Dyson Racing’s No. 9 for the first time and promptly led 47 laps with a spectacular drive.

The lead and the race win slipped through Cottle’s fingers on a restart with 13 laps remaining as Seavey drove around the outside of him in turn one, relegating Cottle back to second. All in all it was a great day, but it was also one that could’ve been way sweeter for the veteran driver who was visibly stung by the result.

But here lies another opportunity for Cottle to find not only redemption, but also another special win in his home state.

THE YEAR OF THE ROOKIE AT Du QUOIN?

Interestingly, no track on the USAC Silver Crown schedule has seen more first-time USAC Silver Crown winners break through than Du Quoin.

Since the series’ inception in 1971, 14 different drivers have earned their first career Silver Crown victory at The Magic Mile and this year’s class is hellbent on trying to make that 15.

Top veterans are included in this group, among them being Davey Ray (Davenport, Iowa), Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) and Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio), all of whom are USAC National winners.

Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) earned the first ever top-five finish by a woman in USAC Silver Crown history at Du Quoin in 2013. This will be her first series start at the track since that day.

Mario Clouser (Auburn, Ill.), fourth in USAC Silver Crown points, is on-board for his Du Quoin debut as is top Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.), USAC National Sprint Car and Midget winner Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.) and 360 Sprint Car legend Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.), all of whom are highly capable of becoming number 15.

RACE DETAILS:

The 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 features the USAC Silver Crown National Championship along with the 29th Annual Bill Oldani Memorial Prelims for DIRTcar Modifieds.

Registration and pit gates open at 7am Central. Grandstands and ticket office open at 9am. USAC Silver Crown practice is slated to run from 10-11:10am. USAC Silver Crown qualifying is scheduled for 11:30am followed by DIRTcar Modified hot laps and qualifying at 12:15pm and the USAC Silver Crown qualifying race at 12:30pm. DIRTcar Modified heats are on tap at 1pm followed by the USAC Ted Horn 100 feature at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the Du Quoin Fair office at 618-542-1535. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Advance tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children age 11 and under. Race day tickets at the gate are $30 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for members and $40 for non-members ages 12 and up. Pit passes for children age 11 and under are $20.

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2023 TED HORN 100 ENTRY LIST:

07 ®JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 ®TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

11 ®TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)

12 ®WAYNE JOHNSON/Tuttle, OK (Two C Racing)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 ®EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports-Eddie Sachs Jr.)

26 ®KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

88 ®TREY OSBORNE/Columbus, OH (Sammy & Mouren Fetter)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)

110 ®CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 ®RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 ®DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

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2023 USAC SILVER CROWN STAT LEADERS:
Most Wins: 3-Kody Swanson
Driver Point Leader: Logan Seavey
Entrant Point Leader: Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing #22
Leading Rookie Driver in Points: Kaylee Bryson (5th)
Most Laps Led: 410-Kody Swanson
Most Top-Fives: 7-Logan Seavey
Most Top-Tens: 7-Logan Seavey
Most Fast Qualifying Times: 5-Kody Swanson
Best Finish By A Rookie: Jun 17: Port Royal Speedway – Chase Dietz (2nd)
Most Feature Starts: 8-Kaylee Bryson, Trey Burke, Mario Clouser, Taylor Ferns, Logan Seavey, Kody Swanson, Travis Welpott & Matt Westfall
Most Positions Advanced in a Race: May 26: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Bryan Gossel (27th to 11th)

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2023 USAC SILVER CROWN SCHEDULE & RESULTS
May 20: (D) Belleville High Banks - Belleville, KS
WINNER: Brady Bacon (Chris Dyson Racing #9)
May 26: (P) Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park - Brownsburg, IN
WINNER: Bobby Santos (DJ Racing #98)
Jun 17: (D) Port Royal Speedway - Port Royal, PA
WINNER: Logan Seavey (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing #22)
Jun 23: (P) Madison International Speedway - Oregon, WI
WINNER: Kody Swanson (Doran-Binks Racing #77)
Jul 20: (P) Winchester Speedway - Winchester, IN
WINNER: Kody Swanson (Doran-Binks Racing #77)
Aug 5: (P) Toledo Speedway - Toledo, OH
WINNER: Kody Swanson (Doran-Binks Racing #77)
Aug 19: (D#) Illinois State Fairgrounds - Springfield, IL
WINNER: Logan Seavey (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing #22)
Aug 27: (P#) World Wide Technology Raceway - Madison, IL
WINNER: Davey Hamilton Jr. (Legacy Autosport #19)
Sep 2: (D#) Du Quoin State Fairgrounds - Du Quoin, IL
Sep 22-23: (D) Eldora Speedway - Rossburg, OH
Oct 14: (P) Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park - Brownsburg, IN
------------------------ KEY DEFINITIONS -------------------------
(D) represents a dirt event
(P) represents a pavement event
# represents a daytime event

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2023 USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER POINT STANDINGS: (TOP-10)
POS. PTS. DRIVER, HOMETOWN
1 490 Logan Seavey, Sutter, Calif.
2 483 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, Calif.
3 363 Justin Grant, Ione, Calif.
4 353 Mario Clouser, Auburn, Ill.
5 344 (R) Kaylee Bryson, Muskogee, Okla.
6 320 Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, Mich.
7 315 Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass.
8 305 Matt Westfall, Pleasant Hill, Ohio
9 291 C.J. Leary, Greenfield, Ind.
10 270 Derek Bischak, Angola, Ind.
(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

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2023 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRANT POINT STANDINGS: (TOP-10)
POS. PTS. ENTRANT, TEAM LOCATION
1 490 Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing, Brownsburg, Ind. (#22)
2 483 Doran-Binks Racing, Lebanon, Ohio (#77)
3 363 Hemelgarn Racing, LaSalle, Mich. (#91)
4 353 Kazmark Motorsports, Joliet, Ill. (#92)
5 344 Sam Pierce, Daleville, Ind. (#26)
6 343 Legacy Autosport, Pittsboro, Ind. (#19)
7 320 Taylor Ferns Racing, Shelby Township, Mich. (#555)
8 315 DJ Racing, Boca Raton, Fla. (#98)
9 305 BCR Group, South Vienna, Ohio (#81)
10 291 Klatt Enterprises, Hastings, Neb. (#6)

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2023 USAC SILVER CROWN ROOKIE DRIVER POINT STANDINGS: (TOP-10)
POS. PTS. DRIVER, HOMETOWN
1 344 Kaylee Bryson, Muskogee, Okla.
2 247 Trey Burke, Alvin, Texas
3 159 Wayne Johnson, Tuttle, Okla.
4 155 Tyler Roahrig, Plymouth, Ind.
5 129 Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, Ind.
6 113 Chase Dietz, York, Pa.
7 83 Mitchel Moles, Raisin City, Calif.
8 73 Emerson Axsom, Franklin, Ind.
9 37 Alex Bright, Collegeville, Pa.
10 37 Nathan Moore, Kaufman, Texas

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RACE WINS:
3-Kody Swanson (Jun 23 at Madison International Speedway, Jul 20 at Winchester Speedway & Aug 5 at Toledo Speedway)
2-Logan Seavey (Jun 17 at Port Royal Speedway & Aug 19 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds)
1-Brady Bacon (May 20 at the Belleville High Banks)
1-Davey Hamilton Jr. (Aug 27 at World Wide Technology Raceway)
1-Bobby Santos (May 26 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park)

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LAPS LED:
410-Kody Swanson
84-Logan Seavey
83-C.J. Leary
48-Davey Hamilton Jr.
46-Shane Cottle
31-Bobby Santos
15-Justin Grant
8-Brady Bacon
1-Emerson Axsom

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TOP-FIVE FINISHES:
7-Logan Seavey
6-Kody Swanson
4-Derek Bischak & Bobby Santos
3-Justin Grant
2-Brady Bacon, Shane Cottle, Davey Hamilton Jr., C.J. Leary & Tyler Roahrig
1-Emerson Axsom, Mario Clouser, Chase Dietz, Taylor Ferns, Carmen Perigo & Chase Stockon

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TOP-TEN FINISHES:
7-Logan Seavey
6-Mario Clouser & Kody Swanson
5-Kaylee Bryson & Justin Grant
4-Derek Bischak & Bobby Santos
3-Dakoda Armstrong, Shane Cottle, Taylor Ferns, C.J. Leary & Kyle O’Gara
2-Brady Bacon, Trey Burke, Chase Dietz, Russ Gamester, Davey Hamilton Jr., Tyler Roahrig & Matt Westfall
1-Caleb Armstrong, Emerson Axsom, Nathan Byrd, Shane Cockrum, Jerry Coons Jr., Wayne Johnson, Mike McVetta, Carmen Perigo, Davey Ray, Chase Stockon, Tanner Swanson, Kevin Thomas Jr., Billy Wease & Jacob Wilson

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FEATURE STARTS:
8-Kaylee Bryson, Trey Burke, Mario Clouser, Taylor Ferns, Logan Seavey, Kody Swanson, Travis Welpott & Matt Westfall
7-Justin Grant & C.J. Leary
6-Dave Berkheimer
5-Derek Bischak, Gregg Cory, Russ Gamester & Wayne Johnson Mike McVetta, Kyle O'Gara & Bobby Santos
4-Nathan Byrd, Bryan Gossel, Davey Hamilton Jr., Tom Paterson & Billy Wease
3-Dakoda Armstrong, Shane Cottle, Mitchel Moles, Tyler Roahrig, Kyle Robbins, Kyle Steffens & Chase Stockon
2-Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Patrick Bruns, Casey Buckman, Shane Cockrum, Jerry Coons Jr., Chase Dietz, Chris Fetter, Patrick Lawson, Carmen Perigo, Aaron Pierce, Jake Swanson & Kevin Thomas Jr.
1-Caleb Armstrong, Mark Bitner, Alex Bright, Steve Buckwalter, Matt Goodnight, Danny Long, Nathan Moore, Davey Ray, Steven Russell, Mark Smith, Tanner Swanson, Ryan Thomas, Chris Urish, Korey Weyant, Jacob Wilson & Brent Yarnal

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HONEST ABE ROOFING FAST QUALIFIERS BY RACE:
May 20: Belleville High Banks – Kody Swanson
May 26: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Bobby Santos
Jun 17: Port Royal Speedway – Mitchel Moles
Jun 23: Madison International Speedway – Kody Swanson
Jul 20: Winchester Speedway – Kody Swanson
Aug 5: Toledo Speedway – Kody Swanson
Aug 19: Illinois State Fairgrounds – Logan Seavey
Aug 27: World Wide Technology Raceway – Kody Swanson

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HONEST ABE ROOFING FAST QUALIFYING TIMES:
5-Kody Swanson
1-Mitchel Moles, Bobby Santos & Logan Seavey

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TOP ROOKIE FINISHER OF THE RACE:
May 20: Belleville High Banks – Kaylee Bryson (8th)
May 26: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Tyler Roahrig (3rd)
Jun 17: Port Royal Speedway – Chase Dietz (2nd)
Jun 23: Madison International Speedway – Tyler Roahrig (3rd)
Jul 20: Winchester Speedway – Kaylee Bryson (7th)
Aug 5: Toledo Speedway – Kaylee Bryson (6th)
Aug 19: Illinois State Fairgrounds – Emerson Axsom (5th)
Aug 27: World Wide Technology Raceway – Trey Burke (6th)

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HARD CHARGER OF THE RACE:
May 20: Belleville High Banks – Chase Stockon (13th to 3rd)
May 26: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Bryan Gossel (27th to 11th)
Jun 17: Port Royal Speedway – Steve Buckwalter (20th to 14th)
Jun 23: Madison International Speedway – Kaylee Bryson (15th to 8th)
Jul 20: Winchester Speedway – Kaylee Bryson (13th to 7th)
Aug 5: Toledo Speedway – Taylor Ferns (17th to 8th)
Aug 19: Illinois State Fairgrounds – Taylor Ferns (26th to 12th)
Aug 27: World Wide Technology Raceway – Justin Grant (9th to 3rd)

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DIRT DRAFT FASTEST PRACTICE DRIVER
May 20: Belleville High Banks – Brady Bacon
May 26: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park – Bobby Santos
Jun 17: Port Royal Speedway – Kody Swanson
Jun 23: Madison International Speedway – Kody Swanson
Jul 20: Winchester Speedway – Kody Swanson
Aug 5: Toledo Speedway – Kody Swanson
Aug 19: Illinois State Fairgrounds – Justin Grant
Aug 27: World Wide Technology Raceway – Kody Swanson

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN STATS

ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WINS:
1. [40 wins] Kody Swanson
2. [23 wins] Jack Hewitt
3. [18 wins] Brian Tyler
4. [16 wins] Dave Steele
5. [15 wins] J.J. Yeley
6. [14 wins] Dave Darland & Chuck Gurney
8. [12 wins] Bobby Santos & Jimmy Sills
10. [11 wins] Bobby East
11. [10 wins] Gary Bettenhausen & Mike Bliss
13. [9 wins] Tracy Hines & Tanner Swanson
15. [8 wins] Chris Windom
16. [7 wins] Jerry Coons Jr., Rick Hood, Logan Seavey & George Snider
20. [6 wins] Tom Bigelow, Russ Gamester, Kenny Irwin Jr., Jason Leffler, Ken Schrader & Al Unser
26. [5 wins] Mario Andretti, Donnie Beechler, Pancho Carter, Shane Cockrum, Jay Drake, Tony Elliott, Bud Kaeding, Sheldon Kinser & Larry Rice
35. [4 wins] Justin Grant, Kyle Larson, Jeff Swindell & Rich Vogler
39. [3 wins] Brady Bacon, Steve Butler, Tyler Courtney, Cameron Dodson, A.J. Fike, Levi Jones, Kasey Kahne, Jim Keeker, Steve Kinser, C.J. Leary, Bobby Olivero, Johnny Parsons, Aaron Pierce, Ron Shuman, Tony Stewart, Tyler Walker & Paul White
56. [2 wins] Pat Abold, Steve Chassey, Bryan Clauson, Shane Cottle, Larry Dickson, Billy Engelhart, A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Joe Saldana, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cole Whitt, Josh Wise & Doug Wolfgang
70. [1 win] Teddy Beach, Christopher Bell, Jeff Bloom, David Byrne, Marvin Carman, Shane Carson, Bob Cicconi, Herb Copeland, Bruce Field, Aaron Fike, Chet Fillip, Bob Frey, Eric Gordon, Davey Hamilton Jr., Kyle Hamilton, John Heydenreich, Gary Hieber, Shane Hmiel, Shane Hollingsworth, Jimmy Horton, Jackie Howerton, Kevin Huntley, Kenny Jacobs, Bubby Jones, Keith Kauffman, Jimmy Kite, Chuck Leary, Eddie Leavitt, Jason McCord, Jim McElreath, Lealand McSpadden, Mat Neely, Brad Noffsinger, Stevie Reeves, Wayne Reutimann Jr., Danny Smith, Kevin Thomas, Rich Tobias Jr., Chris Urish, Billy Vukovich & Jacob Wilson

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN FAST QUALIFYING TIMES:
46-Kody Swanson
21-Jimmy Sills
19-Dave Steele
17-Tracy Hines
14-Jerry Coons Jr.
13-J.J. Yeley
10-Bobby East & Rich Vogler
9-Chuck Gurney & Jason Leffler
8-Dave Darland, Russ Gamester, Levi Jones, Johnny Parsons & Tanner Swanson
7-Tom Bigelow, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary & Josh Wise
6-Gary Bettenhausen, Steve Chassey, Jack Hewitt & Larry Rice
5-Kenny Irwin Jr., Aaron Pierce, Bobby Santos, Jeff Swindell & Al Unser
4-Donnie Beechler, Bryan Clauson, Tyler Courtney, Larry Dickson, Jay Drake, Tony Elliott, Rick Hood, Jim Keeker, Sheldon Kinser, Kyle Larson, Brad Noffsinger, Joe Saldana, George Snider, Brian Tyler & Greg Weld
3-Mario Andretti, Mike Bliss, Steve Butler, Pancho Carter, Shane Cottle, Robby Flock, Shane Hmiel, Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader & Ron Shuman
2-Dave Blaney, Ed Carpenter, Dane Carter, A.J. Fike, Shane Hollingsworth, Bud Kaeding, Steve Kinser, Lee Kunzman, Chuck Leary, Jon Stanbrough, Brad Sweet, Kevin Thomas Jr., Tyler Walker, Jacob Wilson & Chris Windom
1-Mark Alderson, Brady Bacon, Teddy Beach, Christopher Bell, Bob Cicconi, Shane Cockrum, Derek Davidson, Cameron Dodson, Pablo Donoso, Thad Dosher, Paul Durant, Bob Ewell, Chet Fillip, Stan Fox, Damion Gardner, Gene Lee Gibson, Eric Gordon, Jeff Gordon, Davey Hamilton, Jac Haudenschild, John Heydenreich, Gary Hieber, Tray House, Jackie Howerton, Kenny Jacobs, Jon Johnson, Bubby Jones, P.J. Jones, Kasey Kahne, Keith Kauffman, Steve Kent, Arnie Knepper, Michael Lewis, Jason McDougal, Lealand McSpadden, Warren Mockler, Mitchel Moles, Mat Neely, Roger Rager, Wayne Reutimann Jr., Bill Rose, Logan Seavey, Randy Tolsma, Billy Vukovich, Bruce Walkup & Doug Wolfgang

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP NON-POINTS SPECIAL EVENT RACE WINS:
1. [3 wins] Jack Hewitt
2. [2 wins] Rick Hood
3. [1 win] George Snider, Kody Swanson, Rich Vogler & Billy Vukovich

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN DRIVER CHAMPIONS:
1971: George Snider, 1972: A.J. Foyt, 1973: Al Unser, 1974: Mario Andretti, 1975: Jimmy Caruthers, 1976: Billy Cassella, 1977: Larry Rice, 1978: Pancho Carter, 1979: Bobby Olivero, 1980: Gary Bettenhausen, 1981: Larry Rice, 1982: Ken Schrader, 1983: Gary Bettenhausen, 1984: Dave Blaney, 1985: Rick Hood, 1986: Jack Hewitt, 1987: Jack Hewitt, 1988: Steve Butler, 1989: Chuck Gurney, 1990: Jimmy Sills, 1991: Jeff Gordon, 1992: Steve Butler, 1993: Mike Bliss, 1994: Jimmy Sills, 1995: Tony Stewart, 1996: Jimmy Sills, 1997: Dave Darland, 1998: Jason Leffler, 1999: Ryan Newman, 2000: Tracy Hines, 2001: Paul White, 2002: J.J. Yeley, 2003: J.J. Yeley, 2004: Dave Steele, 2005: Dave Steele, 2006: Bud Kaeding, 2007: Bud Kaeding, 2008: Jerry Coons Jr., 2009: Bud Kaeding, 2010: Levi Jones, 2011: Levi Jones, 2012: Bobby East, 2013: Bobby East, 2014: Kody Swanson, 2015: Kody Swanson, 2016: Chris Windom, 2017: Kody Swanson, 2018: Kody Swanson, 2019: Kody Swanson, 2020: Justin Grant, 2021: Kody Swanson, 2022: Kody Swanson

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRANT CHAMPIONS:
1971: Leader Card Racers, 1972: A.J. Foyt Enterprises, 1973: Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing, 1974: Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing, 1975: George Middleton, 1976: Louie Seymour & Sons, 1977: Dave LeFevre, 1978: Johnny Capels, 1979: Leader Card Racers, 1980: Delrose-Holt Racing, 1981: Johnny Vance, 1982: Steve Enslow, 1983: Delrose-Holt Racing, 1984: Ralph & Jim DePalma, 1985: Damon Fortune, 1986: Bob Hampshire, 1987: Bob Hampshire, 1988: Kenneth Jarrett Farms, 1989: Junior Kurtz, 1990: Bob Consani, 1991: Fred Ede, 1992: Kenneth Jarrett Farms, 1993: Del McClure, 1994: Gary Stanton, 1995: Glen Niebel, 1996: Stanton Racing, 1997: Foxco, Inc., 1998: Goetz Racing, 1999: Snider-Foyt Racing, 2000: Terry Riggs, 2001: Paul Cook Racing, 2002: East-Stewart Racing, 2003: East-Stewart Racing, 2004: East-Stewart Racing, 2005: East-Stewart Racing, 2006: Leffler-BK Racing, 2007: BK Racing, 2008: RW Motorsports, 2009: BK Motorsports, 2010: Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, 2011: Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, 2012: RW Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Racing, 2013: Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, 2014: DePalma Motorsports, 2015: DePalma Motorsports, 2016: DePalma Motorsports, 2017: DePalma Motorsports, 2018: DePalma Motorsports, 2019: Klatt Enterprises, 2020: Hemelgarn Racing, 2021: Rice Motorsports, 2022: Doran-Dyson Racing

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN ROOKIES OF THE YEAR:
1981: Jack Hewitt, 1982: Keith Kauffman, 1983: Rick Hood, 1984: Dave Blaney, 1985: Steve Butler, 1986: Kenny Jacobs, 1987: Jeff Swindell, 1988: Gene Lee Gibson, 1989: Jimmy Sills, 1990: Eric Gordon, 1991: Stevie Reeves, 1992: Jim Keeker, 1993: Randy Tolsma, 1994: Kenny Irwin Jr., 1995: Chuck Leary: 1996: Ryan Newman, 1997: Jimmy Kite, 1998: Todd Kane, 1999: Paul White, 2000: Kasey Kahne, 2001: Aaron Fike, 2002: Matt Westfall, 2003: Ron Gregory, 2004: Aaron Pierce, 2005: Josh Wise, 2006: Mat Neely, 2007: Cameron Dodson, 2008: Steve Arpin, 2009: Kody Swanson, 2010: Bryan Clauson, 2011: Kyle Larson, 2012: Kyle Hamilton, 2013: Chris Windom, 2014: Caleb Armstrong, 2015: C.J. Leary, 2016: Casey Shuman, 2017: Joss Moffatt, 2018: Kyle Robbins, 2019: Derek Bischak, 2020: Bryan Gossel, 2021: Logan Seavey, 2022: Gregg Cory

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ALL-TIME USAC SILVER CROWN STARTS:
212-Brian Tyler
210-Russ Gamester
201-Dave Darland
182-Jerry Coons Jr.
172-Tracy Hines
163-Jack Hewitt
153-Eric Gordon
151-Johnny Parsons
147-Tony Elliott
136-Kody Swanson
129-George Snider
125-Gary Hieber
115-Chuck Gurney
113-Bud Kaeding & Jimmy Sills
111-Dave Steele
110-John Heydenreich
106-Aaron Pierce
104-A.J. Fike
100-Larry Rice
94-Jay Drake & Paul White
91-J.J. Yeley
90-Tom Bigelow
88-Mark Alderson
84-Jason McCord
83-Gary Bettenhausen
81-Justin Grant
79-Donnie Beechler & Levi Jones
78-Chris Windom
77-Rich Vogler
76-Larry Dickson
75-Ryan Newman
74-Steve Chassey & Shane Cottle
73-Rich Tobias Jr.
72-Bobby East & Bobby Santos
71-David Byrne, Robby Flock & Sheldon Kinser
70-Steve Butler
68-Billy Engelhart
67-Joe Saldana
66-Brad Noffsinger
65-Jerry Nemire
62-Ron Shuman
60-Randy Bateman, Austin Nemire, Wally Pankratz & Bill Rose
58-Rick Hood
56-C.J. Leary
55-Gary Irvin & Jacob Wilson
54-Tom Capie & Shane Hollingsworth
53-Shane Cockrum, Chet Fillip & Jason Leffler
52-Patrick Lawson & Wayne Reutimann Jr.
49-Tony Stewart & Matt Westfall
48-Mike Bliss, Kyle Robbins & Ken Schrader
47-Bob Cicconi
46-Jim Keeker, Tanner Swanson, Billy Vukovich, Bentley Warren & Travis Welpott
45-Derek Davidson & Jeff Swindell
43-Kenny Irwin Jr. & Tyler Walker
42-Dane Carter, Matt Goodnight & Jon Stanbrough
41-Danny Milburn
40-Aaron Fike, Andy Hillenburg, Warren Mockler & Chip Thomas
39-Tray House, Jim McElreath & Chris Urish
38-Dave Berkheimer, Chuck Leary & Bobby Olivero
37-Pancho Carter, Duke Cook, Todd Kane, Rusty McClure, Billy Puterbaugh Jr. & Roger Rager
36-Brady Bacon, Ed Carpenter & Ron Dunstan
35-Mike Haggenbottom
34-Ronnie Burke, Davey Hamilton, Kevin Huntley, Greg Staab & Kevin Thomas
33-Cary Faas, Jimmy Kite & Josh Wise
32-Brent Kaeding & Logan Seavey
31-Terry Babb, Steve Cannon, Ron Gregory, Arnie Knepper, Jim Mahoney, Mat Neely & Stevie Reeves
30-Tim Barber, Teddy Beach, Jeff Bloom, Zach Daum, Stan Fox, Manny Rockhold & Jerry Russell
29-Rocky Hodges & Michael Lewis
28-Dave Blaney & Bill Puterbaugh
27-Brad Armstrong, Steve Buckwalter, Bryan Clauson & Taylor Ferns
26-Dan Drinan, Joe Liguori & Davey Ray
25-Kasey Kahne, Nick Lundgreen & Jerry Miller
24-Pat Abold, Derek Hagar & Kenny Jacobs
23-Cameron Dodson
22-Derek Bischak, Billy Cassella, Kevin Doty & Bob Frey
21-Kyle Hamilton & Walt Kennedy
20-Bill Baue, Dave Feese, Chris Fetter, John Starks & Randy Tolsma
19-Bruce Field, Brian Gerster, Gene Lee Gibson, Shane Hmiel, Jimmy McCune, Lealand McSpadden, Casey Shuman & Kevin Thomas Jr.
18-Rollie Beale, Jackie Burke, Tyler Courtney, Bryan Gossel, Mike Murgoitio, Al Unser & Jonathan Vennard
17-Patrick Bruns, Jimmy Caruthers, A.J. Foyt, Sammy Sessions, Kyle Steffens, Billy Wease & Kramer Williamson
16-Robert Ballou, Pablo Donoso & Kyle O’Gara
15-Paul Clark, Gregg Cory, P.J. Jones, Jake Swanson & Bruce Walkup
14-Jarett Andretti, Billy Boat, Casey Buckman, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Davey Hamilton Jr., Dallas Hewitt, Bubby Jones, Keith Kauffman, Ralph Liguori, Carmen Perigo, Boston Reid, Danny Smith, Smokey Snellbaker, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. & Jerry Weeks
13-Nathan Byrd, Tyce Carlson, Dana Carter, Jim Childers, Mario Clouser, Jac Haudenschild, Jackie Howerton, Jon Johnson, Greg Leffler, Danny Long, Mike McVetta, Andy Michner, Brian Paulus, Rodney Weesner & Bud Wilmot
12-Kaylee Bryson, Brad Fox, Mike Gregg, Mike Hess, Jason McDougal, Billy Pauch, Ricky Shelton & Bill Tyler
11-Mario Andretti, J.C. Bland, Justin Carver, Hud Cone, Craig Dori, Dickie Gaines, David Gough, Terry James, Steve Kinser, Cory Kruseman, Lee Kunzman, Kyle Larson, James McElreath, Bobby McMahan, Joey Moughan, Rex Norris III, Tom Paterson, Mike Peters, Tad Roach, Chase Stockon, Greg Weld & Greg Wilson
10-Caleb Armstrong, Ronnie Day, Gary Gray, Richard Griffin, Coleman Gulick, Bob Harkey, Page Jones, Terry Kawell, Jim Moughan, Kenneth Nichols, Paul Pitzer, Terry Pletch, Jack Runyon, Mark Smith, Robert Smith & Robbie Stanley
9-Bobby Adkins, Chuck Amati, Toni Breidinger, Karl Busson, Bob Evans, Bryn Gohn, Wayne Hammond, Jim Hurtubise, Rebel Jackson Jr., Chappy Knaack, Eddie Leavitt, Larry Martin, Joss Moffatt, Johnny Petrozelle & Johnny Rutherford
8-Jim Anderson, Joe Axsom, Christopher Bell, Trey Burke, Cole Carter, Mel Cornett, Chris Cumberworth, Doug Didero, Paul Durant, Ray Joe Fager, Larry Gates, Ken Hamilton, Darl Harrison, Roy Hicks, Rod Holshouser, Dakota Jackson, Mike Johnson, Frankie Kerr, Jan Opperman, Lee Osborne, Junior Parkinson, Greg Peterson, Aaron Pollock, Tracy Potter, Steven Russell, Steve Siegel, Ryan Smith, Sammy Swindell, Rick Treadway, Lennie Waldo, Korey Weyant, Carl Williams & Doug Wolfgang
7-John Andretti, Eric Butze, Rob Chaney, Lou Cicconi Jr., Chris Dyson, Bob East, Perry Ferrell, Nick Fornoro Jr., Joe Gaerte, Cody Gallogly, Damion Gardner, Cody Gerhardt, Brian Hayden, Jesse Hockett, Blake Hollingsworth, Tony Hunt, Paul Huntington, Chad Kemenah, Paul Koch, Jimmy Light, Joe McCarthy, Thiago Medeiros, Austin Mundie, Michael Roselli Jr., Hunter Schuerenberg, Alex Shanks, Pete Shepherd III, Mike Thomas, Billy Whitaker & Mitch Wissmiller
6-Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Annie Breidinger, Mike Brooks, Bill Burks Jr., Kellen Conover, Palmer Crowell, Jake Day, Ryan Durst, Bob Ewell, Spike Gehlhausen, Kenny Gentry, Darren Hagen, Tom Hessert III, Larry Hoppes, John Hubbard, Marc Jessup, Doug Kalitta, Kevin Koch, Bill Kojis, Mike Lichty, Jeff Mitrisin, Don Nordhorn, Tyler Roahrig, Brian Seidel, Jake Simmons, Jimmy Stinson, Jerry Stone & Mike Winblad
5-Sport Allen, Todd Beach, Barry Camp, Larry Cannon, Shane Carson, Mark Cassella, Kyle Cummins, John Hunt, Wayne Johnson, Brad Kuhn, Rich Leavell, Donnie Lehmann, Mario Marietta, Brad Marvel, Mack McClellan, Kevin Olson, Chris Phillips, Brian Ruhlman, Mike Stroehle, Neil Shepherd, Red Stauffer, Sleepy Tripp, Terry Uehling, Cole Whitt & Rip Williams
4-Dakoda Armstrong, Tony Armstrong, Steve Arpin, Emerson Axsom, John Batts Jr., Mike Brecht, Jimmy Brewer, David Bridges, Ray Bull, Keith Burch, Keith Butler, Herb Copeland, Casey Diemert, Lee Dunn, Danny Ebberts, Murray Erickson, Ray Evans, Scott Hansen, Don Hawley, Steve Kent, Dereck King, Steve Knepper, Mike Larrison, Mike Ling, Bobby Marcum, Von McGee, Wes Miller, David Mirk, Nathan Moore, Dave Peperak, Rodney Ritter Jr., Billy Shuman, Dean Shirley, Donny Schatz, Tim Siner, Billy Vukovich III, Clark Templeman, Kevin Whitesides, Leon Thickstun, Miranda Throckmorton & Ronnie Wuerdeman
3-Steve Adams, Johnny Anderson, Ed Angle, Robin Bank, Justin Barger, John Barrick, Kipp Beard, Doug Berryman, Merle Bettenhausen, Art Bisch Jr., Kevin Bloomstran, Lee Brewer Jr., Rick Brown, Dave Burns, Gary Cameron II, Keith Campbell, Marvin Carman, Roy Caruthers, Wayne Chinn, Bill Compton, Tim Cox, Erin Crocker, Troy DeCaire, Thad Dosher, Tommie Estes Jr., Dean Franklin, Jeff Gardner, Emmett Hahn, Nick Hamilton, Darryl Haugh, Kelly Kinser, Lance Kobusch, Red Kunstbeck, Ricky Logan, Steve Long, Jim Malloy, Mike Martin, Zach Martini, Bob Meli, Mitchel Moles, Larry Moore, Ryan Moore, Mike Mosley Jr., Mike Ordway, Gary Patterson, Gary Ponzini, Rusty Rasmussen, Wayne Reutimann, Robbie Rice, Travis Rilat, A.J. Russell, Zach Schiff, Frankie Schneider, Ryan Scott, Terry Shepherd, Ron Smoker, Kevin Studley, Brad Sweet, Buz Tapply, Cale Thomas, Dick Tobias, Rick Ungar, Tony Weyant, George White, Jim Whiteside, Greg Wooley & Brent Yarnal
2-Mike Adkins, Mike Andreeta, Tommy Astone, Todd Bammer, Randy Bauer, Dave Baumgartner, Nick Bilbee, Dean Billings, Mark Bitner, Austin Blair, Dan Boorse, Ken Brewer, Shane Butler, Steve Carithers, Tim Clark, Jason Conn, Stan Constant, Johnny Coogan, Frank D’Alonso, Daryl Daugherty, Tom Davies, Charles Davis Jr., James Davison, Greg DeCaires, Duke DeRosa, Chase Dietz, Scott Edmiston, Dean Erfurth, Jay Ervine, Mike Fedorcak, Billy Felts, A.J. Foyt IV, Stewart Friesen, Greg Furlong, Leon Gentry, Mike Gigot, Joe Gosek, Rick Goudy, Chuck Gurney Jr., Randy Hannagan, Scott Hatton, Jon Herb, Jordan Hermansader, Sparky Howard, Bill Hudson, Bruce Jennings, Jerry Karl, Kevin Kierce, Mike Lauterborn, Steve Lotshaw, Ed Lynch, Garry Lee Maier, Troy Matchen, Jay Maupin, Randy Mausteller, Van May, Roger McCluskey, Mike McCreary, Frank McDaniel, Lyn McIntosh, Dustin Morgan, Aaron Mosley, Larry Neighbors, John Nervo, Cary Oliver, Lynn Paxton, Scott Pierovich, Troy Regier, Rick Salem, Joey Schmidt, Howie Sewell, David Shain, Rick Sipes, Jigger Sirois, Mark Sokola, Randy Standridge, Nelson Stewart, Rodney Stone, Rob Summers, Kevin Swindell, Al Thomas, Troy Thompson, Troy Vaccaro, Butch Wilkerson, Charlie Workman, Salt Walther & Jack Ziegler
1-Bobby Allen, Taylor Andrews, Jon Backlund, Tom Ball, Steve Barnett, Steve Barth, Jarid Blondel, Chad Boat, Ray Bragg, Alex Bright, Jerry Bruce, Bob Brutto, Will Cagle, Daryl Campbell, Don Carr, Kent Christian, Drew Church, Henry Clarke, Troy Cline, Kevin Conway, Donnie Crawford, Wally Dallenbach, Bobby Davis Jr., Brad Davis, Bob Davison, Brian DeFord, Terry Doss, Brad Doty, Rodney Duncan, Jesse Dunham, Sondi Eden, Andrew Felker, Elvin Felty, Dan Ford, Michael Ford, Andy Forsberg, Jeff Forshee, Ronnie Franklin, Pete Frazier, Danny Frye Jr., Jeff Galas, Ronnie Gardner, Rickie Gaunt, Cheryl Glass, David Gravel, Gary Griffith, Brett Hearn, Jojo Helberg, Jim Hettinger, Nathan High, Larry Hillerud, Ted Hines, Jimmy Horton, Brian Hosford, Rick Howerton, Steve Irwin, Jim Jackson, Earnest Jennings, Rickey Jennings, Matt Jewell, Chase Johnson, Erik Karlsen, Kraig Kinser, Buddy Kofoid, Dana LaLiberte, Harold Leep, Jeff Leka, Ryan Litt, Ed Lynch Jr., Pepi Marchese, David McCreary, Dave McGough, Paul McMahan, Joe Melnick, Thomas Meseraull, Curt Michael, Tye Mihocko, Jim Mills, Mark Monico, Mike Mosley, Jack Moulton Jr., Peter Murphy, Rick Muther, Fred Neighbors, Greg Nelson, Kevin Newton, Kyle Nicholas, Tommy Nichols, Don O’Keefe, Jimmy Parsons, Billy Pauch Jr., Stan Ploski, Art Pollard, Jerry Potter, Richard Powell, Pat Quinn, Ron Rae, Fred Rahmer, Robbie Ray, Byron Reed, David Reutimann, Jim Reynard, Randy Roberts, Joe Roush, John Ryals, Eddie Sachs Jr., Doug Saunier, Bill Schemonia, Shane Scully, Jon Sciscoe, Ron Semelka, Steve Sheppard Jr., Danny Shouse, Grant Simpson, Anthony Simone, Carl Smith, Steve Smith, Mike Spencer, Darren Spiers, Greg Stephens, Robert Stout, Charlie Swartz, Fred Tegarden Jr., Ryan Thomas, Todd Thomas, Tanner Thorson, Bud Tingelstad, Eric Todd, Rick Tomasik, Eric Trousdale, LeRoy Van Conett, Kaylene Verville, Todd Wanless, Curt Waters, Jeff West, Brent Whited, Bryan Whited, Eddie Wirth, Kyle Wissmiller, Kent Wolters, Mike Woodring, Ken Woolley & Tiffany Wyzard


HOME SWEET Du QUOIN:
MAGIC MILE MEANS THE WORLD TO COCKRUM

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Du Quoin, Illinois (August 31, 2023)………Following the expiration of his engine two weeks ago during practice at the Springfield Mile, Shane Cockrum felt his chances at even competing in this Saturday’s, September 2, USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds were slim to nil.

But by happenstance due to the misfortune of Mitchel Moles, the Hans Lein ride became available for Cockrum, of nearby Benton, Ill., to drive the car in this Saturday’s 100-mile event at The Magic Mile as he chases a third career Ted Horn 100 victory.

Moles’ recent accident during a sprint car event at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway opened the door for Cockrum to substitute while Moles recovers. Cockrum went from down and out to being dejected to not sure what direction to go to feeling like he now has an opportunity to win that is just as good than it’s been with a team of people and a fast racecar that has been a victor with the series before on a one-mile dirt oval.

“It’s a great opportunity that kind of fell in place at the last minute,” Cockrum acknowledged. “I think the Hans Lein team did a good thing, and I’m glad they care that much about their driver. It’s the right thing for (Moles) to get healthy and it’s cool that his sprint car and Silver Crown owners care enough about him to make sure he’s getting a little bit of rest.”

For Cockrum, missing out on racing at Du Quoin would’ve been just as much, if not more painful, than any loss he’s suffered in a race. After all, the 41-year-old racer was born, raised and still resides about 15 minutes down the road from Du Quoin.

Cockrum’s earliest memories of Du Quoin involved watching Ricky Nix’s No. 43 champ car with the likes of Dave Feese, Bill Rose and Cary Faas behind the wheel. Shane’s father, Cliff, annually presented the trophy to the Ted Horn 100 winner each year in victory lane, and when Johnny Parsons won at Du Quoin in 1992, a 10-year-old Cockrum was standing in the victory lane photos with a big grin on his face.

In fact, the foundation of the Cockrum family and its Du Quoin root dates back way further than that. Cliff Cockrum, a sprint car driving master in his own right, competed with the division on the Du Quoin Mile several times throughout the early 1970s. In fact, as a kid, Cliff and his friend, Ricky Nix, couldn’t afford a ticket to watch the champ car races. So, they did the next best thing. They climbed a tree up in turn four where they stayed for hours and watched the events unfold. Decades later with Shane, the apple didn’t fall far from that turn four tree.

“I’ve been going to Du Quoin since I was just a baby,” Shane noted. “Those were my fondest memories as a child with my parents. There was never even a thought that I’d even have a chance at ever racing at Du Quoin, let alone competing at a high level with the best of USAC there, and certainly not winning.”

Those hard-to-fathom aspirations came true for young Shane when, as a 14-year-old, he began racing UMP Modifieds, and took his first shot at the Du Quoin Mile that same year.

Ultimately, a USAC Silver Crown car was purchased by Hardy Boys Motorsports, and Shane made his Du Quoin Mile debut in a champ car in 2011. He took to it like a duck to water for the most part, and soon after, he was accomplishing something beyond any realm of possibility he could’ve imagined in 2014 by not only winning his first career Silver Crown race, but also winning in front of his home crowd at Du Quoin. The endless celebration was punctuated by an impromptu jump into the infield lake by him and his crew, which as it turned out, was a little bit more than they had bargained for.

“When I jumped in, I fully expected to have to swim,” Shane remembered. “What I didn’t realize was that I was going to come to a stop at about knee deep immediately due to it being that shallow. I also didn’t take into account the sludge and everything else. We all sunk into the mud up to our waist. Then it became, ‘oh crap, are we going to be able to get out of this?’ It suctioned us in there, and I can’t say there wasn’t a moment that I panicked and thought, ‘oh, this was a bad idea.’”

Even more, Cockrum repeated the feat in 2015, and to date, is the most recent driver to win the Ted Horn 100 in back-to-back years. Owning an incredible run of consistency, Cockrum has finished inside the top-five in all eight of his Du Quoin Silver Crown starts since 2013 with wins in 2014-15, a 2nd in 2017 & 2022, a 3rd in 2018, a 4th in 2013 and a 5th in 2016 and 2021.

His 2022 Du Quoin run included his first career Silver Crown pole award, and ended in heartbreaking manner, running out of fuel while leading on lap 86. After fueling up, he recovered to finish as the runner-up.

With the 2022 ordeal behind him, Cockrum is poised to join the ranks of drivers to win in a champ car at Du Quoin at least three times: six-time winner A.J. Foyt, five-time winner Gary Bettenhausen and three-time victors Mario Andretti, Tony Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Chuck Gurney and Jack Hewitt. For Cockrum, he feels there’s just a bit of magic when it comes to him and Du Quoin.

“I’ve watched drivers go places with a certain something that they had in them that is beyond just the norm,” Cockrum explained. “It’s where they bring something extra to the table that essentially wills them to the front. And that’s how I feel about Du Quoin. My greatest heroes have accomplished great things there, and certainly, I want to be in that same category. When I roll into those gates, I feel like there’s an extra push and I feel pretty unstoppable. I usually cross my fingers, knowing that I’ll do my job. It’s just a matter of a lot of luck and a good racecar to bring it all together.”

The connection between Shane Cockrum and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds runs deep – deeper than the connection between practically any racer and any particular track. To paraphrase Al Unser Jr.’s quote after winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1992, you just might hear Shane Cockrum utter similar words this Saturday, “You just don’t know what Du Quoin means.”

“For me, to have that track be the one that’s 15 minutes from home and be one of the most prestigious tracks in America, it’s a story book and I don’t know that I could ask for anymore,” Cockrum beamed. “I’m pretty sure there’ll be one day when the Du Quoin racetrack will have something to do with my ashes being spread or something of that nature because it’s meant that much to me and my life.”

RACE DETAILS:

The 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 features the USAC Silver Crown National Championship along with the 29th Annual Bill Oldani Memorial Prelims for DIRTcar Modifieds.

Registration and pit gates open at 7am Central. Grandstands and ticket office open at 9am. USAC Silver Crown practice is slated to run from 10-11:10am. USAC Silver Crown qualifying is scheduled for 11:30am followed by DIRTcar Modified hot laps and qualifying at 12:15pm and the USAC Silver Crown qualifying race at 12:30pm. DIRTcar Modified heats are on tap at 1pm followed by the USAC Ted Horn 100 feature at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the Du Quoin Fair office at 618-542-1535. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Advance tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children age 11 and under. Race day tickets at the gate are $30 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for members and $40 for non-members ages 12 and up. Pit passes for children age 11 and under are $20.

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2023 TED HORN 100 ENTRY LIST:
07 ®JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)
08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)
2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)
3 ®TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)
6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)
8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)
9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)
11 ®TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)
12 ®WAYNE JOHNSON/Tuttle, OK (Two C Racing)
15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)
18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)
20 ®EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)
22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing)
24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)
25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports-Eddie Sachs Jr.)
26 ®KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)
31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)
44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)
51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)
53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)
69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)
77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)
81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)
88 ®TREY OSBORNE/Columbus, OH (Sammy & Mouren Fetter)
91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)
92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)
95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)
97 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (Hans Lein)
99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)
107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)
110 ®CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)
111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)
118 ®RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)
177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)
555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)
777 ®DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)
(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

USAC MIDGETS RETURN TO ANGELL PARK!
6 STORYLINES FOR THE FIREMEN’S NATIONALS SEPT. 3-4

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (August 31, 2023)………The Firemen’s Nationals at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway can boast a list of past winners that includes seven inductees of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

On that same list, you’ll find 11 USAC National champions, and all those individuals happily rank a Firemen’s Nationals victory right near the top of their list of achievements.

A win at the Firemen’s Nationals is also something that this weekend’s winners will certainly put at the top of their list as well when all is said and done on Sunday-Monday, September 3-4.

It’s a Labor Day weekend midget racing tradition dating back to 1982. It’s a legendary race. It’s a legendary place, and now we get to take you through six of the biggest storylines heading into the national holiday weekend.

SEAVEY CHASING AN ALL-TIME USAC RECORD

When has Logan Seavey not been one to watch? The Sutter, Calif. native enters Angell Park on a run of nine consecutive podium (top-three) finishes in USAC National Midget competition.

You’re currently witnessing something that occurs just about once every generation as only two drivers have previously earned 10 straight top-three finishes with the series. The first to do it was Mel Kenyon in 1967. Twenty-eight years later in 1995, Tony Stewart accomplished the same. Now, 28 years later once again, Seavey has an opportunity to tie and surpass the record this weekend at Angell Park.

Since a victory on June 7 at Gas City, Seavey has been remarkably consistent with successive finishes of 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 1st, which have pushed him into the point lead by a healthy 136-point margin entering September.

Seavey’s podium streak and following in the footsteps of Kenyon and Stewart in general would certainly pay dividends. After all, both Kenyon and Stewart went on to capture their second career championship in those respective seasons. Seavey, the 2018 titlist, looks to do exactly the same.

RINGIN’ THE ALARM ONCE MORE AT THE FIREMEN’S NATIONALS

Seavey is also among the two past Firemen’s Nationals winners attempting to repeat their past successes at Angell Park this weekend. Seavey scored the 2019 edition of the event under POWRi sanction as he charged from his fifth starting position to win it.

Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.) is among the select few multi-time winners of the Firemen’s Nationals, having scored in both 2013 and 2017. He remains one of only six drivers to win the event at least two times: Kevin Olson (1983-86-87-97-98), Dan Boorse (1984 & 1999), Kevin Doty (1988-89-90-94-95), Tracy Hines (2001-02-10) and Scott Hatton (2004-05).

With another victory this weekend at Angell Park, Daum would become only the fourth driver with three Firemen’s Nationals wins to his credit alongside Olson, Doty and Hines.

THE RETURN OF HOLLY

After a nearly five-year absence, Holly Jones will return to USAC National Midget racing this weekend at Angell Park.

Jones, whom you might remember by her maiden name of Holly Shelton, will pilot the Bundy Built Motorsports No. 4 with a Spike Chassis and a Bundy Built Honda engine under the hood.

In Shelton’s three full-time seasons (2016-17-18) of midget racing, she drove for Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, finishing a best of third during the USAC Indiana Midget Week round at Lawrenceburg Speedway in 2017 and finished a best of seventh in the point standings for 2016.

In recent years, on occasion, she has wheeled a winged 360 sprint car, a micro sprint and an outlaw kart, but her most recent USAC National Midget start came during a top-10 performance at California’s Bakersfield Speedway in 2018.

DOUBLE-DIPPING AT THE PRAIRIE

The last two times the USAC National Midgets have raced on back-to-back evenings at Angell Park Speedway, the same driver won the feature both nights. Bryan Clauson achieved the feat in 2010 as did Christopher Bell in 2014.

Only one driver in this weekend’s Angell Park field has captured consecutive USAC National Midget victories at the same track on two-straight nights. That’s Justin Grant who swept to victories at Ocala, Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park in February of 2022.

In fact, throughout the 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing, a driver has accomplished it 23 previous times: Johnny Parsons (Winchester 1977), Mel Kenyon (IRP 1979), Rich Vogler (Colorado National 1979) and Jason Leffler (Belleville 1997).

In the 21st century it’s been Kasey Kahne (Belleville 2000), Bobby East (Belleville 2004), Josh Wise (Belleville 2006), Jerry Coons Jr. (Belleville 2007), Brad Sweet (Knoxville 2008), Bryan Clauson (Angell Park 2010), Darren Hagen (Tri-City 2010), Bryan Clauson (Dodge City 2011), Rico Abreu (Kokomo 2014), Christopher Bell (Angell Park 2014), Tanner Thorson (Tri-City 2015), Chad Boat (Belleville 2016), Tanner Thorson (Tri-City 2016), Brady Bacon (2017 Kokomo), Tyler Courtney (Ocala 2019), Chris Windom (Huset’s 2021), Justin Grant (Ocala 2022), Buddy Kofoid (Huset’s 2022) and Buddy Kofoid (Placerville 2022).

LONGING FOR A “W”

The list of drivers who’ve yet to win a USAC National Midget feature this year is particularly staggering. However, there’s still plenty of racing left to do and plenty of time to catch up in the win column.

Among them are past series feature winners Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.), Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.), Cannon McIntosh (Bixby, Okla.) and Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.), who between them, own 31 USAC National Midget victories. All drivers have also either won, set fast time or led laps at one point in their career at Angell Park.

On the list of contenders seeking a first USAC National Midget victory not only this year, but in his career, is three-time Badger Midget champion Chase McDermand (Springfield, Ill.) who is also a two-time Angell Park winner with BMARA.

Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.) and Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) are in the group of drivers aiming for a first career USAC National triumph this weekend as is Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, Calif.), all of whom have earned top-five finishes with USAC this season. Both Avedisian and Andreotti have led laps and finished as the runner-up in a feature in 2023.

FIREMEN’S HISTORY

Few events have the cache of the Firemen’s Nationals with it being one of the longest-running and famed midget racing events still going strong today in the USA.

With the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame literally in the backyard of Angell Park’s 1/3-mile oval, winning the Firemen’s Nationals is one in which drivers will immediately put near the top of their resume in the section of accomplishments.

In terms of longevity, the Firemen’s Nationals 38th running in 2023 trails only the Turkey Night Grand Prix (81 years) and the 4-Crown Nationals (40 years).

The Firemen’s Nationals can boast a list of past winners that includes seven inductees of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame: Billy Engelhart, Kevin Olson, Dan Boorse, Rich Vogler, Kevin Doty, Page Jones and Jay Drake.

In addition, there’s 11 past USAC National champions who’ve won the race, including Olson, Vogler, Stevie Reeves, Tracy Hines, Jerry Coons Jr., Brady Bacon, Josh Wise, Christopher Bell, Rico Abreu, Logan Seavey and Tanner Thorson, just to name a few.

EVENT DETAILS:

This Sunday and Monday night’s 38th running of the Firemen’s Nationals features the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship with both nights paying $5,000-to-win. The Badger Midget Racing Association is also on the card both nights.

Pits open at 1:30pm Central, stands open at 4pm and cars on track at 5pm followed by qualifying and racing.

Advance tickets are on sale now at www.angelpark.racing. Advance ticket prices are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for students age 12-17, $5 for kids age 6-11 & free for children age 5 and under. Race day ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $12 for students age 12-17, $5 for kids age 6-11 & free for children age 5 and under. Pit passes are $25 for members & $30 for non-members.

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-927, 2-Jacob Denney-789, 3-Bryant Wiedeman-775, 4-Justin Grant-774, 5-Ryan Timms-749, 6-Jade Avedisian-740, 7-Daison Pursley-739, 8-Cannon McIntosh-729, 9-Gavin Miller-662, 10-Chase McDermand-607.

PAST FIREMEN’S NATIONALS WINNERS:

1982: Billy Engelhart

1983: Kevin Olson

1984: Dan Boorse

1985: Rich Vogler

1986: Kevin Olson

1987: Kevin Olson

1988: Kevin Doty

1989: Kevin Doty

1990: Kevin Doty

1991: Stevie Reeves

1992: Marty Davis

1993: Page Jones

1994: Kevin Doty

1995: Kevin Doty

1996: Randy Koch

1997: Kevin Olson

1998: Kevin Olson

1999: Dan Boorse

2000: Jay Drake

2001: Tracy Hines

2002: Tracy Hines

2003: Davey Ray

2004: Scott Hatton

2005: Scott Hatton

2006: Rained Out

2007: Jerry Coons Jr.

2008: Brady Bacon

2009: Josh Wise

2010: Tracy Hines

2011: Rained Out

2012: Caleb Armstrong

2013: Zach Daum

2014: Christopher Bell

2015: Rico Abreu

2016: Carson Macedo

2017: Zach Daum

2018: Tanner Carrick

2019: Logan Seavey

2020: Not Held

2021: Tanner Thorson

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINS AT ANGELL PARK SPEEDWAY:

6-Bryan Clauson

5-Kevin Olson

3-Christopher Bell, Kevin Doty & Brad Kuhn

2-Rico Abreu, Billy Engelhart & Larry Rice

1-Tommy Astone, Tom Bigelow, Dan Boorse, Steve Cannon, Pancho Carter, Danny Caruthers, Jerry Coons Jr., Ryan Durst, Jeff Gordon, Scott Hatton, Tracy Hines, Levi Jones, Lee Kunzman, Bobby Olivero, Michael Pickens, Stevie Reeves, Brad Sweet, Tanner Thorson, Rich Vogler, Roger West & Josh Wise

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINNERS AT ANGELL PARK SPEEDWAY:

1970: Larry Rice (8/30)

1971: Lee Kunzman (6/27), Billy Engelhart (8/29) & Danny Caruthers (9/5)

1972: Roger West (6/4), Pancho Carter (7/9), Tom Bigelow (7/16) & Rich Vogler (8/13)

1973: Billy Engelhart (6/21), Bobby Olivero (7/8) & Steve Cannon (8/12)

1974: Larry Rice (6/13) & Tommy Astone (7/7)

1986: Kevin Olson (8/31)

1987: Dan Boorse (5/24), Kevin Doty (7/18) & Kevin Olson (9/6)

1988: Kevin Olson (5/29), Kevin Olson (6/18), Kevin Olson (7/17) & Kevin Doty (9/4)

1990: Jeff Gordon (7/14) & Kevin Doty (9/2)

1991: Stevie Reeves (9/1)

2005: Scott Hatton (8/27)

2006: Ryan Durst (8/26)

2007: Jerry Coons Jr. (8/25) & Michael Pickens (8/26)

2008: Brad Kuhn (8/23) & Levi Jones (8/24)

2009: Bryan Clauson (8/30) & Josh Wise (9/5)

2010: Brad Kuhn (7/3), Brad Sweet (7/4), Bryan Clauson (8/28), Bryan Clauson (8/29) & Tracy Hines (9/4)

2011: Bryan Clauson (8/21)

2012: Bryan Clauson (7/8) & Brad Kuhn (8/19)

2013: Rico Abreu (6/23) & Bryan Clauson (8/18)

2014: Christopher Bell (7/5), Christopher Bell (7/6) & Christopher Bell (8/17)

2015: Rico Abreu (7/5)

2021: Tanner Thorson (9/5)

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL MIDGETS AT ANGELL PARK SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 7/5/2015 - Bryan Clauson - 14.316

6 Laps - 8/26/2007 - Chris Windom - 1:34.07

8 Laps - 8/26/2007 - Ryan Durst - 2:04.98

10 Laps - 8/19/2012 - Rico Abreu - 2:26.60

12 Laps - 7/6/2014 - Rico Abreu - 3:00.28

30 Laps - 8/30/1970 - Larry Rice - 9:11.56

RECENT FIREMEN’S NATIONALS RESULTS:

2009 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Josh Wise, 2. Brad Sweet, 3. Darren Hagen, 4. Brad Kuhn, 5. Cole Whitt, 6. Bobby East, 7. Brad Loyet, 8. Brandon Waelti, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Jerry Coons Jr., 11. Matt Smith, 12. Davey Ray, 13. Kevin Olson, 14. Dakoda Armstrong, 15. Aaron FIscus, 16. Scott Hatton, 17. Mike Hess, 18. Travis Berryhill, 19. Andrew Felker, 20. Bryan Clauson, 21. Jake Slotten, 22. Chad Boat, 23. Zach Daum, 24. Henry Clarke, 25. Caleb Armstrong. NT

2010 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tracy Hines, 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 3. Brad Loyet, 4. Davey Ray, 5. Dave Darland, 6. Cody Weisensel, 7. Kurt Mayhew, 8. Brad Kuhn, 9. Darren Hagen, 10. Robbie Ray, 11. Bryan Clauson, 12. Jason Dull, 13. David Budres, 14. Henry Clarke, 15. Brady Bacon, 16. Mario Clouser. NT

2011: RAINED OUT

2012 FEATURE: 1. Caleb Armstrong; 2. Thomas Meseraull; 3. Jerry Coons Jr.; 4. Bubba Altig; 5. Davey Ray; 6. Scott Hatton; 7. Danny Stratton; 8. Robbie Ray; 9. Mike Hess; 10. Travis Berryhill; 11. Cody Weisensel; 12. Taylor Ferns; 13. Riley Emmel; 14. Kurt Mayhew; 15. Kevin Olson; 16. Chad Bogar; 17. Rick Kelsey; 18. Brandon Waelti; 19. Bryon Walters; 20. Dalton Armstrong; 21. Bob Schreffler; 22. Darren Hagen; 23. Jason Treault.

2013 FEATURE (50 laps): 1. Zach Daum, 2. Brad Kuhn, 3. Billy Balog, 4. Jake Blackhurst, 5. Andrew Felker, 6. Danny Stratton, 7. Parker Price-Miller, 8. Davey Ray, 9. Seth Motsinger, 10. Brandon Waelti, 11. Kurt Mayhew, 12, Cody Weisensel, 13. Bryon Walters, 14. Tyler Thomas, 15. Darren Hagen, 16. Caleb Armstrong, 17. Dalton Armstrong,18. Garrett Aitken, 19. Daniel Robinson.

2014 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Christopher Bell, 2. Tanner Thorson, 3. Rico Abreu, 4. Chris Windom, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Brady Bacon, 7. Tracy Hines, 8. Michael Pickens, 9. Jake Blackhurst, 10. Bill Balog, 11. Jerry Coons, Jr., 12. Tyler Courtney, 13. Bryan Clauson, 14. Tyler Thomas, 15. Andrew Felker, 16. Austin Brown, 17. Garrett Aitken, 18. Parker Price-Miller, 19. Seth Motsinger, 20. Terry Babb, 21. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 22. Spencer Bayston. NT

2015 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Rico Abreu, 2. Tanner Thorson, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr., 4. Bryan Clauson, 5. Darren Hagen, 6. Andrew Felker, 7. Spencer Bayston, 8. Ryan Robinson, 9. Tyler Thomas, 10. Kyle Schuett, 11. Isaac Chapple, 12. Kurt Mayhew, 13. Austin Brown, 14. Tracy Hines, 15. Katlynn Leer, 16. Eric Johnson, 17. Jimi Quinn, 18. Bill Balog, 19. David Budres, 20. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 21. Cody Weisensel NT

2016 FEATURE: 1. 71K-Carson Macedo; 2. 67-Tanner Thorson; 3. 5D-Zach Daum; 4. 3-Andrew Felker; 5. 67K-Holly Shelton; 6. 71-Ryan Robinson; 7. 3N-Jake Neuman; 8. 1-Scott Hatton; 9. 53-Aaron Schuck; 10. 41-Austin Prock; 11. 7-Austin Brown; 12. 77-Katlynn Leer; 13. 1K-Brayton Lynch; 14. 5x-Justin Peck; 15. 97-Spencer Bayston; 16. 57-Chad Boespflug; 17. 32-Garrett Aitken; 18. 31-David Budres; 19. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer; 20. 9K-Kyle Schuett; 21. 20-Cody Weisensel; 22. 0-Andy Baugh

2017 FEATURE: 1. 5D-Zach Daum (1), 2. 71-Ryan Robinson (10), 3. 67-Tanner Thorson (4), 4. 97-Spencer Bayston (9), 5. 37-Andrew Felker (3), 6. 4A-Logan Seavey (5), 7. 67K-Holly Shelton (14), 8. 9K-Kyle Schuett (6), 9. 7-Austin Brown (11), 10. 3N-Jake Neuman (20), 11. 57-Gage Walker (12), 12. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer (18), 13. 37x-Terry Babb (13), 14. 6A-Aidan Roosevans (19), 15. 53-Aaron Schuck (16), 16. 57x-Casey Shuman (8), 17. 3-Robbie Ray (7), 18. 2B-Zach Boden (23), 19. 1-Scott Hatton (2), 20. 20-Cody Weisensel (24), 21. 53z-Jeff Zelinski (22), 22. 05-Brad Loyet (17), 23. 3B-Shelby Bosie (15), 24. 71K-Tanner Carrick (21). NT

2018 FEATURE: 1. 71K-Tanner Carrick (6), 2. 67-Logan Seavey (5), 3. 5D-Zach Daum (3), 4. 3N-Jake Neuman (23), 5. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer (7), 6. 67K-Holly Shelton (8), 7. 21KS-Karter Sarff (9), 8. 9K-Kyle Schuett (4), 9. 3-Bill Balog (11), 10. 82-Mike Hess (17), 11. 72-Sam Johnson (16), 12. 71-Ryan Robinson (2), 13. 31-Ray Seach (1), 14. 57-Andrew Felker (21), 15. 7-Austin Brown (12), 16. 2-Zach Boden (18), 17. 9KL-Kevin Olson (19), 18. 11-Tyler Baran (15), 19. 14JR-Holley Hollan (14), 20. 99-Ryan Probst (22), 21. 21-Kurt Mayhew (13), 22. 20-Cody Weisensel (20), 23. 51-Joe B. Miller (10). NT

2019 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. 67-Logan Seavey (5), 2. 08-Cannon McIntosh (1), 3. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer (2), 4. 71K-Tanner Carrick (7), 5. 57-Chase Jones (14), 6. 5D-Zach Daum (4), 7. 71-Jesse Colwell (6), 8. 98-Tanner Thorson (10), 9. 3-Davey Ray (15), 10. 9-Daison Pursley (16), 11. 28-Ace McCarthy (8), 12. 97K-Jesse Love (18), 13. 3N-Jake Neuman (13), 14. 67K-Holley Hollan (3), 15. 31-David Budres (21), 16. 21KS-Tracy Hines (9), 17. 3w-Brandon Waelti (17), 18. 11-Tyler Baran (22), 19. 82-Mike Hess (20), 20. 7x-Thomas Meseraull (11), 21. 3B-Shelby Bosie (12), 22. 20-Cody Weisensel (19). NT

2020: NOT HELD

2021 FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Thorson (4), 2. Thomas Meseraull (2), 3. Justin Grant (1), 4. Chris Windom (3), 5. Logan Seavey (11), 6. Kevin Thomas Jr. (7), 7. Emerson Axsom (5), 8. Daison Pursley (6), 9. Buddy Kofoid (13), 10. Chase Randall (9), 11. Brandon Waelti (22), 12. Hayden Reinbold (18), 13. Jack Routson (17), 14. Chase McDermand (12), 15. Jeff Zelinski (20), 16. Matt Rechek (21), 17. Glenn Waterland (19), 18. Ethan Mitchell (14), 19. Cannon McIntosh (8), 20. Zach Daum (10), 21. Trey Gropp (15), 22. Daniel Robinson (16). NT


 


FIELD OF 36 SET FOR
SATURDAY’S USAC TED HORN 100 AT Du QUOIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Du Quoin, Illinois (August 30, 2023)………Seven past Ted Horn 100 winners are represented in this Saturday’s 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois on September 2.

Defending Ted Horn 100 winner Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) leads the cast of 36 USAC Silver Crown entries this weekend at the one-mile dirt oval. Seavey, who won just two weeks ago at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, leads the series point standings entering the event as he pursues his first series title.

Seavey’s main nemesis in the championship fight is Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, Calif.), a two-time winner of the event in 2010 and 2017, the first of which was his first career USAC Silver Crown victory. Swanson, a seven-time Silver Crown champion, trails Seavey by a mere seven points in the 2023 title race.

Two-time Ted Horn 100 winner Shane Cockrum (Benton, Ill.) grew up and resides just down the road from the Magic Mile where he won back-to-back in 2014-15. Further Ted Horn 100 winners in Saturday’s lineup include Peru, Indiana’s Russ Gamester (1997); Kansas, Illinois’ Shane Cottle (2007); Elkhart, Illinois’ Chris Urish (2013) and Crawfordsville, Indiana’s Jacob Wilson (2019).

Cockrum won the pole for last year’s Du Quoin event at a time of 30.417 seconds, translating to 118.355 mph. Swanson captured the pole position in 2015-16-21 while Cottle earned the top qualifying spot in 2007-08. Wilson scored top qualifying honors in 2018 while Jerry Coons Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.) aims for his first win in the event after winning the pole four previous times in his career at Du Quoin in 2001-10-13-17.

USAC national champions Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) and C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) will be seeking their first Du Quoin victories this Saturday as will USAC national winners Davey Ray (Davenport, Iowa), A.J. Fike (Galesburg, Ill.), Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) and Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio).

Two women will be in Saturday’s USAC lineup with Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) making her return to Du Quoin for the first time in a decade when she finished 5th in 2013. Meanwhile, Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) will make her Du Quoin debut.

Bryson is one of 10 USAC Silver Crown Rookies in the field along with USAC National Sprint Car and Midget star Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), 360 Sprint Car legend Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.) plus longtime sprint car veteran and USAC winner Dave Peperak (Clinton, Ind.).

Trey Osborne (Columbus, Ohio) takes his first try at a Silver Crown car this weekend, and he’s joined by series newcomers John Tosti (High Ridge, Mo.), Tim Simmons (Cabot, Ark.), Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas), Ryan Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Cary Oliver (Buncombe, Ill.) who made his first Du Quoin start in 2022.

USAC Silver Crown vets all across the field, including Mario Clouser (Auburn, Ill.), Du Quoin modified winner Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, Mo.), Patrick Lawson (Edwardsville, Ill.), Chris Fetter (Troy, Mo.), Travis Welpott (Pendleton, Ind.), Casey Buckman (Chandler, Ariz.), Dave Berkheimer (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Danny Long (Bonne Terre, Mo.), Patrick Bruns (Champaign, Ill.), Korey Weyant (Springfield, Ill.) and Tom Paterson (Argos, Ind.).

RACE DETAILS:

The 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 features the USAC Silver Crown National Championship along with the 29th Annual Bill Oldani Memorial Prelims for DIRTcar Modifieds.

Registration and pit gates open at 7am Central. Grandstands and ticket office open at 9am. USAC Silver Crown practice is slated to run from 10-11:10am. USAC Silver Crown qualifying is scheduled for 11:30am followed by DIRTcar Modified hot laps and qualifying at 12:15pm and the USAC Silver Crown qualifying race at 12:30pm. DIRTcar Modified heats are on tap at 1pm followed by the USAC Ted Horn 100 feature at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the Du Quoin Fair office at 618-542-1535. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Advance tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children age 11 and under. Race day tickets at the gate are $30 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for members and $40 for non-members ages 12 and up. Pit passes for children age 11 and under are $20.

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2023 TED HORN 100 ENTRY LIST:

07 ®JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 ®TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

11 ®TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)

12 ®WAYNE JOHNSON/Tuttle, OK (Two C Racing)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 ®EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports-Eddie Sachs Jr.)

26 ®KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

88 ®TREY OSBORNE/Columbus, OH (Sammy & Mouren Fetter)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)

110 ®CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 ®RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 ®DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

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USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-490, 2-Kody Swanson-483, 3-Justin Grant-363, 4-Mario Clouser-353, 5-Kaylee Bryson-344, 6-Taylor Ferns-320, 7-Bobby Santos-315, 8-Matt Westfall-305, 9-C.J. Leary-291, 10-Derek Bischak-270.

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TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC SILVER CROWN AT Du QUOIN:

1 Lap - 9/5/2004 - Tyler Walker - 29.138 - 123.550 mph

10 Laps - 9/10/1994 - George Snider - 5:14.78 - 114.366 mph

12 Laps - 9/4/1989 - Tom Bigelow - 6:29.73 - 110.846 mph

15 Laps - 9/1/2002 - Brian Tyler - 7:53.24 - 114.107 mph

100 Laps - 9/7/1992 - Johnny Parsons - 56:03.00 - 107.047 mph

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AAA/USAC CHAMP CAR WINNERS AT Du QUOIN:

1948: Lee Wallard & Johnnie Parsons

1949: Tony Bettenhausen

1951: Tony Bettenhausen & Tony Bettenhausen

1952: Chuck Stevenson

1953: Sam Hanks

1954: Sam Hanks

1955: Jimmy Bryan

1956: Jimmy Bryan

1957: Jud Larson

1958: Johnny Thomson

1959: Rodger Ward

1960: A.J. Foyt

1961: A.J. Foyt

1963: A.J. Foyt

1964: A.J. Foyt

1965: Don Branson

1966: Bud Tingelstad

1967: A.J. Foyt

1968: Mario Andretti

1969: Al Unser

1970: Al Unser

1971: George Snider

1972: Tom Bigelow & A.J. Foyt

1973: Mario Andretti

1974: Mario Andretti

1975: Tom Bigelow

1976: Bubby Jones

1977: Tom Bigelow

1978: Pancho Carter

1979: Billy Vukovich

1980: Gary Bettenhausen & Gary Bettenhausen

1981: Rich Vogler

1982: Gary Bettenhausen

1983: Gary Bettenhausen

1984: Joe Saldana

1985: Rick Hood

1986: Jack Hewitt

1987: Jack Hewitt

1988: Gary Bettenhausen

1989: Chuck Gurney

1990: Jeff Swindell

1991: Stevie Reeves

1992: Johnny Parsons

1993: Jack Hewitt

1994: Chuck Gurney

1995: Johnny Parsons

1996: Chuck Gurney

1997: Russ Gamester

1998: Jimmy Sills

1999: Tony Elliott

2000: Kasey Kahne

2001: Paul White

2002: J.J. Yeley

2003: Rich Tobias Jr.

2004: Tyler Walker

2005: Tracy Hines

2006: Tracy Hines

2007: Shane Cottle

2008: Brian Tyler

2009: Rained Out

2010: Kody Swanson

2011: Kyle Larson

2012: Rained Out

2013: Chris Urish

2014: Shane Cockrum

2015: Shane Cockrum

2016: Chris Windom

2017: Kody Swanson

2018: Chris Windom

2019: Jacob Wilson

2020: Not Held

2021: Brian Tyler
2022: Logan Seavey

===============

AAA/USAC CHAMP CAR WINS AT Du QUOIN:

6-A.J. Foyt

5-Gary Bettenhausen

3-Mario Andretti, Tony Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Chuck Gurney & Jack Hewitt

2-Jimmy Bryan, Shane Cockrum, Sam Hanks, Tracy Hines, Johnny Parsons, Kody Swanson, Brian Tyler, Al Unser & Chris Windom

1-Don Branson, Pancho Carter, Shane Cottle, Tony Elliott, Russ Gamester, Rick Hood, Bubby Jones, Kasey Kahne, Jud Larson, Kyle Larson, Johnnie Parsons, Stevie Reeves, Joe Saldana, Logan Seavey, Jimmy Sills, George Snider, Chuck Stevenson, Jeff Swindell, Johnny Thomson, Bud Tingelstad, Rich Tobias Jr., Chris Urish, Rich Vogler, Bill Vukovich, Tyler Walker, Lee Wallard, Rodger Ward, Paul White, Jacob Wilson & J.J. Yeley

===============

Du QUOIN USAC SILVER CROWN FAST QUALIFYING TIMES:

4-Jerry Coons Jr.

3-Kody Swanson

2-Gary Bettenhausen, Shane Cottle, Dave Darland, Chuck Gurney, Jack Hewitt, Larry Rice, Jimmy Sills, Al Unser & Tyler Walker

1-Mark Alderson, Mario Andretti, Teddy Beach, Donnie Beechler, Tom Bigelow, Ed Carpenter, Pancho Carter, Bryan Clauson, Shane Cockrum, Tyler Courtney, Larry Dickson, Bobby East, Tony Elliott, Tracy Hines, Rick Hood, Kasey Kahne, Arnie Knepper, Lee Kunzman, Johnny Parsons, George Snider, Jeff Swindell, Rich Vogler, Billy Vukovich, Greg Weld & Jacob Wilson

===============

PAST Du QUOIN USAC SILVER CROWN RESULTS:

1971 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. George Snider (4), 2. Greg Weld (1), 3. Billy Vukovich (3), 4. Bill Puterbaugh (13), 5. Arnie Knepper (5), 6. Don Hawley (16), 7. Bob Harkey (18), 8. Johnny Rutherford (14), 9. A.J. Foyt (10), 10. Ronnie Burke (17), 11. Joe Saldana (15), 12. Salt Walther (24), 13. Lee Kunzman (6), 14. Merle Bettenhausen (9), 15. Larry Cannon (20), 16. Jimmy Caruthers (7), 17. Mario Andretti (3), 18. Carl Williams (23), 19. Jim Malloy (22), 20. Tom Bigelow (12), 21. Larry Dickson (2), 22. Ralph Liguori (21), 23. Sammy Sessions (11), 24. Bruce Walkup (19). 1:03:24.82

MAY 1972 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tom Bigelow (3), 2. Arnie Knepper (1), 3. Carl Williams (8), 4. Pancho Carter (15), 5. Johnny Parsons (12), 6. Joe Saldana (13), 7. Jerry Karl (16), 8. Rick Muther (18), 9. Bud Tingelstad (14), 10. A.J. Foyt (9), 11. Jackie Howerton (6), 12. Sammy Sessions (10), 13. Billy Vukovich (2), 14. Jim McElreath (4), 15. Bob Evans (17), 16. Jimmy Caruthers (5), 17. Lee Kunzman (7), 18. Don Hawley (20), 19. George Snider (11), 20. Bruce Walkup (19). 1:07:52.80

SEPTEMBER 1972 FEATURE: (Scheduled for 100 laps, called for rain at 52 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. A.J. Foyt (3), 2. Arnie Knepper (4), 3. Jigger Sirois (2), 4. George Snider (11), 5. Bill Puterbaugh (7), 6. Rollie Beale (8), 7. Johnny Rutherford (9), 8. Al Unser (5), 9. Ronnie Burke (14), 10. Joe Saldana (12), 11. Sammy Sessions (17), 12. Carl Williams (21), 13. Greg Weld (13), 14. Lee Kunzman (1), 15. Jimmy Caruthers (19), 16. Ralph Liguori (24), 17. Tom Bigelow (15), 18. Johnny Parsons (10), 19. Dick Tobias (23), 20. Don Nordhorn (20), 21. Bob Harkey (18), 22. Pancho Carter (6), 23. Karl Busson (22), 24. Larry Dickson (16). NT

1973 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Mario Andretti (2), 2. Billy Engelhart (6), 3. Tom Bigelow (11), 4. Lee Kunzman (10), 5. Al Unser (1), 6. Arnie Knepper (15), 7. Bill Puterbaugh (13), 8. Johnny Parsons (4), 9. Gary Bettenhausen (16), 10. Johnny Rutherford (21), 11. Jerry Miller (19), 12. Joe Saldana (17), 13. Darl Harrison (22), 14. Bob Evans (18), 15. Mel Cornett (14), 16. Ronnie Burke (24), 17. Billy Vukovich (3), 18. A.J. Foyt (7), 19. Billy Shuman (12), 20. John Hubbard (9), 21. Larry Dickson (20), 22. Billy Cassella (8), 23. Don Nordhorn (23), 24. Curt Waters (5). NT

1974 FEATURE: (Scheduled for 100 laps, called for rain at 52 laps)1. Mario Andretti (1), 2. Tom Bigelow (2), 3. Al Unser (7), 4. A.J. Foyt (4), 5. Pancho Carter (5), 6. George Snider (8), 7. Arnie Knepper (13), 8. Jimmy Caruthers (11), 9. Larry Cannon (17), 10. Rollie Beale (12), 11. Johnny Parsons (14), 12. Billy Vukovich (9), 13. Billy Engelhart (15), 14. Joe Saldana (24), 15. Billy Cassella (22), 16. Darl Harrison (16), 17. Greg Weld (6), 18. Mike Gregg (18), 19. Bob Evans (23), 20. Jackie Howerton (3), 21. Sheldon Kinser (19), 22. Bob Harkey (20), 23. Bill Puterbaugh (21), 24. Steve Lotshaw (10). 38:56.00

1975 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Tom Bigelow (2), 2. Larry Rice (7), 3. Sammy Sessions (4), 4. Jimmy Caruthers (16), 5. Arnie Knepper (12), 6. Steve Chassey (8), 7. Darl Harrison (13), 8. Jim Hurtubise (22), 9. Tommy Astone (21), 10. Bruce Walkup (9), 11. James McElreath (23), 12. Jackie Howerton (17), 13. Billy Vukovich (18), 14. Jerry Miller (15), 15. Larry Dickson (24), 16. Rollie Beale (20), 17. Al Unser (1), 18. Gary Bettenhausen (5), 19. Spike Gehlhausen (6), 20. Sheldon Kinser (11), 21. Jim McElreath (19), 22. Pancho Carter (3), 23. Billy Cassella (14), 24. Joe Saldana (10). 1:04:40.30

1976 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bubby Jones (3), 2. Larry Dickson (5), 3. Jim McElreath (9), 4. Larry Rice (10), 5. Johnny Parsons (23), 6. Jim Hurtubise (6), 7. James McElreath (12), 8. Billy Cassella (24), 9. Jerry Miller (17), 10. Ronnie Burke (21), 11. Clark Templeman (13), 12. Joe Saldana (4), 13. Tom Bigelow (1), 14. Bobby Olivero (22), 15. Sheldon Kinser (7), 16. Chuck Gurney (16), 17. George Snider (8), 18. Gary Irvin (15), 19. Pancho Carter (2), 20. Jan Opperman (20), 21. Roy Hicks (18), 22. Jackie Howerton (19), 23. Sleepy Tripp (14), 24. Dana Carter (11). NT

1977 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tom Bigelow (4), 2. Gary Bettenhausen (11), 3. Billy Cassella (3), 4. Billy Vukovich (2), 5. Larry Rice (10), 6. George Snider (12), 7. Bubby Jones (9), 8. Eddie Leavitt (15), 9. Jim Hurtubise (8), 10. Larry Moore (20), 11. Dean Shirley (14), 12. Roy Hicks (21), 13. Jerry Miller (5), 14. Thad Dosher (17), 15. Al Unser (7), 16. Jackie Howerton (23), 17. Sheldon Kinser (6), 18. Arnie Knepper (22), 19. Johnny Parsons (18), 20. Steve Chassey (19), 21. James McElreath (13), 22. Rich Vogler (16), 23. Pancho Carter (31), 24. Rollie Beale (24). 59:30.80

1978 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Pancho Carter (2), 2. Billy Vukovich (11), 3. George Snider (3), 4. Larry Dickson (12), 5. Billy Cassella (16), 6. Jim McElreath (5), 7. Bubby Jones (20), 8. Steve Cannon (9), 9. Larry Rice (1), 10. Chuck Gurney (6), 11. Robert Smith (22), 12. Ron Shuman (24), 13. Lynn Paxton (18), 14. Mark Alderson (10), 15. Dana Carter (17), 16. Duke Cook (23), 17. Mike Johnson (21), 18. Sheldon Kinser (8), 19. Gary Bettenhausen (14), 20. Tom Bigelow (4), 21. Kramer Williamson (15), 22. Junior Parkinson (7), 23. Arnie Knepper (13), 24. Billy Engelhart (19). 1:05:38.00

1979 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Billy Vukovich (1), 2. Bill Puterbaugh (11), 3. Larry Dickson (19), 4. Larry Rice (5), 5. Billy Engelhart (22), 6. Pancho Carter (3), 7. Steve Cannon (21), 8. Bobby Adkins (16), 9. Paul Pitzer (9), 10. Rich Vogler (13), 11. Steve Chassey (2), 12. Billy Cassella (10), 13. Robert Smith (23), 14. Jerry Miller (14), 15. Dana Carter (18), 16. Gary Bettenhausen (4), 17. Sheldon Kinser (6), 18. Tom Bigelow (17), 19. Junior Parkinson (24), 20. Joe Saldana (7), 21. Bobby Olivero (20), 22. Bob East (15), 23. Chuck Gurney (12), 24. Bubby Jones (8). NT

MAY 1980 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (2), 2. Pancho Carter (4), 3. Bobby Olivero (11), 4. Ron Shuman (5), 5. Steve Chassey (10), 6. Steve Cannon (17), 7. Dean Shirley (16), 8. Bob Frey (22), 9. Bill Burks Jr. (21), 10. Larry Dickson (1), 11. Larry Gates (19), 12. Gary Hieber (20), 13. Joe Saldana (6), 14. Mike Gregg (7), 15. Robert Smith (8), 16. Eddie Leavitt (12), 17. Lealand McSpadden (18), 18. Rich Vogler (3), 19. Sheldon Kinser (13), 20. Bill Puterbaugh (9), 21. Larry Rice (15), 22. Mack McClellan (24), 23. George Snider (14), 24. Jerry Miller (23), 25. Billy Vukovich (25). 1:00:12.60

AUGUST 1980 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (2), 2. Pancho Carter (7), 3. Rich Vogler (1), 4. Larry Dickson (11), 5. Rich Leavell (9), 6. Chris Cumberworth (17), 7. Kramer Williamson (21), 8. Lennie Waldo (26), 9. Larry Rice (8), 10. Tom Bigelow (4), 11. Gary Hieber (27), 12. Steve Cannon (13), 13. Gary Irvin (19), 14. Frankie Schneider (24), 15. Jack Hewitt (14), 16. Jerry Miller (15), 17. Sammy Swindell (16), 18. Bill Burks Jr. (22), 19. George Snider (10), 20. Joe Saldana (6), 21. Paul Pitzer (23), 22. Steve Chassey (5), 23. Bill Tyler (18), 24. Larry Gates (20), 25. Jan Opperman (25), 26. Bobby Olivero (3), 27. Ron Shuman (12). 1:00.17.00

1981 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rich Vogler (6), 2. Tom Bigelow (8), 3. George Snider (9), 4. Jack Hewitt (7), 5. Bill Tyler (12), 6. Joe Saldana (16), 7. Jerry Nemire (14), 8. Johnny Parsons (5), 9. Jerry Miller (18), 10. Paul Pitzer (10), 11. Ken Schrader (11), 12. Jerry Weeks (21), 13. Larry Rice (3), 14. Jeff Bloom (15), 15. Sheldon Kinser (20), 16. Sleepy Tripp (13), 17. Jim McElreath (19), 18. Gary Bettenhausen (2), 19. Mark Alderson (#59) (24), 20. Billy Engelhart (1), 21. Bobby Olivero (4), 22. Gary Hieber (17), 23. Tracy Potter (23), 24. Arnie Knepper (22). 1:01:13.00

1982 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (1), 2. Steve Chassey (4), 3. Bobby Olivero (3), 4. Billy Engelhart (10), 5. Rick Hood (8), 6. Larry Rice (17), 7. Mark Alderson (7), 8. Joe Saldana (15), 9. Mike Peters (18), 10. Jerry Weeks (12), 11. Steve Kinser (14), 12. Ken Schrader (13), 13. Joe McCarthy (19), 14. Bob Cicconi (24), 15. George Snider (9), 16. Keith Kauffman (5), 17. Mike Gregg (6), 18. Jerry Nemire (16), 19. Rich Vogler (21), 20. Sheldon Kinser (2), 21. Chuck Amati (11), 22. Duke Cook (23), 23. Dana Carter (22), 24. Ron Shuman (20), 25. Tom Bigelow (25). NT

1983 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (1), 2. Chuck Gurney (11), 3. Ken Schrader (4), 4. George Snider (12), 5. Billy Engelhart (9), 6. Steve Kinser (19), 7. Ron Shuman (2), 8. Larry Rice (3), 9. Ronnie Burke (15), 10. Gary Hieber (14), 11. Rich Vogler (24), 12. Billy Vukovich (27), 13. Jerry Nemire (13), 14. Bud Wilmot (30), 15. Steve Siegel (22), 16. Sheldon Kinser (5), 17. Tom Bigelow (10), 18. Mike Winblad (20), 19. Jack Hewitt (7), 20. Mike Johnson (28), 21. Larry Dickson (16), 22. Larry Martin (23), 23. Steve Chassey (8), 24. Bobby Olivero (18), 25. Randy Bateman (25), 26. Mark Alderson (21), 27. Joe Saldana (29), 28. Bob Cicconi (17), 29. Jim McElreath (26), 30. Rick Hood (6). NT

1984 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Joe Saldana (4), 2. Ron Shuman (8), 3. Johnny Parsons (9), 4. Dave Blaney (12), 5. Steve Chassey (2), 6. Manny Rockhold (26), 7. Gary Irvin (7), 8. Keith Campbell (27), 9. Gary Hieber (20), 10. Jim Moughan (25), 11. Rick Hood (15), 12. Tom Bigelow (21), 13. Bill Hudson (36), 14. Sheldon Kinser (3), 15. Warren Mockler (34), 16. Billy Vukovich (10), 17. Bud Wilmot (28), 18. Gary Bettenhausen (6), 19. Chuck Gurney (1), 20. Bob Cicconi (32), 21. Jack Hewitt (14), 22. Larry Martin (13), 23. Randy Bateman (33), 24. Jerry Russell (22), 25. Danny Milburn (16), 26. Larry Rice (11), 27. Bobby Olivero (30), 28. Jerry Nemire (23), 29. Ken Schrader (5), 30. Mike Johnson (18), 31. Steve Cannon (19), 32. Billy Engelhart (24), 33. Arnie Knepper (35), 34. Mark Alderson (17), 35. Jim McElreath (31), 36. Joe McCarthy (29). 1:33:13.07

1985 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rick Hood (1), 2. Chuck Gurney (2), 3. Steve Chassey (10), 4. Sheldon Kinser (4), 5. Kramer Williamson (16), 6. Bobby Olivero (15), 7. John Andretti (11), 8. Jack Hewitt (25), 9. Steve Butler (21), 10. Paul Clark (22), 11. Danny Milburn (18), 12. Larry Rice (9), 13. Jerry Russell (12), 14. Bob Cicconi (28), 15. Rick Salem (20), 16. Dave Blaney (7), 17. Gary Irvin (19), 18. Randy Bateman (30), 19. George Snider (6), 20. Joe Saldana (3), 21. Duke Cook (17), 22. Mark Alderson (26), 23. Jerry Nemire (27), 24. Rich Vogler (8), 25. Gary Hieber (23), 26. Billy Engelhart (13), 27. Duke DeRosa (29), 28. Greg Staab (24), 29. Gary Bettenhausen (5), 30. Ken Schrader (14). 58:58.93

1986 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jack Hewitt (11), 2. Steve Butler (9), 3. George Snider (7), 4. Tom Bigelow (6), 5. Paul Clark (12), 6. Jerry Russell (26), 7. Gary Hieber (22), 8. Bob East (13), 9. Greg Staab (25), 10. Bobby Olivero (18), 11. Warren Mockler (21), 12. Manny Rockhold (19), 13. Leon Gentry (27), 14. Jack Ziegler (32), 15. Randy Standridge (30), 16. Larry Rice (10), 17. Brent Kaeding (20), 18. Kenny Jacobs (2), 19. Gary Bettenhausen (3), 20. Steve Chassey (4), 21. Rick Hood (8), 22. Andy Hillenburg (15), 23. Mark Alderson (16), 24. Chuck Gurney (1), 25. Billy Engelhart (14), 26. Rich Vogler (5), 27. Danny Milburn (23), 28. Jerry Nemire (31), 29. Kevin Koch (24), 30. Bobby Adkins (17), 31. Paul Huntington (29), 32. Jeff Bloom (28). 1:01:41.00

1987 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jack Hewitt (18), 2. Kenny Jacobs (4), 3. Jeff Swindell (1), 4. Steve Butler (21), 5. Rick Hood (5), 6. Steve Chassey (15), 7. Larry Rice (7), 8. Mark Alderson (10), 9. Rusty McClure (9), 10. George Snider (14), 11. Palmer Crowell (16), 12. Jeff Bloom (12), 13. Tom Bigelow (24), 14. Manny Rockhold (20), 15. Kevin Koch (23), 16. Terry Kawell (29), 17. Paul Huntington (26), 18. Jim Whiteside (30), 19. Jerry Nemire (25), 20. Andy Hillenburg (2), 21. Tony Elliott (11), 22. Bob Cicconi (13), 23. Gary Hieber (19), 24. Paul Clark (6), 25. Bob Frey (22), 26. Jim Childers (8), 27. Steve Cannon (27), 28. Greg Staab (28), 29. Ron Dunstan (17), 30. Rich Vogler (3). NT

1988 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (3), 2. Kenny Jacobs (11), 3. George Snider (1), 4. Steve Butler (28), 5. Jim Childers (4), 6. Mark Alderson (10), 7. Andy Hillenburg (6), 8. Larry Rice (5), 9. Tray House (9), 10. Gary Hieber (12), 11. Bob Frey (23), 12. Jeff Bloom (7), 13. Jim Mahoney (21), 14. Greg Staab (15), 15. Jerry Nemire (18), 16. Gary Irvin (26), 17. Tony Elliott (8), 18. Lou Cicconi Jr. (32), 19. Palmer Crowell (25), 20. Billy Vukovich III (27), 21. Paul Huntington (19), 22. Rusty McClure (13), 23. Ray Joe Fager (22), 24. Dave Feese (12), 25. Dean Billings (17), 26. Manny Rockhold (29), 27. Chuck Gurney (2), 28. Jack Hewitt (31), 29. Ron Dunstan (20), 30. Steve Chassey (16), 31. Bill Tyler (30), 32. Johnny Parsons (14). NT

1989 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chuck Gurney (4), 2. Rich Vogler (3), 3. Jimmy Sills (1), 4. Tony Elliott (8), 5. Jim Mahoney (7), 6. Mark Alderson (13), 7. Andy Hillenburg (10), 8. Danny Smith (18), 9. Jim McElreath (9), 10. Walt Kennedy (19), 11. Dave Feese (20), 12. Greg Staab (14), 13. Johnny Parsons (23), 14. Larry Rice (27), 15. Steve Butler (12), 16. Danny Milburn (15), 17. Tom Bigelow (22), 18. Bob Cicconi (16), 19. Donnie Beechler (32), 20. Russ Gamester (29), 21. Jack Hewitt (6), 22. Manny Rockhold (28), 23. Gary Bettenhausen (11), 24. Ron Dunstan (21), 25. George Snider (2), 26. Terry Kawell (31), 27. Gary Irvin (25), 28. Warren Mockler (26), 29. Rick Hood (5), 30. Gary Hieber (24), 31. Jerry Nemire (17), 32. Mike Thomas (30). 57:29.03

1990 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jeff Swindell (2), 2. Chuck Gurney (3), 3. Jimmy Sills (14), 4. Andy Hillenburg (25), 5. Jerry Russell (12), 6. Stevie Reeves (23), 7. Mark Alderson (1), 8. Dave Feese (21), 9. Eric Gordon (7), 10. Tom Bigelow (16), 11. Warren Mockler (13), 12. Danny Milburn (26), 13. Walt Kennedy (18), 14. Bill Kojis (19), 15. Gary Irvin (11), 16. Johnny Parsons (9), 17. Kevin Whitesides (31), 18. Jerry Nemire (32), 19. Rick Hood (27), 20. Jack Hewitt (24), 21. Ron Dunstan (20), 22. Chip Thomas (30), 23. Rusty McClure (10), 24. Larry Rice (22), 25. Stan Fox (8), 26. Greg Staab (28), 27. Wally Pankratz (6), 28. George Snider (17), 29. Gary Hieber (4), 30. Jeff Gordon (5), 31. Russ Gamester (29), 32. Steve Chassey (15). NT

1991 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Stevie Reeves (2), 2. Steve Butler (12), 3. Stan Fox (3), 4. Jeff Gordon (5), 5. Chuck Gurney (14), 6. Russ Gamester (6), 7. Johnny Parsons (4), 8. Eric Gordon (30), 9. Jim Mahoney (21), 10. Wally Pankratz (24), 11. Chip Thomas (18), 12. Larry Dickson (19), 13. Billy Boat (22), 14. Tray House (17), 15. Warren Mockler (9), 16. Gary Hieber (11), 17. Randy Bateman (26), 18. Ronnie Burke (23), 19. Tony Elliott (13), 20. Jimmy Sills (1), 21. Mark Alderson (25), 22. Bill Kojis (27), 23. Dave Feese (28), 24. Jeff Swindell (15), 25. George Snider (8), 26. Jerry Nemire (29), 27. Jerry Russell (7), 28. Steve Chassey (16), 29. Greg Staab (10), 30. Danny Smith (20). NT

1992 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Johnny Parsons (1), 2. Tony Elliott (2), 3. Stan Fox (3), 4. Tony Stewart (9), 5. George Snider (11), 6. Steve Butler (4), 7. Jeff Swindell (6), 8. Eric Gordon (14), 9. Chip Thomas (21), 10. Jim Mahoney (19), 11. Joe Gaerte (20), 12. Gary Hieber (13), 13. Russ Gamester (5), 14. Rocky Hodges (25), 15. Stevie Reeves (18), 16. Wally Pankratz (24), 17. Lealand McSpadden (17), 18. Steve Chassey (15), 19. Jim McElreath (26), 20. Jimmy Brewer (27), 21. Chuck Gurney (8), 22. Rick Hood (12), 23. Perry Ferrell (28), 24. Jerry Russell (16), 25. Larry Dickson (23), 26. Jack Hewitt (10), 27. Steve Knepper (30), 28. Tray House (29), 29. Ron Shuman (22), 30. Jimmy Sills (7). 56:03.00

1993 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jack Hewitt (1), 2. Jeff Swindell (2), 3. Ron Shuman (3), 4. Mike Bliss (21), 5. Chuck Gurney (8), 6. Tony Elliott (5), 7. Steve Butler (11), 8. Tray House (12), 9. Eric Gordon (14), 10. Larry Dickson (26), 11. Mark Alderson (30), 12. Greg Staab (19), 13. Randy Bateman (22), 14. Ron Dunstan (28), 15. Lee Dunn (29), 16. Jim Whiteside (18), 17. Tony Stewart (10), 18. Stevie Reeves (20), 19. Wally Pankratz (25), 20. Jim Keeker (24), 21. Donnie Beechler (16), 22. Jerry Nemire (23), 23. Jimmy Sills (13), 24. Tom Bigelow (27), 25. Johnny Parsons (17), 26. Chip Thomas (7), 27. Gary Hieber (6), 28. George Snider (4), 29. Randy Tolsma (9), 30. Perry Ferrell (15). NT

1994 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chuck Gurney (8), 2. Eric Gordon (4), 3. Tony Stewart (26), 4. Randy Tolsma (6), 5. Chip Thomas (3), 6. Jimmy Sills (22), 7. Gary Bettenhausen (25), 8. Kenny Irwin Jr. (11), 9. Stan Fox (24), 10. Gary Hieber (28), 11. Rocky Hodges (21), 12. Mike Bliss (17), 13. Andy Michner (10), 14. Dave Darland (15), 15. Tray House (14), 16. Rusty McClure (19), 17. Bill Rose (13), 18. Jerry Nemire (30), 19. Robby Flock (29), 20. Randy Bateman (27), 21. Kevin Doty (20), 22. Tony Elliott (1), 23. Kevin Thomas (7), 24. Lealand McSpadden (12), 25. Page Jones (2), 26. Jack Hewitt (18), 27. Johnny Parsons (5), 28. Doug Kalitta (16), 29. Donnie Beechler (9), 30. Jack Runyon (23). NT

1995 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Johnny Parsons (2), 2. Donnie Beechler (1), 3. Dave Darland (20), 4. Jack Hewitt (14), 5. Billy Boat (12), 6. Tony Stewart (19), 7. Jimmy Sills (10), 8. Rocky Hodges (18), 9. Robby Flock (15), 10. Tray House (11), 11. Gary Hieber (9), 12. Richard Griffin (23), 13. Dan Drinan (17), 14. Eric Gordon (4), 15. Jerry Nemire (28), 16. Bill Rose (25), 17. Tony Elliott (21), 18. Cary Faas (3), 19. Jim Keeker (16), 20. John Heydenreich (26), 21. Kevin Thomas (24), 22. Dave Steele (27), 23. Russ Gamester (7), 24. Chuck Gurney (6), 25. George Snider (#111) (30), 26. Kenny Irwin Jr. (13), 27. Jack Runyon (22), 28. Ronnie Burke (29), 29. Chuck Leary (5), 30. Kevin Doty (8). NT

1996 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chuck Gurney (4), 2. Ryan Newman (2), 3. Johnny Parsons (10), 4. Tony Elliott (5), 5. Tony Stewart (25), 6. Donnie Beechler (8), 7. Dave Darland (24), 8. Kevin Thomas (9), 9. Cary Faas (17), 10. Gary Hieber (26), 11. Billy Engelhart (15), 12. Steve Knepper (21), 13. Rip Williams (19), 14. Rick Hood (23), 15. Brian Hayden (29), 16. Brian Tyler (7), 17. Jimmy Sills (16), 18. Eric Gordon (30), 19. Robby Flock (22), 20. Rusty McClure (18), 21. Tracy Hines (14), 22. Dan Drinan (3), 23. Jack Hewitt (1), 24. Bill Rose (13), 25. Russ Gamester (20), 26. John Heydenreich (12), 27. Kenny Irwin Jr. (11), 28. George Snider (28), 29. Dave Steele (27), 30. Chip Thomas (6). NT

1997 FEATURE (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Russ Gamester (3), 2. Dave Darland (1), 3. Tony Stewart (22), 4. Ron Shuman (7), 5. Jimmy Sills (21), 6. Jim Keeker (15), 7. Kevin Thomas (25), 8. Jack Hewitt (23), 9. John Heydenreich (27), 10. Robby Flock (16), 11. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (14), 12. Ryan Newman (24), 13. Eric Gordon (26), 14. Bill Rose (10), 15. Gary Hieber (20), 16. J.J. Yeley (28), 17. Terry Pletch (30), 18. Donnie Beechler (12), 19. Randy Bateman (19), 20. Rod Holshouser (11), 21. Ronnie Burke (8), 22. Chuck Leary (9), 23. Brian Tyler (13), 24. Chuck Gurney (2), 25. Dave McGough (29), 26. Tracy Hines (5), 27. Rusty McClure (6), 28. Ricky Logan (18), 29. Johnny Parsons (4), 30. Kenneth Nichols (17). 1:05:30.00

1998 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jimmy Sills (5), 2. Tracy Hines (15), 3. Donnie Beechler (8), 4. George Snider (1), 5. J.J. Yeley (3), 6. Tony Elliott (12), 7. Chuck Leary (14), 8. Brian Tyler (9), 9. Derek Davidson (23), 10. Ron Smoker (18), 11. Jerry Coons Jr. (24), 12. Gary Hieber (20), 13. Dave Darland (13), 14. Jason Leffler (7), 15. Jack Hewitt (6), 16. Terry Babb (17), 17. Russ Gamester (10), 18. Rusty McClure (16), 19. Kenneth Nichols (22), 20. Eric Gordon (27), 21. Wally Pankratz (33), 22. John Heydenreich (30), 23. Robby Flock (4), 24. Ryan Newman (11), 25. Mike Mosley Jr. (31), 26. Rod Holshouser (21), 27. Al Thomas (32), 28. Jackie Burke (25), 29. Chuck Gurney (2), 30. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (19), 31. Bill Baue (26), 32. Kaylene Verville (29), 33. Ronnie Franklin (28). NT

1999 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tony Elliott (4), 2. Dave Darland (1), 3. Eric Gordon (2), 4. Jimmy Sills (7), 5. Brian Tyler (13), 6. Chuck Gurney (3), 7. Russ Gamester (11), 8. Jay Drake (6), 9. J.J. Yeley (17), 10. Bill Rose (16), 11. Rich Tobias Jr. (15), 12. Tom Capie (19), 13. Ryan Newman (9), 14. Jack Hewitt (5), 15. Randy Bateman (12), 16. Donnie Lehmann (14), 17. Craig Dori (26), 18. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (18), 19. Jimmy Stinson (24), 20. Todd Kane (22), 21. Tracy Hines (8), 22. Bill Baue (25), 23. Robin Bank (28), 24. Chuck Leary (10), 25. Terry Babb (27), 26. Gary Hieber (23), 27. Donnie Beechler (20), 28. Cary Faas (21), 29. Bill Schemonia (30), 30. Tad Roach (29). NT

2000 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kasey Kahne (1), 2. J.J. Yeley (6), 3. Dave Darland (3), 4. Russ Gamester (5), 5. Tracy Hines (7), 6. Ed Carpenter (9), 7. Robby Flock (11), 8. Brian Tyler (18), 9. Donnie Beechler (17), 10. Paul White (13), 11. Gary Hieber (23), 12. Brad Fox (19), 13. Jack Hewitt (10), 14. Tony Elliott (2), 15. Donnie Lehmann (26), 16. Jerry Coons Jr. (24), 17. Brad Noffsinger (14), 18. Johnny Parsons (22), 19. Craig Dori (30), 20. John Heydenreich (16), 21. Terry Pletch (25), 22. Ryan Newman (12), 23. Chuck Leary (21), 24. Bill Rose (8), 25. Jimmy Sills (20), 26. Jason Leffler (15), 27. Randy Bateman (27), 28. Dana LaLiberte (29), 29. Tom Capie (4), 30. Rich Tobias Jr. (28) 58:10.02

2001 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Paul White (14), 2. Jerry Coons Jr. (1), 3. Russ Gamester (10), 4. Rich Tobias Jr. (23), 5. Dave Steele (9), 6. Aaron Fike (5), 7. Derek Davidson (25), 8. Brian Tyler (13), 9. Tony Elliott (12), 10. Eric Gordon (20), 11. Robby Flock (17), 12. Michael Lewis (16), 13. Dave Darland (4), 14. Jason McCord (19), 15. Brad Fox (11), 16. Bill Rose (27), 17. Hud Cone (29), 18. Brad Noffsinger (22), 19. Matt Westfall (30), 20. Ricky Shelton (6), 21. J.J. Yeley (2), 22. Tracy Hines (7), 23. Jack Hewitt (24), 24. John Heydenreich (21), 25. Jon Stanbrough (8), 26. Levi Jones (15), 27. Bud Kaeding (3), 28. Jackie Burke (26), 29. Dane Carter (28), 30. Ed Carpenter (18). NT

2002 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. J.J. Yeley (5), 2. Russ Gamester (7), 3. Jay Drake (2), 4. Dave Darland (19), 5. Paul White (10), 6. Tracy Hines (16), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (14), 8. John Heydenreich (15), 9. Dave Steele (18), 10. Derek Davidson (17), 11. Brad Noffsinger (26), 12. Carl Edwards (20), 13. Jason McCord (28), 14. John Starks (11), 15. Nick Lundgreen (12), 16. Dane Carter (30), 17. Matt Westfall (25), 18. George White (4), 19. Rich Tobias Jr. (8), 20. Travis Rilat (27), 21. Johnny Parsons (24), 22. Jonathan Vennard (3), 23. Jason Leffler (6), 24. Michael Lewis (13), 25. Ed Carpenter (1), 26. Brian Tyler (21), 27. Gary Hieber (22), 28. Tony Elliott (23), 29. Roger Rager (9), 30. Terry Babb (29). NT

2003 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Rich Tobias Jr. (25), 2. Donnie Beechler (16), 3. J.J. Yeley (2), 4. Kevin Huntley (21), 5. Tracy Hines (8), 6. Jerry Coons Jr. (7), 7. Dave Darland (4), 8. Ron Gregory (14), 9. Russ Gamester (18), 10. Johnny Parsons (15), 11. Jason McCord (22), 12. A.J. Fike (12), 13. Dane Carter (20), 14. Rod Holshouser (27), 15. Brad Noffsinger (10), 16. Teddy Beach (1), 17. Tyler Walker (11), 18. Aaron Fike (9), 19. Matt Westfall (19), 20. Nick Lundgreen (23), 21. Tony Elliott (13), 22. Wayne Reutimann Jr. (26), 23. Randy Bateman (29), 24. Jerry Nemire (30), 25. Dave Steele (5), 26. John Heydenreich (6), 27. Wes Miller (28), 28. Tom Capie (24), 29. Roger Rager (3), 30. Levi Jones (17). NT

2004 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tyler Walker (1), 2. Brian Tyler (10), 3. Tracy Hines (3), 4. Kevin Huntley (6), 5. Paul White (8), 6. Dave Darland (9), 7. Jon Stanbrough (7), 8. Bud Kaeding (18), 9. Tony Elliott (11), 10. Shane Hollingsworth (12), 11. A.J. Fike (16), 12. Russ Gamester (22), 13. Tom Capie (5), 14. Aaron Pierce (17), 15. John Heydenreich (15), 16. Rich Tobias Jr. (23), 17. Dave Steele (21), 18. Jason McCord (14), 19. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 20. Chris Urish (27), 21. Jim Moughan (28), 22. Hud Cone (25), 23. Donnie Beechler (24), 24. Alex Shanks (29), 25. Sport Allen (26), 26. Davey Ray (13), 27. Nelson Stewart (30), 28. Boston Reid (19), 29. Johnny Parsons (20), 30. Matt Westfall (4). 1:02:14.00

2005 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tracy Hines (5), 2. Brian Tyler (20), 3. Tyler Walker (1), 4. Jon Stanbrough (3), 5. Dave Darland (19), 6. John Heydenreich (21), 7. A.J. Fike (16), 8. Nick Lundgreen (23), 9. Dave Steele (6), 10. Levi Jones (10), 11. Kevin Huntley (7), 12. Tom Capie (15), 13. Rich Tobias Jr. (13), 14. Paul White (22), 15. Wayne Reutimann Jr. (14), 16. Randy Bateman (25), 17. Josh Wise (#59) (33), 18. Teddy Beach (11), 19. Davey Ray (32), 20. Johnny Parsons (17), 21. Chappy Knaack (30), 22. Jason McCord (9), 23. Cole Carter (4), 24. Alex Shanks (24), 25. Bill Rose (8), 26. Kyle Steffens (26), 27. Hud Cone (28), 28. Justin Allgaier (18), 29. Shane Hollingsworth (12), 30. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 31. Danny Long (31), 32. Mat Neely (27), 33. Tony Elliott (29). NT

2006 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tracy Hines (1), 2. Shane Cottle (3), 3. Josh Wise (4), 4. Bud Kaeding (21), 5. Mat Neely (5), 6. Paul White (8), 7. Brian Tyler (20), 8. Jay Drake (2), 9. Russ Gamester (16), 10. Chappy Knaack (28), 11. Dave Steele (10), 12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (7), 13. Aaron Pierce (9), 14. Levi Jones (15), 15. Wayne Reutimann Jr. (#00x) (32), 16. A.J. Fike (26), 17. Dereck King (29), 18. Alex Shanks (30), 19. Roger Rager (12), 20. Jeff Swindell (25), 21. Shane Hollingsworth (23), 22. Justin Allgaier (17), 23. Donnie Beechler (13), 24. Dickie Gaines (27), 25. Tom Capie (19), 26. Dave Darland (11), 27. Jerry Coons Jr. (6), 28. Johnny Parsons (22), 29. Ray Bull (14), 30. Randy Bateman (18), 31. Teddy Beach (24), 32. Tim Siner (31). 1:09:50.78

2007 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Shane Cottle (1), 2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (4), 3. Bud Kaeding (2), 4. Dave Darland (7), 5. Jon Stanbrough (8), 6. Jerry Coons Jr. (14), 7. Mat Neely (25), 8. Ron Gregory (3), 9. Shane Hollingsworth (15), 10. Levi Jones (12), 11. Kevin Huntley (11), 12. Mike Murgoitio (17), 13. Wayne Reutimann Jr. (22), 14. Justin Allgaier (19), 15. Billy Wease (10), 16. Johnny Parsons (24), 17. Tim Barber (28), 18. Dereck King (29), 19. Donnie Beechler (13), 20. Hud Cone (26), 21. Tim Siner (30), 22. Aaron Pierce (6), 23. Cameron Dodson (31), 24. Chappy Knaack (20), 25. Paul White (16), 26. Tom Capie (9), 27. Ray Bull (27), 28. Russ Gamester (21), 29. Brian Tyler (18), 30. John Heydenreich (23), 31. Roger Rager (32), 32. Randy Bateman (5). NT

2008 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brian Tyler (6), 2. Dave Darland (4), 3. Shane Cottle (1), 4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (3), 5. Mat Neely (14), 6. Tom Capie (10), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (23), 8. A.J. Fike (12), 9. Derek Hagar (22), 10. Kevin Huntley (16), 11. Bud Kaeding (13), 12. Tracy Hines (15), 13. Levi Jones (7), 14. Randy Bateman (2), 15. Donnie Beechler (5), 16. Joey Moughan (20), 17. Russ Gamester (9), 18. Chris Urish (8), 19. Chappy Knaack (18), 20. J.J. Yeley (24), 21. Shane Hollingsworth (11), 22. Dustin Morgan (17), 23. Patrick Bruns (21), 24. Johnny Parsons (19). NT

2009: RAINED OUT

2010 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (16), 2. Jon Stanbrough (2), 3. Todd Kane (26), 4. Shane Hmiel (11), 5. Dave Darland (9), 6. Brian Tyler (13), 7. Jeff Swindell (6), 8. Bobby East (4), 9. John Heydenreich (23), 10. Levi Jones (3), 11. A.J. Fike (8), 12. Bud Kaeding (10), 13. Bryan Clauson (7), 14. Shane Cottle (12), 15. Jerry Coons Jr. (1), 16. Brad Kuhn (18), 17. Tom Capie (22), 18. Russ Gamester (19), 19. Justin Carver (28), 20. Tracy Hines (14), 21. Chris Urish (27), 22. Bill Rose (24), 23. Terry Babb (25), 24. Randy Bateman (20), 25. Shane Hollingsworth (17), 26. Tanner Swanson (15), 27. Mike Hess (5), 28. Coleman Gulick (21). NT

2011 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Larson (4), 2. Levi Jones (2), 3. Tracy Hines (6), 4. Brian Tyler (11), 5. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 6. Darren Hagen (12), 7. Derek Hagar (15), 8. Bud Kaeding (9), 9. Bryan Clauson (1), 10. Tanner Swanson (8), 11. Jon Stanbrough (10), 12. Dave Darland (18), 13. John Heydenreich (16), 14. Mike Hess (20), 15. Chris Urish (21), 16. Chris Windom (14), 17. Shane Cockrum (22), 18. Donnie Beechler (19), 19. Shane Hollingsworth (7), 20. Kellen Conover (23), 21. Bobby East (13), 22. Kody Swanson (5), 23. Jerry Bruce (24), 24. Russ Gamester (17), 25. Zach Daum (25). NT

2012: RAINED OUT

2013 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chris Urish (9), 2. Bobby East (3), 3. A.J. Fike (11), 4. Shane Cockrum (6), 5. Taylor Ferns (7), 6. Chris Windom (5), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (1), 8. Christopher Bell (4), 9. Russ Gamester (8), 10. Miranda Throckmorton (10), 11. Tiffany Wyzard (13), 12. Kody Swanson (14), 13. Patrick Lawson (12), 14. Tracy Hines (15), 15. Robert Ballou (2). NT

2014 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Shane Cockrum (5), 2. Levi Jones (13), 3. Brady Bacon (12), 4. Tracy Hines (10), 5. A.J. Fike (8), 6. Russ Gamester (11), 7. Chris Urish (14), 8. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 9. Bobby East (1), 10. Steven Russell (16), 11. Randy Bateman (15), 12. Patrick Lawson (17), 13. Kody Swanson (2), 14. Chris Windom (22), 15. Zach Daum (6), 16. Dave Darland (4), 17. Chris Fetter (19), 18. Jake Simmons (18), 19. Caleb Armstrong (7), 20. C.J. Leary (9), 21. Robbie Ray (21), 22. Jackie Burke (20), 23. Terry James (23). NT

2015 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Shane Cockrum (5), 2. Chris Windom (7), 3. Kody Swanson (1), 4. Justin Grant (3), 5. Casey Shuman (8), 6. Shane Cottle (11), 7. A.J. Fike (6), 8. Jerry Coons Jr. (12), 9. David Byrne (17), 10. Rick Hood (16), 11. Chris Urish (30), 12. Austin Nemire (19), 13. Steven Russell (20), 14. Chris Fetter (14), 15. Rich Tobias Jr. (18), 16. Patrick Lawson (21), 17. Terry James (22), 18. J.C. Bland (24), 19. Levi Jones (9), 20. Aaron Pierce (2), 21. Brian Tyler (13), 22. Joey Moughan (23), 23. Dave Darland (10), 24. Steve Buckwalter (15), 25. Danny Long (25), 26. Kenny Gentry (28), 27. Charles Davis Jr. (26), 28. Jacob Wilson (4), 29. Jackie Burke (27), 30. Terry Babb (29). 1:07:37.02

2016 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chris Windom (9), 2. Jeff Swindell (4), 3. Kody Swanson (1), 4. Casey Shuman (21), 5. Shane Cockrum (5), 6. Brady Bacon (15), 7. Jerry Coons Jr. (16), 8. Brian Tyler (11), 9. Joe Liguori (13), 10. David Byrne (8), 11. Zach Daum (24), 12. Chris Urish (28), 13. Bill Rose (33), 14. J.C. Bland (20), 15. Patrick Lawson (25), 16. A.J. Fike (7), 17. Matt Goodnight (26), 18. Terry James (29), 19. Justin Grant (2), 20. Steve Buckwalter (23), 21. Davey Ray (10), 22. Austin Nemire (18), 23. Danny Long (30), 24. Aaron Pierce (14), 25. Shane Cottle (6), 26. Jacob Wilson (17), 27. C.J. Leary (3), 28. Terry Babb (19), 29. Joey Moughan (12), 30. Kenny Gentry (31), 31. Jackie Burke (27), 32. Chris Fetter (22), 33. Tad Roach (32). 1:16:02.864

2017 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (8), 2. Shane Cockrum (7), 3. Jeff Swindell (6), 4. C.J. Leary (2), 5. Jerry Coons Jr. (1), 6. Justin Grant (10), 7. Shane Cottle (15), 8. Brian Tyler (13), 9. Mark Smith (11), 10. Casey Shuman (24), 11. Hunter Schuerenberg (9), 12. Dave Darland (12), 13. Dakota Jackson (18), 14. David Shain (17), 15. Joey Moughan (5), 16. Aaron Pierce (3), 17. Chris Urish (26), 18. Joss Moffatt (20), 19. Ken Schrader (21), 20. J.C. Bland (23), 21. Matt Goodnight (28), 22. Austin Nemire (14), 23. Danny Long (31), 24. Chris Windom (4), 25. Patrick Bruns (19), 26. Robert Ballou (32), 27. Terry Babb (29), 28. David Byrne (16), 29. Keith Burch (30), 30. Johnny Petrozelle (27), 31. Steve Buckwalter (22), 32. Patrick Lawson (25). 1:10.00.890

2018 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Chris Windom (8), 2. Kevin Thomas Jr. (5), 3. Shane Cockrum (14), 4. Justin Grant (9), 5. Kody Swanson (12), 6. David Byrne (6), 7. C.J. Leary (3), 8. Austin Nemire (17), 9. Joey Moughan (15), 10. Kyle Robbins (7), 11. Mike Haggenbottom (25), 12. Bill Rose (22), 13. Chris Dyson (26), 14. Tyler Courtney (11), 15. Shane Cottle (16), 16. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 17. Jacob Wilson (1), 18. Joe Liguori (13), 19. Keith Burch (28), 20. Patrick Lawson (21), 21. Brady Bacon (4), 22. Matt Goodnight (20), 23. Chris Urish (10), 24. Austin Mundie (19), 25. Terry Babb (29), 26. Brian Tyler (24), 27. Korey Weyant (30), 28. J.C. Bland (27), 29. Russ Gamester (23), 30. Jeff Swindell (18). NT

2019 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jacob Wilson (6), 2. Justin Grant (8), 3. Tyler Courtney (1), 4. Jeff Swindell (13), 5. Brady Bacon (2), 6. Chris Windom (9), 7. David Byrne (10), 8. Kevin Thomas Jr. (5), 9. Chad Kemenah (4), 10. Matt Goodnight (12), 11. Casey Buckman (15), 12. Jimmy Light (11), 13. Kyle Steffens (22), 14. Kody Swanson (#2) (29), 15. Austin Mundie (17), 16. Chris Urish (7), 17. John Heydenreich (25), 18. A.J. Fike (21), 19. Travis Welpott (18), 20. Kyle Robbins (23), 21. Brian Tyler (19), 22. Bill Rose (28), 23. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 24. Dallas Hewitt (20), 25. Eric Gordon (16), 26. Ronnie Wuerdeman (31), 27. Mike Haggenbottom (14), 28. Terry Babb (24), 29. Dave Berkheimer (26), 30. C.J. Leary (30), 31. Austin Nemire (27). NT

2020: NOT HELD

2021 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Brian Tyler (11), 2. Logan Seavey (4), 3. Jake Swanson (9), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (19), 5. Shane Cockrum (2), 6. Shane Cottle (7), 7. David Byrne (10), 8. Kyle Robbins (5), 9. Matt Goodnight (15), 10. Terry Babb (13), 11. Carmen Perigo (22), 12. Patrick Lawson (21), 13. Kyle Steffens (18), 14. Casey Buckman (16), 15. Kyle Cummins (20), 16. Nick Bilbee (25), 17. Kody Swanson (1), 18. Aaron Pierce (12), 19. Dave Berkheimer (27), 20. Matt Westfall (6), 21. Ken Schrader (14), 22. Dallas Hewitt (3), 23. Jason McDougal (17), 24. Travis Welpott (23), 25. Korey Weyant (24), 26. Austin Nemire (8), 27. Danny Long (26), 28. Chris Fetter (28), 29. Justin Grant (29). NT

2022 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (4), 2. Shane Cockrum (1), 3. Kody Swanson (10), 4. Patrick Bruns (8), 5. Casey Buckman (23), 6. Travis Welpott (21), 7. C.J. Leary (2), 8. Brian Tyler (15), 9. Jerry Coons Jr. (9), 10. Matt Westfall (12), 11. A.J. Fike (7), 12. Chase Stockon (16), 13. Tye Mihocko (17), 14. Jason McDougal (13), 15. Gregg Cory (26), 16. Chris Urish (14), 17. Dave Berkheimer (27), 18. Shane Cottle (3), 19. Patrick Lawson (18), 20. Kyle Robbins (11), 21. Justin Grant (5), 22. Brian Ruhlman (22), 23. Danny Long (28), 24. Davey Ray (6), 25. Cary Oliver (29), 26. Kyle Steffens (19), 27. Dallas Hewitt (20), 28. Korey Weyant (24), 29. Chris Fetter (25), 30. Jake Swanson (30). NT

 

BC39 ENTRY LIST HITS 30;
ENTRIES CONTINUE TO ROLL IN A MONTH AWAY FROM RACEDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 30, 2023)………Current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader Logan Seavey and top USAC Silver Crown Rookie Kaylee Bryson headline the latest batch of entries for the 2023 Driven2SaveLives BC39.

A steadily rising total of 30 cars and drivers are now set to compete in the fifth running of the event which features an extended four days of USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship racing on September 27-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The BC39 regularly presents the highest USAC car counts of the year. The 2022 event produced 85 entries, fifth most in the 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing. The newest look at the 2023 entry list is at the bottom of this release.

The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Friday, September 8. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

Seavey (Sutter, Calif.), who finished a best of fifth in his 2019 BC39, will wheel a car for Abacus Racing. Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) scored a seventh-place result during the 2022 race, and this year will pilot a ride for CB Industries.

CBI has also filed entries for 2023 USAC National Midget feature winner Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.), who finished 11th in the 2022 BC39. Brent Crews (Oklahoma City, Okla.), a recent ARCA Stock Car winner at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, will make his BC39 debut with CBI.

Of the latest entries, Chase McDermand (Springfield, Ill.), who stands top-10 in USAC Midget points, is entered following an 18th place run a year ago. Karter Sarff (Mason City, Ill.) also makes his return behind the wheel of the family-owned ride after scoring 20th in the latest edition of the BC39 in 2022.

Already entered for this year’s running of the BC39 are USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons (Tucson, Ariz.), three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio), 2023 series winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.), USAC national feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio), 2022 series Rookie of the Year Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.), plus two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.).

DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

The price for a team filing an entry for the BC39 increases to $150 on Friday, September 8. The final cutoff for all BC39 entries is Monday, September 25.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.
Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

BC39 ENTRIES
(30 cars as of August 30, 2023)
1D Landon Brooks
1G Connor Wolf
7c Josh Bilicki
7m Kyle Jones
7p Zach Daum
11 Clinton Boyles
11L Aaron Leffel
18N Weston Gorham
19 Daison Pursley
19AZ Hayden Reinbold
19T Mitchel Moles
21D Justin Dickerson
21K Karter Sarff
22p Taylor Courtney
25 Jacob Denney
25m Jake Andreotti
36 Ian Creager
40 Chase McDermand
40B Blake Brannon
40x Zach Wigal
41 Oliver Akard
44 Adam Andretti
46 Kenney Johnson
54 Matt Westfall
57 Logan Seavey
81 Bryant Wiedeman
85 Jerry Coons Jr.
86 Brent Crews
89 Kaylee Bryson
118 Scott Evans


 


METEORIC RISE:
"TALL" OSBORNE LANDS USAC SILVER CROWN
RIDE FOR Du QUOIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 29, 2023)………During last weekend’s Sprint Car Smackdown at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, perhaps no other driver gained a larger legion of fans, admirers and curious onlookers than 20-year-old Trey Osborne.

Osborne, of Columbus, Ohio, and his newfound renown in addition to the respect among his fellow competitors, have helped land him a USAC Silver Crown ride in Sammy Fetter’s No. 88 for this Saturday’s 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois.

Standing a towering 6’8” in height and regularly sporting a sun visor on his sprint car that simply states “Tall,” Osborne has won three times in Indiana Sprint Car circles this season, twice at Paragon Speedway and once at Gas City I-69 Speedway, then won his first heat race in USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car competition this past weekend at Kokomo.

It’s been a meteoric rise for Osborne who turned his first laps in a dirt sprint car only one year ago. Although a relative unknown commodity on the local Indiana racing scene entering the 2023 season, Osborne is certainly hard to ignore when meeting him and while watching him on the track.

“It’s been pretty humbling,” Osborne admitted. “I went from not anyone really knowing me to where it seemed like everyone was standing around my pit after the feature. I didn’t get out of Kokomo until 3am.”

The love affair with Osborne regularly begins as soon as he pulls into the pit area. He rolls in on an open trailer, then proceeds to compete alongside and regularly exceed his peers with just a fraction of the budget of those around him. Osborne contends that the essential pieces he owns are very nice but has proven the old adage of “trailers don’t win races” to be true, even though the trailer isn’t his own.

“I bought the truck for $1200 three years ago and I start it with a screwdriver,” Osborne explained. “The windows don’t go up or down unless you do it with pliers. The speedometer doesn’t work; the odometer doesn’t work; the gas gauge doesn’t work. It’s pretty low buck in some ways to be able to make it happen, but the stuff that matters is all right. Plus, I don’t mind having an open trailer because I don’t hit my forehead on the trailer door every single time I run in and out.”

Osborne came of age in his racing career at the wheel of a USSA Kenyon Midget for none other than USAC Hall of Famers Mel and Don Kenyon. The winningest duo in the history of USAC National Midget racing fielded an entry for Osborne as a teenager as he racked up several feature wins and a series championship in 2018.

However, by mid-2022, Osborne sold his own Kenyon Cars and decided to set forth on a path toward sprint car racing. In February of 2023, he made the move to Indianapolis, and with the help of friend and fellow racer Oz Ozborne (no relation), he was provided a place to live and landed a job at McCallister Caterpillar, located a stone’s throw away from Circle City Raceway.

Naturally confident, this is what Osborne expected of himself. And if it hadn’t, he’d most likely would’ve found another line of work.

“Honestly, it’s kind of what I expected out of myself,” Osborne stated. “If I wasn’t winning at this point or if I was still running 10th at local shows, I think I probably would’ve sold out and been done. I was pretty serious that if I was going to do this, I was going to do it as right as I could do it.”

On the big stage of Sprint Car Smackdown, financial prizes are aplenty, and bonuses are in abundance, and many common race folks become even more charitable than customary. His success thus far hasn’t taken him by surprise one bit, but the amount of support he’s gained from the racing crowd has been a welcome addition to his program.

“My goal was to win three races, and I really thought I could do that,” Osborne said. “Winning three races didn’t surprise me but the amount of support I’ve gotten just from people congratulating me to helping me out, whether it’s money or parts or tires or whatever it is, it’s been pretty crazy how much help I’ve gotten from the racing community. I didn’t expect that going into the week.”

With success, those invested in the sport want to know your name and your phone number, and suddenly, you might find yourself as a hired gun. Osborne felt the reality of that this week just as he was sitting down for lunch at his day job when he received a call from Fetter asking him if he was available to wheel his car at Du Quoin. Without hesitation, the answer was a resounding “yes,” although it was definitely not something he was expecting at that moment.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” Osborne acknowledged. “I’m excited to do this as I’ve always wanted to run a crown car, especially on a dirt mile. It’s going to be pretty awesome and it’s really different from anything I’ve ever done.”

Despite this Saturday’s 100-miler being different from any other task he’s faced, he is no stranger to long-distance races. He competed in the Little 500 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway for car owner Mike Blake in 2019 and has captured victory in a 75-lap midget race. But there are some stark contrasts he’ll be facing no doubt.

“Just the speed from it is going to be really cool,” Osborne pined. “You run the car really straight, and I’ve always been one to hang it really far out. It’s a whole different driving style is needed to be successful in it.”

Even before getting behind the wheel of a champ car for the first time, Osborne has been and is a fan of the series, first and foremost.

“I always make a point to – even if I can watch them live – to watch the replay of the Silver Crown races just because they’re so cool. They’re different and there’s not a lot of them, especially the miles. It’s super cool to me personally.”

Now, Osborne gets to take a ride in one of those very USAC Silver Crown machines himself. A dream come true and another step up on the trajectory of his burgeoning racing career.

RACE DETAILS:

The 69th running of the Ted Horn 100 features the USAC Silver Crown National Championship along with the 29th Annual Bill Oldani Memorial Prelims for DIRTcar Modifieds.

Registration and pit gates open at 7am Central. Grandstands and ticket office open at 9am. USAC Silver Crown practice is slated to run from 10-11:10am. USAC Silver Crown qualifying is scheduled for 11:30am followed by DIRTcar Modified hot laps and qualifying at 12:15pm and the USAC Silver Crown qualifying race at 12:30pm. DIRTcar Modified heats are on tap at 1pm followed by the USAC Ted Horn 100 feature at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the Du Quoin Fair office at 618-542-1535. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Advance tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children age 11 and under. Race day tickets at the gate are $30 for ages 12 and up and $10 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for members and $40 for non-members ages 12 and up. Pit passes for children age 11 and under are $20.

 

2023 USAC HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
SET FOR SEPT. 29, TICKETS ON SALE NOW

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 28, 2023)………The United States Auto Club’s newest class of Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 will be honored during a ceremony at USAC headquarters on Friday afternoon, September 29.

The USAC Hall of Fame luncheon will start at Noon Eastern with the official induction ceremony slated to begin at 1:30pm at USAC’s main offices located at 4910 W. 16th Street in Speedway, Indiana.

The USAC Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony is open to the public and tickets are now on sale for $30 apiece at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/hof-award-ceremony. The ticket includes a catered meal and drinks.

USAC’s 11th hall of fame class includes champion driver Bobby East; safety innovator Ted Halibrand; champion driver Tracy Hines; television producer Terry Lingner; vice president/general manager/editor/media man Bill Marvel; and team owners and contributors, The Wilke Family.

The event will be held just down the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to the start of Friday night’s Driven2SaveLives BC39 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event, an event which runs for four straight nights on September 27-28-29-30.

Additionally, the USAC Hall of Fame ceremony will be shown live on FloRacing.

USAC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

2012: J.C. Agajanian, Mario Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen, Tom Binford, Jimmy Bryan, Duane Carter, A.J. Foyt, Tony Hulman, Parnelli Jones, Mel Kenyon, Roger McCluskey & Rich Vogler

2013: Earl Baltes, Henry Banks, Tony Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Jack Hewitt, Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, A.J. Watson, Don White & Bob Wilke

2014: Rollie Beale, George Bignotti, Don Branson, Larry Dickson, Gus Hoffman, Jud Larson, Norm Nelson, Eddie Sachs, Don Smith, Bob Stroud, Rodger Ward & Bob Wente

2015: Clint Brawner, Jimmy Caruthers, Butch Hartman, Lindsey Hopkins, Jim Hurtubise, Don Kenyon, Sheldon Kinser, Fred Lorenzen, Roger Penske, Larry Rice, Shorty Templeman & Sleepy Tripp

2016: Steve Butler, Russ Clendenen, Jimmy Davies, Willie Davis, Bob Higman, Tommy Hinnershitz, Dick King, Rick Mears, Pat O’Connor, Kevin Olson, Tony Stewart & Bob Tattersall

2017: Donald Davidson, Frankie DelRoy, Bob East, Chuck Gurney, Gene Hartley, Steve Lewis, Howard Linne, Lloyd Ruby, Ken Schrader, Robbie Stanley, Steve Stapp & Johnny Thomson

2018: Mike Devin, Tony Elliott, Paul Goldsmith, Jason Leffler, Bill Lipkey, Troy Ruttman, Bob/Gene Shannon & Jimmy Sills

2019: Bryan Clauson, Johnny Capels, Dick Jordan & Dave Steele

2020: None

2021: None

2022: Doug Caruthers, Jay Drake, Galen Fox, Jeff Gordon, Dan Gurney, Ray Nichels, Johnny Vance & Joe Shaheen

2023: Bobby East, Ted Halibrand, Tracy Hines, Terry Lingner, Bill Marvel & The Wilke Family


 


GATEWAY GEM:
HAMILTON & LEGACY AUTOSPORT
SCORE FIRST USAC SILVER CROWN WIN AT WWT

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Madison, Illinois (August 27, 2023)………Sunday’s running of the OutFront 100 at World Wide Technology Raceway presented a series of firsts from the driver to the team and even the car itself.

Davey Hamilton Jr. led the final 47 laps of Sunday’s matinee on the Madison, Ill. 1.25-mile paved oval while fending off late-race pressure from both Justin Grant and Bobby Santos to win his first career USAC Silver Crown race.

The Legacy Autosport team, which fielded Hamilton Jr. for the first time earlier this month, also captured its first series win in just the team’s sixth start. The Pittsboro, Ind. based team is owned by Louis Michael Meyer, the great grandson of Louis Meyer, the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the first to celebrate an Indy win with a swig of milk in victory lane back in 1936.

On top of that, the team’s own in-house Legacy Chassis won its first ever race with the series, becoming the first chassis other than a Beast to win a pavement USAC Silver Crown race in 15 years. Chet Fillip’s own Tex-Mex creation had been the most recent non-Beast winner when he scored at Virginia’s Richmond International Raceway in 2008.

Furthermore, for the first time since 1993, an Idaho native is a USAC national feature winner as Hamilton (Boise, Idaho) became the first driver from “The Gem State” to earn a victory since Randy Tolsma was a midget winner at Indianapolis Raceway Park 30 years ago.

One year ago, Hamilton led his first career laps in Silver Crown competition at WWT before going on to a then career best result of second behind Kody Swanson. This time around, Hamilton took advantage when Swanson lost his brakes just before the midway point, and from there on out, Hamilton kept his Legacy Autosport/Metalloid – Penske Shocks/Legacy/Stanton Chevy up front despite a bit of smoke emanating from his car during the final laps.

“It’s a dream come true,” Hamilton stated. “They gave me a call right before Toledo and offered me the ride. They gave me a chance and it has been a solid piece everywhere we’ve gone.”

Even before the race, Hamilton Jr. was running short of breath. After providing pace car rides to the race day patrons, he ran about a mile to his Silver Crown car on pit lane, just making it in time to get strapped in and ready himself for 80 laps of competition.

While Hamilton started from the sixth position, Swanson captured the pole position for the 46th time in his Silver Crown career during Honest Abe Roofing with a time of 30.745 seconds, translating to a blistering 146.365 mph average speed.

At first, third-starting Mario Clouser slipped past the entire front row to lead three-quarters of the first lap. However, outside front row starter Logan Seavey found traction up top to race around Clouser to lead the first two laps – his first on the pavement.

Using the vaunted draft, Swanson regathered himself and drag raced past Seavey on the back straight to claim the lead on lap three. However, Swanson’s time up front was short-lived as C.J. Leary dove to the bottom of turn one to take over the top spot on the fifth lap.

Not only did Leary’s lead become short-lived, but it was the same story for his day as he slowed while leading on the 11th lap with a broken fuel pump, necessitating a caution as he coasted to a stop on the back straight, prematurely ending his day.

Thereafter, Hamilton was on the move, taking second on the lap 15 restart as he powered underneath Clouser in turn two, then began to close in on Swanson for the lead, even showing his front bumper at the entry to turn three before backing out moments later.

Following a Taylor Ferns turn two spin on lap 24, Hamilton, as had been the case all day, showed his prowess on restarts. On the lap 28 edition, he edged ahead of Swanson coming to the green flag to officially lead the lap. Swanson wound it up and was able to wrestle the lead back away from Hamilton in turns one and two to reposition himself at the forefront of the pack.

Ironically, at essentially the same moment in the race Swanson took the lead from Hamilton in last year’s race, the reverse came to be true this time around on lap 34. Hamilton drove to the inside of Swanson and stuck the pass in turns three and four, taking some of the knowledge he learned in the 2022 race and applying it to his Sunday drive.

“It seemed like my car was getting a really good draft behind Kody,” Hamilton revealed. “I had to pull out a couple times just to avoid hitting him. Last year, I learned that this place could hurt you on restarts. So, I did the best I could on getting a good jump. Having these guys behind you is not fun, I’ll tell you that.”

On lap 36, Swanson came right back at Hamilton on the outside of turn one. Just after moving ahead, Swanson dirt-tracked it through turns one and two, getting completely sideways while remaining on the gas in a spectacular save to avoid contact with the wall. Despite the lack of a meeting with the wall, the moment signaled the end of Swanson’s day as he dropped like a rock, falling all the way to 11th before making the first of several pit stops due to a lack of brakes. Swanson ultimately soldiered on but finished a distant 15th, seven laps behind the leader.

With Hamilton now up front, he broke away to a 1.429 second lead with 30 to go when Nathan Byrd’s car went up in smoke along the front straightaway after charging from his 22nd starting spot to fifth. Byrd qualified his normal No. 88, which experienced mechanical trouble in qualifying, but for the race, jumped into the No. 11 regularly piloted by Trey Burke. However, that car spun a spud of the fuel pump early on, forcing Burke into the No. 14, which was originally entered for Davey Hamilton Sr. to drive. It was a true game of race day musical chairs unlike any other in recent memory.

With 13 to go, it became a top-two breakaway up front with Hamilton holding the lead by a few car lengths over Justin Grant. Third running Bobby Santos, however, suddenly became a player with the benefit of the draft as he rapidly closed in on the top-two, shaving nearly 1.5 second off his deficit in a single lap before taking the spot away from Grant on lap 71.

Quickly, Santos was able to get right to Hamilton's back bumper with seven to go as the front runners began to discard lapped traffic, putting Travis Welpott a lap down. Moments later, it was Welpott (12th) spinning in turn two which caused a late yellow and stifled Santos’ momentous charge, thus creating a green-white-checkered scenario to finish the contest.

Under yellow, Hamilton’s car began to show a little bit of smoke. However, it seemed to be of no deterrence when the race resumed on lap 79. Santos got as close as a car length to Hamilton’s tail in turns one and two on the final lap, but Hamilton was able to peel away and finish off a $10,000 victory by a 0.169 second margin over Santos, Grant and Seavey while Derek Bischak rounded out the top-five with his fourth top-five finish in five starts this season.

Bobby Santos (Franklin, Mass.) remains the only two-time USAC Silver Crown race winner at WWT Raceway, but he sure did want to become the first three-time victor as well. In the end, Santos came home a close second on Sunday in his DJ Racing/Classic Corvettes – Brown & Miller Racing Solutions – Simpson/Beast/Speedway Chevy. In five USAC Silver Crown starts this season, Santos has now finished inside the top-two on four different occasions.

It’s been a whirlwind weekend for Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.). Roughly 16 hours after winning his third straight USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature in as many nights at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, he was on the move again where a middle-of-the-night drive to WWT Raceway followed his $44,500 evening at Kokomo on Saturday. Grant capped his weekend as the biggest mover of the Silver Crown feature, charging from ninth to third in his Hemelgarn Racing/NOS Energy Drink – Super Fitness – Hemelgarn Enterprises/Beast/Speedway Ford.

Meanwhile, by virtue of his fourth-place result and Kody Swanson’s misfortune, Logan Seavey has reassumed his position at the top of the USAC Silver Crown National Championship standings by a seven-point margin with just three events remaining.

===============

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 27, 2023 – World Wide Technology Raceway – Madison, Illinois – 1.25-Mile Paved Oval – OutFront 100

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Kody Swanson, 77, Doran/Binks-30.745; 2. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-30.843; 3. Bobby Santos, 98, DJ-30.865; 4. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-30.899; 5. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-31.043; 6. Davey Hamilton Jr., 19, Legacy-31.072; 7. Derek Bischak, 131, Bischak-31.345; 8. Kyle O'Gara, 67, SFHR-31.381; 9. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-31.400; 10. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-31.595; 11. Trey Burke, 14, Hamilton/SRG-31.633; 12. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-31.774; 13. Nathan Byrd, 88, Byrd-31.788; 14. Dakoda Armstrong, 5, C & A-31.921; 15. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-32.026; 16. Matt Westfall, 81, BCR-32.044; 17. Aaron Pierce, 126, Pierce-32.098; 18. Mike McVetta, 94, RAM-32.504; 19. Bryan Gossel, 06, Gossel-33.379; 20. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-33.442; 21. Nathan Moore, 48, Thomas-34.620; 22. Tom Paterson, 111, Paterson-35.500; 23. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-39.044; 24. Patrick Lawson, 2, Lawson-39.645; 25. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-NT.

FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Davey Hamilton Jr. (6), 2. Bobby Santos (3), 3. Justin Grant (9), 4. Logan Seavey (2), 5. Derek Bischak (7), 6. Trey Burke (11), 7. Kaylee Bryson (10), 8. Kyle O'Gara (8), 9. Mario Clouser (5), 10. Dakoda Armstrong (13), 11. Taylor Ferns (12), 12. Bryan Gossel (17), 13. Nathan Moore (19), 14. Kody Swanson (1), 15. Travis Welpott (18), 16. Matt Westfall (14), 17. Nathan Byrd (#11) (22), 18. Mike McVetta (16), 19. C.J. Leary (4), 20. Tom Paterson (20), 21. Aaron Pierce (15), 22. Patrick Lawson (21).

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Logan Seavey, Laps 3-4 Kody Swanson, Laps 5-10 C.J. Leary, Laps 11-27 Kody Swanson, Lap 28 Davey Hamilton Jr., Laps 29-33 Kody Swanson, Laps 34-80 Davey Hamilton Jr.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-490, 2-Kody Swanson-483, 3-Justin Grant-363, 4-Mario Clouser-353, 5-Kaylee Bryson-344, 6-Taylor Ferns-320, 7-Bobby Santos-315, 8-Matt Westfall-305, 9-C.J. Leary-291, 10-Derek Bischak-270.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-152, 2-Logan Seavey-104, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Robert Ballou-87, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Justin Grant-85, 7-Brady Bacon-85, 8-Emerson Axsom-76, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 2, 2023 – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Du Quoin, Illinois – 1-Mile Dirt Oval – Ted Horn 100

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: Kody Swanson (30.745)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Kody Swanson (30.745)

Hard Charger: Justin Grant (9th to 3rd)


SMACKDOWN SWEEP!
GRANT GRABS $44,500 WEEKEND FINALE AT KOKOMO

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Kokomo, Indiana (August 26, 2023)………”This weekend’s been a dream. I feel like I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it’s going to be Wednesday.”

The dream was most certainly a reality for Justin Grant during Saturday night’s Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII finale at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.

But for every other driver who faced off against him during the past three nights at the quarter-mile dirt oval, the Ione, Calif. native was a nightmare.

Grant’s prowess over during the Thursday-Friday-Saturday stretch at Kokomo was no illusion as he reeled off three consecutive victories in as many nights to become the first driver in the 12-year history of Smackdown to sweep to three successive feature triumphs in a single weekend.

The take home pay for Grant after leading the final 29 laps on Saturday night totaled $44,500, pocketing the base pay of $30,000 while also adding a cool $500 per each lap led in his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – MPV Express – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

When Grant migrated from his native California to take up residence in Indiana more than a decade ago, Kokomo Speedway became one of his adopted homes. Now, all these years later, he’s tied with the great Dave Darland as the winningest driver in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo with Saturday night’s run being the ninth of his career.

In total, seven of his nine career Kokomo USAC Sprint Car victories have come during Smackdown weekend, three of which have occurred on championship night in 2018, 2021 and 2023, making him just the third three-time Smackdown champion following Dave Darland (2013-14-15) and Tyler Courtney (2017-19-20). But few have been sweeter than his latest and none more lucrative.

“It feels amazing,” Grant exclaimed. “Kokomo Speedway is where I got my start and it’s where I cut my teeth. This event has always meant the world to me. The success I’ve been able to have here is just incredible and it feels incredible to be standing in victory lane here anytime.”

In the entire 68-year history of USAC National Sprint Car racing, few have captured three-straight USAC National Sprint Car features in a three-day-or-less span. In 1979, Steve Chassey won three in two days, all at Indiana’s Winchester Speedway. In 2002, Cory Kruseman reeled off three consecutive at Gas City, Lincoln Park and Tri-State Speedways during Indiana Sprint Week. Levi Jones had been the most recent to achieve the feat during Eastern Storm in 2010 Grandview, Lincoln and New Egypt Speedways.

Furthermore, Grant’s latest win was his 43rd in USAC National Sprint Car competition, moving him past 1974 and 1976 series champion Pancho Carter and into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time list.

After Thursday and Friday night’s back-to-back Kokomo triumphs, Grant was the odds-on favorite to do it again on Saturday night. He kicked things off right by gliding through the Bill & Sandy Wever & The Grandkids King of the Hill two-car, three-lap duels, which earned him the pole position for the 40-lap grand finale.

Despite that fact, it was outside front row starter C.J. Leary who broke out front and grasped the initial lead, beating Grant to the line by a wheel at the completion of lap one. In fact, throughout the first 10 circuits, Grant remained completely draped over Leary while applying consistent pressure. Grant stayed true to the top while Leary dabbled on the bottom in turns three and four for much of the first quarter of the main event.

But on lap 12, and with traffic looming ahead of him just a single lap away, Grant felt the time was now as he got his momentum wound up on the high side and dove to the bottom of turn one, taking Leary for the top spot.

Grant immediately worked traffic like he was on the autobahn and all others were in a school zone as he constructed his lead to one, then to two and then three full seconds by the time the race reached the halfway mark on lap 20. But without any spotters or rearview mirrors, in sprint car racing, the ambition is to remain pushing and to keep pushing until the lap counter runs out.

“I felt like I really hadn’t had any pressure,” Grant revealed. “I got caught up behind lapped cars and I never heard anybody or felt pressure. I knew we had a really good racecar and I felt like we had a good lead. I didn’t want to get lulled into contentment because we had been so good all weekend. I was still pushing pretty hard.”

Meanwhile, Bacon, who had finished second on each of the two preliminary nights, grabbed second when he raced past Leary in turn four for the runner-up spot on lap 23. Cummins tagged along and ripped third from Leary in the thick of lapped traffic on lap 30. By lap 32, Cummins had flashed into second as he drove topside around Bacon to slot into the “place” spot with just eight laps remaining.

Leary’s troubles mounted and he began to drop through the field, running fifth before slowing to a halt on lap 37 with just three laps remaining. By that point in time, Grant had lapped all but the first eight drivers in the 22-car field and held a staggering 8.415 second lead. Leary ultimately returned to finish the feature, restarting on the tail end of the lead lap and finishing eighth.

For Grant, the stoppage was a gamechanger. When all seemed locked up and the ink on the headlines was nearly completely dry, Cummins and the rest of the field received a reprieve and a new lease on life. For Grant, however, it was much to his chagrin.

“I was bummed to see that yellow,” Grant said. “I was like, ‘dang, three to go, come on!’ I wasn’t too worried about it, but then I went in on the restart and just completely botched one and two, oh boy!”

Grant skittered straight up atop the cushion between turns one and two on the lap 38 restart, allowing Cummins to get himself within striking distance of Grant at the exit of turn two. Grant took an entry into three somewhat through the middle in order to avoid a slider attempt from Cummins. However, Cummins saw a possible opportunity and went after Grant, sliding side-by-side in turn four wheel-to-wheel without giving an inch, or a single lift, in the pursuit of Smackdown glory.

“I was driving down into three and four and Kyle was sliding across after I all but gave this race away in one and two, so I knew I had better get it back over here (in three and four),” Grant explained. “I snuck right around him, and I thought my left rear (tire) was going to get over his right rear there. There’s $30,000 on the line; it’s worth it to take a chance here and there.”

Just as that “was the meal” Kenny Bania had on an episode of Seinfeld, that “was the move” for both Grant and Cummins alike. Grant staved off the final effort from Cummins to score the biggest payday of his racing career by a 0.886 second margin over Cummins, Logan Seavey, Brady Bacon and Robert Ballou.

“I can’t say enough about my guys,” Grant praised. “This racecar is incredible. We spent some time on Dan Pace’s dyno last week getting ready to come here and make sure our motors were top notch. There are so many people who played a part in getting me here and allowing me to be successful.”

Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) took his shot at the win on the final restart but came up just short of winning his second straight Smackdown aboard his Rock Steady Racing/Avanti Windows & Doors – Tim Mason ReMax/Mach-1/Stanton Chevy. In his past five Saturday night Smackdown starts since 2019, Cummins has now finished inside the top-two in four of them.

“It’s a lot of money to win, but I’m not going to take him out,” Cummins said of his late-race duel with Grant. “He was there, and I was trying, trying, and I was like, ‘nope, he’s got it.’ I was hoping he was going to make a mistake and he kind of did, but I was just a little too far back. It was hard to make a move when he had enough momentum coming off both corners. I was good on momentum getting through, but I couldn’t get down the straightaways as quickly as he could. We were kind of mired back in fourth or fifth there just trying, but as the race went on, my car definitely got better. Before the yellow, I kept looking and trying to find him. I didn’t know where he was at, but I felt like if we got a yellow, we had a chance. I was clicking off some pretty good laps there.”

It was hands down the best Smackdown of Logan Seavey’s career as far as Saturday night finales go. That's the story for the Sutter, Calif. racer who finished third in the feature after starting eighth. That earned him his best career Smackdown Saturday night finish in what was his sixth start in the event behind the wheel of his 2B Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises – Goodnight Racing/DRC/Claxton Chevy.

“When you’re racing with guys like that, you’ve got to jump at the first opportunity you see to make passes,” Seavey explained. “I had to capitalize really quick there early when a few guys were kind of searching and I knew where I was going. I got to fourth or fifth there pretty quickly and was happy with my car. I made a few passes there toward the end to get to third, which is really good. I felt like I could race with Kyle there a little bit, but Justin was in another league tonight.”

Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) performed terrifically all weekend in his first career Smackdown appearance. The best run of them all for the reigning USAC East Coast Sprint Car champ and current point leader, however, came on Saturday night as he finished sixth. In doing so, he was named the 2023 Smackdown Rookie of the Year, which rewarded him with a $1,000 bonus.

Smackdown XII also served as the kickoff for the inaugural USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta in which USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competitors will be racing for major prizes across three marquee events in the state of Indiana in August, September and October.

Up next in the three-race series is the $20,000-to-win Haubstadt Hustler at Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, September 16. Another $20,000 winner’s share is posted for the Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway, set to go on Saturday, October 7.

Winning all three Trifecta events in 2023 would net a driver a bonus of up to $30,000. The top driver finishing all three races in second place or better will receive a $20,000 payout. The top driver finishing all three races in third place or better will receive a $10,000 payout.

At the end of the three races during the USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta, a driver could earn a potential $100,000-plus prize when all is said and done.

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 26, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Garrett (#15 BGE Dougherty), 2. Max Adams (#5x Adams), 3. Emerson Axsom (#47BC Clauson Marshall Newman), 4. Trey Osborne (#6T Osborne), 5. Colten Cottle (#57 Hazen), 6. Dustin Ingle (#2DI Ingle), 7. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (#51T Tafoya), 8. Tyler Miller (#67 Miller). 2:13.96

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Jadon Rogers (#17GP Dutcher), 2. Matt Westfall (#33m Marshall), 3. Stevie Sussex (#77s Sturgeon), 4. Cole Bodine (#57B Bodine), 5. Dave Darland (#36D Darland/Curb-Agajanian), 6. Kobe Simpson (#21K Simpson), 7. Nate Schank (#1 Schank), 8. Larry Kingseed Jr. (#21 Kingseed). 2:12.67

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Ricky Lewis (#41 Brown), 2. Chase Stockon (#5s KO), 3. Sterling Cling (#34 SCR), 4. Korbyn Hayslett (#1H Hayslett), 5. Geoff Ensign (#17 On The Gass), 6. Devan Myers (#75 Myers), 7. Bryar Schroeter (#21s Schroeter), 8. Jack Hoyer (#5 Baldwin-Fox). 2:13.65

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Jake Swanson (#21AZ Team AZ), 2. Joey Amantea (#88J JPA), 3. Daison Pursley (#5p KO), 4. Rylan Gray (#81G Gray), 5. Riley Kreisel (#2J Yeley), 6. Brayden Clark (#42G Jackson-Clark), 7. Brandon Mattox (#28 Mattox), 8. Jack James (#99 James). NT

FIRST BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL QUARTERFINAL: (3 laps) #1 Justin Grant (#4 TOPP) defeats #8 Logan Seavey (#2B 2B Racing)

SECOND BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL QUARTERFINAL: (3 laps) #5 Kyle Cummins (#3R Rock Steady) defeats #4 Robert Ballou (#12 Ballou)

THIRD BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL QUARTERFINAL: (3 laps) #3 C.J. Leary defeats #6 Shane Cottle (#2E Epperson)

FOURTH BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL QUARTERFINAL: (3 laps) #7 Briggs Danner (#39 Hogue) defeats #2 Brady Bacon (#69 Dynamics)

FIRST BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL SEMIFINAL: (3 laps) #1 Justin Grant defeats #5 Kyle Cummins

SECOND BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL SEMIFINAL: (3 laps) #3 C.J. Leary defeats #7 Briggs Danner

BILL & SANDY WEVER & THE GRANDKIDS KING OF THE HILL FINAL: (3 laps) #1 Justin Grant defeats #3 C.J. Leary

LUGS LAWN CARE SERVICE C-MAIN: (8 laps, top-2 transfer to the semi) 1. Brandon Mattox, 2. Nate Schank, 3. Larry Kingseed Jr., 4. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 5. Bryar Schroeter, 6. Jack James, 7. Tyler Miller. 1:52.15

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Emerson Axsom, 2. Trey Osborne, 3. Stevie Sussex, 4. Daison Pursley, 5. Cole Bodine, 6. Geoff Ensign, 7. Korbyn Hayslett, 8. Colten Cottle, 9. Rylan Gray, 10. Dave Darland, 11. Brayden Clark, 12. Dustin Ingle, 13. Brandon Mattox, 14. Devan Myers, 15. Nate Schank, 16. Sterling Cling, 17. Kobe Simpson. NT

FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (1), 2. Kyle Cummins (3), 3. Logan Seavey (8), 4. Brady Bacon (5), 5. Robert Ballou (6), 6. Briggs Danner (4), 7. Jadon Rogers (10), 8. C.J. Leary (2), 9. Shane Cottle (7), 10. Jake Swanson (12), 11. Ricky Lewis (11), 12. Emerson Axsom (17), 13. Daison Pursley (20), 14. Carson Garrett (9), 15. Joey Amantea (16), 16. Geoff Ensign (22), 17. Matt Westfall (14), 18. Trey Osborne (18), 19. Cole Bodine (21), 20. Stevie Sussex (19), 21. Max Adams (13), 22. Chase Stockon (15). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-11 C.J. Leary, Laps 12-40 Justin Grant.

**Kobe Simpson flipped during the semi.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1851, 2-Justin Grant-1842, 3-Emerson Axsom-1743, 4-Kyle Cummins-1724, 5-Jake Swanson-1697, 6-C.J. Leary-1638, 7-Robert Ballou-1552, 8-Chase Stockon-1434, 9-Daison Pursley-1377, 10-Mitchel Moles-1374.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-152, 2-Logan Seavey-104, 3-Shane Cottle-102, 4-Robert Ballou-87, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Brady Bacon-85, 7-Justin Grant-79, 8-Emerson Axsom-76, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 7, 2023 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, Texas – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – Co-Sanctioned by the ASCS Elite Non-Wing Sprints

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Clinton Boyles/Carbon Safety Technologies Most Wheel Pack Laps: Colten Cottle (38)

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Brady Bacon (12.807)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Carson Garrett

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Jadon Rogers

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Ricky Lewis

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Jake Swanson

Bill & Sandy Wever & The Grandkids King of the Hill Champion: Justin Grant

Lugs Lawn Care Service C-Main Winner: Brandon Mattox

Hoosier Tire First C-Main Non-Transfer: Larry Kingseed Jr.

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Emerson Axsom

Hoosier Tire First Semi Non-Transfer: Korbyn Hayslett

ProSource Hard Work Award: Geoff Ensign

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: C.J. Leary

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Daison Pursley (20th to 13th)

Clinton Boyles Top Local Driver: Ricky Lewis (11th)

Collin Grissom Smackdown Rookie Move of the Night: Briggs Danner

Smackdown ProSource Passing Master: Shane Cottle

Smackdown Rookie of the Year: Briggs Danner

 

SMACKDOWN ON REPEAT!
GRANT GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT KOKOMO

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Kokomo, Indiana (August 25, 2023)………Justin Grant. Justin Grant.

No, you’re not seeing double. In fact, what you’re actually seeing is a repeat.

The recurring theme thus far throughout Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Smackdown XII has been the success of the Ione, Calif. native who captured his second USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature victory in as many nights on Friday at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway.

Grant advanced from his fourth starting position to take over the lead from racelong leader Jadon Rogers just before the midway point following an exchange of slide jobs at each end of the 1/4-mile dirt oval between the pair. Grant then led the final 17 circuits to pick up yet another monumental triumph behind the wheel of his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – MPV Express – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

The sixth career Smackdown win (prelims & final nights combined) of Grant’s career made him the winningest driver in the event’s 12-year history. Additionally, the win was Grant’s eighth overall in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo, tying him for second all-time with Tony Elliott and now trails only Dave Darland (9) for the most ever.

In becoming only the second driver to score wins on the opening two nights of Smackdown (Kyle Cummins in 2020), Grant also set a new career high in terms of single-season USAC National Sprint Car victories with eight, surpassing his former highwater mark of seven in 2021.

Grant’s 42nd career USAC National Sprint Car main event win moved him up another notch on the all-time series win list to seventh all-time. In doing so, he moved past Bryan Clauson (41) and into a tie with 1974 and 1976 series champion Pancho Carter. Grant now stands just three victories behind 1968-70-75 series titlist Larry Dickson’s mark of 45, which currently ranks sixth all-time.

Since teaming up with car chief Jeff Walker in early July, Grant has won five of 11 USAC National Sprint Car starts this season. Confidence in himself and with his ride is at an all-time high for Grant who feels as if he can go anywhere at any time in any place on the track in order to complete the task despite the physical nature of the 30-lap journey.

“This car has been a rocket,” Grant exclaimed. “No matter where I go, it’s just really, really good. Jeff Walker and I are working really well together. But I’m going to have to get some AC and maybe some more food tomorrow if we’re going to do 40 laps. I’m in pretty good shape, but I was starting to fall out of the seat at the end there. It was pretty physical tonight, and it was hot.”

With a much better view from the front on this night in comparison to Thursday’s program, Jadon Rogers took off from the pole position to assume the point in the early going. Twenty-four hours earlier, Rogers made a spectacular high side charge in the feature from 23rd to 5th.

The first and only yellow flag of the feature was displayed on lap five when Smackdown Rookie Trey Osborne slowed to a stop on the front straightaway. Earlier in the evening, Osborne scored his first career heat race victory in USAC competition. However, after starting eighth in the feature, he’d have to settle for a 23rd place result.

When action resumed, Rogers’ race lead was under attack from Briggs Danner and C.J. Leary who took the battle three-wide through turn four. Rogers thwarted the challenge by maintaining his high side momentum. However, doing much the same behind the trio was another driver doing much the same – Justin Grant.

Using the opposite approach, Brady Bacon had the bottom line working to his liking, and on lap 12, he took two-for-one as he slipped under both Leary and Danner in turn one to slot into third.
Just before the halfway point, the race for the lead officially became a free-for-all. Grant took his initial stab on the 13th lap when he slid by Rogers in turn three. However, Rogers countered off the turn four banking to lead the lap, but immediately, Grant reloaded by sliding Rogers into turn one.

Rogers mashed stood on the pedal and slid across the nose of Grant at the entry to turn three only to have Grant cross over to beat Rogers to the line by a car length on lap 14. Rogers fired one more shot from the musket, briefly retaking the lead in turn one, but by the back straight, Grant had re-cleared and re-taken the top spot, and for good, in a scenario and moment when both himself and his car shine on like crazy diamonds.

“Typically, when a racetrack has a really fast cushion, I’m not necessarily that great at it,” Grant admitted. “I’m okay at it, but as it starts to slow up, and it gets technical and tricky and gets some spots where you’ve got to start picking and choosing, that’s when I feel like I can shine, and I’ve got a racecar that shines when it’s like that. I wait for it to get technical, then I go to work.”

Bottom feeding Bacon ultimately corralled second from Rogers on lap 17 and set forth toward Grant. At the same time, Shane Cottle was putting on a passing clinic of epic proportions as the 21st place starting driver got by Rogers for third on lap 18 – the 18th driver he’d passed in a mere 18 laps.

Cottle ascended as far as second place with eight laps remaining but soon became stifled by a continuous row of lapped cars which aligned themselves on the bottom. Bacon moved up to the middle groove and reclaimed second a lap later, which also forced Cottle to leave the comfort zone of the bottom as well.

The race to the top of the pylon was in total control under the reign of Grant who finished off the night with a 2.197 second margin of victory over Brady Bacon, Shane Cottle, Jadon Rogers and Kyle Cummins.

Grant is a showman by nature; therefore, he wholeheartedly confesses to enjoying the thrill of being both fast and spectacular, a cocktail that he fully endorses.

“I’m a racecar driver and I like to think that I’m the guy to beat every time, no matter what,” Grant stated. “But I certainly have an extra boost of confidence when it’s like that and I love doing it. I love doing it for all the fans. Watching a guy lead a race is really cool when he might crash for no reason. So, I think it’s cool when it’s like that. I love putting on a show and doing what I can.”

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) collected a runner-up finish for the second night in a row in his Dynamics, Inc./Alumitech Products – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts/Triple X/Rider Chevy. For the 10th time in his USAC National Sprint Car career at Kokomo Speedway, Bacon finished as the runner-up, and to this day, remains on the hunt for his own first USAC Sprint Car win at the track as well as the Dynamics/Hoffman Auto Racing team as well.

“We were definitely faster on the bottom,” Bacon noted. “But when we got to lapped traffic, they were all on the bottom. So, I pretty much had to get in line at the top, follow them around and try not to crash up there. It was pretty gnarly in turn three and the cushion got so big and so low, you couldn’t really get a good approach to it getting into turn one. We got tight a couple times but kept a decent speed up there.”

Some individuals equate running the bottom to having a job. Not so for Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) who makes it a way of life. Cottle advanced from his 21st starting spot to finish third, earning J & J Trucking Hard Charger honors and a $300 bonus in his Epperson Racing/Epperson Painting – PPG Paints/DRC/Claxton Chevy. Amazingly, for Cottle, it’s his sixth hard charger award in the past nine series races.

“They went out and worked the bottom, which fit right into my wheelhouse,” Cottle said of the quick track prep work session prior to the feature. “The Epperson crew did an awesome job tonight. Tony Jarrett and Logan, they put up the money for this, and like I said during Indiana Sprint Week, I like that Jarrett money.”

Eight drivers locked themselves into Saturday night’s $30,000-to-win Smackdown feature as well as the King of the Hill duels at Kokomo by virtue of accumulating the most combined points during Thursday and Friday’s programs: Justin Grant, Brady Bacon, C.J. Leary, Robert Ballou, Kyle Cummins, Shane Cottle, Briggs Danner and Logan Seavey.

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 25, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Ricky Lewis, 41, Brown-12.774; 2. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.800; 3. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-12.889; 4. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-12.935; 5. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.953; 6. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-12.978; 7. Sterling Cling, 34, SCR-12.996; 8. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-13.007; 9. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-13.035; 10. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-13.052; 11. Dave Darland, 36D, Darland/Curb-Agajanian-13.092; 12. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-13.094; 13. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-13.106; 14. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-13.131; 15. Jack Hoyer, 5, Baldwin/Fox-13.174; 16. Riley Kreisel, 2, Yeley-13.181; 17. Max Adams, 5x, Adams-13.200; 18. Trey Osborne, 6T, Osborne-13.204; 19. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-13.219; 20. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-13.247; 21. Korbyn Hayslett, 1H, Hayslett-13.250; 22. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-13.278; 23. Cole Bodine, 57B, Bodine-13.290; 24. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-13.295; 25. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-13.317; 26. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-13.345; 27. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-13.345; 28. Rylan Gray, 81G, Gray-13.364; 29. Chance Crum, 26, Rudeen-13.420; 30. Geoff Ensign, 17, On The Gass-13.425; 31. Colten Cottle, 57, Hazen-13.438; 32. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-13.460; 33. Wyatt Burks, 11w, WBR-13.533; 34. Nate Schank, 1, Schank-13.660; 35. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-13.669; 36. Dustin Ingle, 2DI, Ingle-13.690; 37. Larry Kingseed Jr., 21, Kingseed-13.704; 38. Kayla Roell, 5K, KO-13.712; 39. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-13.733; 40. Devan Myers, 75, Myers-13.854; 41. Brayden Clark, 42G, Jackson/Clark-13.890; 42. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-13.986; 43. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-14.109; 44. Jack James, 99, James-14.205; 45. Bryar Schroeter, 21s, Schroeter-14.267.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Ricky Lewis, 3. Jadon Rogers, 4. Korbyn Hayslett, 5. Max Adams, 6. Logan Seavey, 7. Chance Crum, 8. Wyatt Burks, 9. Brayden Clark, 10. Larry Kingseed Jr., 11. Bryar Schroeter, 12. Carson Garrett. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Trey Osborne, 2. Emerson Axsom, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Briggs Danner, 5. Jake Swanson, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Stevie Sussex, 8. Geoff Ensign, 9. Nate Schank, 10. Kayla Roell, 11. Troy Carey. 2:15.04

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kyle Cummins, 2. Matt Westfall, 3. Dave Darland, 4. Cole Bodine, 5. Joey Amantea, 6. Sterling Cling, 7. Jack Hoyer, 8. Colten Cottle, 9. Brandon Mattox, 10. Zack Pretorius, 11. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2:16.58

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. Shane Cottle, 3. Robert Ballou, 4. Kevin Thomas Jr., 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Dustin Ingle, 7. Rylan Gray, 8. Devan Myers, 9. Riley Kreisel, 10. Jack James, 11. Kobe Simpson. NT

THE FROLIC BAR & GRILL C-MAIN: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Colten Cottle, 2. Wyatt Burks, 3. Brandon Mattox, 4. Joey Amantea, 5. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 6. Kayla Roell, 7. Kobe Simpson, 8. Dustin Ingle, 9. Brayden Clark, 10. Jack James, 11. Bryar Schroeter, 12. Devan Myers, 13. Troy Carey, 14. Nate Schank, 15. Larry Kingseed Jr. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Jake Swanson, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Daison Pursley, 4. Stevie Sussex, 5. Sterling Cling, 6. Chase Stockon, 7. Jack Hoyer, 8. Geoff Ensign, 9. Carson Garrett, 10. Joey Amantea, 11. Brandon Mattox, 12. Riley Kreisel, 13. Wyatt Burks, 14. Colten Cottle, 15. Zack Pretorius, 16. Rylan Gray, 17. Max Adams, 18. Chance Crum. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (4), 2. Brady Bacon (7), 3. Shane Cottle (21), 4. Jadon Rogers (2), 5. Kyle Cummins (5), 6. Logan Seavey (10), 7. C.J. Leary (1), 8. Jake Swanson (9), 9. Briggs Danner (3), 10. Ricky Lewis (6), 11. Robert Ballou (14), 12. Chase Stockon (12), 13. Matt Westfall (16), 14. Emerson Axsom (19), 15. Daison Pursley (15), 16. Sterling Cling (11), 17. Cole Bodine (20), 18. Dave Darland (13), 19. Carson Garrett (23-P), 20. Stevie Sussex (22), 21. Kevin Thomas Jr. (17), 22. Korbyn Hayslett (18), 23. Trey Osborne (8). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-13 Jadon Rogers, Laps 14-30 Justin Grant.

**Troy Carey flipped during the C-Main. Chance Crum flipped during the semi.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1790, 2-Justin Grant-1772, 3-Emerson Axsom-1704, 4-Kyle Cummins-1657, 5-Jake Swanson-1654, 6-C.J. Leary-1589, 7-Robert Ballou-1494, 8-Chase Stockon-1411, 9-Mitchel Moles-1374, 10-Daison Pursley-1340.

SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN XII PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Kevin Thomas Jr.-22, 2-Shane Cottle-19, 3-Joey Amantea-17, 4-Carson Garrett-14, 5-Brady Bacon-11, 6-Justin Grant-10, 7-Briggs Danner-10, 8-Robert Ballou-8, 9-Emerson Axsom-8, 10-Cole Bodine-8.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Shane Cottle-102, 3-Logan Seavey-99, 4-Robert Ballou-86, 5-Matt Westfall-86, 6-Brady Bacon-84, 7-Justin Grant-79, 8-Emerson Axsom-71, 9-Chase Stockon-69, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 26, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Clinton Boyles/Carbon Safety Technologies Most Wheel Pack Laps: Chase Stockon

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Logan Seavey (12.817)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Ricky Lewis (12.774)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Brady Bacon

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Trey Osborne

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Kyle Cummins

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Justin Grant

The Frolic Bar & Grill C-Main Winner: Colten Cottle

Hoosier Tire First C-Main Non-Transfer: Eddie Tafoya Jr.

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Jake Swanson

Hoosier Tire First Semi Non-Transfer: Jack Hoyer

ProSource Hard Work Award: Stevie Sussex

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Jadon Rogers

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (21st to 3rd)

Clinton Boyles Top Local Driver: Ricky Lewis (10th)

Collin Grissom Smackdown Rookie Move of the Night: Trey Osborne


 

 

GRANT OPENING!
JG WINS 3RD STRAIGHT
SMACKDOWN OPENER AT KOKOMO

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Kokomo, Indiana (August 24, 2023)………When Smackdown begins, Justin Grant wins.

Over the past three seasons, that just seems to be the order of business on the opening night of the three-night event annually held during the month of August at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway.

After notching back-to-back Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown opening night victories in 2021 and 2022, the Ione, Calif. driver once again found victory lane on Thursday night, becoming the first driver win three-straight Smackdown openers.

This time around, Grant was the force from start to finish in his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – MVP Express – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy, leading all 30 laps to earn his season-leading seventh USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature win of the year.

Grant’s fifth overall Smackdown victory (prelims & final nights combined) places him in a three-way tie for the most all-time alongside Dave Darland and Tyler Courtney. Furthermore, the win was Grant’s seventh in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo, which now trails only the two undisputed Kokomo Speedway kings – Dave Darland (9) and Tony Elliott (8).

Additionally, Grant’s victory at Kokomo was the 41st of his USAC National Sprint Car career, which moved him past 1969 and 1971 series championship Gary Bettenhausen on the all-time list. Grant now stands tied with 2012-13 series champ Bryan Clauson for eighth all-time and just one behind Pancho Carter, the 1974 and 1976 titlist, for seventh on the list.

Grant started on the pole for the main event alongside Kyle Cummins. It was a row of Smackdown mastery as, between the two, the pair had won each of the past two Smackdown finales and the past three Smackdown openers. As a matter of fact, a year ago, the opening night Smackdown feature came down to the wire between the same two individuals.

Things quickly came to a halt on lap one as a stack-up occurred in turn two, entangling Logan Seavey, Matt Westfall, Trey Osborne, Dave Darland and Colten Cottle, all of whom stopped. Osborne and Cottle incurred the most misfortune as both did not return.

When the race finally did resume with a complete restart, Grant was like a Concorde among hang gliders as he shot ahead to lead the opening lap several car lengths ahead of Cummins while Brady Bacon slid into third ahead of C.J. Leary on the bottom of turn one on lap two.

Halfway through, Grant reached the tail end of the field while carrying a solid 0.766 second lead. At that point, Bacon was hovering over Cummins’ shoulder for second. Grant played offense in traffic as he took to the top of turn four to fly by Korbyn Hayslett, Westfall and Rylan Gray in one fell swoop as he escaped the approaching duo of Cummins and Bacon to reconstruct his lead from a few car lengths to a half-straightaway with only 10 laps to go.

With the competition running high, middle and low out in front of him, Grant had to be on high alert, looking left, right and down the middle as if playing a game of Whack-a-Mole. Making decisions quickly and pouncing rapidly is the name of the game, and fortunately for Grant, his car was hooked up and he was able to make all the right moves at all the right times in all the right places.

“I had to run a bunch of different lanes but (car chief) Jeff Walker and I had this car so good,” Grant stated. “I could run above the cushion; I could run through the slick; I could run the bottom; I could run the top; I could just do anything. The only concern I had was how high the car was going to wheelie on the straightaways.”

When everything’s clicking, as it did in the case for Grant, it opens up options instead of leaving a driver with a one-track mind when making split-second decisions at a place in which laps are clicked off at a rate of every 13 seconds.

“With traffic being the way it was and with the track being the way it was, it allowed me to have so many options where it looked like a lot of guys maybe didn’t have those options,” Grant explained. “We were able to cut through those lapped cars at a really good pace. I didn’t feel like I had to be super aggressive, but I had a car that was good to enough to allow me to jump into every hole I needed to and clear guys when I needed to. It was a whole lot of fun.”

With seven to go on lap 24, Bacon scooched on the bottom of turn three, dead even with Cummins before taking the second position. However, with just a handful of trips around the 1/4-mile remaining, Bacon found himself still a full two seconds behind the leader.

Grant never relented down the stretch, lapping all but the first nine finishers at closing time as he crossed under the checkered flag 2.007 seconds ahead of Brady Bacon, who finished as the runner-up. Robert Ballou grabbed third with Carson Garrett fourth and Jadon Rogers rounded out the top-five with a miraculous high-side run from 23rd to 5th after taking a provisional starting position.

Cummins had been running third with just two laps remaining when he began to slow dramatically, dropping through the field before finishing 10th in the final rundown, the victim of a nozzle line that came off.

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) made a late race move to grab a second-place result in his Dynamics, Inc./Alumitech Products – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts/Triple X/Rider Chevy. In doing so, he padded his overall USAC National Sprint Car point lead while earning his ninth career second place finish with the series at Kokomo, where he came one spot away from winning his and his team’s first at the track.

“I thought we had a good car in open track,” Bacon said. “While I was racing Kyle, he got past a gaggle of lapped cars, and that kind of held us up after that. So, he got a little breathing room. We could move around on the top or the bottom and wherever we needed to go. It just wasn’t meant to be once again."

Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) endured a night in which he kicked off as the fastest qualifier, then got caught up in a heat race accident only to recover by driving from the tail to a transfer spot. Then, he was forced to change the engine just before the feature, yet still managed to persevere and finish on the podium in his Ballou Motorsports/Suburban Subaru – Berks Western Telecom/Triple X/Ott Chevy.

“We were in the back changing motors,” Ballou revealed. “We had a motor that dropped oil pressure pretty severely, but it was still running well. It was quick time and ran through that heat race, so it did what it needed to do. (Engine builder) Don Ott recommended we change it, so we put another motor in. This is actually the Farney’s motor we used just to get us through. I was a knucklehead as we just had one delivered today but I didn’t bring it. So, we put this thing in and obviously it got us to where we needed to be. I wasn’t sure where to go on gear because we haven’t run that thing in so long and we missed it a little bit.”

It was a successful Smackdown debut for reigning USAC East Coast Sprint Car champ and current point leader Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) as his first career start in the event netted a $300 bonus as the feature's J & J Trucking Hard Charger after advancing from 16th to 8th. To clarify, although Jadon Rogers passed 18 cars in his move from 23rd to 5th, he was ineligible for official hard charger honors due to taking a provisional.

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 24, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-12.900; 2. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-12.918; 3. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.942; 4. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.944; 5. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-12.960; 6. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-12.963; 7. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-12.969; 8. Max Adams, 5x, Adams-12.976; 9. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-12.987; 10. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.996; 11. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-13.013; 12. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-13.031; 13. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-13.036; 14. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-13.038; 15. Trey Osborne, 6T, Osborne-13.071; 16. Chance Crum, 26, Rudeen-13.102; 17. Kayla Roell, 5K, KO-13.102; 18. Korbyn Hayslett, 1H, Hayslett-13.145; 19. Ricky Lewis, 41, Brown-13.163; 20. Colten Cottle, 57, Hazen-13.178; 21. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-13.179; 22. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-13.179; 23. Rylan Gray, 81G, Gray-13.185; 24. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-13.198; 25. Cole Bodine, 57B, Bodine-13.218; 26. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-13.272; 27. Nate Schank, 1, Schank-13.282; 28. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-13.301; 29. Geoff Ensign, 17, On The Gass-13.316; 30. Jadon Rogers, 17GP, Dutcher-13.326; 31. Sterling Cling, 34, SCR-13.348; 32. Dave Darland, 36D, Darland/Curb-Agajanian-13.362; 33. Wyatt Burks, 11w, WBR-13.407; 34. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-13.456; 35. Riley Kreisel, 2, Yeley-13.478; 36. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-13.531; 37. Larry Kingseed Jr., 21, Kingseed-13.593; 38. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-13.620; 39. Brayden Clark, 42G, Jackson/Clark-13.705; 40. Dustin Ingle, 2DI, Ingle-13.722; 41. Devan Myers, 75, Myers-13.785; 42. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-13.987; 43. Jack James, 99, James-13.995; 44. Bryar Schroeter, 21s, Schroeter-14.509; 45. Jack Hoyer, 5, Baldwin/Fox-18.748; 46. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-NT (Time of 12.909 disallowed after his car weighed light at the scales).

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Shane Cottle, 2. Daison Pursley, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Robert Ballou, 5. Kayla Roell, 6. Wyatt Burks, 7. Geoff Ensign, 8. Devan Myers, 9. Jack Hoyer, 10. Cole Bodine, 11. Larry Kingseed Jr., 12. Emerson Axsom. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Joey Amantea, 2. Korbyn Hayslett, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Briggs Danner, 6. Jake Swanson, 7. Kevin Thomas Jr., 8. Brandon Mattox, 9. Jadon Rogers, 10. Kobe Simpson, 11. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 12. Troy Carey. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Rylan Gray, 2. Trey Osborne, 3. Ricky Lewis, 4. Kyle Cummins, 5. Logan Seavey, 6. Matt Westfall, 7. Sterling Cling, 8. Nate Schank, 9. Brayden Clark, 10. Jack James, 11. Riley Kreisel. NT

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Garrett, 2. Colten Cottle, 3. Max Adams, 4. Dave Darland, 5. Chance Crum, 6. Zack Pretorius, 7. Dustin Ingle, 8. Bryar Schroeter, 9. Stevie Sussex, 10. Mitchel Moles, 11. Chase Stockon. NT

THE FROLIC BAR & GRILL C-MAIN: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Jadon Rogers, 2. Sterling Cling, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr., 4. Wyatt Burks, 5. Riley Kreisel, 6. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 7. Stevie Sussex, 8. Kobe Simpson, 9. Devan Myers, 10. Troy Carey, 11. Jack Hoyer, 12. Dustin Ingle, 13. Brayden Clark, 14. Jack James, 15. Bryar Schroeter, 16. Larry Kingseed Jr. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Chase Stockon, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Jake Swanson, 4. Briggs Danner, 5. Matt Westfall, 6. Cole Bodine, 7. Jadon Rogers, 8. Brandon Mattox, 9. Kayla Roell, 10. Sterling Cling, 11. Kevin Thomas Jr., 12. Nate Schank, 13. Chance Crum, 14. Emerson Axsom, 15. Geoff Ensign, 16. Wyatt Burks, 17. Zack Pretorius, 18. Mitchel Moles. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (2), 2. Brady Bacon (4), 3. Robert Ballou (5), 4. Carson Garrett (6), 5. Jadon Rogers (23-P), 6. C.J. Leary (3), 7. Shane Cottle (8), 8. Briggs Danner (16), 9. Joey Amantea (9), 10. Kyle Cummins (1), 11. Emerson Axsom (24-P), 12. Chase Stockon (12), 13. Logan Seavey (11), 14. Jake Swanson (14) 15. Ricky Lewis (18), 16. Max Adams (7), 17. Cole Bodine (20), 18. Matt Westfall (13), 19. Rylan Gray (10), 20. Korbyn Hayslett (22), 21. Dave Darland (21), 22. Daison Pursley (15), 23. Trey Osborne (17), 24. Colten Cottle (19). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Justin Grant.

**Emerson Axsom flipped during the first heat. Mitchel Moles flipped during the fourth heat.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1715, 2-Justin Grant-1691, 3-Emerson Axsom-1662, 4-Jake Swanson-1596, 5-Kyle Cummins-1587, 6-C.J. Leary-1531, 7-Robert Ballou-1447, 8-Mitchel Moles-1374, 9-Chase Stockon-1371, 10-Daison Pursley-1305.

SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN XII PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Kevin Thomas Jr.-22, 2-Briggs Danner-9, 3-Jack Hoyer-7, 4-Jadon Rogers-6, 5-Carson Garrett-5, 6-Cole Bodine-5, 7-Sterling Cling-5, 8-Devan Myers-5, 9-Brady Bacon-4, 10-Robert Ballou-4.

OVERALL USAC NATIONAL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-95, 3-Shane Cottle-84, 4-Robert Ballou-83, 5-Matt Westfall-83, 6-Brady Bacon-79, 7-Justin Grant-76, 8-Chase Stockon-69, 9-Emerson Axsom-66, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-54.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES: August 25-26, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Clinton Boyles/Carbon Safety Technologies Most Wheel Pack Laps: Chase Stockon

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Justin Grant (12.942)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Robert Ballou (12.900)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Shane Cottle

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Joey Amantea

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Rylan Gray

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Carson Garrett

The Frolic Bar & Grill C-Main Winner: Jadon Rogers

Hoosier Tire First C-Main Non-Transfer: Riley Kreisel

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Chase Stockon

Hoosier Tire First Semi Non-Transfer: Jadon Rogers

ProSource Hard Work Award: Dave Darland

Green APU Green Flag Challenge First Lap Leader: Justin Grant

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Briggs Danner (16th to 8th)

Clinton Boyles Top Local Driver: Ricky Lewis (15th)

Collin Grissom Smackdown Rookie Move of the Night: Joey Amantea


 


BIG, FAST & BOLD:
7 STORYLINES FOR USAC SILVER CROWN’S
RETURN TO THE ARCH

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Madison, Illinois (August 23, 2023)………To the Arch we go as 26 USAC Silver Crown National Championship drivers and cars show the way to Saint Louis this Sunday, August 27, at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Technically, the address belongs to Madison, Ill., just east of the Mississippi River. There lies the biggest, fastest and boldest track on the 2023 USAC Silver Crown schedule.

At 1.25-mile, the venue holds the USAC Silver Crown speed record where the speedometer regularly hits 180 miles per hour on the straightaways. And drafting, yes drafting, will be among the keys to success in the 100 mile, 80-lap OutFront 100.

Here’s seven storylines that have our interest piqued for round eight of the champ car season.

HOW FAST CAN THEY GO?

World Wide Technology is the biggest and fastest circuit on the USAC Silver Crown trail. Last year’s early practice speeds showed drivers hitting above 180 mph on the straightaway.

When Kody Swanson came out to qualify, his attempt was downright historic. Swanson set a new world speed record for a traditional USAC Silver Crown car during the session with a time of 30.675 seconds, which translates to 146.699 mph, eclipsing the former speed record for a traditional Silver Crown car set by himself at Iowa Speedway with a 146.212 mph in 2012.

The term “traditional” is used in this manner due to the utilization of a “New Generation” “Super Speedway” car that was used in competition solely during the years of 2006-07. Aaron Pierce turned a qualifying lap of 175.012 mph during the brief era in USAC history at Florida’s Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2006.

Swanson’s time trial run was monumental in a multitude of manners. It also broke Chris Windom’s nine-year-old series track record at WWT of 31.082 seconds and 144.778 mph, set back in 2013.

The pole position has been a comfy place for Swanson. All three times he’s won the pole for a pavement USAC Silver Crown race in 2023, he’s gone on to win the race at Madison, Winchester and Toledo. In 2022 at WWT, he started on the pole before falling back, but ultimately returned to the forefront and to victory lane.


FATHER & SON REUNION

A rare occurrence of a father racing against his son in USAC Silver Crown competition will take place on Sunday at WWT Raceway.

Idahoans Davey Hamilton and Davey Hamilton Jr. have both competed with the series at WWT, but never together. Davey Sr. finished a solid eighth in 1998 while Davey Jr. led 15 laps and finished as the runner-up in 2022.

Unique is that Davey has raced against both his father and son in the USAC Silver Crown series. Ken Hamilton competed with Davey at the Pikes Peak International Raceway round in 1998. A Davey versus Davey Jr. battle has commenced twice before, both in 2017, at Phoenix and Salem.

Only five previous fathers and son duels have occurred in a USAC Silver Crown feature event. Jim McElreath and his son, James, were the first to do so in 1975 at Du Quoin and went head-to-head on a total of seven occasions with the series. Twice, they ran together in the top-10: (Jim 3rd and James 7th at Du Quoin in 1976) and (James 4th & Jim 6th at Springfield in 1977).

Mike McCreary and son David McCreary competed against one another at the Cal Expo State Fairgrounds in 1994. Wayne Reutimann Sr. and Jr. faced off in 2007 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Chuck and C.J. Leary attempted to become the most recent father-son duo to attempt the feat during the 2019 Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but Chuck did not make it into a transfer spot during the semi-feature to qualify for the feature.


KODY VS. LOGAN: CHAPTER 863

One year ago, Kody Swanson entered the WWT round with an 18-point lead on Logan Seavey in the USAC Silver Crown championship race.

Swanson subsequently won the pole and the race while Seavey suffered a mechanical issue and dropped out early. From that point forward, Seavey played catch up to Swanson before ultimately finishing second in the standings for the second consecutive year behind Swanson.

This time, the gap is much the same – 16 points. Between the two drivers, they’ve won the last four Silver Crown events. Swanson has captured the last three on pavement while Seavey has scored two-straight on the dirt.

Four events remain starting Sunday at WWT, then it’s on to Du Quoin on September 2, at Eldora on September 22-23 and at IRP on October 14. Two pavement and two dirt races are left, and both drivers have the shown the ability to run inside the top-five with great regularity when they do not win. Avoiding DNFs is going to be the key moving forward and could very well tell the tale between the two at season’s end.


THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF USAC RACERS

A double-duty weekend awaits for four individuals with a busy stretch ahead, especially between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Logan Seavey and Matt Westfall will be playing in the dirt for three consecutive nights at Kokomo Speedway on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII.

Once Saturday night’s feature at Kokomo is finished, those four will be making the 4.5-hour middle of the night drive to WWT in order to make it to the track in time for the first Silver Crown practice session at 8am.

Last week, Seavey became just the third driver to win two USAC National features on different tracks in the same calendar day. Although all the races are on different days this weekend, the timeframe is relatively the same and the task will be just as tasking for these four. Rest up and hydrate, guys!

DOES ANYBODY ELSE FEEL A DRAFT IN HERE?

Unique to the WWT Raceway is the experience of the draft in a USAC Silver Crown car. In a soon-to-be-released article by Pat Sullivan, Justin Grant and Kody Swanson revealed the benefits of this phenomenon.

Grant explained how he could be 10 or 12 car lengths back from the cars in front of him. As soon as they went side-by-side, it punched a big hole in the air and Grant was able to drive right to their back bumpers with ease.

Swanson spoke of his ability to get a run on another car event at three-quarters throttle but cautioned that if you get your timing wrong and pull out of line at the wrong time, it feels like you have a big parachute coming out of the back of your car.


A GROWTH SPURT ON THE ENTRY LIST

It was just a handful of years ago in which the Silver Crown car count at WWT Raceway was a major struggle. In 2013, just 16 cars took the green flag, and in both 2014 and 2016, the number dropped to 13 apiece in each year.

The number rose back to 22 for the series return in 2022, and now for this Sunday’s race, 26 cars and drivers have announced their intentions of competing in the event.

That’s double the count from just seven years ago and comes on the heels of the first Silver Crown race to have a car count of more than 40 just last Saturday on the dirt at Springfield.

BISCHAK RISING

Derek Bischak (Angola, Ind.) is currently on the biggest roll of his USAC Silver Crown career entering this Sunday’s OutFront 100.

Bischak collected his best career USAC Silver Crown finish of fourth this past May during the Hoosier Hundred at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. He then upped his best career result to third at Winchester in July, then equaled it again during the first week of August with another third at Toledo.

The 2019 USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year had been plagued by unlucky mechanical issues after similar great runs in recent years, but now, their program is hitting on all cylinders and the team has become a prime contender to become the series’ next first-time winner.

RACE DETAILS

This Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, the USAC Silver Crown National Championship races in conjunction with the NTT IndyCar Series.

Team load-in is 5:30am-7am Central on Sunday morning. Teams may also load-in on Saturday night from 8-9pm. Spectator gates open at 7:30. USAC Silver Crown Series practice is set for 8am with Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying slated for 10:15am, pre-race ceremonies at noon and the 100-mile feature event at 12:15.

Tickets range in price from $50 to $108 for adults. Tickets for ages 12 & under are $10. Advance tickets are on sale now at: https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/indycar

Coverage of Sunday’s USAC Silver Crown event will be live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/40w7aPg.

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2023 OUTFRONT 100 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRY LIST: (26)

06 BRYAN GOSSEL/Fort Collins, CO (Bryan Gossel)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

5 ®DAKODA ARMSTRONG/New Castle, IN (C & A Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

11 ®TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)

14 DAVEY HAMILTON/Nampa, ID (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

19 DAVEY HAMILTON JR./Boise, ID (Legacy Autosport)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing)

26 ®KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

48 ®NATHAN MOORE/Kaufman, TX (Joe Moore)

60 BILLY WEASE/Noblesville, IN (Robert Wilson Racing)

67 KYLE O'GARA/Beech Grove, IN (SFHR Development)

77 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

88 NATHAN BYRD/Goodyear, AZ (Byrd Racing)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

94 MIKE McVETTA/Grafton, OH (RAM Engineering)

98 BOBBY SANTOS/Franklin, MA (DJ Racing)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)

131 DEREK BISCHAK/Angola, IN (Derek Bischak)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender


TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC SILVER CROWN AT WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY:

1 Lap - 8/19/2022 - Kody Swanson - 30.675 - 146.699 mph

60 Laps - 6/25/2016 - Tanner Swanson - 44:33.031 - 101.009 mph

80 Laps - 6/14/2014 - Bobby Santos - 49:46.000 - 120.563 mph


USAC SILVER CROWN WINNERS AT WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY:

1997: Pat Abold (9/14)

1998: J.J. Yeley (10/17)

1999: Ryan Newman (7/30)

2000: Tracy Hines (5/7)

2001: Dave Steele (8/25)

2013: Bobby Santos (6/1)

2014: Bobby Santos (6/14)

2016: Tanner Swanson (6/25)

2022: Kody Swanson (8/19)


PAST USAC SILVER CROWN RESULTS AT WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY:

1997 FEATURE (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Pat Abold (2), 2. Dave Steele (5), 3. Dan Drinan (10), 4. Kenny Irwin Jr. (25), 5. Robby Flock (6), 6. Tony Stewart (4), 7. Jimmy Sills (3), 8. Dave Darland (21), 9. Ryan Newman (12), 10. Mike Gregg (26), 11. Russ Gamester (17), 12. Jim Keeker (19), 13. Brian Tyler (22), 14. Ronnie Burke (30), 15. Eric Gordon (23), 16. Wally Pankratz (27), 17. Chuck Gurney (11), 18. Jason McCord (29), 19. Gary Irvin (24), 20. Donnie Beechler (13), 21. Bentley Warren (20), 22. Jack Hewitt (7), 23. Chuck Leary (1), 24. Ricky Logan (28), 25. Mike Bliss (9), 26. Kevin Thomas (14), 27. Davey Hamilton (8), 28. Johnny Parsons (16), 29. Gary Hieber (18), 30. Tracy Hines (15). NT

1998 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. J.J. Yeley (17), 2. Tracy Hines (12), 3. Ryan Newman (2), 4. Jason Leffler (3), 5. Bentley Warren (8), 6. Jason McCord (14), 7. Brad Armstrong (15), 8. Davey Hamilton (9), 9. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (18), 10. Pat Abold (27), 11. Eric Gordon (19), 12. Derek Davidson (22), 13. Dave Darland (20), 14. Johnny Parsons (29), 15. Rebel Jackson Jr. (26), 16. Brian Tyler (10), 17. Jimmy Sills (6), 18. Mike Brooks (28), 19. Robby Flock (11), 20. Gary Hieber (25), 21. Doug Didero (24), 22. Dave Steele (1), 23. Kevin Bloomstran (30), 24. Jack Hewitt (16), 25. Jerry Coons Jr. (23), 26. Chet Fillip (21), 27. Stevie Reeves (13), 28. Dan Drinan (5), 29. Russ Gamester (4). 56:47.64 (NOTE: Car #30, Chuck Leary (7), disqualified after finishing fifth for failing to pass post-race technical inspection.)

1999 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Ryan Newman (6), 2. Kenny Irwin Jr. (8), 3. Jack Hewitt (1), 4. Gary Hieber (18), 5. Tracy Hines (5), 6. Russ Gamester (7), 7. Bentley Warren (15), 8. Brad Noffsinger (12), 9. Jimmy McCune (17), 10. Dave Darland (20), 11. Robby Flock (14), 12. Todd Kane (19), 13. Chuck Leary (2), 14. Brian Gerster (21), 15. Paul White (23), 16. Tony Elliott (4), 17. Tom Capie (27), 18. Rebel Jackson Jr. (16), 19. J.J. Yeley (26), 20. Brian Paulus (9), 21. Jason Leffler (3), 22. Brian Tyler (13), 23. Randy Bateman (30), 24. Chet Fillip (11), 25. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (24), 26. Rich Tobias Jr. (29), 27. Keith Butler (28), 28. Jimmy Sills (10), 29. Jason McCord (22), 30. Jay Drake (25). 59:46.88

2000 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tracy Hines (4), 2. Jason Leffler (6), 3. Brad Noffsinger (1), 4. J.J. Yeley (5), 5. John Heydenreich (26), 6. Jack Hewitt (15), 7. Dan Drinan (12), 8. Jimmy McCune (27), 9. Russ Gamester (8), 10. Brian Paulus (20), 11. Dave Darland (11), 12. Jay Drake (16), 13. Brian Gerster (18), 14. Billy Whittaker (22), 15. Todd Kane (23), 16. Jimmy Kite (28), 17. Bobby McMahan (24), 18. Kasey Kahne (17), 19. Tom Capie (29), 20. Jimmy Sills (7), 21. Jon Herb (14), 22. Bud Kaeding (3), 23. Paul White (2), 24. Chet Fillip (21), 25. Tony Elliott (30), 26. Brian Tyler (10), 27. Ed Carpenter (13), 28. Jason McCord (25), 29. Ryan Newman (9), 30. Gary Hieber (19). NT

2001 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Dave Steele (1), 2. Tracy Hines (10), 3. Mike Bliss (7), 4. Paul White (8), 5. Brian Tyler (6), 6. J.J. Yeley (2), 7. Ed Carpenter (11), 8. Kasey Kahne (9), 9. Bud Kaeding (14), 10. Chet Fillip (26), 11. Gary Hieber (27), 12. John Heydenreich (19), 13. Jerry Coons Jr. (17), 14. Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (22), 15. Jason McCord (15), 16. Rich Tobias Jr. (21), 17. Tom Capie (16), 18. A.J. Fike (18), 19. Robby Flock (24), 20. Dave Darland (4), 21. Derek Davidson (20), 22. Eric Butze (28), 23. Jay Drake (12), 24. Tony Elliott (13), 25. Bentley Warren (30), 26. Michael Lewis (23), 27. Dane Carter (25), 28. John Nervo (29), 29. Aaron Fike (3), 30. Russ Gamester (5). 51:14.28

2013 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby Santos (5), 2. Kody Swanson (3), 3. Chris Windom (1), 4. Brian Tyler (10), 5. Jacob Wilson (7), 6. Jerry Coons Jr. (8), 7. Levi Jones (6), 8. Bobby East (2), 9. Shane Hollingsworth (11), 10. A.J. Fike (4), 11. David Byrne (15), 12. Zach Daum (12), 13. Jarett Andretti (9), 14. Tracy Hines (14), 15. Aaron Pierce (13), 16. Randy Bateman (16). NT

2014 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby Santos (5), 2. Tracy Hines (1), 3. Bobby East (3), 4. Caleb Armstrong (7), 5. Kody Swanson (12), 6. Jarett Andretti (4), 7. Cale Thomas (9), 8. Chris Windom (13), 9. Tanner Swanson (2), 10. David Byrne (6), 11. Randy Bateman (10), 12. Patrick Lawson (11), 13. Jacob Wilson (8). 49:46.000

2016 FEATURE: (60 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Swanson (1), 2. Chris Windom (5), 3. Austin Nemire (4), 4. David Byrne (6), 5. Joe Liguori (9), 6. Justin Grant (7), 7. Casey Shuman (8), 8. Hunter Schuerenberg (12), 9. Jerry Coons Jr. (3), 10. Shane Cottle (11), 11. Kody Swanson (2), 12. Patrick Lawson (10), 13. Tad Roach (13). 44:33.031

2022 FEATURE: (80 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Davey Hamilton Jr. (7), 3. Mario Clouser (5), 4. Justin Grant (3), 5. Nathan Byrd (12), 6. Kyle Robbins (11), 7. Eric Gordon (14), 8. Bryan Gossel (17), 9. Taylor Ferns (6), 10. C.J. Leary (9), 11. Bobby Santos (2), 12. Brian Tyler (8), 13. Travis Welpott (15), 14. Derek Bischak (10), 15. Patrick Lawson (13), 16. Logan Seavey (4), 17. Dave Berkheimer (19), 18. Gregg Cory (16), 19. Tom Paterson (18), 20. Mike McVetta (20). 1:07:32.395

 

BC39 ENTRIES SURPASS 20
AS USAC TRIPLE CROWN CHAMP ENTERS

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 23, 2023)………USAC Triple Crown champion Jerry Coons Jr. is among the latest entries for the 2023 Driven2SaveLives BC39.

A total of 21 cars and drivers are now set to compete in the fifth running of the event which features an extended four days of USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship racing on September 27-30 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The BC39 regularly presents the highest USAC car counts of the year. The 2022 event produced 85 entries, fifth most in the 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing. The newest look at the 2023 entry list is at the bottom of this release.

Coons (Tucson, Ariz.) has captured all three of USAC’s national championships in his career in Midgets, Silver Crown and Sprint Cars. Also new to the BC39 entry list are three-time USAC National Midget winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio) who currently sits second in series points.

Denney’s Tom Malloy teammate, Rookie Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, Calif.) will make his BC39 debut this year, and he’s joined by USAC national feature winner Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio).

The first class of BC39 entries arrived last week and featured 2023 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship feature winner Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.), plus three entries from Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports consisting of two-time series winner and 2022 series Rookie of the Year Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.), plus two-time USAC National Midget feature winner Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.) and teammate Hayden Reinbold (Gilbert, Ariz.).

A familiar name to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “Andretti,” has posted his entry for the BC39. Adam Andretti (Brownsburg, Ind.) recently competed on the IMS Road Course with the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli. Andretti is the younger brother of 1983 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year John Andretti, the son of Aldo Andretti and the nephew of 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner, Formula 1 champion and four-time IndyCar champion Mario Andretti.

DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39. Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets, pit and parking passes for the event.

There are three options for viewing the racing action and also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track.

Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands.

You may also purchase a grandstand seat from the IMS ticketing site with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, beginning with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature race which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split into two with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for practice at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

2023 DRIVEN2SAVE BC39 ENTRIES:

(21 cars as of August 23, 2023)

1D Landon Brooks

1G Connor Wolf

7c Josh Bilicki

7m Kyle Jones

7p Zach Daum

11L Aaron Leffel

18N Weston Gorham

19 Daison Pursley

19AZ Hayden Reinbold

19T Mitchel Moles

21D Justin Dickerson

22p Taylor Courtney

25 Jacob Denney

25m Jake Andreotti

36 Ian Creager

41 Oliver Akard

44 Adam Andretti

46 Kenney Johnson

54 Matt Westfall

85 Jerry Coons Jr.

118 Scott Evans

 

 

8 SMACKDOWN STORYLINES: USAC SPRINTS INVADE KOKOMO FOR 30-GRAND 8 SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AS USAC SPRINTS INVADE KOKOMO FOR 30-GRAND

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Kokomo, Indiana (August 22, 2023)………The spotlight, the prestige, the glory, the atmosphere and the intensity.

It all hits a fever pitch during Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, August 24-25-26.

Since Smackdown’s inaugural edition in 2012, those traits have been ingrained in the event, and this year is no exception with record payouts, numerous bonuses and a talented field hovering around 50 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship drivers and cars that are set for the battle of all battles for three consecutive nights on the quarter-mile dirt oval.

Smackdown is a bucket list item for fans to attend. It’s a bucket list item for drivers and teams to win. The ever-brewing excitement is palpable, and the storylines are in abundance. Let’s hit with you six of the biggest storylines for the 12th installment of Sprint Car Smackdown 2023 right now.

IT’S A NEW RECORD PAYOUT

The prestige of winning Sprint Car Smackdown alone is worth its weight in gold. However, this year’s $30,000 prize provides an extra financial incentive that has both drivers and teams as eager as ever before.

This Saturday’s finale is not only the richest Smackdown on record, it’s the richest sprint car race ever held in the state of Indiana. A pair of $6,000-to-win preliminaries set the stage on Thursday and Friday night followed by the $30 Grand finale on Saturday night.

Additionally, as part of the Super Smackdown draw, a driver will earn $500 for every lap led during Saturday night’s 40-lap feature. That leaves the possibility of a driver walking out of Kokomo this weekend with $50,000 in total prizes when all is said and done.

Just three years ago, the final night of Smackdown paid $10,000-to-win. By 2021, it hit $15,000. In 2022, the $15,000 winner’s share was boosted even further by an extra $20,000 in lap money, which Kyle Cummins collected all for himself.

Additionally, Smackdown XII Saturday night this year will pay $1,500 to start, which is the largest payout for start money on the USAC National Sprint Car calendar during the 2023 season.

CUMMINS – A TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD “SMACKDOWN”

Throughout the first decade of Sprint Car Smackdown between 2012-2021, the term “Smackdown” served as a noun that was utilized to simply refer to the name of the annual August time event at Kokomo.

In 2022, Kyle Cummins fully demonstrated “Smackdown” as a verb, crushing the field in a 40-lap romp. Starting from the outside of the front row, the Princeton, Ind. native punched out to a substantial lead that continuously grew throughout the duration, ultimately cruising underneath flagman Tom Hansing’s checkered more than four seconds ahead of the competition in his Rock Steady Racing owned machine.

After multiple runner-up finishes on the final night of Smackdown in 2019-20 and a pair of preliminary night victories in his career, at long last, Cummins had finally grabbed the brass ring and the victory belt as a first-time Smackdown champion.

“This is by far the biggest win of my career,” Cummins exclaimed at the time. “We finally got one of these. I didn’t know if I ever would. Now I can strike that off the list and I won’t have to endure that pressure again.”

Only two drivers have won consecutive Smackdown final night features: Dave Darland (2013-14-15) and Tyler Courtney (2019-20). Cummins takes his shot this Saturday night.

SPRINT WEEK SUCCESS = SMACKDOWN WEEKEND SUCCESS?

C.J. Leary aims to reprise what Dave Darland (2014) and Justin Grant (2021) accomplished in recent years by following up a USAC Indiana Sprint Week victory at Kokomo with a win later that same season on the final night of Smackdown.

After enduring a vicious flip during 24 hours earlier that wiped out their primary ride, Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) and BGE Dougherty Motorsports turned to a car that had been sitting on jackstands for the past three years and had never seen a racetrack, let alone even touched the ground.

With body panels adorned in the look Leary sported during the 2020 season when he drove the family-owned No. 30, Leary and his Altoz – Hornbeck Concrete - Highsmith Guns - Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts/DRC/1-Way Chevy hit the ground running to win the July 22 round of ISW this season at Kokomo.

Leary is among a group of drivers to have won a Smackdown prelim feature but have yet to break through on the final night. Leary won preliminaries in both 2016 and 2017 and finished a career best 2nd on Saturday night a year ago.

Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) captured the opening night of Smackdown in 2015. His best finish on the final night was a close second in 2014. Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.), the only driver to start all 22 prelims and all 11 final nights of Smackdown in his career, corralled a prelim victory in 2015 and raced to a runner-up result a night later in the finale.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) made it to victory lane for the first time in his USAC National Sprint Car career during a Friday prelim in 2019. He’s been 5th twice on the last night in 2019 and 2021.

KOKOMO – THE TIME IS NOW FOR A BREAKTHROUGH

Finishing second to Leary this summer was Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) who, amazingly, has yet to win a USAC National Sprint Car race at Kokomo despite eight career second place finishes.

The four-time USAC National Sprint Car champ owns three USAC National Midget wins at Kokomo and even collected a track championship in 2020. His Dynamics, Inc. / Hoffman Auto Racing team is in the same boat, having competed in 72 straight USAC National Sprint Car events at Kokomo since 1989 without a single victory. Perhaps this is finally the weekend.

Bacon enters Smackdown with the hot hand, coming in off a USAC Indiana Sprint Week title in July and is the current USAC National Sprint Car point leader by 19 points over Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), the winner of the most recent USAC National Sprint Car event at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway in July. Reigning USAC National Sprint Car champ and two-time Smackdown king Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) finds himself just a tick back out of the lead, trailing Bacon by 23.

Within the top-10 of the USAC National Sprint Car standings, half are vying for a first career Kokomo USAC Sprint Car victory: Bacon, Axsom, Jake Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) and Pursley.

BREAKDOWN ON THE SMACKDOWN ROOKIES

One of the finest Smackdown Rookie classes ever will be on hand to take in their first ever appearances in the event with a list of no less than 15 drivers at press time who possess a background of success and a pedigree that makes it a fantastically strong crop.

Among the first timers for 2023 are top USAC National Sprint Car Rookie Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.). Pursley, a past micro sprint champion under the USAC banner is one of several regional champions making their first Smackdown foray.

Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) has been spectacular on the USAC East Coast Sprint Car trail, having captured the 2022 series title and is the current point leader. Wyatt Burks (Topeka, Kan.) has been the master of the USAC Midwest Wingless Racing Association Sprint Cars as a two-time champ in 2020 and 2022 and is currently leading the standings once more.

Geoff Ensign (Sebastopol, Calif.) is the reigning Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway track champ and a titlist with the USAC Western Classic Sprint Cars in 2010. Chance Crum (Snohomish, Wash.), a newcomer to the Indiana sprint car wars, won a USAC Regional Midget feature at Kokomo on Smackdown weekend in 2021.

Trey Osborne (Columbus, Ohio) has been outstanding in the sprint car ranks on the local Indiana scene this year, already picking up a win at Gas City I-69 Speedway and twice at Paragon Speedway. Osborne, who stands 6’8” and is a disciple of seven-time USAC National Midget champ Mel Kenyon, will be joined in the Rookie class by Ricky Lewis (Camarillo, Calif.) who, as an 11-time winner this year, is the winningest sprint car driver without a wing in America this season.

USAC East Coast frontrunner Joey Amantea (Mount Pocono, Pa.), a top-10 finisher with the USAC National Sprint Cars this past July at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, debuts at Smackdown along with Rylan Gray (Greenfield, Ind.), Kobe Simpson (Bonham, Texas), Bryar Schroeter (Kokomo, Ind.), Kyle Edwards (Fountain Valley, Calif.), Troy Carey (Tullamore, NSW Australia), Tyler Miller (Kokomo, Ind.) and Devan Myers (Delphi, Ind.).

The top finishing Rookie during this year’s Smackdown Saturday program will receive a $1,000 bonus, the funds of which were driven primarily by fan donations.

FIRST OF THE TRIFECTA

Smackdown XII is also the kickoff for the inaugural USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta in which USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competitors will be racing for major prizes across three marquee events in the state of Indiana in August, September and October.

The Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown is up first followed by the $20,000-to-win Haubstadt Hustler at Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, September 16. Another $20,000 winner’s share is posted for the Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway, set to go on Saturday, October 7.

Winning all three Trifecta events in 2023 would net a driver a bonus of up to $30,000. The top driver finishing all three races in second place or better will receive a $20,000 payout. The top driver finishing all three races in third place or better will receive a $10,000 payout.

At the end of the three races during the USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta, a driver could earn a potential $100,000 prize when all is said and done.

A SMATTERING OF SMACKDOWN STORIES

Former winners of the final night of Sprint Car Smackdown include Bryan Clauson (2012), Dave Darland (2013-14-15), Kevin Thomas Jr. (2016), Tyler Courtney (2017-19-20), Justin Grant (2018 & 2021) and Kyle Cummins (2022).

Darland, Thomas, Grant and Cummins are among the group in this year’s field. Darland picked up his only feature win of the year thus far in July at Kokomo and is the winningest driver of all-time at Kokomo as well in USAC competition with nine wins spanning between 1993-2015.

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) celebrated a Smackdown final night victory in 2016, the same year he captured the track championship. In all, he owns five career USAC National Sprint Car wins at Kokomo, two of which came on the second night of Smackdown in 2021-22.

Grant is among the winningest USAC Sprint drivers at Kokomo with six victories, third all-time. In the past 10 USAC National Sprint Car races held at Kokomo since 2021, Grant has won five of them, including the Smackdown opener in each of the last two seasons in 2021-22.

Cummins scored his first career USAC National Sprint Car triumph at Kokomo in 2016 and is the latest Smackdown champion. A five-time winner with USAC at Kokomo, Cummins is also the track’s defending champion.

IT’S WORTH THE PAIN TO BE KING OF THE HILL

Smackdown preliminary events on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25 will be comprised of complete programs for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, culminating in 30-lap feature races each night. At the conclusion of Friday night’s program, the top-8 in overall Smackdown points will be locked into Saturday night’s main event.

On the third and final night, Saturday, August 26, a 40-lap feature will close out the spectacular weekend in grand fashion, which will be preceded by heat races for all drivers not locked in and will be lined up in order of each driver’s best points night.

The unique “King of the Hill” bracket-style tournament of two-car duels for locked-in drivers takes place afterward and determines the first four rows of the feature. The semi-feature will provide the final chance for drivers to lock themselves into a coveted spot for the A-Main.

Past winners of the King of the Hill include Tracy Hines (2012), Chase Stockon (2013), Brady Bacon (2014-15-20), Tyler Courtney (2016-19), Kevin Thomas Jr. (2017), Justin Grant (2018), Tanner Thorson (2021) and C.J. Leary (2022).

RACE DETAILS

This weekend at Kokomo Speedway, gates open at 3pm Eastern on Thursday and at 4pm on Friday/Saturday. Hot laps begin at 6:30pm on Thursday/Friday and at 6pm on Saturday.

On Thursday/Friday, general admission tickets are $30 with kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $30 for members and $35 for non-members (all ages).

On Saturday, general admission tickets are $35 with kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $40 for members and $45 for non-members (all ages).

Reserved Seating is offered as a 3-Day Pass at $85. To purchase, call Kokomo Speedway at (779) 230-1310.

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CONFIRMED 2023 SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN XII ENTRIES:

06 Rylan Gray (R) 1H Korbyn Hayslett 2 Riley Kreisel 2B Logan Seavey 2E Shane Cottle 3R Kyle Cummins 4 Justin Grant 5 Jack Hoyer 5p Daison Pursley (R) 5s Chase Stockon 5x Max Adams 6T Trey Osborne (R) 9z Zack Pretorius 11w Wyatt Burks (R) 12 Robert Ballou 15 Carson Garrett 15x C.J. Leary 17 Geoff Ensign (R) 17GP Jadon Rogers 19AZ Mitchel Moles 21 Larry Kingseed Jr. 21AZ Jake Swanson 21K Kobe Simpson (R) 21s Bryar Schroeter (R) 26 Chance Crum (R) 28 Brandon Mattox 33m Matt Westfall 34 Sterling Cling 36D Dave Darland 39 Briggs Danner (R) 39E Kyle Edwards (R) 41 Ricky Lewis (R) 42c Brayden Clark 42 Kevin Thomas Jr. 45 Troy Carey (R) 47 Charles Davis Jr. 47BC Emerson Axsom 51T Eddie Tafoya, Jr. 57 Colten Cottle 57B Cole Bodine 67 Tyler Miller (R) 69 Brady Bacon 75 Devan Myers (R) 77s Stevie Sussex 88J Joey Amantea (R) 99 Jack James (R) represents a Sprint Car Smackdown Rookie

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ALL-TIME SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN WINNERS:

2012: Bryan Clauson (8/23), Chris Windom (8/24) & Bryan Clauson (8/25)

2013: Bryan Clauson (8/22), Dave Darland (8/23) & Dave Darland (8/24)

2014: Jon Stanbrough (8/22), Dave Darland (8/23) & Dave Darland (8/24)

2015: Robert Ballou (8/27), Chase Stockon (8/28) & Dave Darland (8/29)

2016: Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/25), C.J. Leary (8/26) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/27)

2017: C.J. Leary (8/24), Tyler Courtney (8/25) & Tyler Courtney (8/26)

2018: Tyler Courtney (8/23), Tyler Thomas (8/24) & Justin Grant (9/27)

2019: Thomas Meseraull (8/22), Logan Seavey (8/23) & Tyler Courtney (8/24)

2020: Kyle Cummins (8/27), Kyle Cummins (8/28) & Tyler Courtney (8/29)

2021: Justin Grant (8/27), Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/28) & Justin Grant (8/28)

2022: Justin Grant (8/25), Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/26) & Kyle Cummins (8/27)

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KOKOMO SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINS:

9-Dave Darland

8-Tony Elliott

6-Tyler Courtney & Justin Grant

5-Kyle Cummins & Kevin Thomas Jr.

4-Bryan Clauson & C.J. Leary

3-Jack Hewitt, Thomas Meseraull, Jon Stanbrough & Chris Windom

1-Robert Ballou, Tom Bigelow, Chad Boat, Jay Drake, Russ Gamester, Levi Jones, Bud Kaeding, Kelly Kinser, Cory Kruseman, Brad Marvel, Hunter Schuerenberg, Logan Seavey, Dean Shirley, Chase Stockon, Kevin Thomas, Tyler Thomas, Rich Vogler & J.J. Yeley

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KOKOMO SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS:

1981: Tom Bigelow (7/22)

1982: Rich Vogler (7/21)

1983: Dean Shirley (7/20)

1984: Jack Hewitt (7/11)

1985: Jack Hewitt (8/4)

1989: Jack Hewitt (6/25)

1990: Russ Gamester (6/24)

1991: Kelly Kinser (6/23) & Tony Elliott (8/25)

1992: Tony Elliott (6/28)

1993: Dave Darland (6/27)

1995: Tony Elliott (7/5)

1996: Tony Elliott (6/30) & Brad Marvel (7/28)

1997: Kevin Thomas (6/15) & J.J. Yeley (7/20)

1998: Tony Elliott (7/19) & Tony Elliott (8/9)

1999: Cory Kruseman (7/25) & Tony Elliott (8/8)

2000: Jay Drake (7/23)

2001: Tony Elliott (7/29)

2003: Bud Kaeding (7/23)

2006: Jon Stanbrough (7/16)

2007: Jon Stanbrough (7/15)

2008: Dave Darland (7/13)

2009: Chad Boat (7/12)

2010: Bryan Clauson (4/18) & Levi Jones (7/11)

2011: Hunter Schuerenberg (7/9)

2012: Dave Darland (7/16), Bryan Clauson (8/23), Chris Windom (8/24) & Bryan Clauson (8/25)

2013: Kevin Thomas Jr. (7/13), Bryan Clauson (8/22), Dave Darland (8/23) & Dave Darland (8/24)

2014: Dave Darland (7/12), Jon Stanbrough (8/22), Dave Darland (8/23) & Dave Darland (8/24)

2015: Chris Windom (8/26), Robert Ballou (8/27), Chase Stockon (8/28) & Dave Darland (8/29)

2016: Kyle Cummins (7/9), Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/25), C.J. Leary (8/26) & Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/27)

2017: Thomas Meseraull (7/8), C.J. Leary (8/24), Tyler Courtney (8/25) & Tyler Courtney (8/26)

2018: Thomas Meseraull (7/24), Tyler Courtney (8/23), Tyler Thomas (8/24) & Justin Grant (9/27)

2019: Chris Windom (7/20), Thomas Meseraull (8/22), Logan Seavey (8/23) & Tyler Courtney (8/24)

2020: C.J. Leary (7/25), Kyle Cummins (8/27), Kyle Cummins (8/28), Tyler Courtney (8/29) & Tyler Courtney (9/26)

2021: Justin Grant (7/24), Justin Grant (8/27), Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/28) & Justin Grant (8/28)

2022: Justin Grant (7/26), Justin Grant (8/25), Kevin Thomas Jr. (8/26), Kyle Cummins (8/27) & Kyle Cummins (9/30)

2023: C.J. Leary (7/22)

=====================

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS AT KOKOMO SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 7/26/2022 - C.J. Leary - 12.284

3 Laps - 8/27/2022 - C.J. Leary - 39.543

6 Laps - 7/23/2003 - Mike Spencer - 1:32.52

8 Laps - 7/13/2013 - Tyler Hewitt - 1:49.60

10 Laps - 8/26/2017 - Chris Windom - 2:10.23

12 Laps - 8/22/2014 - Dave Darland - 2:41.06

15 Laps - 8/27/2016 - Tyler Thomas - 3:28.93 30 Laps - 8/23/2019 - Logan Seavey - 6:48.92

=====================

SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN KING OF THE HILL WINNERS

2012: Tracy Hines defeated Thomas Meseraull

2013: Chase Stockon defeated Dave Darland

2014: Brady Bacon defeated Dave Darland

2015: Brady Bacon defeated Chase Stockon

2016: Tyler Courtney defeated Thomas Meseraull

2017: Kevin Thomas Jr. defeated Tyler Thomas

2018: Justin Grant defeated Dave Darland

2019: Tyler Courtney defeated C.J. Leary

2020: Brady Bacon defeated C.J. Leary

2021: #4 Tanner Thorson defeated #6 Kevin Thomas Jr.

2022: #2 C.J. Leary defeated #1 Kyle Cummins

=====================

PAST SPRINT CAR SMACKDOWN ROOKIES OF THE YEAR:

2013: Brady Bacon (4th)

2014: Kyle Cummins (10th)

2015: Kody Swanson (9th in Semi)

2016: Tyler Thomas (10th)

2017: Josh Hodges (14th)

2018: Jason McDougal (4th)

2019: Max Adams (14th)

2020: Buddy Kofoid (5th)

2021: Tanner Thorson (2nd)

2022: Mitchel Moles (12th)

 


 

BILLY VUKOVICH, 79

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 21, 2023)………Billy Vukovich, an inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame and a runner-up finisher at the 1973 Indianapolis 500, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023. He was 79 years old.

Hailing from Riverside, Calif., young Vuky, who also went by Bill Vukovich II, grew up idolizing his famed father, Bill Vukovich, winner of consecutive Indianapolis 500-mile races in 1953-54. In 1955, tragedy struck when Bill was killed while leading at Indianapolis.

In the years to come, Billy launched his own racing career and quickly made a name of his own. By 1965, at the age of 21, Billy had advanced to “Indy Cars,” making his debut late in the year with a 19th to 9th run at Phoenix International Raceway for Fred Gerhardt, who Billy’s father drove for when he captured consecutive United Racing Association Red Circuit Midget titles in 1945-46.

In 1966, Billy became the titlist of the Bay Cities Racing Association midget series before setting off to get a foothold with the United States Auto Club. That same season, Billy earned his first of his 23 career USAC National Midget feature triumphs at Vallejo (Calif.) Speedway for car owner Harry Stryker.

The following season, in 1967, Billy hit his stride, winning a grand total of 10 USAC National Midget features. He made headlines on June 24, 1967, when he became the first driver to win two USAC national events on the same day. In the afternoon, he took care of business at Denver, Colorado’s Lakeside Speedway and, at night, he was a winner once again at Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Sportsman Raceway Park.

Incredibly, Billy’s name was back in the spotlight just this past weekend when Logan Seavey became the third driver what Billy had done 56 years earlier. J.J. Yeley also achieved the same feat during the 2004 season.

Vukovich was a stalwart at the Indianapolis 500 beginning a year later in 1968 when he made the first of 12 Memorial Day weekend starts, advancing from 23rd to 7th at the wheel of a J.C. Agajanian entry in his first Indy try, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors.

Billy’s Indy record includes three top-five results with a best finish of second behind Gordon Johncock in the rain-shortened 1973 race aboard Jerry O’Connell’s Sugaripe Prune machine. Later in 1973, Billy won his lone Indy Car race in the first Twin 125 at Michigan International Speedway.

During the 1960s-70s-80s, Billy was never too far away from a racetrack and remained a semi-regular competitor with USAC’s National Midget, Sprint Car and Dirt Champ (Silver Crown) divisions.

In the midgets, he won for car owners Harry Stryker, Myron Caves, Bob Consani, Doug Caruthers, J.C. Agajanian, Leonard Faas, Howard Linne, Stan Lee and Dan Pool, with major victories coming on the dirt mile of the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds as well as the 1.5-mile kidney bean-shaped course at New Jersey’s Trenton International Speedway in 1976, his final USAC Midget victory.

Additionally, Billy picked up two career USAC National Sprint Car victories, first in 1967 in the J.J. Smith owned No. 17 at Ohio’s New Bremen Speedway. In 1968, he gave USAC Hall of Famer Doug Caruthers his only win as a USAC Sprint Car owner in the season opener at Irwindale, California’s Rivergrade Speedway.

The 1979 Ted Horn 100 at Du Quoin served as Billy’s lone USAC Silver Crown victory in a race that was aired to a nationwide audience on NBC. Billy remained an active participant with the Silver Crown series until 1986 when his son, Billy Vukovich III, began moving up the ladder in his racing career. Tragically, 35 years after losing his father in a racing accident, Billy lost his son in a sprint car crash at California’s Mesa Marin Raceway in 1990.

Billy was beloved in the racing community and was a regular fixture at luncheons and autograph sessions until recent years. USAC extends its condolences to Vukovich’s family and friends during this time.

 

USAC HITS KOKOMO’S SMACKDOWN
FOR RICHEST SPRINT CAR RACE IN INDIANA HISTORY

Kokomo, Indiana (August 21, 2023)………Kokomo Speedway is set to host the richest sprint car race ever held in the state of Indiana this coming weekend as part of the Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XII festivities on August 24-25-26.

Competitors from the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship will take on the 1/4-mile dirt oval for a pair of $6,000-to-win preliminaries on Thursday and Friday night followed by the $30,000-to-win finale on Saturday night.

Additionally, as part of the Super Smackdown draw, a driver will earn $500 for every lap led during Saturday night’s 40-lap feature. That leaves the possibility of a driver walking out of Kokomo this weekend with $50,000 in total prizes when all is said and done.

“We are thrilled to host the richest sprint car race ever held in the state of Indiana,” Kokomo Speedway promoter Reece O’Connor stated. “The potential of a driver leaving Kokomo Speedway with $50,000 is incredible and will be truly exciting for race fans to watch. Not only has the final night payout been increased, but so have the prelim nights as well, making this premier event even more premier in 2023.”

Additionally, Smackdown XII Saturday night will pay $1,500 to start, which is the largest payout for start money on the USAC National Sprint Car calendar during the 2023 season.

The richest sprint car event held in the Hoosier State prior to this year’s Smackdown was the $26,000-to-win Rayce Rudeen Foundation event for the All Star Circuit of Champions in 2021.
Kyle Cummins is the defending Smackdown winner at Kokomo, collecting $35,000 in total prizes, starting with a $15,000 base pay and a $20,000 bonus in lap money alone.

Smackdown XII is also the kickoff for the inaugural USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta in which USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competitors will be racing for major prizes across three marquee events in the state of Indiana in August, September and October.

The Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown is up first followed by the $20,000-to-win Haubstadt Hustler at Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, September 16. Another $20,000 winner’s share is posted for the Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway, set to go on Saturday, October 7.

Winning all three Trifecta events in 2023 would net a driver a bonus of up to $30,000. The top driver finishing all three races in second place or better will receive a $20,000 payout. The top driver finishing all three races in third place or better will receive a $10,000 payout.

At the end of the three races during the USAC NOS Energy Drink Hoosier Trifecta, a driver could earn a potential $100,000 prize when all is said and done.

Smackdown preliminary events on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25 will be comprised of complete programs for the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, culminating in 30-lap feature races each night. At the conclusion of Friday night’s program, the top-8 in overall points will be locked into Saturday night’s main event.

On the third and final night, Saturday, August 26, a 40-lap feature will close out the spectacular weekend in grand fashion, which will be preceded by heat races for all drivers not locked in, followed by the popular “King of the Hill” two-car duels for locked-in drivers. The semi-feature will provide the final chance for drivers to lock themselves into a coveted spot for the A-Main.

Former winners of the final night of Sprint Car Smackdown include Bryan Clauson (2012), Dave Darland (2013-14-15), Kevin Thomas Jr. (2016), Tyler Courtney (2017-19-20), Justin Grant (2018 & 2021) and Kyle Cummins (2022).

THURSDAY & FRIDAY SMACKDOWN XII PAYOUT:

1) $6,000, 2) $3,000, 3) $2,000, 4) $1,500, 5) $1,200, 6) $1,100, 7) $1,000, 8) $900, 9) $850, 10) $800, 11) $775, 12) $750, 13) $725, 14) $700, 15) $675, 16) $650, 17) $625, 18) $600, 19) $600, 20) $600, 21) $600, 22) $600

SATURDAY SMACKDOWN XII PAYOUT:

1) $30,000, 2) $10,000, 3) $6,000, 4) $5,000, 5) $4,000, 6) $3,000, 7) $2,500, 8) $2,250, 9) $2,100, 10) $2,000, 11) $1,900, 12) $1,800, 13) $1,700, 14) $1,600, 15) $1,575, 16) $1,550, 17) $1,525, 18) $1,500, 19) $1,500, 20) $1,500, 21) $1,500, 22) $1,500.

RACE DETAILS

This weekend at Kokomo Speedway, gates open at 3pm Eastern on Thursday and at 4pm on Friday/Saturday. Hot laps begin at 6:30pm on Thursday/Friday and at 6pm on Saturday.

On Thursday/Friday, general admission tickets are $30 with kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $30 for members and $35 for non-members (all ages).

On Saturday, general admission tickets are $35 with kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $40 for members and $45 for non-members (all ages).

Reserved Seating is offered as a 3-Day Pass at $85. To purchase, call Kokomo Speedway at (779) 230-1310.


 


SEAVEY SPRINGS FORWARD LATE TO WIN
THE BETTENHAUSEN 100 AT SPRINGFIELD

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 19, 2023)………You can’t win all day if you don’t start in the morning.

Logan Seavey made that his mantra on Saturday as he kicked off his day by winning the 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds dirt mile.

Later that same night, the Sutter, Calif. native capped the evening with a USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship victory 44 miles down the road at Macon Speedway to become just the third driver to win multiple USAC National feature events in a single day at two different tracks: Billy Vukovich (1967) and J.J. Yeley (2004).

However, throughout much of the Bettenhausen 100, Seavey stared directly at the tail tank of the No. 9 driven by Shane Cottle. Nonetheless, a late caution and subsequent restart with 13 laps to go, completely changed the ballgame for Seavey.

That’s when Seavey took advantage of the late caution, using a reverse slide job entering turn one that saw Seavey race around the outside of Cottle before diving to the inside guardrail with pinpoint precision at the forefront of the field.

The maneuver was painfully costly for Cottle, but perfectly cromulent for Seavey who finished off the afternoon with his first career victory on the Springfield Mile in his Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing/STIDA.com – CG CPAs – Indy Custom Stone/DRC/Felker Chevy.

Seavey now becomes the 27th driver to win champ car races on both Illinois dirt miles in his career after previously notching the round at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds just less than a year ago in September of 2022.

All in all, Seavey’s performances on the dirt tracks in USAC Silver Crown competition have been superb. He’s now won five of the past seven dating back to June of 2022, and has captured each of the last two events on dirt tracks this season after also winning in June at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway.

To start the day, Seavey set the tone by recording his first career fast qualifying time with the USAC Silver Crown series. His lap of 31.317 seconds in time trials translated to an average speed of 114.954 mph, which placed him squarely on the pole position for the 100-miler.

That said, it was outside front row starter Emerson Axsom who gained the initial upper hand by leading the first lap. On the second go-around, Seavey powered past Axsom on the outside with a deep drive into turn three that secured him the lead for the next 40 miles.

The first stoppage of the day came on lap 16 when Shane Cockrum’s valiant early race charge from 20th to 12th was thwarted by a broken throttle pedal. Cockrum, the defending Bettenhausen 100 winner, was wheeling a second car owned by Sam Pierce. His original ride, the BLS Motorsports No. 71, suffered a blown engine during practice.

Cottle, eying his first career win at the Springfield Mile, was surging just prior to the midway point. On lap 42, Seavey and Cottle were negotiating with the soon-to-be lapped car of Chris Fetter. Cottle found an opening on the bottom rail, then poked his nose to the inside of Seavey entering turn one. Still even by the time they reached turn two, Cottle throttled past Seavey moments later to take over up front, and his lead was pronounced even more so when Seavey momentarily slid high, kicking up copious amounts of Illinois State Fairgrounds soil as he slipped and slid through turn three.

By lap 65, Cottle’s advantage of more than a second had dwindled to zilch as Seavey closed in right to the back bumper of Cottle in the tuns as lapped traffic remained in close proximity. Cottle worked by Patrick Bruns in turn four, putting him a lap down, giving him a wave and a gesture as he zipped by. In the process, Cottle opened the can on his lead to 2.195 seconds with a clear track ahead of him and nary another potential lapped car in his immediate sight.

However, when ninth running C.J. Leary coasted to a stop with a blown engine on lap 82, Cottle’s commanding two second lead was deleted. The first shot at an ensuing restart on lap 86 was called back due to Cottle’s early jumping of the gun. The second shot at the same restart on lap 88, as it turned out, became the deciding factor of the race.

Cottle, it appeared initially, got exactly the restart he needed with a five-car length gap between he and Seavey just before the entry to turn one. The complexion immediately changed as Seavey steered deep into turn one to overtake Cottle, then spontaneously took his ride to the inner rail to swipe the bottom line and the race lead with just 13 laps remaining.

“I knew I could get into one faster than he could,” Seavey explained. “I could see on the restarts that he was being a little extra cautious. You lose a lot of grip when your tires cool off and it takes a few laps to get it back. I knew I could fire it in there and I didn’t know if it was going to stick or not, but I knew I could at least get next to him. I got it backed in right across his nose and I was able to stay in front of him.”

Seavey methodically inched away lap-after-lap down the stretch until his lead of 1.6 seconds vanished with two laps remaining when 22nd running Travis Welpott tagged the turn three outside wall, presenting a green-white-checkered solution to decide the race between Seavey and Cottle.

The situation presented an even match between the two frontrunners and just two laps to decide their racing fates, all of which came along with a little strategy rolled up in Seavey’s sleeve.

“I feel like we were so even,” Seavey stated in comparison to Cottle. “He could run a little bit harder and get away, then I could run hard and get back to him. When you’re leading, you can kind of drag around the rail and dirty the track up and it makes it so hard to close that last couple car lengths. It’s just how this racing is.”

Despite the tightening up of the field, Seavey wasn’t about to give an inch or a yard to Cottle during the final two-lap run. When all was said and down, Seavey became a first-time Bettenhausen 100 winner by a 1.094 second margin over Cottle with 2017 race winner Justin Grant third, 2014-15-21 winner Kody Swanson fourth and race Rookie Emerson Axsom fifth.

As far as Seavey, he has now clicked off dirt mile wins at both Illinois facilities. Just as it was at Du Quoin on a sunny afternoon last September, priority number one is to be there at the end of the race and in a position to make a move when it counts. Seavey found himself right in that sweet spot once again on Saturday at the Springfield Mile.

“I feel like a lot of it is just feeling good in the rubber and having a balanced car in the rubber and not burning your right front off, and not burning your right rear off,” Seavey laid out. “For as hard as I felt like I ran for 50 or 60 laps, our tires looked pretty good. That just shows how good Ronnie (Gardner) has this car balanced. A.J. Felker’s got this engine running just perfectly. We made a few changes right before the race and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I could do whatever I needed to. I could drag around the rail and I could drive around guys on the outside. I’m feeling really confident driving this thing and that’s half the battle.”

For Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.), it was a bitter pill to swallow after leading 46 laps in his first ride aboard the Chris Dyson Racing/Concord American Flagpole – Macri Concrete – Racer Magazine/Maxim/Ott Chevy. For Cottle, it was his second consecutive second place result at the Bettenhausen 100, narrowly missing out on his first Springfield win.

“(On the final restart) I was just hoping I could make up for my screw up that I did getting into turn one there when I let him pass me,” Cottle reflected. “I let the crew down and we had a really good car. I’m just really pissed off right now.”

For Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.), the third-place result was his best finish of the 2023 USAC Silver Crown season in his Hemelgarn Racing/NOS Energy Drink – Super Fitness – Nick Bohanon LLC/DRC/Foxco Chevy.

Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) made the biggest move of the day, racing from her 26th starting position to a 12th place finish in her Taylor Ferns Racing/Bradford Allen – Mobil 1 – Motorsports Safety Group/Beast/Stanton Mopar. This day marked her first USAC Silver Crown start at the Illinois State Fairgrounds since a decade ago in 2013 as a 16-year-old.

===============

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 19, 2023 – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, Illinois – 1-Mile Dirt Oval – 60th Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: (Top-24 locked into the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-31.317; 2. Emerson Axsom, 20, Nolen-31.341; 3. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-31.462; 4. Shane Cottle, 9, Dyson-31.487; 5. Jacob Wilson, 07, WBR-31.531; 6. Chase Dietz, 86, Lee-31.539; 7. Wayne Johnson, 12, Two C-31.727; 8. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-31.769; 9. Davey Ray, 8, Cornell-31.796; 10. Kody Swanson, 177, Doran/Binks-31.797; 11. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-31.863; 12. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-31.873; 13. Mitchel Moles, 97, Lein-31.911; 14. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-31.992; 15. Matt Westfall, 81, BCR-32.010; 16. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-32.116; 17. Jake Swanson, 10, DMW-32.226; 18. Jerry Coons Jr., 24, Haggenbottom-32.239; 19. Chase Stockon, 69, Pink 69-32.268; 20. Shane Cockrum, 126, Pierce-32.294; 21. Carmen Perigo, 52, Stehman-32.299; 22. Steven Russell, 14, McQuinn-32.308; 23. Patrick Bruns, 95, Full Throttle-32.345; 24. Casey Buckman, 25, C-Buck/Sachs-32.499; 25. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-32.500; 26. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-32.673; 27. Patrick Lawson, 2, Lawson-32.712; 28. Korey Weyant, 99, Weyant-32.739; 29. Chris Fetter, 15, Fetter-32.758; 30. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-32.828; 31. Matt Mitchell, 5, DMW-33.302; 32. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-33.347; 33. Danny Long, 44, Long-34.102; 34. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-34.963; 35. Tim Simmons, 3, Simmons-35.426; 36. John Tosti, 07, Tosti-37.301; 37. Tom Paterson, 111, Paterson-41.378; 38. A.J. Fike, 53, FTM-NT; 39. Ryan Thomas, 118, Wingo-NT; 40. Shane Cockrum, 71, BLS-NT.

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Kaylee Bryson, 2. Taylor Ferns, 3. Korey Weyant, 4. Russ Gamester, 5. Travis Welpott, 6. Chris Fetter, 7. Matt Mitchell, 8. Dave Berkheimer, 9. Tim Simmons, 10. Danny Long, 11. John Tosti, 12. Patrick Lawson. NT

FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (1), 2. Shane Cottle (4), 3. Justin Grant (8), 4. Kody Swanson (10), 5. Emerson Axsom (2), 6. Jacob Wilson (5), 7. Davey Ray (9), 8. Mario Clouser (3), 9. Chase Dietz (6), 10. Jerry Coons Jr. (18), 11. Matt Westfall (15), 12. Taylor Ferns (26), 13. Chase Stockon (19), 14. Russ Gamester (28), 15. Casey Buckman (24), 16. Steven Russell (22), 17. Chris Urish (11), 18. Kaylee Bryson (25), 19. Patrick Bruns (23), 20. Dave Berkheimer (31-P), 21. Mitchel Moles (13), 22. Chris Fetter (30), 23. Travis Welpott (29), 24. C.J. Leary (12), 25. Kyle Steffens (16), 26. Carmen Perigo (21), 27. Wayne Johnson (7), 28. Jake Swanson (17), 29. Korey Weyant (27), 30. Trey Burke (14), 31. Shane Cockrum (20). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Emerson Axsom, Laps 2-41 Logan Seavey, Laps 42-87 Shane Cottle, Laps 88-100 Logan Seavey.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Kody Swanson-445, 2-Logan Seavey-429, 3-Mario Clouser-307, 4-Justin Grant-299, 5-Kaylee Bryson-292, 6-Taylor Ferns-279, 7-Matt Westfall-274, 8-C.J. Leary-266, 9-Bobby Santos-248, 10-Travis Welpott-214.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-94, 3-Shane Cottle-83, 4-Matt Westfall-83, 5-Robert Ballou-81, 6-Brady Bacon-77, 7-Justin Grant-75, 8-Chase Stockon-69, 9-Emerson Axsom-66, 10-C.J. Leary-51.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 27, 2023 – World Wide Technology Raceway – Madison, Illinois – 1.25-Mile Paved Oval – OutFront 100

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: Justin Grant (30.090)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Logan Seavey (31.317)

Hard Charger: Taylor Ferns (26th to 12th)

 

DAILY DOUBLE!
SEAVEY MAKES USAC HISTORY
WITH MACON MIDGET WIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Macon, Illinois (August 18, 2023)………Only three individuals have ever won USAC National feature events at two different racetracks on the same day.

For many years, the exclusive list of members in this club included only Billy Vukovich and J.J. Yeley.

Now one of the rarest feats in the history books of the United States Auto Club has a new name to add to the group: Logan Seavey.

After scoring a USAC Silver Crown victory at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon, Seavey headed east to Illinois’ Macon Speedway to earn his second victory of the day, this time in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship competition.

While his Springfield champ car run required some heroic maneuvers late in the game to get the job done, the Sutter, California native left no doubt from start to finish at Macon as he led all 30 laps en route to his third USAC National Midget win of the season in his Abacus Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Indy Custom Stone – Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

From the Springfield Mile to Mighty Macon, Seavey’s feat couldn’t have come at two more vastly different venues. Not to mention, he achieved the first leg of the day in a big and bold champ car, then capped the night behind the wheel of a diminutive and twitchy midget. It’s a feat both big and small when you look at it in that capacity.

“The mile is a completely different ballgame,” Seavey noted. “(Macon) is where I cut my teeth midget racing with POWRi in 2017-18-19 with Flea (Ruzic) and Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports and all those guys. I’ve won a handful of POWRi races here, but this is obviously a different field and it’s really hard to win.”

“You can’t win any races without a good car,” Seavey continued. “But to win two in one day, it just says how good of racecars I’m driving and I’m just fortunate to be here.”

Abacus Racing, meanwhile, joins 2022 USAC Hall of Fame inductee Doug Caruthers as the only team/entrant to capture multiple USAC National event wins on the same day at different tracks. Abacus is a co-entrant on Seavey’s Silver Crown ride alongside Rice Motorsports.

Caruthers and his driver, Billy Vukovich, won a pair of USAC National Midget features on June 24, 1967, at Denver, Colorado’s Lakeside Speedway and Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Sportsman Raceway Park, becoming the first to achieve the feat.

Thirty-seven years later, on July 24, 2004, J.J. Yeley captured a USAC National Midget main event at the Milwaukee Mile for car owner Steve Lewis. A chartered plane then carried Yeley, other drivers and USAC officials to Indiana’s Terre Haute Action Track for the Indiana Sprint Week finale. There, Yeley’s incredible run saw him charge from 10th to 1st around the outside on the very first lap to complete a dominant day in Gary Stanton’s No. 75.

A day of racing simply can’t get much better than the one Seavey had on Saturday, even if he was out of breath by the end of it all.

“This is pretty close to the top,” Seavey reflected. “This is so cool to come to two different tracks with two different cars, and to come to a place I love is awesome. I felt a lot better after leaving Springfield that I could win here. My car has just been unbelievable. I don’t have to keep saying it; it pretty much speaks for itself.”

If he’s not going to keep saying it, we can reiterate the fact. For Seavey, it’s his ninth straight podium finish this season with the USAC National Midgets. The only other drivers in the past decade to earn nine consecutive top-three results with the series are Rico Abreu (9 in 2014) and Tyler Courtney (9 in 2020).

Seavey, the 2018 series champion, has made a run since the June round of USAC Indiana Midget Week at Gas City I-69 Speedway that includes a successive list of finishes that looks like this: 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 1st. Now, his championship point lead has ballooned to a whopping 138 points.

Owning a prime starting spot to launch his 30-lap feature run – from the outside of the front row – Seavey was instantaneously en route to his third win of the season and the 11th of his USAC National Midget career, tying him with Kasey Kahne, Jimmy Knight, Bob McLean, Johnny Moorhouse, Bobby Santos and Brad Sweet for 66th all-time.

Seavey’s major challenges at Macon were few and far between as he quickly jumped out to a full second advantage just a few laps into the contest. On the tight confines of the 1/5-mile at Macon, the traffic and the curb are those unsavory shadowy figures that are always lurking around the corner, and Seavey found that to be the case just 10 laps into it.

“I could see the back of the field and it was treacherous,” Seavey remarked. “The curb was right up against the wall, and it was big. You could get into the wall really easily on both ends getting off. I was just trying to keep my eyes peeled for anything happening in front of me.”

As many drivers will tell you, it’s difficult being the leader despite the status. Knowing where you need to be on the racetrack is always a mighty task when the entire field is behind you, watching, testing and altering different paths on the fly. Seavey found himself in that envious – but sometimes not as envious as it seems at times – throughout.

“I really didn’t know where to be,” Seavey revealed. “I felt like I was okay on the top. I was only gaining a little bit on the lappers, and I didn’t know how great I was. I was really kind of happy once we got to traffic and I felt like I could put a few behind me, and hopefully, put a few in between me and second place. We were able to hold on after all those yellows. I didn’t even know if we were good or if they were right behind us or what was going on, but I was doing my best to keep this thing out front.”

The final caution, on lap 25, reset the field after Thomas Meseraull and Gavin Miller nearly tangled in their battle for second, causing Miller to drop back multiple positions after the turn two encounter. However, at the very same moment, Jake Andreotti (12th) spun in turn one, granting a reprieve for Miller to return to second for the ensuing restart. Meanwhile, under yellow, Meseraull pulled off to pits and did not return, dropping him all the way back to 20th in the final running order.

Just like he was all day, Seavey was undenied down the stretch during the final six lap run, defeating the field by a 1.110 second margin. Gavin Miller collected a fine second place result with Tanner Thorson third, Zach Daum fourth and Karter Sarff scoring a career best USAC run of fifth.

Gavin Miller put together his most successful weekend thus far during his USAC National Midget Rookie season. The Allentown, Pa. racer finished fifth on Friday at Illinois’ Wayne County Speedway and finished the weekend with a runner-up result at Macon in his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Eibach Springs – Mobil 1/Bullet By Spike/Speedway Toyota.

Tanner Thorson (Minden, Nev.) admittedly missed the setup initially for the 30-lap feature, still running as far back as ninth with less than 20 laps remaining. But after adjusting his shocks and readjusting his approach by sticking to the bottom line, he found his groove and drove to a third-place result at Macon in his Tanner Thorson Racing/James Hodge Auto Group – Smith Titanium/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

It was quite a return to USAC National Midget racing for Daniel Adler. The Saint Louis, Missouri racer made his first USAC National Midget start since 2017, and in his first series start in six years, he made a hard-charging effort, advancing from his 22nd starting spot to finish eighth aboard his Mike Adler/Hormann Innovative Door Systems – BP Fab/Ripper/Stanton SR-11.

Thorson also hit a milestone at Macon, becoming just the 36th driver to reach 200 career USAC National Midget feature starts.

Two of the oldest track records in the USAC National Midget history books were surpassed at Macon on Saturday. Daison Pursley broke Page Jones’ 10-lap heat race record from 1992. During the semi, Chase McDermand reset the 12-lap semi-feature mark, which was set on that same night 31 years ago by Fred Tegarden Jr.

===============

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 19, 2023 – Macon Speedway – Macon, Illinois – 1/5-Mile Dirt Track

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Tanner Thorson, 88, Thorson-10.462; 2. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-10.590; 3. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-10.610; 4. Jacob Denney, 25, Malloy-10.611; 5. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.631; 6. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-10.640; 7. Karter Sarff, 21K, Sarff-10.651; 8. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-10.652; 9. Zach Daum, 7u, Trifecta-10.653; 10. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.662; 11. Ethan Mitchell, 19m, Bundy Built-10.678; 12. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-10.685; 13. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.699; 14. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-10.708; 15. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-10.712; 16. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac Dalby-10.717; 17. Chase McDermand, 40, Mounce/Stout-10.792; 18. Mitchell Davis, 3N, O'Dell-10.793; 19. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.809; 20. Kevin Thomas Jr., 19T, Mounce/Stout-10.819; 21. Jake Andreotti, 25m, Malloy-10.911; 22. Dalton Camfield, 86c, Camfield-10.950; 23. Daniel Adler, 50, Adler-10.963; 24. David Camfield, 16c, Camfield-10.979; 25. Tyler Baran, 11T, Baran-11.035; 26. Mariah Ede, 71E, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.037; 27. Kyle Beilman, 31B, Beilman-11.105; 28. Bradley Fezard, 28p, Rosa-11.270; 29. Devin Camfield, 17c, Camfield-11.526; 30. Nick Baran, 7E, Engstrom-11.545.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Cannon McIntosh, 2. Jade Avedisian, 3. Tanner Thorson, 4. Jacob Denney, 5. Karter Sarff, 6. Taylor Reimer, 7. Ryan Timms, 8. Tyler Baran, 9. Dalton Camfield, 10. Bradley Fezard. 1:48.07

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Thomas Meseraull, 2. Justin Grant, 3. Hayden Reinbold, 4. Kevin Thomas Jr., 5. Gavin Miller, 6. Chase McDermand, 7. Ethan Mitchell, 8. Daniel Adler, 9. Mariah Ede, 10. Devin Camfield. NT

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Daison Pursley, 2. Zach Daum, 3. Mitchell Davis, 4. Daniel Whitley, 5. Logan Seavey, 6. Bryant Wiedeman, 7. Jake Andreotti, 8. David Camfield, 9. Kyle Beilman, 10. Nick Baran. 1:48.06 (New Track Record)

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer to the feature) 1. Chase McDermand, 2. Bryant Wiedeman, 3. Taylor Reimer, 4. Ethan Mitchell, 5. Ryan Timms, 6. Jake Andreotti, 7. Daniel Adler, 8. Mariah Ede, 9. Kyle Beilman, 10. Dalton Camfield, 11. Tyler Baran, 12. Bradley Fezard, 13. David Camfield, 14. Nick Baran, 15. Devin Camfield. 2:11.98 (New Track Record)

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Logan Seavey (2), 2. Gavin Miller (3), 3. Tanner Thorson (6), 4. Zach Daum (12), 5. Karter Sarff (1), 6. Ethan Mitchell (14), 7. Cannon McIntosh (9), 8. Daniel Adler (22), 9. Chase McDermand (17), 10. Jacob Denney (4), 11. Ryan Timms (19), 12. Bryant Wiedeman (10), 13. Jade Avedisian (16), 14. Daison Pursley (8), 15. Kevin Thomas Jr. (20), 16. Justin Grant (11), 17. Jake Andreotti (21), 18. Taylor Reimer (13), 19. Mitchell Davis (18), 20. Thomas Meseraull (7), 21. Daniel Whitley (15), 22. Hayden Reinbold (5). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Logan Seavey.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-927, 2-Jacob Denney-789, 3-Bryant Wiedeman-775, 4-Justin Grant-774, 5-Ryan Timms-749, 6-Jade Avedisian-740, 7-Daison Pursley-739, 8-Cannon McIntosh-729, 9-Gavin Miller-662, 10-Chase McDermand-607.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-94, 3-Robert Ballou-81, 4-Shane Cottle-81, 5-Matt Westfall-79, 6-Brady Bacon-77, 7-Justin Grant-70, 8-Emerson Axsom-66, 9-Chase Stockon-63, 10-C.J. Leary-51.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: September 3-4, 2023 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – 1/3-Mile Dirt Track – Firemen’s Nationals

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Tanner Thorson (10.568)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Tanner Thorson (10.462)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Cannon McIntosh

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Thomas Meseraull

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Daison Pursley

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Chase McDermand

Hard Charger: Daniel Adler (22nd to 8th)


 


FIRST TO TWO:
THORSON BECOMES FIRST MULTI-TIME
LEFFLER MEMORIAL WINNER AT WAYNE CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Wayne City, Illinois (August 18, 2023)………In the decade-long history of the Jason Leffler Memorial, no driver had ever achieved what Tanner Thorson accomplished on Friday night at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Ill.

The Minden, Nev. driver became the first repeat victor of the event which honors the memory of the late four-time USAC National champion during the decade of the 1990s.

Three years after capturing his first Leffler Memorial triumph in 2020, Thorson once again etched his name into the race’s history book, assuming the lead just before the halfway mark of the 40-lap main event presented by Peoples National Bank.

After enduring a steady challenge from the only other past Leffler Memorial winner in Friday night’s field, Zach Daum, Thorson found a new line and newfound freedom at the front of the field as he collected his second consecutive USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship feature after scoring the most recent round of the series at Nebraska’s Jefferson County Speedway in mid-July.

Thorson led 24 of the final 25 laps to earn the $5,000 payday in what was his 199th career series start aboard his Tanner Thorson Racing/James Hodge Auto Group – Smith Titanium/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

It was also the 2016 USAC National Midget driving champion’s 29th career USAC National Midget feature win, moving him to within one of 11th place all-time alongside 30-time series winners Dave Darland, Mike McGreevy and Johnny Parsons.

In terms of feature victories with the series, Thorson finds himself in the upper echelon and he stands just two victories outside of the top-10 all-time in that category. Along the way, he’s certainly earned his fair share of satisfying wins – the Jason Leffler Memorial chiefly being among them, a fellow USAC National champion like himself.

“Jason Leffler was definitely one of the best in the business to ever do it,” Thorson said. “I never got the pleasure of meeting him, but I definitely got to watch him a lot. One of my good buddies, Rico Abreu, got to hang out with him a lot and said he was great. To be able to add my name as a winner of this race twice is really special.”

Starting second in the feature, Thorson initially found himself stifled, dropping all the way to sixth in the early going before steadily moving his way forward. Understanding it was a 40-lapper and knowing that the 1/8-mile of Wayne City has always been a place that’s suited his driving style adequately, Thorson wasn’t a bit rattled.

Furthermore, in the entire 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing, no driver has won more often on dirt tracks shorter than a quarter mile in size than Tanner Thorson, picking up his ninth on Friday night.

Pole sitter and top series Rookie Gavin Miller led the opening eight laps, withstanding attack after attack from Ryan Timms throughout the duration. Miller was able to thwart off the relentless Timms who pulled in front of Miller on five different occasions during the first seven laps but was unable to make the move stick.

That was the case until lap nine when Timms dove under Miller in turn three to swipe the spot from his Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports teammate. The two were vying to become KKM’s first Wayne City USAC winner, one of only two tracks on this year’s National Midget schedule that the series’ all-time winningest team has not conquered along with Haubstadt, Indiana’s Tri-State Speedway.

Meanwhile, Thorson began to close in on the top-two as all three bounced their right rear tires off the outside ARMCO barrier in turns three and four. In the meantime, Thorson chased down Miller to grab second in turn three on lap four and brought along Daum in tow to third.

Immediately after, Thorson took three successive shots at Timms for the top spot but was unable to clamp down the position on the first two tries. However, the third attempt was the charm as the two drifted up to the outside turn two wall with Timms banging his tail tank smack dab against the guardrail with a force.

While it was relatively no harm, no foul for Timms, the red flag was displayed on the 20th lap for Chase McDermand who flipped on the back straightaway. He was running 16th at the time and had been involved in a tussle for position with Daison Pursley. Following the incident, under the red flag, McDermand walked across the infield to speak with Pursley, taking umbrage with the circumstances that had just transpired.

When racing resumed, Daum utilized the bottom on the lap 21 restart to cruise by Timms for second. Leader Thorson sensed the presence of the nose of Daum’s car and made a beeline to the bottom to take away Daum’s line. Daum stuck his left side wheels as low as they could go in turns three and four, which led him into the lead on lap 24.

The next time around, in a somewhat unexpected tactic, Thorson became the first to discover a unique line getting into turn three. Thorson threw his car to the bottom of turn three and let it glide from the bottom to the top of turn four. The move paid off and Thorson immediately found himself back in front of Daum on the 25th go-around. Thorson repeated the “sweep” lap after lap, which guided him in expanding his lead from a single car length to more than two seconds in the span of a few laps.

Lapped traffic remained high and low in Thorson’s path, but he ably slipped through the thick of it, splitting the two Tom Malloy teammate cars of Jacob Denney and Jake Andreotti in turn one to put them a lap down while also burying Daum in a deeper hole more than three seconds behind. Ultimately, series point leader Logan Seavey caught and surpassed Daum for the runner-up spot on lap 34.

In the end, Thorson was a full 2.931 seconds better than the field at the finish line to become a multi-time winner of the event which was celebrating its 10th running this year. Seavey corralled second with Zach Daum third, Ryan Timms fourth and Gavin Miller rounding out the top-five.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) collected his eighth straight top-three finish in USAC National Midget competition behind the wheel of his Abacus Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Indy Custom Stone – Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax/Spike/Stanton SR-11x. Seavey also was the biggest mover in the feature, advancing 10th to 2nd to earn his best career Jason Leffler Memorial result.

Zach Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.) led a lap en route to a third-place finish in his Trifecta Motorsports/Southern Transport – Flurry Racing Stables/Spike/Stanton SR-11x. In doing so, he became the first driver in Leffler Memorial history to finish on the podium four times: 1st (2013), 2nd (2022) and 3rd (2015 & 2023).

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 18, 2023 – Wayne County Speedway – Wayne City, Illinois – 10th Jason Leffler Memorial Presented By Peoples National Bank – 1/8-Mile Dirt Track

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Jade Avedisian, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.072 (New Track Record); 2. Zach Daum, 7u, Trifecta-10.085; 3. Ryan Timms, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.173; 4. Emerson Axsom, 19A, Petry/Hayward-10.236; 5. Jacob Denney, 25, Malloy-10.240; 6. Logan Seavey, 57, Abacus-10.249; 7. Kevin Thomas Jr., 19T, Mounce/Stout-10.251; 8. Tanner Thorson, 88, Thorson-10.265; 9. Gavin Miller, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.269; 10. Karter Sarff, 21K, Sarff-10.278; 11. Justin Grant, 2, RMS-10.309; 12. Daniel Whitley, 58, Abacus-10.311; 13. Taylor Reimer, 25K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.323; 14. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac Dalby-10.338; 15. Chase McDermand, 40, Mounce/Stout-10.344; 16. Bryant Wiedeman, 81, CBI-10.443; 17. Daison Pursley, 19, Reinbold/Underwood-10.511; 18. Ethan Mitchell, 19m, Bundy Built-10.569; 19. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-10.569; 20. Kyle Beilman, 31B, Beilman-10.579; 21. Jake Andreotti, 25m, Malloy-10.657; 22. Mariah Ede, 71E, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-10.664; 23. Bryan Stanfill, 75AU, Griffiths-10.743; 24. Daniel Robinson, 57A, RAB-10.786; 25. Sean Robbins, 53, Robbins-10.963; 26. Bradley Fezard, 28p, Rosa-10.987; 27. Zach Boden, 51, Boden-11.117; 28. Cody Beard, 7, Beard-11.147; 29. Tyler Robbins, 35, Robbins-11.259; 30. Hayden Reinbold, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Bryant Wiedeman, 3. Jade Avedisian, 4. Taylor Reimer, 5. Thomas Meseraull, 6. Emerson Axsom, 7. Mariah Ede, 8. Sean Robbins, 9. Cody Beard, 10. Karter Sarff. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Daison Pursley, 2. Tanner Thorson, 3. Zach Daum, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Cannon McIntosh, 6. Jacob Denney, 7. Bryan Stanfill, 8. Bradley Fezard, 9. Kyle Beilman, 10. Tyler Robbins. 1:49.12

T.J. FORGED/CAR IQ THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Gavin Miller, 2. Chase McDermand, 3. Ethan Mitchell, 4. Daniel Whitley, 5. Ryan Timms, 6. Logan Seavey, 7. Daniel Robinson, 8. Hayden Reinbold, 9. Jake Andreotti, 10. Zach Boden. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 2. Jacob Denney, 3. Karter Sarff, 4. Emerson Axsom, 5. Daniel Robinson, 6. Jake Andreotti, 7. Bradley Fezard, 8. Mariah Ede, 9. Hayden Reinbold, 10. Tyler Robbins, 11. Cody Beard, 12. Sean Robbins, 13. Zach Boden, 14. Kyle Beilman, 15. Bryan Stanfill. 2:20.88

FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Thorson (2), 2. Logan Seavey (10), 3. Zach Daum (5), 4. Ryan Timms (4), 5. Gavin Miller (1), 6. Emerson Axsom (8), 7. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3), 8. Karter Sarff (11), 9. Bryant Wiedeman (16), 10. Cannon McIntosh (15), 11. Daison Pursley (7), 12. Justin Grant (12), 13. Jade Avedisian (6), 14. Daniel Robinson (21), 15. Taylor Reimer (14), 16. Jake Andreotti (19), 17. Jacob Denney (9), 18. Thomas Meseraull (18), 19. Bradley Fezard (22), 20. Daniel Whitley (13), 21. Chase McDermand (20), 22. Ethan Mitchell (17). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-8 Gavin Miller, Laps 9-15 Ryan Timms, Laps 16-23 Tanner Thorson, Lap 24 Zach Daum, Laps 25-40 Tanner Thorson.

**Taylor Reimer flipped during hot laps. Thomas Meseraull tipped over during the first heat. Chase McDermand flipped on lap 20 of the feature.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-852, 2-Jacob Denney-738, 3-Justin Grant-736, 4-Bryant Wiedeman-729, 5-Ryan Timms-707, 6-Jade Avedisian-696, 7-Daison Pursley-696, 8-Cannon McIntosh-669, 9-Gavin Miller-589, 10-Taylor Reimer-567.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-94, 3-Robert Ballou-81, 4-Shane Cottle-81, 5-Matt Westfall-79, 6-Brady Bacon-77, 7-Justin Grant-70, 8-Emerson Axsom-66, 9-Chase Stockon-63, 10-C.J. Leary-51.

NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 19, 2023 – Macon Speedway – Macon, Illinois – 1/5-Mile Dirt Track

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Hot Laps Fastest Driver: Thomas Meseraull (10.094)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Jade Avedisian (10.072)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Daison Pursley

T.J. Forged / Car IQ Third Heat Winner: Gavin Miller

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Logan Seavey

Hard Charger: Logan Seavey (10th to 2nd)

 

 

6 SPRINGFIELD STORYLINES: 60TH USAC BETTENHAUSEN 100 ARRIVES SATURDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 17, 2023)………There’s nothing much better than dirt mile season on the racing calendar.

It’s a rare treat of high-speed racing courtesy of the USAC Silver Crown National Championship in front of the covered grandstands while the smell of deep fried Oreos and the sound of the Tea Cup ride fills the central Illinois air.

This Saturday’s 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza truly will have it all when 44 of the bravest drivers and fastest dirt machinery graces the Springfield Mile under the daylight on August 19.

Here’s six storylines to whet your appetite as we prepare for state fair time at one of the most majestic settings in all of motorsports – champ car racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

BIGGEST FIELD AT SPRINGFIELD IN 22 YEARS

The monstrous 44-car entry list is the largest of any kind for the USAC Silver Crown series in 18 years!

The last time the field reached this level came in 2005 at Indianapolis Raceway Park when 46 arrived at the .686-mile paved oval. That same season, 45 cars were on hand for the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds dirt mile.

As for Springfield, you’ll have to go all the way back to 2001 to see a car count of this size when 48 signed in on that day 22 years ago.

Not only does this field of quality and quantity present a show that will produce a plethora of race-winning contenders. The race to make the race will be just as crucial and competitive.

The top-24 qualifiers on time will be locked into the 100-lap main event. The remaining 20 will be slotted into a 12-lap last chance qualifying race which will transfer only the top-six into the feature.

KODY GOING FOR FOUR

Kody Swanson enters the Bettenhausen 100 as the winner of the past three consecutive USAC Silver Crown races, all of which have come on pavement at Madison, Winchester and Toledo.

Swanson is one of only three drivers to have ever won at least four-in-a-row in series competition. Tom Bigelow was the first to achieve the feat over a span of overlapping seasons in 1975-76. Jack Hewitt did the same a decade later during his first championship season. Furthermore, Bigelow and Hewitt’s winning streaks included a victory at Springfield.

In 2018, Swanson captured a series record five-in-a-row. However, his streak came to an end that year when a steering issue knocked him out of the Springfield race while running near the front with just 30 laps to go.

Swanson has won three previous times at Springfield, in 2014, 2015 and 2021. Now he aims to join an exclusive list of drivers to win at least four editions of the Bettenhausen 100: Chuck Gurney (7), A.J. Foyt (4), Brian Tyler (4) and Jack Hewitt (4).

COCKRUM – CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS MILES

Illinois native Shane Cockrum (Benton, Ill.) made the move late in last year’s race to win at his home state track and become a first-time Bettenhausen 100 winner after leading the final 26 laps.

This year, he tries to become the 10th back-to-back winner in race history, following in the shoes of Jim Hurtubise (1961-62), A.J. Foyt (1964-65), Mario Andretti (1973-74), Chuck Gurney (1984-85), Jack Hewitt (1986-87), Chuck Gurney (1989-90-91), Brian Tyler (2004-05), A.J. Fike (2012-13) and Kody Swanson (2014-15).

Furthermore, Cockrum is just one of 26 drivers to win a AAA/USAC Champ Car race at both the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in his career.

Already a back-to-back winner at Du Quoin in 2014-15, this weekend, Cockrum will also attempt to become the sixth driver to win consecutively at both tracks in his career. The lone five individuals to do so previously are among the heavyweights in the history of the sport: Mario Andretti, Tony Bettenhausen, Jimmy Bryan, A.J. Foyt and Jack Hewitt.

KAYLEE OUT TO FINISH WHAT SHE STARTED

Although she was passed late in the race by Shane Cockrum a year ago, it was Kaylee Bryson who stole the show early on during the running of the 2022 Bettenhausen 100.

After qualifying for the outside of the front row, the Muskogee, Okla. native proceeded to lead 72 of the first 74 laps while using the daunting high line despite an engine that was down a cylinder.

After bringing the crowd to a frenzied roar throughout, she went on to finish fifth, setting two records in the process as the first woman to lead a lap with the series and the first woman to finish inside the top-five of a dirt Silver Crown race.

Despite the run coming in just her third career series start, she is still considered a Rookie of the Year contender in 2023 with the series, and currently leads all Rookie drivers with a third place standing in the points behind only Kody Swanson and Logan Seavey.

On Saturday, she looks to become not only a first-time series winner but also the first woman to ever capture a USAC National feature victory.

FROM WAY DEEP IN THE SPRING-FIELD

Dating back to 2008, all drivers who have been credited as the hard charger of the Bettenhausen 100 have finished inside the top-10.

The dirt miles seemingly see a major advancement by a driver from the back of the pack on a regular basis. These are the drivers who have managed to play their cards right and picked their spots correctly when making their move forward.

The last five runnings of the race have seen the following: Jeff Swindell (28th to 3rd in 2017), David Byrne (25th to 10th in 2018), David Gravel (26th to 2nd in 2020), Kody Swanson (23rd to 1st in 2021) and Brian Tyler (22nd to 6th in 2022).

Six drivers have been both the hard charger and the race winner of a champ car race at Springfield over the years: Johnnie Parsons (17th to 1st in 1949), Tony Bettenhausen (14th to 1st in 1951), A.J. Foyt (16th to 1st in 1964), Kenny Irwin Jr. (28th to 1st in 1995), Brian Tyler (21st to 1st in 2004) and Kody Swanson (23rd to 1st in 2021).

In fact, Irwin’s advancement from 28th is the largest in USAC Silver Crown history. Additionally, Chuck Gurney’s move from 31st to 2nd back in the 1986 Bettenhausen 100 is the biggest charge in series history by a non-race-winner.

FIRST TIME SPRINGFIELDERS

An intriguing Rookie class will be on hand to take their first crack at the Springfield Mile. Of note, only one driver to date has won in his first Bettenhausen 100 try, that being Cole Whitt in 2009.

This year’s crop taking on the dirt mile for the first time ever includes the likes of central Pennsylvania winged sprint car racer Chase Dietz (York, Pa.) who nearly won in his first career USAC Silver Crown start, finishing second at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in June.

USAC National Sprint Car and National Midget winner Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) is also part of this group after setting quick time and a new track record in his most recent series outing at Port Royal.

Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), likewise a USAC National Sprint and Midget frontrunner, will be riding with the Nolen Racing team, which captured a 2018 Bettenhausen 100 victory with driver Chris Windom.

Silver Crown Rookie Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas) will make his dirt mile debut, and his family has a long lineage at Springfield. Trey’s grandfather, Ronnie Burke made seven Bettenhausen 100 starts between 1972-1997, finishing a best of seventh in 1976. Trey’s great uncle, Jackie Burke, made four Springfield starts between 1998-2015, taking 18th in 2014.

Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.) is on board for his first mile run in a champ car during his star-studded career, which has been almost exclusively in winged sprint cars. USAC CRA Sprint Car standout Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, Calif.) will experience Springfield for the first time as will Indiana sprint car shoe Ryan Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.).

RACE DETAILS

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

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2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (44 CARS)

07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)

12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Tuttle, OK (Two C Racing)

14 STEVEN RUSSELL/Rochester, IL (McQuinn Motorsports)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)

26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)

110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

 

COTTLE REGROUPS, SECURES RIDES WITH DYSON & FTM TO FINISH USAC SILVER CROWN SLATE

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 17, 2023)………For the past few years, Shane Cottle was all set with dirt Sprint Car and Silver Crown rides with Hodges Motorsports on the USAC National circuit.

But after a run at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway this past June, Cottle was blindsided with the news that the New Mexico based team was stepping away from the sport.

Left without a ride, the Kansas, Ill. native briefly thought about hanging up the helmet, but still felt he had a few more wins in him. The 51-year-old gathered himself and forged ahead to the next step in locking down new rides.

“That’s part of racing, I guess,” Cottle said. “You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go find something else to do. Don’t pout about it.”

Soon, Cottle landed a sprint car ride with Epperson Racing, and then with Five Three Motorsports to finish out the half-mile dirt track portion of the USAC Silver Crown schedule.

Most recently, Cottle was tabbed as the new driver of the Chris Dyson Racing No. 9 for the dirt miles starting this Saturday, August 19, with the 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Dyson’s ride was the winner of the 2021 Bettenhausen 100 with driver Kody Swanson. Crew chief Sean Michael turned the wrenches for Swanson that day and was also the winning crew chief at Springfield in 2020 with Kyle Larson. It’s a deal that all came together via social media.

“I saw (Sean Michael) posted on Facebook that he was looking for a mile driver,” Cottle recalled. “I gave them a little jingle and put a name in his ear. He went around asking Justin Peck and Steve Peck, who’s my (sprint car) crew chief now. He gave me good words, and I guess he asked Kyle Larson, and he said I’d be a good choice too. I had a lot of people on my side.”

Cottle, who was raised two hours east of the Springfield Mile and about 2.5 hours north of the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, grew up going to the miles. One particular memory, in fact, that Cottle vividly recalls is Jack Hewitt’s charge from 18th to 1st at Du Quoin back in 1987 when Shane was just 15 years old.

Cottle is no stranger to winning on a dirt mile in his home state of Illinois. His first career Silver Crown win came at Du Quoin in 2007. A win at Springfield would be just as massive for the veteran racer who finished a career best second at Springfield just last season in October of 2022.

A win on a dirt mile of any kind is special. A triumph at Springfield would put him in rarified air as one of the very few to capture champ car wins at both Illinois miles. He can still recall the night 16 years ago when he won his first, one which remains near and dear to his heart.

“(Du Quoin) was definitely one of the biggest wins for me,” Cottle reminisced. “Hopefully we can put another one in the book. We don’t have very many dirt miles left and a win there is hard to get it, that’s for sure. With this hot rod, I think we’ve got a pretty good chance. A win at Springfield would definitely be cool and we’ve got a lot of people from my hometown who’ll be there.”

After Springfield this Saturday and Du Quoin’s Ted Horn 100 on Saturday, September 2, Cottle will turn his attention to the half-mile dirt Silver Crown races, starting with Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway for the 41st running of the 4-Crown Nationals on September 22-23. It’s there that Cottle will make his debut for Joliet, Illinois based Five Three Motorsports, forming an all-Illini team.

“It’s pretty cool. I haven’t met the guys yet, and I’ve just talked to them on the phone. Probably, if I walked up to them right now, I wouldn’t know who they are,” Cottle said with a laugh. “But I’ll have to meet them this weekend to know who I’m talking to. They seem like really nice people, and they’ve got good equipment and I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be a fun deal.”

Cottle’s 73 career USAC Silver Crown starts ranks 36th all-time. He owns two career series victories at Du Quoin in 2007 and as Pennsylvania’s Selinsgrove Speedway in 2020.

RACE DETAILS

Shane Cottle is one of 44 entries for this Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 field at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 19, which is the largest assemblage of USAC Silver Crown cars for a series event since 2005.

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

 

 

AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series

USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS RETURN TO PERRIS SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings

AUGUST 15, 2023... After a short break in the schedule, the chase for the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Championship heads to Perris Auto Speedway this Saturday, August 19th. Promoted by Don Kazarian, the fourteenth point race is presented by Heimark Distributors / Anheuser Busch and will feature the PAS Senior Sprint Cars, PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints, and WRA Vintage Cars plus “Power of Purple Night” benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East. Located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California, the Spectator Gates will open at 5:00pm and racing at "America's Premier Dirt Track" will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- ALL RACERS MUST PURCHASE THEIR USAC LICENSE / MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE PRIOR TO THE EVENT AT USACRACING.COM OR USACLICENSE.COM. (If racers have a membership question, contact Julie Tanaka at julietanaka@aol.com.)
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535; SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78; FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101; COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S; B&B: FRAC-0375S; SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK, P1 AUSTRALIA: SSM5C.
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS: Front axle tether systems (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS: Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.

Since March 6, 2004, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds has held 247 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car events and forty-three different drivers have claimed victory. “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with 51 “home track” wins and this year’s races have been claimed by Justin Grant, Matt Mitchell, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, and Brody Roa (twice). Nic Faas set the 1-lap track record of 15.833 on February 25, 2012 and the complete Perris USAC/CRA win list is at the end of this release.

After scoring his eighth win of the season at Perris on July 15th, “The Pride of Garden Grove” Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) leads the USAC/CRA standings with a stout 151 point lead. Driving the Tom & Christy Dunkel / BR Performance owned #17R Inland Rigging / Dunkel Farms DRC, Roa has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, five heat race victories, one In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, twelve top-10 finishes, and 177 feature laps led to his credit. The 2019 USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion ranks fourth with 21 career USAC/CRA triumphs and will be looking to get closer to his first CRA title with another win at Perris Auto Speedway.

Having a career year, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm (Corona, California) ranks second in the USAC/CRA point standings. Racing Dino Napier’s #5X Indiana Truck Salvage / B&B Powder Coating Maxim, Malcolm scored a thirteenth place finish on July 15th. To date, the veteran driver has two feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, four heat race victories, two Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Awards, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, ten top-10 finishes, and 77 feature laps led on the year. Tommy “Thunder” will have his sights on earning another “home track” victory this Saturday night.

“The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams (Yorba Linda, California) sits third in the USAC/CRA championship standings. Piloting the family owned #2 Digalert / Ramona Duck Club DRC, Williams had mechanical problems in the outing at Perris. At press time, the 2009 Co-Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, nine top-10 finishes, and 32 feature laps led to his credit. With eleven career triumphs, Austin will be looking to earn his first win of the season at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds.

“The Cadillac” Cody Williams (Corona, California) is fourth in the chase for the championship. The owner/driver of the #44 WC Friend Company / Trench Shoring DRC raced to a third place finish in the July 15 main event. To date, the former National Non-Wing Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has six Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, and eighth top-10 finishes on the season. “The Cadillac” has three career wins and will have his sights on his victory of 2023 at Perris.

A.J. Bender (San Diego, California) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA championship points. Racing the family owned #21 Bender Pool & Spa / GAS Chassis entry, Bender finished second to Brody Roa on July 15th after starting ninth. At press time, last season’s USAC Western States Midget Rookie of the Year has six heat race victories, one In Memory of Jim & Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award, and ten top-10 finishes to his credit. This Saturday night, Bender will be looking to claim the first USAC/CRA victory of his career.

Grant Sexton (Lakeside, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors and ranks seventh in the point standings. The driver of the family owned #22 Sexton Fire Protection / East County Electric Works Triple X is followed by James Turnbull II (Indio, California), Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, California), Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California), Dawson Faria (Tipton, California), Jim Vanzant (Prescott, Arizona), and Tom Dunkel (Menifee, California).

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Logan Calderwood, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Verne Sweeney, Logan Williams, Chris Gansen, Brent Owens, James Herrera, Jeff Dyer, Matt McCarthy, Andrew Sweeney, “The Gunslinger” Austin Grabowski, Chris Bonneau, Kyle Edwards, Gary Marshall Jr., Don Gansen, Tyler Hatzikian, Mark Henry, and more.

Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. Adult tickets are $30, Senior tickets (65 & over) are $25, Kids tickets (6 to 12) are $5, and Children (5 and under) are FREE. The Fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. Advance tickets are available and for more event information, visit the track’s website at perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.

The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks BillsJerky.net, Factory Wraps, Flowdynamics Incorporated, The Gardner Family (In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner), Hoosier Racing Tires, WC Friend Company, Woodland Auto Display, BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, and Wilwood Disc Brakes for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact Tony Jones at tonyjonesracing@gmail.com or PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-Damion Gardner, 2018-Damion Gardner, 2019-Damion Gardner, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Damion Gardner, 2022-Damion Gardner.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 8-Brody Roa, 2-Tommy Malcolm, 1-Justin Grant, 1-Chase Johnson, 1-Matt Mitchell.

PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA 1-LAP QUALIFYING RECORD: Nic Faas – 15.833 (02/25/12)

PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 51-Damion Gardner, 24-Mike Spencer, 19-Tony Jones, 17-Cory Kruseman, 9-Nic Faas, 8-David Cardey, 8-Matt Mitchell, 8-Richard Vander Weerd, 7-Brody Roa, 7-Rip Williams, 6-Bryan Clauson, 6-Justin Grant, 6-Mike Kirby, 6-Danny Sheridan, 6-Austin Williams, 5-Brady Bacon, 5-Robert Ballou, 5-Rickie Gaunt, 4-Dave Darland, 4-R.J. Johnson, 3-Charles Davis Jr., 3-Garrett Hansen, 3-Kevin Thomas Jr., 2-Darren Hagen, 2-Jesse Hockett, 2-Levi Jones, 2-Blake Miller, 2-Jake Swanson, 2-Chris Windom, 1-Chad Boespflug, 1-Greg Bragg, 1-Daron Clayton, 1-Josh Ford, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-C.J. Leary, 1-Tommy Malcolm, 1-Adam Mitchell, 1-Johnny Rodriguez, 1-Hunter Schuerenberg, 1-Chase Stockon, 1-Scotty Weir, 1-Cody Williams, 1-Jason York.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1-Brody Roa-991, 2-Tommy Malcolm-840, 3-Austin Williams-745, 4-Cody Williams-723, 5-A.J. Bender-717, 6-Logan Calderwood-609, 7-Grant Sexton-506, 8-Charles Davis Jr.-500, 9-Verne Sweeney-417, 10-R.J. Johnson-377.

2023 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
January 27: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
January 28: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
March 3: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (RAIN)
March 4: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (RAIN)
March 18: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Justin Grant)
March 24: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (RAIN)
March 25: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (RAIN)
April 1: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ (Winner: Chase Johnson)
April 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Matt Mitchell)
April 22: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 6: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 20: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Winner: Tommy Malcolm)
May 27: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Tommy Malcolm)
June 10: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
June 24: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
July 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Brody Roa)
August 19: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA
September 9: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA
September 23: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
October 14: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ
November 3: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 4: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 11: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (40 Laps)
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TBA = To Be Announced.
This schedule is subject to change.


 

 

DIETZ READY FOR SECOND ACT AT SPRINGFIELD
AFTER SPECTCULAR USAC SILVER CROWN DEBUT

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 16, 2023)………It was among the finest debuts in USAC Silver Crown history.

In his first ever series appearance, Chase Dietz wheeled car owner Bruce Lee’s DRC to a runner-up finish in June at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway.

Now comes the follow-up act as the Pennsylvanian duo teams up once more for their second USAC Silver Crown ride this Saturday, August 19, during the 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The Springfield Mile is admittedly a different animal for both Dietz and Lee with it being a twice as big, twice as fast and will feature twice as many laps as Port Royal. Furthermore, the team has never before contested a mile dirt track and Dietz mainly possesses a plethora of laps around tracks no larger than a half-mile in length.

However, all that is just paper talk. After his stirring performance at Port Royal, the 26-year-old York, Pa. native openly admitted, “I’ll be damn honest; we had no clue what was going on.” However, you would never know it. The same prospects lie ahead as the team takes on a new adventure this weekend on the Springfield mile.

Dietz is a regular in the rough and rugged winged sprint car scene of central Pennsylvania and possesses a share of feature victories at speedways such as Lincoln, Williams Grove and Selinsgrove in the 410 c.i. ranks. Some aspects translate seamlessly from one discipline to the other such as keeping the car straight and keeping tire wear to a minimum.

But the differences between a Silver Crown car and a sprint car are stark regarding when and where to get in and out of the throttle, not to mention the closing speeds, plus the lack of downforce without a wing and just how hard he needed to run in a long-distance race with a heavy tank of fuel sitting behind him.

The same contrast applies to the venues as well with him not wholly expecting what to find at Port Royal and now facing another new challenge, albeit with a little more seat time on this occasion, heading into Springfield.

“I guess you could say we’re going into it a little blind,” Chase admitted. “But I think it comes down to watching and studying the race and how to race (the track), and not necessarily what we need to do the car or things like that. A lot of it is going to come down to tire wear or fuel mileage. If you watch the guys who’ve won a lot of them, specifically Kody Swanson, he’s definitely learned to drive these races the best way. Instead of forcing his way at times, he picks the right time to make his moves.”

Just getting to this point to be involved in USAC Silver Crown competition is a story in itself. Chase’s father, Tim Dietz, was a longtime competitor with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) Midget series, picking up Rookie of the Year honors in 1994 and ultimately went on to win eight races with the division over the years.

Chase’s car owner, Bruce Lee, just so happened to be Tim’s shop teacher in high school. Tim was just beginning to embark on his racing career when he was a student in Mr. Lee’s class. Upon discovering Tim’s racing ambitions, Lee stepped in and decided to help out Tim’s racing career. Since then, it’s been a Lee/Dietz partnership that continues all these decades later and even spans multiple generations.

“Bruce and my dad would always have conversations about getting into something different when he retired from teaching,” Chase explained. “Two of the divisions he always talked about were midgets and Silver Crown cars. Now that he’s retired, he decided to go the Silver Crown route and this is his first time having an entire car and team. He’s more so just looking to have some fun; he didn’t want to be running full-time for 40, 60, 70 races a year like we would with our 410 stuff. The Silver Crown division is definitely beneficial to him and what he wanted to do. We can do a little bit of traveling and race at places we haven’t been to before and experience some of the dirt miles and things like that.”

To say expectations were exceeded at Port Royal is not exceeding the truth by any stretch. They qualified third, then Chase remained at the forefront throughout the distance, reading the track as he gained more laps. On their first swing, they nearly pulled off one of the major shockers in series history.

“The run at Port Royal made him very happy,” Chase said of Bruce. “It’s not something we really expected to do, but it was pretty cool to do that right off the bat. We didn’t really know what to expect, but I felt I could do well as long as I did my job. I felt comfortable right from the beginning, and while we were up there, I felt like I could’ve pushed harder and done more. I just needed to get more of an idea who we were racing with and also how hard I could push with the car, especially early in the event with a full load of fuel.”

In fact, it was so good of a run, Chase became just the 14th driver in the 53-year history of USAC Silver Crown racing to finish inside the top-two during his debut race. He’s just the second individual to start inside the top-three and finish top-two in his first race. P.J. Jones at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1994 is the other.

The only drivers thus far to win in their USAC Silver Crown debut are Jim McElreath (Nazareth 1971), A.J. Foyt (Springfield 1971), Danny Smith (Eldora 1982), Rick Hood (Indiana State Fairgrounds 1982), Jimmy Horton (Nazareth 1983), Herb Copeland (Oklahoma City Fairgrounds 1983) and Marvin Carman (Minnesota State Fairgrounds 1984).

The lone drivers to finish as the runner-up in their first USAC Silver Crown run are Arnie Knepper (Nazareth 1971), Barry Camp (Williams Grove 1981), Jac Haudenschild (Indiana State Fairgrounds 1985), P.J. Jones (IRP 1994), David Gravel (Springfield 2020), Tyler Roahrig (IRP 2021) and now Chase Dietz (Port Royal 2023).

It’s pretty elite company to find oneself in, but Chase keeps the expectations tempered for now going into Springfield. After all, he’s still new to the discipline and he’s visiting a type of track he’s never before turned a wheel on. However, there is that thought that sticks in his mind of ‘you never know,’ just as Port Royal played out.

“Going into the mile, we still don’t necessarily have those expectations,” Chase admitted. “But the second-place finish kind of puts it in your mind that, ‘man, we know we can do well.’ But we also haven’t had time at the mile and we don’t know what the track is going to be like, so we’re going to take it like we did the first race and try to find out what we can and attack as fast as possible and go from there. It’s a whole new experience and a lot to learn, but I’m confident that we can do well, and we’ll see what we can do from here on out.”

RACE DETAILS

Chase Dietz is one of 44 entries for this Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 field at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 19, which is the largest assemblage of USAC Silver Crown cars for a series event since 2005.

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

 

 

FLYIN’ ILLINI: 6 STORYLINES FOR ILLINOIS USAC MIDGET WEEKEND AT WAYNE CITY & MACON

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 15, 2023)………From southern Illinois to central Illinois, the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship truly becomes the Flyin’ Illini this weekend, August 18-19.

Two dates await drivers and teams starting with Friday’s 10th running of the Jason Leffler Memorial Presented By Peoples National Bank at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Ill. followed by the series’ first visit to Macon Speedway in six seasons on Saturday night.

“Unpredictability” is the word on these two dirt bullrings. Wayne City’s 1/8-mile and Macon’s 1/5-mile may be short of stature but are most definitely big on excitement. In 19 combined USAC National Midget events at these two venues dating back to 1959, never has there been a repeat winner. That’s all you need to know.

However, after a monthlong layoff for the series, there’s so much more to talk about. We dig in right here with these six storylines for an Illinois doubleheader weekend for the USAC National Midgets.

DAUMINATING IN ILLINOIS

There have been nine previous runnings of the Jason Leffler Memorial since 2013. There have been 12 appearances of USAC National Midgets at Macon since 1959. Neither has seen a repeat winner.

Zach Daum and Tanner Thorson, however, will try to change that narrative this weekend at Wayne City. Daum (Pocahontas, Ill.) was the inaugural Jason Leffler Memorial winner in 2013 and the runner-up a year ago in 2022. Thorson, meanwhile, was first in 2020 and second in 2016.

Macon will likely see a first-time USAC Midget winner unless Donnie Beechler or Brad Kuhn burst out of retirement to return to competition. But the magic eight ball says “Don’t count on it.”

Daum has won with the POWRi Midgets and MOWA Sprint Cars in recent years at Macon and also owns the track’s qualifying record with a time of 10.325 seconds. Thorson is also a winner in the POWRi Midget ranks at Macon, scoring one win in 2016.

Astonishingly, no driver has won twice in either event, although some have come close. Jason Leffler Memorial winners Zach Daum (2013), Tyler Thomas (2018), Tanner Thorson (2020) and Christopher Bell (2021) have also all finished second. Daum took runner-up honors just last year in 2022 as did Thorson in 2016, Thomas in 2019 and Bell in 2014.

Macon winners Leroy Warriner (1959), Jimmy Davies (1960) and Tony Elliott (1992) also came within a hair of becoming multi-time victors. Warriner and Davies grabbed second place results there in 1959 while Elliott nearly captured the 1991 race before winning the following year.

T.E.A.M. = TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE

While the high majority of drivers are chasing first career USAC National Midget wins at either Wayne County or Macon, there are several teams who’ve enjoyed the spoils of victory.

CB Industries, RMS Racing and Tom Malloy have all seen their teams win the Jason Leffler Memorial during the decade of the 2020s.

CBI scored at Wayne City with Mitchel Moles in 2022, RMS in 2021 with Christopher Bell and Malloy with Tanner Thorson in 2020. While only Thorson is expected to repeat his triumphant performance, those teams are champing at the bit to see their car return with a new gun.

CBI will field Bryant Wiedeman (Colby, Kan.), who recently captured his first career USAC victory in July in his home state of Kansas at the Mitchell County Fairgrounds.

RMS will have the talents of Justin Grant and Thomas Meseraull at the wheel of their machines. Grant (Ione, Calif.) and Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.) share a best career Leffler Memorial finish of 4th. Grant achieved it in 2014 and 2018 while Meseraull did the same in 2022.

Malloy will have two-time 2023 series winner Jacob Denney (Galloway, Ohio) in the seat as well as Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, Calif.) who sits second in the Rookie of the Year standings at press time.

A STATISTICAL ODDITY FOR KKM

Oddly enough, Wayne County Speedway is literally the only track on this year’s schedule that a Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports car has never won a USAC National Midget feature event at.

KKM, the owner of an all-time record 142 USAC National Midget entrant wins, has finished second place on four occasions at the Jason Leffler Memorial: Christopher Bell (2014), Rico Abreu (2015) and Tanner Thorson (2016).

A victory in the Jason Leffler Memorial would be a major one for Kunz and KKM CEO Pete Willoughby. Leffler captured the first USAC National Midget championship for both Kunz and Willoughby in 1997. Willoughby was also the recipient of USAC’s Jason Leffler Award in 2014 in recognition of his intense appreciation of the sport’s history reflected in his professionalism and outstanding representation as an ambassador of the United States Auto Club, exhibiting the same standard of ideals upheld by the late Jason Leffler during his USAC racing career.

With all that said, the team does enter Macon’s round as the defending winner when Christopher Bell raced to victory back in 2017. KKM will have in its stable the likes of Jade Avedisian (Clovis, Calif.), Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) and Rookie point leader Gavin Miller (Allentown, Pa.) throughout the weekend.

LOGAN STREAKY

By all estimates, Logan Seavey is officially on a roll. He carries a streak of seven straight USAC National Midget podium finishes into the weekend.

That makes him only the fourth driver in the last 10 years to have seven or more consecutive top-three feature results with the series.

The only other drivers in that timeframe to accomplish the feat are Rico Abreu (9 straight in 2014 and 8 straight in 2015); Tyler Courtney (9 straight in 2020); and Buddy Kofoid (7 straight in 2022 and 8 in 2022).

With two more top-three results this weekend, Seavey would tie the best run of its sort in this decade. The 2018 series champion’s latest finishes of 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st and 2nd have pushed him into the point lead by a healthy 76-point margin.

THE SHORTEST SHORT TRACK CHALLENGE

In the entire 68-year history of USAC National Midget racing, no driver has won more often on dirt tracks shorter than a quarter mile in size than Tanner Thorson with eight.

Thorson (Minden, Nev.) is not only the victor of the most recent round of the 2023 USAC National Midget season in July, it also just so happened to occur at the 1/5-mile Jefferson County Speedway in Nebraska. Thorson will attempt to repeat his 2020 Jason Leffler Memorial victory on Wayne City’s 1/8-mile.

Justin Grant is second all-time in that category with six victories in his career. However, three such events on the shortest short tracks this season have hosted victories by Thorson as well as Jacob Denney at the 1/6-mile Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex in Missouri and Logan Seavey at Jefferson County.

PICKING THE LOCK TO THE KEY OF ILLINOIS SUCCESS

Is experience the key? Well, it’s not a lock, but it sure does help. A handful of drivers at least have some fresh perspective and a successful baseline to run with this weekend.

Zach Daum swept both nights of Xtreme Outlaw Midget racing earlier this season at Wayne City. There, Gavin Miller ran 2nd and 3rd across both nights. Cannon McIntosh (Bixby, Okla.) took a 3rd and a 6th while Chance Crum (Snohomish, Wash.) scored a 5th. Taylor Reimer (Bixby, Okla.) ran inside the top-10 with a 7th as did Chase McDermand (Springfield, Ill.) with a 9th and Jade Avedisian with a 10th, all of whom will be in Friday night’s field.

In POWRi action at Macon during June’s Illinois Midget Week a couple months ago, Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.) captured a dramatic victory over McIntosh which brought about its share of dramatic on-track fireworks and a few post-race barbs from the two as they crossed the stripe first and second, respectively. Avedisian, meanwhile, pocketed a solid fourth that same night.

Furthermore, Macon hosted a pair of USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car events in the early part of July. Of the drivers on this Saturday’s midget roster, Logan Seavey was the best with a fast qualifying time on night one and a 5th place finish on night two. Daison Pursley advanced from 12th to 8th while Zach Daum jetted from 18th to 10th.

RACE DETAILS

The 10th running of the Jason Leffler Memorial featuring the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship along with Non-Wing Outlaw Micros, Restrictors & Junior Sprints takes place on Friday night, August 18, at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Illinois. Adult general admission tickets are $25. Kids 12 & under are free. Pit passes are $40. Pits open at 3pm Central, grandstands open at 5pm with the drivers meeting at 6:00pm and hot laps at 6:30pm with qualifying and racing immediately following.

On Saturday night, August 19, at Macon Speedway in Macon, Illinois, the pits open at 4pm Central, the front gates open at 5pm with the drivers meeting at 5:30 and cars on track at 6. Adult tickets are $25 with children age 11 and under free. Pit passes and tickets will be sold at the gate on race day. Red's Place Modifieds and Hornets are also on the event card.

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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Logan Seavey-780, 2-Jacob Denney-704, 3-Justin Grant-692, 4-Bryant Wiedeman-676, 5-Jade Avedisian-647, 6-Daison Pursley-647, 7-Ryan Timms-638, 8-Cannon McIntosh-622, 9-Taylor Reimer-529, 10-Chase McDermand-527.

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JASON LEFFLER MEMORIAL WINNERS:

2013: Zach Daum (8/28)

2014: Daryn Pittman (8/26)

2015: Bryan Clauson (10/23)

2016: Brady Bacon (10/20)

2018: Tyler Thomas (10/21)

2019: Tyler Courtney (10/17)

2020: Tanner Thorson (10/9)

2021: Christopher Bell (12/18)

2022: Mitchel Moles (10/7)

MACON SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINNERS:

1959: Don Branson (7/9), Don Boorse (7/30) & Leroy Warriner (9/15)

1960: Jimmy Davies (7/21)

1962: Chuck Rodee (6/1)

1964: Danny Frye (6/25)

1965: Bob Tattersall (7/11)

1991: Donnie Beechler (8/16)

1992: Tony Elliott (8/21)

1996: Randy Koch (8/16)

2007: Brad Kuhn (8/17)

2017: Christopher Bell (7/1)

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PAST JASON LEFFLER MEMORIAL RESULTS:

2013 FEATURE: 1. Zach Daum, 2. Shane Cottle, 3. Dave Darland, 4. Shane Cockrum, 5. Bryan Clauson, 6. Chett Gehrke, 7. Dereck King, 8, Andrew Felker, 9. Hud Cone, 10. Daniel Robinson, 11. Bobby East, 12. Parker Price-Miller, 13. Tyler Robbins, 14. Justin Grant, 15. Jake Blackhurst, 16. Austin Brown, 17. Chris Bell, 18. Darren Hagen, 19. Tim Siner, 20. Colten Cottle, 21.Tyler Robbins, 22. Seth Motsinger.

2014 FEATURE: 1. Daryn Pittman, 2. Christopher Bell. 3. Bryan Clauson, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Spencer Bayston, 7. Andrew Felker, 8. Darren Hagen, 9. Rico Abreu, 10. Tanner Thorson, 11. Chris Windom, 12. Tyler Thomas, 13. Dave Darland, 14. Daniel Robinson, 15. Garrett Aitken, 16. Nick Knepper, 17. Shane Cockrum, 18. Colten Cottle, 19. Chett Gehrke, 20. Austin Brown, 21. Brady Bacon, 22. Parker Price-Miller, 23. Seth Motsinger.

2015 FEATURE: 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Rico Abreu, 3. Zach Daum, 4. Daryn Pittman, 5. Payton Pierce, 6. Brady Bacon, 7. Jonathan Beason, 8. Danny Stratton, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Kevin Thomas Jr., 11. Andrew Felker, 12. Tracy Hines, 13. Kyle Schuett, 14. Anton Hernandez, 15. Ryan Robinson, 16. Tanner Thorson, 17. Isaac Chapple, 18. C.J. Leary, 19. Dereck King, 20. Tyler Thomas, 21. Darren Hagen, 22. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 23. Austin Brown, 24. Spencer Bayston, 25. Justin Peck, 26. Tyler Courtney.

2016 FEATURE: 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Tanner Thorson, 3. Carson Macedo, 4. Chris Windom, 5. Andrew Felker, 6. Alex Bright, 7. Chett Gehrke, 8. Spencer Bayston, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Jerry Coons Jr., 11. Shane Cottle, 12. Justin Peck, 13. Grady Chandler, 14. Jonathan Beason, 15. Chad Boat, 16. Riley Kreisel, 17. Ryan Robinson, 18. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 19. Andy Malpocker, 20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 21. Jake Neuman, 22. Brayton Lynch, 23. Damion Gardner, 24. Colten Cottle, 25. Holly Shelton, 26. Jason McDougal, 27. Rico Abreu, 28. Gage Walker. NT

2017 FEATURE: Rained Out

2018 FEATURE: (starting position in parentheses) 1. Tyler Thomas (2), 2. Chad Boat (4), 3. Tyler Courtney (3), 4. Justin Grant (16), 5. Jonathan Beason (18), 6. Christopher Bell (7), 7. Spencer Bayston (8), 8. Zeb Wise (12), 9. Logan Seavey (9), 10. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (17), 11. Ryan Robinson (21), 12. Cole Bodine (11), 13. Sam Johnson (23), 14. Alex Bright (14), 15. Jerry Coons, Jr. (10), 16. Brady Bacon (6), 17. Tanner Carrick (15), 18. Dave Darland (13), 19. Jake Neuman (5), 20. Holly Shelton (20), 21. Tucker Klaasmeyer (22), 22. Jason McDougal (1), 23. Zach Daum (19).

2019 FEATURE: (starting position in parentheses) 1. Tyler Courtney (3), 2. Tyler Thomas (1), 3. Jason McDougal (2), 4. Logan Seavey (19), 5. Justin Grant (6), 6. Chris Windom (10), 7. Brady Bacon (16), 8. Daryn Pittman (15), 9. Sam Johnson (13), 10. Tucker Klaasmeyer (18), 11. Jesse Colwell (4), 12. Russ Gamester (21), 13. Gio Scelzi (11), 14. Daniel Robinson (8), 15. Zeb Wise (17), 16. Thomas Meseraull (12), 17. Tanner Carrick (7), 18. Jake Neuman (14), 19. Cannon McIntosh (22), 20. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (5), 21. Andrew Layser (20), 22. Holley Hollan (23), 23. Jerry Coons, Jr. (9).

2020 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Tanner Thorson (6), 2. Chris Windom (2), 3. Kevin Thomas Jr. (4), 4. Cannon McIntosh (1), 5. Daison Pursley (3), 6. Tyler Courtney (10), 7. Kyle Cummins (11), 8. Chase Randall (5), 9. Emerson Axsom (7), 10. Justin Grant (9), 11. Jerry Coons Jr. (15), 12. Cole Bodine (20), 13. Cody Brewer (18), 14. Robert Dalby (19), 15. Tyler Thomas (14), 16. Chase Johnson (12), 17. Buddy Kofoid (17), 18. Kaylee Bryson (22), 19. Sam Johnson (21), 20. Hayden Reinbold (23*), 21. Brady Bacon (13), 22. Logan Seavey (8), 23. Jason McDougal (16). NT

2021 FEATURE: (50 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Christopher Bell (3), 2. Cannon McIntosh (2), 3. Chance Crum (5), 4. Sam Johnson (9), 5. Mitchel Moles (4), 6. Jordan Kinser (13), 7. Chad Boespflug (8), 8. Zach Daum (10), 9. Chett Gehrke (14), 10. Chase Briscoe (1), 11. Terry Babb (12), 12. Greg Mitchell (15), 13. Chase Howard (20), 14. Rylan Gray (7), 15. Jake Neuman (18), 16. Cory Eliason (6), 17. Max Adams (11), 18. Zach Boden (19), 19. Dillon Silverman (17), 20. Daniel Robinson (16). NT

2022 FEATURE: (40 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Mitchel Moles (3), 2. Zach Daum (4), 3. Buddy Kofoid (5), 4. Thomas Meseraull (1), 5. Bryant Wiedeman (2), 6. Ethan Mitchell (7), 7. Sam Johnson (9), 8. Chase McDermand (15), 9. Jacob Denney (14), 10. Cannon McIntosh (18), 11. Dominic Gorden (19), 12. Daison Pursley (6), 13. Daniel Robinson (13), 14. Chance Crum (10), 15. Kyle Cummins (21), 16. Karter Sarff (8), 17. Brenham Crouch (17), 18. Kaylee Bryson (11), 19. Hayden Reinbold (22), 20. Justin Grant (16), 21. Taylor Reimer (12), 22. Maria Cofer (20). NT

=============

MACON SPEEDWAY USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RESULTS

JULY 9, 1959 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Don Branson, 2. Leroy Warriner, 3. Gene Force, 4. Buddy Cagle, 5. Jim Packard, 6. Gene Hartley, 7. Bob Wente, 8. Danny Oakes, 9. Gene Weyant, 10. Johnny White, 11. Chuck Rodee, 12. Johnnie Parsons, 13. Bill Homeier, 14. David Lee, 15. Dwight Brown, 16. Willie Hunziker, 17. Arnie Knepper, 18. Russ Congdon.

JULY 30, 1959 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Don Boorse, 2. Jimmy Davies, 3. Bill Homeier, 4. A.J. Foyt, 5. Leroy Warriner, 6. Gene Hartley, 7. Bob Tattersall, 8. Gene Force, 9. Don Branson, 10. Bob Wente, 11. Bob McLean, 12. Bobby Grim.

SEPTEMBER 15, 1959 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Leroy Warriner, 2. John Slowiak, 3. Gene Weyant, 4. Jimmy Davies, 5. Bill Eubank, 6. Bill Homeier, 7. Red Hamilton, 8. Gene Hartley, 9. Johnny Riva, 10. Russ Congdon, 11. Allen Crowe, 12. Tommy Copp.

1960 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Jimmy Davies, 2. Billy Wood, 3. Allen Crowe, 4. Gene Force, 5. Tommy Copp, 6. Russ Congdon, 7. Bob Tattersall, 8. Leroy Warriner, 9. Gene Hartley, 10. Bob Wente, 11. George Benson, 12. Johnny Roberts, 13. Bobby Grim, 14. Bob Ellingham, 15. Les Scott, 16. Keith Thomas, 17. S. Arms, 18. Jim Neff.

1962 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Chuck Rodee, 2. Russ Congdon, 3. Jimmy Davies, 4. Johnny Riva, 5. Allen Crowe, 6. Tommy Copp, 7. Chuck Marshall, 8. Porky Rachwitz, 9. Dwight Brown, 10. Danny Frye, 11. Dick Kincaid, 12. Ray Elliott, 13. Bob Mathouser, 14. Chuck Weyant, 15. Bill Sarles, 16. Ralph Parkinson, 17. Jim Neff, 18. Gary Congdon.

1964 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Danny Frye, 2. Bob Wente, 3. Mel Kenyon, 4. Dwight Brown, 5. Chuck Weyant, 6. Arnie Knepper, 7. Don Meacham, 8. Tommy Copp, 9. Chuck Rodee, 10. Mike McGreevy, 11. Jimmy Knight, 12. Tom Sellberg, 13. Bob Tattersall, 14. Jimmy Davies, 15. Bill Mehner, 16. John Batts, 17. Leroy Stolle.

1965 FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Bob Tattersall, 2. Bill Puterbaugh, 3. Mike McGreevy, 4. Tommy Copp, 5. Bob Wente, 6. Danny Frye, 7. Chuck Rodee, 8. Bobby Grim, 9. Sonny Ates, 10. Bill Mehner, 11. Warren Schiebe, 12. Bob Lithgow, 13. Walt Kennedy, 14. John Taylor, 15. Larry Majeski, 16. Jimmy Davies, 17. Joe Lane.

1991 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Donnie Beechler, 2. Tony Elliott, 3. Mike Streicher, 4. Donnie Lehmann, 5. Curtis Evans, 6. Phil Heavelow, 7. Doug Kalitta, 8. Roy Caruthers, 9. Gary Baugh, 10. John McEntire, 11. Jim Davies, 12. Tim Siner, 13. Aaron Truax, 14. Duke DeRosa, 15. Greg Lueckert, 16. Tyce Carlson, 17. Stevie Reeves, 18. Stan Fox, 19. P.J. Jones, 20. Steve Knepper. NT

1992 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Tony Elliott, 2. Steve Knepper, 3. Donnie Lehmann, 4. Stevie Reeves, 5. Kevin Doty, 6. Kenny Irwin Jr., 7. Dean Billings, 8. Donnie Beechler, 9. Mike Streicher, 10. Ray Morgan, 11. Bruce Donaldson Jr., 12. Fred Tegarden Jr., 13. Tyce Carlson, 14. Bryon Walters, 15. Scott Hatton, 16. Page Jones, 17. Dan Drinan, 18. Danny Frye Jr., 19. Johnny Crawford, 20. Phil Heavelow. NT

1996 FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Randy Koch, 2. Brian Gerster, 3. Andy Michner, 4. Dean Billings, 5. Scott Hatton, 6. Steve Knepper, 7. Tony Elliott, 8. Russ Gamester, 9. Andy Pierce, 10. David Bridges, 11. Carl Olsen, 12. Nick Lundgreen, 13. Scott Weyant, 14. Jim Davies, 15. Bruce Donaldson Jr., 16. Danny Frye Jr., 17. Kenneth Nichols, 18. Ryan Newman, 19. Kenny Irwin Jr., 20. Donnie Lehmann, 21. Kevin Newton, 22. Scott Hansen. NT

2007 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Brad Kuhn, 2. Brad Loyet, 3. Shane Hollingsworth, 4. Dereck King, 5. Darren Hagen, 6. Jon Stanbrough, 7. Chuck Gurney Jr., 8. Nick Knepper, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Justin Allgaier, 11. Brad Sweet, 12. Danny Stratton, 13. Dave Camfield Jr., 14. Derrick Myers, 15. Brady Bacon, 16. Kevin Swindell, 17. Mike Hess, 18. Jerry Coons Jr., 19. Brad Mosen, 20. Davey Ray, 21. Tim Siner, 22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 23. Bryce Townsend, 24. Tom Hessert III. NT

2017 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Christopher Bell, 2. Spencer Bayston, 3. Tyler Courtney, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Shane Golobic, 6. Zach Daum, 7. Brady Bacon, 8. Chad Boat, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Daniel Robinson, 11. Holly Shelton, 12. Ryan Robinson, 13. Jerry Coons Jr., 14. Gage Walker, 15. Jake Neuman, 16. Brayton Lynch, 17. Tyler Nelson, 18. Kyle Schuett, 19. Colten Cottle, 20. Tyler Thomas, 21. Nick Knepper, 22. David Budres, 23. Tanner Thorson. NT

=============

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL MIDGETS AT WAYNE COUNTY SPEEDWAY:

10 Laps - 10/7/2022 - Justin Grant - 1:43.92

12 Laps - 10/21/2016 - Ryan Robinson - 2:19.19

=============

TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC NATIONAL MIDGETS AT MACON SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 7/1/2017 - Zach Daum - 10.325

4 Laps - 6/25/1964 - Jimmy Davies - 51.10

10 Laps - 8/21/1992 - Page Jones - 1:54.88

12 Laps - 8/21/1992 - Fred Tegarden Jr. - 2:20.84

50 Laps - 7/30/1959 - Don Boorse - 11:00.26


A 3-YEAR WAIT:
JACOB WILSON RETURNS TO
USAC SILVER CROWN RACING AT SPRINGFIELD

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 15, 2023)………The last time Jacob Wilson sat in a USAC Silver Crown car was on the Springfield Mile nearly three years ago when he finished with a solid top-five result.

Now the Crawfordsville, Ind. native and past dirt mile Silver Crown winner will make his return to the series for the first time since that day in 2020 at the very same spot for this Saturday’s 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 19.

Wilson, a veteran of 54 career Silver Crown starts, hasn’t exactly been sitting idle for the past handful of years. During his hiatus from racing, he’s been busy building up and expanding the family business, Wilson’s 24-Hour Towing. His brother and crew chief, Clint Wilson, recently got married and Jacob will tie the knot with his fiancée this September.

The busy off-track schedule may have taken him away from racing for a bit and made it a bit, but the drive is still there for the 33-year-old wheelman who also owns a pair of Little 500 Sprint Car victories at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway in 2013-14.

In May of this year, he made his first start in a racecar of any kind in several years, starting 17th and finishing 4th in the Little 500, but only after receiving a call to drive the car as a last-minute replacement the night before the first practice.

The fire never waned within Wilson, but that performance got the ball rolling, and just a few months later, he announced his return to the Silver Crown series.

“We’ve had the desire, but things just didn’t work out,” Wilson revealed. “When things calmed down a little bit for us at work, we were able to get things put back together.”

The dirt miles are special, and they hold a special place in Wilson’s racing career. Prior to his most recent Silver Crown start at Springfield in 2020, his last start before that was a victory on the Magic Mile at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois.

Known for a long time for his prowess on pavement tracks, the victory was a pleasant surprise for Wilson who soon discovered that the dirt miles fit him like a glove.

“It’s hard to believe that after all the Silver Crown races we’ve run and with all the pavement success we’ve had, that our first win would be on a dirt track,” Wilson remarked. “The dirt miles seem to fit my driving style as you’re playing the patience game with strategy. Hopefully we can replicate some of that and keep the fire going as far as our race team goes. Being out of it for a little bit, it’s going to be getting out there and knocking 10 laps out and then go from there.”

Wilson feels that rust won’t be a factor, but getting back into the swing of things as he did while racing regularly with USAC between 2008-2020 will be a change from what he’s been accustomed to over the past three years.

“Knocking the rust off is not really a huge issue but it’s one of those deals in which I’d rather be doing it every weekend instead of once every three years,” Wilson said with a laugh.

Saturday’s race at Springfield is the plan for a resumption of his USAC Silver Crown career, which will also include a stop in the Ted Horn 100 at Du Quoin on Saturday, September 2, plus even more to come in the future.

“We’re going to hit the stuff we know,” Wilson revealed. “We sold our dirt wing sprint cars. It’s something we tried, but really didn’t fit me at all. We’re trying to get back into stuff we know and love. The crown cars have always held a special place in our heart – the miles, the big pavement tracks – it fits our style, and it seems like the events themselves, there’s just more prestige and more hype around them. We’re looking to get back into some more and build into next year after having the winter to ramp up everything and take it from there.”

Wilson will take on Springfield with the same team, car and operation he left off with in 2020 during his last Silver Crown start aboard his Wilson Brothers Racing/RGT Sales – Lucas Oil – Wix Filters – FK Indy – JetStar/Maxim/Claxton Chevy. He’ll have his brother, Clint, on the wrenches as well as USAC’s National Chief Mechanic of the Year, Matt Hummel, by his side once again as well.

“We’re excited,” Wilson exclaimed. “Expectations are high, but we’re also realists about it. A top-five would be a win after being out for so long. But you’re never going to win with that as your goal, so we’ll see what we got.”

RACE DETAILS:

Jacob Wilson becomes the 44th entry for Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 field at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, which is the largest assemblage of USAC Silver Crown cars for a series event since 2005.

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

==================

2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (44 CARS & DRIVERS)
07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)
08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)
2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)
3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)
5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)
6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)
8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)
9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)
10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)
11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)
12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Oklahoma City, OK (Two C Racing)
14 STEVEN RUSSELL/Rochester, IL (McQuinn Motorsports)
15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)
18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)
20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)
22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)
24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)
25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)
26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)
31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)
32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)
34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)
44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)
51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)
52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)
53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)
69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)
71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)
77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)
81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)
86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)
91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)
92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)
95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)
97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)
99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)
107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)
110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)
111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)
118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)
126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)
177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)
555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)
777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)
(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

44 USAC SILVER CROWN ENTRIES
FOR SATURDAY’S BETTENHAUSEN 100

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 14, 2023)………One of the largest fields in recent USAC Silver Crown history is set for battle during the 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza this Saturday, August 19, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The entry list of 45 entries for Saturday’s race on the Springfield Mile are tied for the most cars to appear in any USAC Silver Crown event since 2005.

Among this year’s crop are five past Bettenhausen 100 winners: reigning race champion Shane Cockrum of Benton, Ill. (2022), three-time victor Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. (2014-15-21), two-time winner A.J. Fike of Galesburg, Ill. (2012-13), plus single time winners Russ Gamester of Peru, Ind. (1998) and Justin Grant of Ione, Calif. (2017).

Current point leader Kody Swanson is a seven-time USAC Silver Crown champion, one of three past series titlists in the field along with Grant and Jerry Coons Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.).

A total of 12 past USAC Silver Crown main event winners are in Saturday’s field. Six of those individuals are seeking their first triumph at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Among those in that category are series runner-up Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.), C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.), Chris Urish (Elkhart, Ill.) and Aaron Pierce (Muncie, Ind.), Jacob Wilson (Crawfordsville, Ind.) along with Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) who’ll make his debut for the Chris Dyson Racing team, which captured the 2021 Bettenhausen 100 with Kody Swanson at the wheel.

Two women are in Saturday’s field with Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) making her return to the Bettenhausen 100 lineup after a 10-year absence. Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) put on a show a year ago at Springfield, leading a race-high 72 laps before finishing 5th.
Although not a Bettenhausen 100 Rookie, Bryson is the leading USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender in 2023, entering Saturday’s race third overall in the series standings. She’s one of 14 Silver Crown Rookies in 2023 who are in this weekend’s field along with USAC National feature winners Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) and Dave Peperak (Clinton, Ind.).

Chase Dietz (York, Pa.) will make his first dirt mile appearance at Springfield with the USAC Silver Crown series following a runner-up finish in his series debut at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in June along with fellow series newcomers Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, Calif.), Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas), Gary Dunkle (Lincoln, Neb.), Cary Oliver (Buncombe, Ill.), Ryan Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.), Mitchell Davis (Auburn, Ill.), John Tosti (High Ridge, Mo.) and Tim Simmons (Cabot, Ark.).

Returning to the Springfield starting field are Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, Mo.), Patrick Lawson (Edwardsville, Ill.), Davey Ray (Davenport, Iowa), Jake Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.), Chris Fetter (Troy, Mo.), Travis Welpott (Pendleton, Ind.), Casey Buckman (Chandler, Ariz.), Dave Berkheimer (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Gregg Cory (Shelbyville, Ind.), Danny Long (Bonne Terre, Mo.), Carmen Perigo (Stoystown, Pa.), Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.), Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio), Mario Clouser (Auburn, IL), Patrick Bruns (Champaign, Ill.), Korey Weyant (Springfield, Ill.), Tom Paterson (Argos, Ind.) and Steven Russell (Rochester, Ill.).

RACE DETAILS:

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under. Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members. Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

==================

2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (44 CARS)
07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)
08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)
2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)
3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)
5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)
6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)
8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)
9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)
10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)
11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)
12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Oklahoma City, OK (Two C Racing)
14 STEVEN RUSSELL/Rochester, IL (McQuinn Motorsports)
15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)
18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)
20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)
22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)
24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)
25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)
26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)
31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)
32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)
34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)
44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)
51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)
52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)
53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)
69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)
71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)
77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)
81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)
86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)
91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)
92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)
95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)
97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)
99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)
107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)
110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)
111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)
118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)
126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)
156 (R) MITCHELL DAVIS/Auburn, IL (Pat O’Dell)
177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)
555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)
777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)
(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

BETTENHAUSEN 100 WINS:

7-Chuck Gurney

4-A.J. Foyt, Jack Hewitt & Brian Tyler

3-Mario Andretti, Dave Darland, Kody Swanson & Al Unser

2-Gary Bettenhausen, A.J. Fike, Jim Hurtubise & Bobby Olivero

1-Tom Bigelow, Don Branson, Pancho Carter, Steve Chassey, Shane Cockrum, Russ Gamester, Justin Grant, Tracy Hines, Kenny Irwin Jr., Kyle Larson, Roger McCluskey, Larry Rice, Jimmy Sills, George Snider, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Rodger Ward, Paul White, Cole Whitt, Chris Windom & J.J. Yeley

AAA / USAC CHAMP CAR WINNERS AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS:
1934: Billy Winn
1935: Billy Winn
1936: Wilbur Shaw
1937: Mauri Rose
1938: Tony Willman
1939: Emil Andres
1940: Rex Mays
1947: Tony Bettenhausen
1948: Ted Horn & Myron Fohr
1949: Mel Hansen & Johnnie Parsons
1950: Paul Russo & Tony Bettenhausen
1951: Tony Bettenhausen
1952: Bill Schindler
1953: Rodger Ward & Sam Hanks
1954: Jimmy Davies
1955: Jimmy Bryan
1956: Jimmy Bryan
1957: Rodger Ward
1958: Johnny Thomson
1959: Len Sutton
1960: Jim Packard
1961: Jim Hurtubise
1962: Jim Hurtubise
1963: Rodger Ward
1964: A.J. Foyt
1965: A.J. Foyt
1966: Don Branson
1967: A.J. Foyt
1968: Roger McCluskey
1969: Mario Andretti
1970: Al Unser
1971: A.J. Foyt
1972: Al Unser
1973: Mario Andretti
1974: Mario Andretti
1975: Al Unser
1976: Tom Bigelow
1977: Larry Rice
1978: Gary Bettenhausen
1979: Bobby Olivero
1980: Pancho Carter
1981: George Snider
1982: Larry Dickson & Bobby Olivero
1983: Gary Bettenhausen
1984: Chuck Gurney
1985: Chuck Gurney
1986: Jack Hewitt
1987: Jack Hewitt
1988: Steve Chassey
1989: Chuck Gurney
1990: Chuck Gurney
1991: Chuck Gurney
1992: Jimmy Sills
1993: Jack Hewitt
1994: Chuck Gurney
1995: Kenny Irwin Jr.
1996: Chuck Gurney
1997: Dave Darland
1998: Russ Gamester
1999: Dave Darland
2000: Jack Hewitt
2001: Paul White
2002: J.J. Yeley
2003: Dave Darland
2004: Brian Tyler
2005: Brian Tyler
2006: Tracy Hines
2007: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2008: Brian Tyler
2009: Cole Whitt
2011: Brian Tyler
2012: A.J. Fike
2013: A.J. Fike
2014: Kody Swanson
2015: Kody Swanson
2017: Justin Grant
2018: Chris Windom
2020: Kyle Larson
2021: Kody Swanson
2022: Shane Cockrum

 

 

T.J. SMITH TAKES ANTIOCH USAC DEBUT

ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 6, 2023… For the second time in as many races, a new driver has celebrated a victory with the USAC Western States Midget Series. Leading all 30-laps, T.J. Smith of Fresno, California topped the $2,000 debut presented by Graunstadt Enterprises at Antioch Speedway. Making his second start of the campaign in the Six8 Motorsports #68 Competition Suspension Incorporated / Extreme Mufflers Stewart, Smith became the 192nd winning driver with the series over Jake Andreotti, Cade Lewis, Ben Worth, and David Gasper.

Before winning the first round of the “Antioch Challenge Mini Series,” Smith qualified eighth overall and claimed the 10-lap Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters Second Heat Race victory. Starting on the pole position, T.J. outpaced David Gasper for the top spot and faced constant pressure from the young driver. As Smith set a torrid pace on the Antioch clay, there was a fierce battle for position behind the leader with Gasper, Jake Andreotti, Ben Worth, and Cade Lewis. As the laps counted down, Andreotti managed to break free and moved into striking distance for the lead. However, the night belonged to Smith and he took the checkered flag in front of a packed grandstands. Despite running a limited schedule, T.J. has climbed to twentieth in the point standings after joining the winner’s list at Antioch.

For the fifth time this season, Bakersfield, California’s Brody Fuson topped the Woodland Auto Display qualifying charts. Driving Rusty Carlile’s #51 Race Pa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, Fuson established the track record with a time of 13.882 seconds over the eighteen car roster. Later, the point leader suffered mechanical issues that resulted in a ninth place finish in his heat race and eighteenth in the main event. Heading to the next race at Ventura on September 9th, Fuson’s big lead has shrunk to a 20-point advantage.

Colby Johnson of Penngrove, California raced to victory in the 10-lap Jordan Hanni Well Drilling First Heat Race. Piloting Keith Ford’s #73 Naturipe / Surecan LLC Triple X, Johnson was ninth fast in time trials and placed fifteenth in the feature after an early exit. Following his first start of the season, Colby ranks thirty-first in the point standings.

Two “lucky pill draw awards” were available at Antioch that were claimed by Randi Pankratz and Danika Jo Faccinto. Pankratz earned the Extreme Mufflers Award, was twelfth quick in time trials, ran fifth in her heat race, and scored tenth in the feature aboard the #8 HASA Pool Products / Sta-Rite Triple X. Faccinto won the Competition Suspension Incorporated / Saldana Racing Products Award, qualified eleventh, ran seventh in her heat race, and scored seventh in the main event in the #13 Roza Motorsports / Sala Racing Spike after starting eleventh. Pankratz left Antioch ranked sixth in points, while Faccinto sits twelfth.

Starting fifteenth, Oxnard, California’s Samuel May earned the night’s Ebbco Offroad Hard Charger Award after finishing eighth in the main event. Racing the Dave Lambert owned #55 Employee Benefit Systems Incorporated / Surecan LLC Triple X, May was fifteenth fast in time trials and scored fourth in his heat race. With three point races remaining, the rookie contender is tenth in the point standings.

By virtue of his thirteenth place finish, veteran driver Marvin Mitchell of Madera, California earned the night’s Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Award. Piloting his #78 TRC Transmissions Elite, Mitchell qualified eighteenth overall and ran seventh in his heat race. Marvin left the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds ranked fourteenth in the point chase.

On Saturday, September 9th, the USAC Western States Midget Series will return to Ventura Raceway. For more event information, visit venturaraceway.com.

The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Ebbco Offroad, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Graunstadt Enterprises, High Tech Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, and Woodland Auto Display for their support.

For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES RACE RESULTS: August 5, 2023 – Antioch Speedway - Antioch, California – “Antioch Challenge #1 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises”

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Brody Fuson, 51, Carlile-13.882 (New Track Record); 2. Cade Lewis, 5K, Alexander-14.116; 3. Ben Worth, 5V, Alexander-14.124; 4. Jake Andreotti, 00, Davis-14.170; 5. Caden Sarale, 14J, Graunstadt-14.186; 6. David Gasper, 73X, Ford-14.259; 7. Nikko Panella, 32, Sarale-14.279; 8. T.J. Smith, 68, Six8-14.362; 9. Colby Johnson, 73, Ford-14.402; 10. C.J. Sarna, 20, Sarna-14.513; 11. Danika Jo Faccinto, 13, Parker-14.560; 12. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-14.616; 13. Jerry Kobza, 35, Felkins-14.626; 14. Ben Covich, 65, Covich-14.803; 15. Samuel May, 55, Lambert-14.886; 16. Kevin Gray, 7L, Gray-15.876; 17. Ron Hazelton, 15, Hazelton-15.885; 18. Marvin Mitchell, 78, Mitchell-NT.

JORDAN HANNI WELL DRILLING FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Johnson, 2. Sarale, 3. Worth, 4. May, 5. Panella, 6. Kobza, 7. Faccinto, 8. Hazleton, 9. Fuson. NT.

HOT HEAD COMPETITION ENGINE HEATERS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Smith, 2. Lewis, 3. Andreotti, 4. Gasper, 5. Pankratz, 6. Covich, 7. Mitchell, 8. Gray, 9. Sarna. NT.

SAMMY BAHR FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. T.J. Smith (1), 2. Jake Andreotti (4), 3. Cade Lewis (6), 4. Ben Worth (5), 5. David Gasper (2), 6. C.J. Sarna (10), 7. Danika Jo Faccinto (11), 8. Samuel May (15), 9. Nikko Panella (9), 10. Randi Pankratz (12), 11. Ben Covich (14), 12. Ron Hazelton (17), 13. Marvin Mitchell (18), 14. Jerry Kobza (13), 15. Colby Johnson (7), 16. Caden Sarale (3), 17. Kevin Gray (16), 18. Brody Fuson (8). NT.
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** Sarale flipped on lap 12 of the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Smith.
EBBCO OFFROAD HARD CHARGER: Samuel May (15 to 8)
EXTREME MUFFLERS LUCKY PILL DRAW: Randi Pankratz
COMPETITION SUSPENSION INCORPORATED / SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS LUCKY PILL DRAW: Danika Jo Faccinto
WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13: Marvin Mitchell

NEW USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-589, 2-Cade Lewis-569, 3-Ben Worth-434, 4-Ron Hazelton-397, 5-C.J. Sarna-384, 6-Randi Pankratz-352, 7-Ben Covich-269, 8-Caden Sarale-263, 9-Blake Bower-255, 10-Samuel May-247.

NEW ANTIOCH CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY GRAUNSTADT ENTERPRISES POINTS: 1-T.J. Smith-78, 2-Cade Lewis-76, --Jake Andreotti-76, 4-Ben Worth-71, 5-David Gasper-64, 6-C.J. Sarna-56, 7-Samuel May-54, --Danika Jo Faccinto-54, 9-Nicco Panella-50, 10-Randi Pankratz-47.

NEW WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALIFIER POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-44, 2-Cade Lewis-27, 3-Caden Sarale-14, 4-Ben Worth-12, 5-C.J. Sarna-11, 6-Jake Andreotti-9, 7-Blake Bower-7, --Randi Pankratz-7, 9-Robby Josett-6, --David Gasper-6.

NEW SAMMY BAHR FEATURE POINTS: 1-Brody Fuson-493, 2-Cade Lewis-491, 3-Ben Worth-382, 4-Ron Hazelton-367, 5-C.J. Sarna-343, 6-Randi Pankratz-319, 7-Ben Covich-257, 8-Blake Bower-223, --Caden Sarale-223, 10-Samuel May-216.

NEW PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Cade Lewis-33, 2-Brody Fuson-23, --Ron Hazelton-23, 4-Ben Covich-14, 5-Marvin Mitchell-10, 6-C.J. Sarna-8, 7-Steve Paden-7, --David Gasper-7, --Robby Josett-7, --Samuel May-7.

NEXT USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET RACE: September 9 – Ventura Raceway – Ventura, California


 


FIRST TO 40 AT TOLEDO!
SWANSON WINS 40TH CAREER USAC SILVER CROWN RACE

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Toledo, Ohio (August 5, 2023)………During his first six USAC Silver Crown victories at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway in 2012-15-18-19-21-22, Kody Swanson had led 611 out of a possible 650 laps (94%) in an absolutely dominant stretch at the half-mile paved oval.

Saturday’s running of the Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Fueled By Marco’s Pizza was a quite different story, and was, undoubtedly, the most challenging he’d faced yet.

Nonetheless, when seemingly backed against the wall for the majority of the distance, the Kingsburg, Calif. native still managed to pull through and prevail in the 100-lapper, leading a total of 23 laps to score an astounding seventh career Rollie Beale Classic victory, and his fifth-in-a-row at Toledo with the champ cars dating back to 2018.

Toledo Speedway’s all-time winningest USAC driver also equaled a series record set by another series dominator, the late, great Dave Steele. Swanson’s performance marked just the third time in which a driver captured five consecutive USAC Silver Crown race wins at one track. Steele grabbed five-straight at Phoenix International Raceway between 2002-06 while Kody himself scored five-in-a-row at Indiana’s Salem Speedway between 2016-20.

Swanson’s third win of the season on Saturday was Swanson’s third series victory in a row, making it the fourth occasion in which he won at least three consecutive main events with the series. No other driver has more than one such streak.

Furthermore, Swanson’s 40th career USAC Silver Crown triumph came after gaining his 45th career pole award with the series during Honest Abe Qualifying where he joined Tanner Swanson as just the second driver to win seven career USAC Silver Crown poles at a single track, which his younger brother has achieved at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Aboard the Doran-Binks Racing/Mission Foods – Glenn Farms/Beast/Lanci Ford, Swanson endured a hellacious side-by-side battle for the lead with outside front row starter C.J. Leary during the first three laps.

Swanson edged Leary by a car length at the stripe to lead lap one before the duo swapped lanes when Leary wedged underneath Swanson exiting turn two on lap two then surged into the lead as they crossed the line separated by a half car length. Leary escaped the throes of Swanson on the third lap to gain a little bit of breathing room, which he’d enjoy for quite a while.
However, on lap four, the race’s only caution flag was displayed when fourth running Davey Hamilton Jr., making his debut for the Legacy Autosport team, saw his ride go up in smoke on the back straight. The Idahoan quickly stopped and hopped out, ending his day prematurely.

Leary continued to be a force up front throughout the first third of the event while, further back, 2017 Rollie Beale Classic USAC Silver Crown winner Bobby Santos had gained eight spots by lap 28 to advance from his 20th starting position to 12th. Santos was relegated to the tail for the start due to a driveline issue suffered during practice, and later, raced his way into the top-10 on lap 57, but dropped to 11th in the final running order during the waning laps.

Simultaneously, Leary began to work lapped traffic, but managed to extend his lead to more than four seconds over Swanson as the race neared the midway point. Mired in traffic on lap 48, 2020 series champion Justin Grant found himself lodged in-between the lapped machines of Nathan Byrd and Matt Westfall. Spotting a lane all to his own, Derek Bischak moved up a groove and drove around the outside of all three to move into second but remained a full five seconds out of the lead.

By lap 56, Leary had his hands full with a huge throng of cars in his path, including Santos, Billy Wease, Kyle O'Gara, Trey Burke, Mike McVetta and Taylor Ferns who earned hard charger honors by advancing from 17th to 8th. All the traffic managed to slash Leary’s lead from four seconds down to a mere 1.8 with just 40 circuits to go.

On lap 75, the gap was zilch as Leary and Swanson raced around the joint nose-to-tail. By that point, Leary was hanging on by a thread as his right rear tire grew, which increased his stagger, making the car very loose in the corners. All Leary could do to keep Swanson at bay was to just make it as hard as possible for him to get by.

However, off the fourth turn on lap 77, Swanson was able to get a nose under Leary, yet Leary managed to maintain his lead for a full lap longer. However, at the exits of turns two and four, the rearend kicked out just a bit on Leary, pushing him off the bottom and allowing Swanson to get a nose in edgewise.

Ultimately, lap 79 told the tale as Swanson pulled even with Leary on entry into turn one for the first time. Swanson hugged the bottom and cleared Leary by turn two to take over the lead, a position he’d never surrender.

Swanson immediately opened up his lead to a full second in the ensuing laps, but soon found himself amidst a gaggle of nine lapped cars running high, low and middle in front of him with 10 laps to go. Yet, Swanson played it smart and those in front of him kept it clean while also racing for position inside the top-10 as Swanson completed the 100-lap distance in a blistering time of 28:35.61, which was slowed by just one caution with the final 91 laps going clean and green.

At the checkered, Swanson had lapped all but the top-10 and was 1.158 seconds ahead of runner-up C.J. Leary with Derek Bischak in third and Justin Grant in fourth while Logan Seavey rounded out the top-five in a completely rebuilt racecar which had been crashed 16 days earlier at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and had just a handful of pieces that didn’t need replacing before the Toledo round.

For the second consecutive race, C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.) earned his best finish of the USAC Silver Crown season. He scored a fourth at Winchester and followed it up with a second on Saturday at Toledo after leading a race-high 77 laps in his Klatt Enterprises/Wilwood Disc Brakes – Lucas Oil Center– Brown & Miller Racing Solutions/Beast/Ford.

The story was much the same for Derek Bischak (Angola, Ind.) who collected his best career USAC Silver Crown finish of third in the most recent round at Winchester, then equaled it again on Saturday at Toledo in his Derek Bischak/Allstar Performance – Klotz Synthetic Lubricants – Complete Collision/Beast/J & D Chevy.

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USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: August 5, 2023 – Toledo Speedway – Toledo, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Paved Oval – Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Presented By Marco’s Pizza

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Kody Swanson, 77, Doran/Binks-15.129; 2. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-15.179; 3. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-15.265; 4. Davey Hamilton Jr., 19, Legacy-15.292; 5. Derek Bischak, 131, Bischak-15.294; 6. Dakoda Armstrong, 5, C & A-15.368; 7. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-15.374; 8. Russ Gamester, 51, Gamester-15.390; 9. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-15.416; 10. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-15.475; 11. Billy Wease, 60, Wilson-15.488; 12. Kyle O'Gara, 67, SFHR-15.537; 13. Nathan Byrd, 88, Byrd-15.544; 14. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR-15.615; 15. Matt Westfall, 81, BCR-15.660; 16. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-15.702; 17. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-15.852; 18. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-15.879; 19. Mike McVetta, 94, RAM-16.312; 20. Tom Paterson, 111, Paterson-17.385; 21. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-NT; 22. Bobby Santos, 98, DJ-NT; 23. Gregg Cory, 32, Williams-NT.

FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. C.J. Leary (2), 3. Derek Bischak (5), 4. Justin Grant (3), 5. Logan Seavey (7), 6. Kaylee Bryson (10), 7. Mario Clouser (9), 8. Taylor Ferns (17), 9. Russ Gamester (8), 10. Dakoda Armstrong (6), 11. Bobby Santos (20), 12. Billy Wease (11), 13. Kyle Robbins (14), 14. Kyle O'Gara (12), 15. Matt Westfall (15), 16. Nathan Byrd (13), 17. Trey Burke (18), 18. Mike McVetta (19), 19. Travis Welpott (16), 20. Davey Hamilton Jr. (4), 21. Tom Paterson (22), 22. Dave Berkheimer (21). 28:35.61

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Kody Swanson, Laps 2-78 C.J. Leary, Laps 79-100 Kody Swanson.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Kody Swanson-384, 2-Logan Seavey-353, 3-Kaylee Bryson-265, 4-Mario Clouser-258, 5-Bobby Santos-248, 6-C.J. Leary-247, 7-Taylor Ferns-240, 8-Justin Grant-235, 9-Matt Westfall-233, 10-Derek Bischak-212.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-86, 3-Robert Ballou-81, 4-Shane Cottle-81, 5-Matt Westfall-79, 6-Brady Bacon-77, 7-Justin Grant-70, 8-Emerson Axsom-64, 9-Chase Stockon-63, 10-C.J. Leary-51.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 19, 2023 – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, Illinois – 1-Mile Dirt Oval – 60th Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: Justin Grant (15.232)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Kody Swanson (15.129)

Hard Charger: Taylor Ferns (17th to 8th)


 

 

 

USAC Western States Midget Series

USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS DEBUT AT ANTIOCH SPEEDWAY
By Lance Jennings

AUGUST 2, 2023... For the first time in series history, the battle for the USAC Western States Midget Championship heads to Antioch Speedway, this Saturday, August 5th. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Ken Graunstadt and Turn Fun, the “Fan Appreciation Night” and first round of the Antioch Challenge Mini Series will pay $2,000-to-win. The eighth point race will also feature IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, Wingless Sprints, and Mini Stocks. Located at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch, California, the Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, the Front Gates open at 4:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 6:00pm. For more event information “Where Action is The Attraction,” visit the track’s website at antiochspeedway.com or call 925.779.9220. The event will be broadcast on FloRacing.com.

Graunstadt Enterprises has increased the night’s purse and has added a bonus of five (5) gallons of fuel to the first ten (10) drivers that check in. Second place in the 30-lap feature will pay $1,000, third will earn $800, fourth will claim $600, and fifth will take home $500.

The Antioch Challenge Mini-Series Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises will consist of the August 5th and September 30th races at Antioch Speedway. Points will be kept and the champion will earn $500. $500 will also be awarded to fifth (5th) and tenth (10th) place. The September 30th race will have a normal paying purse at this time. Officials are looking for more sponsorship and drivers must attend both events to be eligible for bonus pay.

Grandstand tickets for “Fan Appreciation Night” is $5 and there will be live music. The spectator gates will open at 4:00PM and parking is priced at $10 by the fair board.

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit (TP) online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet, COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s, EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272730-78, RODELA FAB: 2557-01 *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC Western States Midget Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In addition to championship points, every event will award points for the season-long Woodland Auto Display Top Qualifier Standings and the unsponsored Passing Master Standings. Drivers that finish in the top-3 in Woodland points will take home $500-for-1st, $300-for-2nd, and $200-for-3rd. Last season, Michael Faccinto earned Top Qualifier honors and veteran driver Randi Pankratz passed the most cars in the main events.

Heading to the Antioch debut, Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) has a 62-point lead over the competition. Driving Rusty Carlile’s #51 RacePa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, Fuson finished second to Caden Sarale at Petaluma on July 22nd. To date, the point leader has three feature wins, four Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, four heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, seven top-10 finishes, and 53 feature laps led on the season. Brody has seven career wins and will be looking to add Antioch to his resume.

Cade Lewis (Bakersfield, California) ranks second in the chase for the championship. Racing Dean “Kiwi” Alexander’s #5K Wireless 101 / Mobil 1 Spike, Lewis finished third at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds oval. At press time, the young driver has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, three Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, seven top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led on the year. Cade has two career wins and will have his sights on winning this Saturday night.

Ben Worth (Coalinga, California) sits third in the USAC Western States Midget point standings. The 2019 Rookie of the Year did not compete at Petaluma but has one feature win, five top-10 finishes, and 31 feature laps led in the campaign. Ben has four career wins and is looking for a ride to race at Antioch Speedway.

Veteran driver Ron Hazelton (Chatsworth, California) is fourth in the championship standings. The owner/driver of the #15 TRC Transmission / West Evans Motorsports Beast scored an eighth place finish at Petaluma Speedway. At press time, Hazelton has five top-10 finishes in the campaign and will be looking for his first career win at Antioch.

C.J. Sarna (Brea, California) ranks fifth in the Western States point chase. The owner/driver of the #20 ZMax / Final Final Lifestyle Spike scored fourth in the July 22nd feature at Petaluma. As this writing goes to press, the 2007 Co-Rookie of the Year had four top-10 finishes to his credit. Sarna has one career victory and will have his sights on winning the $2,000 victory at Antioch Speedway.

Leading rookie contender, Samuel May (Oxnard, California) ranks eighth in the point standings. Racing Steve Lambert’s #55 Employee Benefit Systems Incorporated / Josh Ford Motorsports Triple X, May has one Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Award and two top-10 finishes on the year. The young driver will be looking the upset the field and claim the Saturday night win.

While Samuel May leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors, he is followed by Ben Covich (Auckland, New Zealand), Garrett Twitty (Bakersfield, California), David Gasper (Goleta, California), Brandon Wiley (Santa Maria, California), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, California), Kevin Gray (Yuba City, California), and Steve Hix (Ventura, California).

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Blake Bower, Caden Sarale, Danika Jo Faccinto, Marvin Mitchell, Floyd Alvis, and more.

Antioch Speedway is located on the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch, California. General Admission tickets are $5 and parking is priced at $10 by the fair board. For more event information, visit the track’s website at antiochspeedway.com or call 925.779.9220.

The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks BR Motorsports, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Ebbco Offroad, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Graunstadt Enterprises, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos, Turn Fun, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET CHAMPIONS: 1982-Jeff Heywood, 1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner, 2015-Ronnie Gardner, 2016-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner, 2018-Michael Faccinto, 2019-Robert Dalby, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Blake Bower, 2022-Michael Faccinto.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 3-Brody Fuson, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Cade Lewis, 1-Caden Sarale, 1-Ben Worth.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brody Fuson-555, 2. Cade Lewis-493, 3. Ben Worth-363, 4. Ron Hazelton-357, 5. C.J. Sarna-328, 6. Randi Pankratz-305, 7. Blake Bower-255, 8. Ben Covich®-225, 9. Caden Sarale-223, 10. Steve Paden-220, 11. Samuel May®-193, 12. Bryan Drollinger-168, 13. Robby Josett-143, 14. Garrett Twitty®-142, 15. Danika Jo Faccinto-133, 16. Kevin Gray®-132, 17. Marvin Mitchell-131, 18. David Gasper®-120, 19. A.J. Bender-113, 20. Brandon Wiley®-96, 21. Jake Andreotti-84, 22. Michael Faccinto-80, 23. Mitchel Moles®-78, ... Chase Johnson-78, 25. Mike Leach Jr.-76, 26. Ryan Bernal-73, 27. Floyd Alvis-61, 28. T.J. Smith-59, 29. Terry Nichols-42, 30. Steve Hix®-37.

2023 WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY TOP QUALFIER POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-38, 2. Cade Lewis-22, 3. Caden Sarale-12, 4. C.J. Sarna-11, 5. Ben Worth-8, 6. Blake Bower-7, -. Randi Pankratz-7, 8. Jake Andreotti-6, -. Robby Josett-6, 10. David Gasper®-5, --. Michael Faccinto-5, 12. Danika Jo Faccinto-4, 13. A.J. Bender-3, --. Mitchel Moles®-3, --. Chase Johnson-3, 16. T.J. Smith-2, --. Brandon Wiley®-2, 18. Ryan Bernal-1, --. Garrett Twitty®-1, --. Ron Hazelton-1.

2023 SAMMY BAHR FEATURE POINTS: 1. Brody Fuson-466, 2. Cade Lewis-427, 3. Ron Hazelton-328, 4. Ben Worth-321, 5. C.J. Sarna-288, 6. Randi Pankratz-276, 7. Blake Bower-223, 8. Ben Covich®-216, 9. Steve Paden-199, 10. Caden Sarale-192, 11. Samuel May®-167, 12. Bryan Drollinger-157, 13. Garrett Twitty®-130, 14. Marvin Mitchell-126, 15. Robby Josett-125, 16. Kevin Gray®-123, 17. Danika Jo Faccinto-116, 18. David Gasper®-107, 19. A.J. Bender-99, 20. Brandon Wiley®-85, 21. Jake Andreotti-70, 22. Mitchel Moles®-67, --. Chase Johnson-67, --. Michael Faccinto-67, 25. Mike Leach Jr.-64, --. Ryan Bernal-64, 27. Floyd Alvis-55, 28. T.J. Smith-49, 29. Terry Nichols-39, 30. Steve Hix®-33.

2023 PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1. Cade Lewis-29, 2. Brody Fuson-20, 3. Ron Hazelton-18, 4. Ben Covich®-10, 5. Steve Paden-7, -. David Gasper®-7, -. Robby Josett-7, 8. Jake Andreotti-4, -. Bryan Drollinger-4, --. Garrett Twitty®-4, --. C.J. Sarna-4, --. Marvin Mitchell-4, 13. Brandon Wiley®-3, --. Michael Faccinto-3, 15. Danika Faccinto-2, --. Ben Worth-2, 17. Chase Johnson-1, --. Blake Bower-1.

2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 18: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (RAINED OUT)
March 25: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (RAINED OUT)
April 15: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Ben Worth)
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Jake Andreotti)
May 6: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (RAINED OUT)
May 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
June 24: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Cade Lewis)
July 8: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
July 22: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Winner: Caden Sarale)
August 5: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Antioch Challenge #1 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises / $2,000-to-Win)
August 26: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (CANCELLED)
September 9: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
September 30: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA (Antioch Challenge #2 Presented by Graunstadt Enterprises)
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.

 

HITTING HIS STRIDE:
MARIO CLOUSER TAKES ON TOLEDO
5TH IN USAC SILVER CROWN POINTS

By: Pat Sullivan – USAC Media

Toledo, Ohio (August 2, 2023)………No one disputes that Kody Swanson is the prohibitive favorite to take the win during this Saturday’s Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Fueled By Marco’s Pizza at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway on August 5.

Swanson is always tough on the hardtop, and here, the seven-time champion has been nearly unbeatable. Kody is riding a two-race winning streak heading into Glass City, and if one were to consider possible threats to his supremacy, few would look beyond his perennial rival Bobby Santos III.

Yet, Gene Kazmark’s team, anchored by Illinois driver Mario Clouser, is hitting its stride. Heading into the sixth round of the 2023 USAC Silver Crown season, Clouser occupies the fifth position in the standings, placing him above championship hopefuls Justin Grant and C.J. Leary. Mario feels his team is on the rise and sees no reason why he can’t pull off the upset in Toledo.

Clouser’s previous experience makes him a perfect fit for the Silver Crown series, and then there is the all-important mindset he carries into the fray. When asked if he can beat his main rivals, Mario’s response is quick and to the point, “Yes,” he says, “I’m a race car driver, so I think I am better than those guys. Give me a good car and I will outdrive them.”

This isn’t a matter of being recklessly brash or cocky, instead, this is the attitude Clouser feels a winner must have. When thinking about the drivers he must beat to get to victory lane, he says, “I don’t know any racecar driver who says oh, those guys are just better than me. I always feel I can contend with those guys.”

While some of his closest rivals can focus their total attention on racing, Clouser must squeeze time to race around a busy work schedule. His father owns an auto repair business in Auburn, Illinois, and right now, Mario says, “they are covered up.”

Yet, it was his father who got him into the racing game, although Clouser admits with a laugh, “I don’t think my dad envisioned us doing anything beyond quarter midgets, but once you get bitten by the racing bug, it is hard to quit.”

His father had stumbled on the old Sangamon Quarter Midget Racing Association track in nearby Springfield, and it piqued his curiosity. While Mario can’t remember his first trips to the track, he does know that he showed immediate interest. From there, he found a quarter midget under the tree at Christmas, and by the time he was five, he was giving it a whirl.

“We weren’t in it with both feet at first,” Clouser says, “but by the time I turned nine or ten, we got more serious.”

They took trips to Lincoln, Illinois, and sometimes ventured to Terre Haute. When they felt the competition was lagging, they focused more on the Indiana and Ohio region and spent more time racing on pavement.

Moving up the ladder, Mario began racing a Ford Focus Midget and was the 2007 USAC-UMARA champion. By 2011, he was a regular on the USAC National Midget scene, and in 2012, competed on the pavement for Rotondo-Weirich Motorsports.

Then a funny thing happened. He realized he was burned out. He ran the 2013 Chili Bowl and never turned a wheel the rest of the season. His rationale was sound. “I felt like I had spent a fortune and wasn’t running well,” he says, “so I was pretty much tired of it.”

In 2014, two important events altered his racing future. First, he had a chance to race a pavement midget for Bill Guess at Grundy County Speedway. Also significant was the time he spent with driver Chad Boespflug, who was driving a sprint car for legendary owner Paul Hazen. It opened his eyes.

“I knew local sprint car racing was big,” he says, “but it also seemed more laid back and affordable. I realized if I got back into racing again, it made sense to go dirt sprint car racing.”

Once back in the saddle, he caught on quickly, and in 2021, he captured the POWRi WAR Sprint Car League title. At that point, the series raced extensively in Illinois, which reduced his travel costs significantly.

As satisfying as it was to win a championship, in his heart, he knew he wanted more. He turned his attention to the Silver Crown series. It was here that he drew upon his relationship with Bill Guess.

“I had bothered Bill about running his car,” he admits, “but it wasn’t 100% his call. When an opportunity opened, it helped that I had a good relationship with Bill and his dad, Bob. I think Bob really leaned on Gene Kazmark to give me an opportunity. Fortunately, I have been able to run decently and keep Gene happy. Hopefully I can stay in the car.”

Mario knew he would be comfortable on the pavement and feels that his dirt program is progressing nicely behind the wheel of the Response Management Services – Remin Kart-A-Bag/Ed Pink Toyota-powered No. 92.

“In the last few years, I have gotten pretty comfortable on the dirt as well,” he says. “For a long time, even when I ran the dirt midget, I didn’t feel like I had a grasp on it. We would run well here and there, but I constantly doubted myself on how I was doing. Now I have had a lot more seat time and I feel better, and I really liked the combined deal. I think that it is the true way to win a championship. For a guy to be considered good, you have to be able to run both dirt and pavement.”

There have been some disappointments this year. A tire problem in the season opener at Belleville, Kan. and engine woes at Port Royal, Pa. thwarted promising starts. On the flip side, he finished just outside the podium at Wisconsin’s Madison International Speedway and was pleased with his run at Indiana’s Winchester Speedway given his inexperience at the imposing track. Best of all, he knows the needle is pointed in the right direction.

“You take guys like Kody Swanson and Bobby Santos, and they have been racing Silver Crown cars for years,” he says, “and their teams have a lot of experience. We aren’t a new team, but Billy (Guess) and I have only worked together for a few years, and I think he is learning too as he takes a much bigger role with the team as a crew chief.”

Sure, he would love to race for a living, but short of that, he has found a real home.

“I am having a blast running Silver Crown stuff,” he says, “I love it. The nights seem less stressful, and the events are super fun. It is a longer race, and you don’t have to drive like a maniac. I say that, but it seems like it is always chaos at the drop of the green flag. Nobody is really holding back anymore, that has changed.”

Several years ago, Clouser had an epiphany. He realized that being out of shape may have cost him a chance to win. He was adamant that would never happen again. Now he would love races to go green to checkered and be as demanding as possible because he feels dialed in mentally and physically.

Does he believe he can win at Toledo? Yes, he does. He also knows where his quest for victory must start.

“I know I have to qualify well,” he says, “because it is super hard to pass there even if you are faster. You aren’t going to go from 15th to fifth, and when you get to the front, you just aren't going to roll past those guys.”

In his dream scenario, the entire field will be searching for a way to get around him.

SATURDAY’S RACE DETAILS:

The event will feature the USAC Silver Crown National Championship plus Late Model Sportsman and Factory Stocks. Vintage Race Cars will also be on display.

The USAC pit gate opens/rig parking begins at 2pm Eastern on race day Saturday. The track ticket office opens, and spectator gates open at 4:30pm. USAC Silver Crown practice runs from 4:30-5:15pm. USAC Silver Crown Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying begins at 5:45pm. Parade laps for the vintage cars are slated for 6:35pm. USAC Silver Crown cars and drivers will be called to front stretch at 6:50pm.

Getting closer to showtime, there will be a Beale family introduction, a brief racer reunion, the national anthems starting at 6:50 followed by driver introductions and the Rollie Beale Classic main event just a bit after 7pm.

Tickets are $25, kids 6-12 are $5, while ages 5 and under are free. Add $1 per ticket for online ticket purchases at http://www.toledospeedway.com/. Online ticket sales end at 9pm Eastern on Friday, August 4.


 

2023 BC39 DRIVER REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Speedway, Indiana (August 3, 2023)………Driver registration is now officially open for the fifth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39, featuring an extended four nights of USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship on-track action September 27-30, 2023, at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Teams can file their entry for the event at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-bc39, where they may also purchase grandstand tickets as well as pit and parking passes for the event.

There are three options for viewing the racing action while also having pit pass access. You can purchase a competitor pit pass only where no seat is included with limited viewing of the track. Secondly, you can purchase a competitor pit pass with reserved seating included, which are available in the lower level of the main grandstands. You may also purchase a grandstand seat with a pit pass upgrade. Competitors must enter IMS via the 16th Street tunnel.

Each entry filed will come with two VIP parking passes for inside parking at IMS, intended for driver and entrant. All others must either purchase inside parking or park outside of turns three and four of 2.5-mile paved oval track.

Spectator tickets are also available www.TheBC39.com. Spectators are to enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway via 30th Street.

The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside turn three at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of and participation in the Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.

Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021) and Buddy Kofoid (2022) have captured victories in the first four editions of the BC39.

The BC39 officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 26 with team parking at 3pm Eastern followed by a BC39 Welcome Party at 6pm at USAC Headquarters.

On track action begins Wednesday, September 27, with the drivers meeting in the IMS Media Room at 3pm Eastern. Public gates open at 4pm with cars hitting the track for practice at 7pm, followed by the incredibly exciting Stoops Pursuit feature which will conclude the night’s racing action at 9pm. In this event, 25 cars will start and compete in five, five-lap segments. If a driver gets passed in any segment, they are eliminated.

For Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, the field will be split with one half of the field competing on night one and the other half competing on night two. On both nights, public gates open at 4pm Eastern with hot laps at 6pm, followed by qualifying, opening ceremonies, heat races, the C-Main, the Semi-Feature and the Feature event.

The finale, on Saturday, September 30, will have the public gates opening at 4pm and cars on track for hot laps at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 7pm and the main events, starting with the D-Main, multiple C-Mains, Semi-Feature and the 39-lap Feature event paying $20,039-to-win.

 

HALF-MILE ROCKETS!
TOLEDO HOSTS USAC SILVER CROWN
100-LAPPER ON SATURDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Toledo, Ohio (August 3, 2023)………It’s admittedly hard to stop a train. And about the closest thing to a train of late is Kody Swanson in a USAC Silver Crown car at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway.

While we watch in awe at the Kingsburg, Calif. native’s historic run at the half-mile paved oval, the hunger continues to build and the desire within burns hotter than ever for those in the field to dethrone the champ at his personal ATM this Saturday night, August 5.

Equaling the biggest field ever for a USAC Silver Crown event at Toledo, these 24 men and women are up to the challenge of making Saturday night’s 10th running of the Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Fueled By Marco’s Pizza one of their finest moments.

Here’s six storylines to watch coming up this weekend at Toledo!

SWANSON’S FLOW

Since 1976, there had been one individual who stood head and shoulders above all others in terms of USAC national feature victories at Toledo Speedway. That was Rollie Beale.

In 2022, Kody Swanson moved atop the list, topping Beale’s long-standing record at his hometown track, and he did in the race named after the legend he passed who had earned five USAC National Sprint Car feature triumphs between 1971 and 1976 at the track.

Swanson now owns six career USAC Silver Crown victories at Toledo to go along with six poles. To boot, Swanson’s 2022 win was ahis fourth consecutive win in the event, checking the “W” column with top-flight performances in 2011-15-18-19-21-22. Swanson is also the only driver to have started all nine USAC Silver Crown events ever run at Toledo dating back to 2010 and has now led 655 of the 1,000 total laps ever run in Silver Crown competition at Toledo for a percentage of 65.5%.

Only three drivers have won six career USAC Silver Crown poles at a single track. Swanson became the first to have at least six poles at two different tracks (Indianapolis Raceway Park & Toledo). His younger brother, Tanner Swanson (IRP) and Dave Steele (Phoenix International Raceway) are the others.

In addition to winning each of his past two Silver Crown starts this season at Wisconsin’s Madison International Speedway and Indiana’s Winchester Speedway, Swanson is also eying a share of another Silver Crown record by winning five consecutive series races at one track. Dave Steele won five-straight at Phoenix International Raceway between 2002-06 while Kody himself scored five-in-a-row at Indiana’s Salem Speedway between 2016-20.

SANTOS A DUAL THREAT

Back in 2017, Bobby Santos raced around Kody Swanson just before the midway point to score one in the win column for himself and the DJ Racing team.

This year alone, the Franklin, Mass. native has finished inside the top-two in all three of his USAC Silver Crown starts, which is the current longest string of top-two results by any driver in the series. He grabbed a victory in the opener at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, then reeled off consecutive runner-up results at Madison and Winchester.

Santos is the only driver to win at Toledo Speedway in a USAC Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown car in his career in addition to collecting a King of the Wing Sprint Car victory there in 2017.

He enters this Saturday's race with five-straight top-two finishes at Toledo’s Rollie Beale Classic dating back to his 2017 victory. Since then, he’s been the runner-up on four consecutive occasions at Toledo, which interestingly enough, have all come from starting positions behind the front row. On Saturday, he aims to break the Swanson stranglehold.

A NEW LEGACY

Davey Hamilton Jr. has been a prime performer in USAC Silver Crown competition at Toledo, finishing 6th in 2017 and 5th in his 2021 return. He enters Saturday coming off a 5th place result in his most recent start at Winchester.

On Saturday, the Boise, Idaho native will take over the reins of the highly competitive No. 19 out of the Legacy Autosport stable. The car has made four starts since debuting with the series last fall, finishing a stout 3rd, 3rd, 3rd and 8th on the pavement with a combination of Tyler Roahrig and Caleb Armstrong at the wheel.

The new combination hopes to bring a first ever USAC Silver Crown victory to both driver and team.

SEAVEY KEEPING TABS

Throughout the first four rounds of the USAC Silver Crown season, Logan Seavey had kept Kody Swanson at bay.

The Sutter, Calif. native supplemented his win on the dirt at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway with a 5th at the Belleville (Kan.) High Banks and coupled a pair of spectacular showings on the pavement with a 2nd at IRP and a 5th at Madison.

After which, he led Swanson in the championship pursuit after finishing as the runner-up in the title race during each of the past two seasons.

However, Winchester spelled a different story for Seavey and his Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing team, as they lost their brakes early, then replaced them during a red flag only to have the right front wheel center break later on, sending Seavey and his machine straight into the turn two wall.

The accident proved detrimental in more ways than one as the 12th place finish relegated Seavey back to second in the standings, 16 out, while Seavey finds himself in the position of having to chase Swanson once again starting at Toledo.


KILLER B’S

A pair of drivers whose last names just so happen to start with the letter “B” have been on a surge of late with the USAC Silver Crown series.

In May, Derek Bischak, in his fifth year with the series, earned a best career finish of fourth at IRP. Most recently in July at Winchester, he upped his performance to a career-best 3rd on the high banks of Winchester. If Bischak was a stock, you should probably be in. The Angola, Ind. racer has been a hard-charging performer in his only two previous starts at Toledo, going 12th to 8th in 2019 and 19th to 6th in 2022.

While Bischak was the 2019 series’ top Rookie, Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) is currently in pursuit of achieving the same. She leads the 2023 USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year standings entering Toledo and has been quite proficient at regularly advancing through the field.

In each of her past two series starts, both on pavement, she moved from 15th to 8th at Madison and 13th to 7th at Winchester, both of which earned her hard charger honors. On the pavement of IRP in May, she charged from 30th to 15th. All of which has helped her to third place in the overall series standings at press time.

This Saturday’s race is also a homecoming of sorts for Bryson who made her first career USAC Silver Crown start at Toledo in August of 2022, finishing 13th.

BEALE STREET IN TOLEDO

Saturday’s event marks the 50th USAC National racing event held in the city of Toledo, Ohio since the Stock Cars made their debut at the nearby Toledo Raceway Park in 1956, won by the aptly named Bud Moneymaker. USAC made its first visit to the new Toledo Speedway with the sprint cars in 1969, won by Bruce Walkup.

The event also honors legendary Toledo native, 1973 USAC Sprint Car champion driver and longtime USAC official Rollie Beale. Beale scored 32 race victories during his illustrious career and was one of the most respected drivers in USAC history. He retired in 1977 and joined the USAC officiating crew, eventually becoming chief steward for both the Silver Crown and National Sprint Car series for many years.

In 1991, Beale was awarded USAC’s Ross Hadley award for dedication to the sport. He was also enshrined in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1996 and captured a monumental victory in the Little 500 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway in 1966. He passed away at the age of 84 in February of 2014.

SATURDAY’S RACE DETAILS:

The event will feature the USAC Silver Crown National Championship plus Late Model Sportsman and Factory Stocks. Vintage Race Cars will also be on display.

The USAC pit gate opens/rig parking begins at 2pm Eastern on race day Saturday. The track ticket office opens, and spectator gates open at 4:30pm. USAC Silver Crown practice runs from 4:30-5:15pm. USAC Silver Crown Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying begins at 5:45pm. Parade laps for the vintage cars are slated for 6:35pm. USAC Silver Crown cars and drivers will be called to front stretch at 6:50pm.

Getting closer to showtime, there will be a Beale family introduction, a brief racer reunion, the national anthems starting at 6:50 followed by driver introductions and the Rollie Beale Classic main event just a bit after 7pm.

Tickets are $25, kids 6-12 are $5, while ages 5 and under are free. Add $1 per ticket for online ticket purchases at http://www.toledospeedway.com/. Online ticket sales end at 9pm Eastern on Friday, August 4.

==================

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Kody Swanson-311, 2-Logan Seavey-295, 3-Kaylee Bryson-210, 4-Bobby Santos-207, 5-Mario Clouser-206, 6-Matt Westfall-200, 7-Taylor Ferns-191, 8-C.J. Leary-177, 9-Justin Grant-174, 10-Travis Welpott-169.

2023 ROLLIE BEALE CLASSIC ENTRY LIST:

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

5 ®DAKODA ARMSTRONG/New Castle, IN (C & A Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

7 KYLE ROBBINS/New Castle, IN (KR Racing)

11 ®TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing-SRG)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

19 DAVEY HAMILTON JR./Boise, ID (Legacy Autosport)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports-Abacus Racing)

26 ®KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

60 BILLY WEASE/Noblesville, IN (Robert Wilson Racing)

67 KYLE O'GARA/Beech Grove, IN (SFHR Development)

77 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

88 NATHAN BYRD/Goodyear, AZ (Byrd Racing)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

94 MIKE McVETTA/Grafton, OH (RAM Engineering)

98 BOBBY SANTOS/Franklin, MA (DJ Racing)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

131 DEREK BISCHAK/Angola, IN (Derek Bischak)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender


TRACK RECORDS FOR USAC SILVER CROWN AT TOLEDO SPEEDWAY:

1 Lap - 10/15/2011 - Kody Swanson - 14.809 - 121.548 mph

100 Laps - 6/29/2012 - Jerry Coons Jr. - 27:07.40 - 110.606 mph

TOLEDO USAC SILVER CROWN WINS:

6-Kody Swanson

2-Jerry Coons Jr.

1-Bobby Santos

TOLEDO USAC SILVER CROWN WINNERS:

2010: Jerry Coons Jr. (10/16)

2011: Kody Swanson (10/15)

2012: Jerry Coons Jr. (6/29)

2015: Kody Swanson (5/1)

2017: Bobby Santos (7/28)

2018: Kody Swanson (5/4)

2019: Kody Swanson (4/28)

2021: Kody Swanson (10/10)

2022: Kody Swanson (8/5)

PAST USAC SILVER CROWN RESULTS AT TOLEDO SPEEDWAY:

2010 FEATURE: (150 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jerry Coons Jr. (1), 2. Kody Swanson (5), 3. Bobby East (6), 4. Bryan Clauson (10), 5. A.J. Fike (8), 6. Brian Tyler (11), 7. Levi Jones (4), 8. Bud Kaeding (3), 9. Justin Carver (15), 10. Zach Daum (14), 11. Dave Darland (19), 12. Russ Gamester (12), 13. Derek Hagar (18), 14. Zach Martini (20), 15. Tanner Swanson (9), 16. Tracy Hines (7), 17. Shane Hollingsworth (13), 18. Jeff Swindell (16), 19. Troy DeCaire (17), 20. Jacob Wilson (2). NT

2011 FEATURE: (150 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bryan Clauson (6), 3. Bobby East (3), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 5. Darren Hagen (7), 6. Brian Tyler (10), 7. Levi Jones (11), 8. Kyle Hamilton (12), 9. Shane Hollingsworth (13), 10. Eric Gordon (4), 11. Tracy Hines (9), 12. David Byrne (14), 13. Kyle Larson (15), 14. Derek Hagar (16), 15. A.J. Fike (18), 16. Russ Gamester (8), 17. Jimmy Kite (19), 18. Tanner Swanson (5), 19. Doug Berryman (17). 45:54.90

2012 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jerry Coons Jr. (8), 2. Bobby East (1), 3. Bobby Santos (3), 4. Kody Swanson (2), 5. Tracy Hines (4), 6. Kyle Hamilton (5), 7. Tanner Swanson (6), 8. A.J. Fike (10), 9. Levi Jones (14), 10. Jacob Wilson (11), 11. Bud Kaeding (9), 12. Eric Gordon (13), 13. Brian Tyler (12), 14. Doug Berryman (15), 15. Taylor Ferns (7). 27:07.40

2015 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Jacob Wilson (3), 3. A.J. Fike (17), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (7), 5. Aaron Pierce (5), 6. David Byrne (16), 7. Austin Nemire (15), 8. Dave Baumgartner (11), 9. Tracy Hines (4), 10. Rex Norris III (10), 11. C.J. Leary (13), 12. Tim Barber (14), 13. Jarett Andretti (9), 14. Jimmy McCune (12), 15. Tanner Swanson (2), 16. Bobby Santos (8), 17. Kyle Hamilton (6), 18. Patrick Lawson (18). NT

2017 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Bobby Santos (2), 2. Kody Swanson (1), 3. Chris Windom (4), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (6), 5. Joe Liguori (8), 6. Davey Hamilton (9), 7. Joe Axsom (11), 8. David Byrne (5), 9. Annie Breidinger (12), 10. Justin Grant (7), 11. Troy Thompson (14), 12. Aaron Pierce (3), 13. Joss Moffatt (15), 14. Damion Gardner (10), 15. Matt Goodnight (13). 28:48.17

2018 FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Kody Swanson (9), 2. Bobby Santos (4), 3. David Byrne (7), 4. Eric Gordon (16), 5. Aaron Pierce (6), 6. Austin Nemire (8), 7. Cody Gerhardt (15), 8. Matt Goodnight (10), 9. Travis Welpott (11), 10. Justin Grant (1), 11. Kyle Robbins (12, 12. Toni Breidinger (14), 13. Jerry Coons Jr. (2), 14. Kyle Hamilton (3), 15. Chris Windom (5), 16. Dave Darland (13). NT

2019 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bobby Santos (11), 3. Aaron Pierce (3), 4. Justin Grant (6), 5. Chris Windom (10), 6. Kyle Hamilton (2), 7. Austin Nemire (20), 8. Derek Bischak (12), 9. Joey Schmidt (13), 10. Brian Gerster (19), 11. Russ Gamester (16), 12. Mike Haggenbottom (22), 13. Cody Gerhardt (21), 14. Kyle Robbins (17), 15. Cody Gallogly (18), 16. Chris Dyson (14), 17. Matt Goodnight (15), 18. Eric Gordon (4), 19. David Byrne (7), 20. Jason Conn (9), 21. C.J. Leary (5), 22. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (8). NT

2021 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bobby Santos (4), 3. Brian Tyler (7), 4. David Byrne (3), 5. Davey Hamilton Jr. (14), 6. Nathan Byrd (10), 7. Kyle O'Gara (6), 8. Austin Nemire (15), 9. Taylor Ferns (5), 10. Logan Seavey (12), 11. Mike Haggenbottom (19), 12. Jake Day (21), 13. Tyler Roahrig (8), 14. Annie Breidinger (20), 15. Russ Gamester (11), 16. Mike McVetta (17), 17. Justin Grant (2), 18. Jim Anderson (13), 19. Travis Welpott (18), 20. Aaron Pierce (16), 21. Kyle Robbins (9), 22. Dave Berkheimer (22). NT

2022 FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bobby Santos (4), 3. Justin Grant (3), 4. Logan Seavey (5), 5. Russ Gamester (7), 6. Derek Bischak (19), 7. Kyle Robbins (6), 8. Brian Tyler (10), 9. Mario Clouser (9), 10. Nick Hamilton (8), 11. C.J. Leary (20), 12. Mike McVetta (11), 13. Kaylee Bryson (15), 14. Kyle O’Gara (12), 15. Mike Haggenbottom (17), 16. Gregg Cory (16), 17. Taylor Ferns (2), 18. Travis Welpott (14), 19. Jake Day (21), 20. Austin Nemire (13), 21. Tom Paterson (18), 22. Dave Berkheimer (22). 1:05:57.617


A NEW CHALLENGE:
KAYLEE BRYSON SUCCEEDING
IN ROOKIE USAC SILVER CROWN SEASON

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (August 1, 2023)………“Everyone’s goal for me this year is to win Rookie of the Year,” Kaylee Bryson stated of her Sam Pierce Racing/AP Driver Development team’s ambitions for the 2023 USAC Silver Crown season.

Thus far at the midway point of the year, Bryson has, perhaps exceeded those goals, as she returns to the very same venue she made her first career USAC Silver Crown series start at a year ago in August of 2022 – Ohio’s Toledo Speedway.

The Muskogee, Okla. native enters this Saturday’s, August 5th Hemelgarn Racing-Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Fueled By Marco’s Pizza at Toledo not only as the leading series Rookie driver, but as third overall ranking driver in the USAC Silver Crown standings.

Bryson is very goal oriented, and laid out a groundwork of realistic, but straightforward benchmarks in 2023 after getting her feet wet with the series in the latter half of 2022.

“Obviously, there are a lot of races left to go, but that is the primary goal,” Bryson said of capturing USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year honors. “The second goal was to do as good as we could do. We didn’t think we’d come into the season and win the championship or anything, but we were going to give it our best shot to be the best we could in points.”

Thus far in five series starts during her 2023 campaign, Bryson has finished inside the top-eight in three of her starts with a best of 7th in the most recent round on the high banks of Winchester (Ind.) Speedway in July where she advanced from her 13th starting spot to finish 7th.

In doing so, she was the recipient of hard charger honors that evening, the second time she’s earned the award this season after also marching 15th to 8th at Wisconsin’s Madison International Raceway the race prior. A steady pace and continuous movement forward has paid dividends as she’s passed a total of 29 cars in five outings thus far at many tracks she’s visiting for the first time, a pace that’s a far cry from her days as a full-timer on the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship in recent years.

“I think the biggest difference from what I’m used to with the midgets is the pace,” Bryson explained. “Midget racing is a really fast pace, just 30 laps most times. Stepping into the Silver Crown car, they’re big cars and you’re running mile long tracks, 100-lappers and longer races. Managing your equipment and saving it to the end is really important in these bigger cars.

So far, Bryson has successfully completed all but four of the 446 laps run this season. The bottom line is that she takes care of her equipment first and foremost. In doing so, she guarantees that she’ll be there at the end of each race, and at each subsequent race on the calendar, and also leaves plenty of goodwill toward the crew of her Logical Systems, Inc. – RE Technologies/McGunegill Chevy.

“My team told me the most important part is keeping your car for the next race,” Bryson said. “Finishing races is a big part of winning Rookie of the Year. Something they’ve tried to preach to me a lot is to make sure I save my car and make it last until the end. That’s definitely something I never heard in midget racing, but it’s completely the opposite in Silver Crown racing.”

Prior to 2022, Bryson had virtually zero pavement experience behind the wheel of a racecar, but two of her best performances this year have just so happened to have occurred on the pavement with an 8th at Madison and a 7th at Winchester. It’s a challenge she’s faced head on and embraced, just as she has with so many other disciplines in 2023.

“The biggest challenge this year has been learning the pavement and learning to manage tires,” Bryson acknowledged. “In a midget, you are basically giving 110 percent every lap from the drop of the green. When I first jumped into a Silver Crown car, one of my first long races was at Springfield, and other drivers and everybody else warned me that you don’t go 110 percent every lap. You can go about 50 at the beginning, then you just manage your pace and save your tires because it’s not the first 80 laps that counts, it’s the last. The biggest learning curve of all has been just being able to slow myself down, keep a good pace and keep the tires underneath me.”

Owning, perhaps, the most diverse racing schedule in the world, you name it, Kaylee Bryson has probably driven it in 2023. This year alone, she’s competed with the Trans Am series on a road course, plus dirt late models, in sprint cars with and without a wing on both dirt and pavement, Kenyon Midgets and full-sized midgets. All varieties of racing have their own flavor, but all the forms she’s competed in have been amalgamated into her racecraft and those elements have crossed over and translated to the other series she’s running.

“We’ve done a lot of testing on (the road courses),” Bryson noted. “There, you have 18 corners in a lap instead of two, so it’s important to hit your marks and save your tires, and a lot of those races are 75 minutes. It’s not something I’m necessarily used to, but it’s definitely a route I want to go toward in my racing career.”

Running a diverse schedule has also had other benefits too.

“You really get to find out what you enjoy the most,” Bryson said. “I grew up racing dirt my whole life and I didn’t really know there were going to be any other options. Whenever a ride opens up in a car and I can go jump in a road racing car, you find more things that you really enjoy. Every car I jump in helps me learn. Seat time is the biggest thing.”

Already, just nine starts into her Silver Crown career, Bryson already chalks up this form of racing as number one.

“I think Silver Crown is my favorite series,” Bryson praised. “I just love the longer races, and endurance racing is sort of my thing. I like to be able to save my stuff for the end, and whoever does that the best is normally the best in the end. It’s been really exciting for me to learn that challenge.”

SATURDAY’S RACE DETAILS:

The event will feature the USAC Silver Crown National Championship plus Late Model Sportsman and Factory Stocks. Vintage Race Cars will also be on display.

The USAC pit gate opens/rig parking begins at 2pm Eastern on race day Saturday. The track ticket office opens, and spectator gates open at 4:30pm. USAC Silver Crown practice runs from 4:30-5:15pm. USAC Silver Crown Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying begins at 5:45pm. Parade laps for the vintage cars are slated for 6:35pm. USAC Silver Crown cars and drivers will be called to front stretch at 6:50pm.

Getting closer to showtime, there will be a Beale family introduction, a brief racer reunion, the national anthems starting at 6:50 followed by driver introductions and the Rollie Beale Classic main event just a bit after 7pm.

Tickets are $25, kids 6-12 are $5, while ages 5 and under are free. Add $1 per ticket for online ticket purchases at http://www.toledospeedway.com/. Online ticket sales end at 9pm Eastern on Friday, August 4.

 

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK REVIEW:
BACON BRINGS IT HOME IN 2023

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (July 30, 2023)………If there’s one thing that this past week of racing reminded us, it’s that when the chips are down, Brady Bacon is on the rise.

The Broken Arrow, Okla. native’s second career USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing championship came without a win throughout the seven-race series, but instead, was rooted in consistency and thriving through circumstances that would’ve derailed many others in their quest.

In round three at Lawrenceburg, he was light at the scales in tech inspection after qualifying, which forced him to start from the tail in all proceeding events throughout the evening. In the feature, he managed to make the biggest charge of the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship season when he advanced from his 22nd starting position to finish third.

At Terre Haute, during round five of the series, with five laps remaining, his car had flipped just about 80 percent of the way over while running third, riding solely on his right front wheel for a brief moment before miraculously landing on all four wheels. Within the blink of an eye, he had fallen back to eighth, but quickly gathered himself and hustled back to a fourth-place finish.

In what turned out to be the series finale at Bloomington, Bacon raced to a seemingly smooth fourth place finish without any qualms and without a hitch – no pun intended. However, after the race when it was time to load up for the night, Bacon’s merchandise trailer dislodged from the hitch and rolled down the turn four hillside.

Just as all of Indiana Sprint Week seemed to go for Bacon, misfortune soon turned into good fortune. The trailer glided to a stop at the bottom of the hillside without touching anything, and pretty much nothing fell out of place on the inside with everything secure and still in its place.

What did fall into place was another championship run for Bacon, making him the 11th driver to achieve multiple Indiana Sprint Week titles after he corralled his first back in 2016. He joins a group which includes Chuck Amati, Kevin Thomas, J.J. Yeley, Dave Darland, Levi Jones, Cory Kruseman, Jon Stanbrough, Chris Windom, Bryan Clauson and Kevin Thomas Jr.

In all, Bacon totaled six top-five results in seven starts throughout Indiana Sprint Week, buoyed by a third in the Gas City opener, a second at Kokomo, another third at Lawrenceburg, a fourth at Terre Haute, a third at Lincoln Park and a fourth at Bloomington. Bacon’s only aberration of the week was a 16th at Circle City in which he clipped an infield tire while running second with eight laps to go.

Bacon assumed the top spot in the points just in time after Bloomington before rain forced cancellation of the scheduled finale the following night at Tri-State Speedway. In the end, Bacon was eight points better than Grant. While Grant attained four more points than Bacon in the seven feature events, it was the prelim points which pushed Bacon to the forefront, most notably a pair of fast qualifying efforts at Lincoln Park and Bloomington, which boosted him with six points apiece.

Bacon earned $10,000 as the 2023 Indiana Sprint Week champion, the third for the Dynamics, Inc. team who had previously won the title with driver Dave Darland in 1998 and with Bacon in 2016.

“It was a long and grueling week, as it always is, and it takes a huge number of people to make it possible for not only my team, but all of the teams and tracks involved,” Bacon stated. “I would first like to thank my wife, Xia Xianna, and my family for giving me the support I need to compete at this level and being there all the time.”

“My crew was amazing all week and worked their butts off,” Bacon continued. “Matt Hummel gave me a car that should have been on the podium every night. Kaleb did a great job all week and is getting better each night. Another addition I have to thank is Lacey Doyle, who jumped right in and stepped up huge.”

Unique in Bacon’s effort throughout ISW was his rotating series of sponsors, which was launched in a “sponsor raffle” for individuals, fans and businesses to purchase tickets to help sponsor Bacon’s Sprint Week effort along with Longworth Properties, Mays-Shedd and Apex Spa Services, which all adorned the side of Bacon’s Triple X/Rider Chevy during the week.

Bacon’s total earnings throughout Indiana Sprint Week equaled $25,350 with all his winnings combined, and also earned a new helmet wrap courtesy of Hurricane Designs.

Furthermore, the top-eight in the final Indiana Sprint Week standings received point fund money: Justin Grant ($4,000), Robert Ballou ($2,500), Kyle Cummins ($2,000), Emerson Axsom ($1,500), C.J. Leary ($1,250), Kevin Thomas Jr. ($1,000) and Shane Cottle ($750) in addition to their nightly feature finishing earnings and bonuses.

Outside of Bacon, several top-notch performances were turned in by a number of teams and drivers who reached new heights across the 36th annual event, which began in 1988.

In the opener at Gas City, Justin Grant earned a victory in the second closest finish in Indiana Sprint Week history when he passed Robert Ballou on the final lap to win by .005 of a second. In fact, Grant won three times throughout the week, coming up just short of becoming the first repeat ISW champion since Bryan Clauson in 2013-14.

Grant also was victorious in subsequent barnburners at Lawrenceburg and Terre Haute, which moved him into the top-five all-time in terms of Indiana Sprint Week feature victories with nine.

Two veteran racers returned to Indiana Sprint Week victory lane in 2023 with Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) taking round four to become the first multi-time USAC National Sprint Car winner at Circle City, both of which have come this year.

After a crash at Gas City destroyed his primary ride, C.J. Leary went back to the shop and rolled out a three-year-old car that had never been run, and promptly put it in victory lane during its first outing in round two at Kokomo.

Meanwhile, two more drivers added their names as first-time Indiana Sprint Week victors. In what became a familiar story during the week, Jake Swanson totaled his ride in a flip at Terre Haute while running third. The very next night, with another car his Team AZ crew had put together, the Anaheim, Calif. racer posted a “W” at Lincoln Park.

That same night at Lincoln Park, Emerson Axsom missed out on transferring to the feature, requiring the use of a provisional. By rule, provisional starters do not receive Indiana Sprint Week points, effectively ending Axsom’s shot at an ISW title after entering the night 23 points out of the lead in third. One night later at Bloomington, he parked his Clauson Marshall Newman No. 47BC in the winner’s circle.

As far as other notes of interest, the 58-car entry list for the opener at Gas City was the largest field for an Indiana Sprint Week round since 2005, right at the same spot at Gas City.

Ninety-five drivers participated in Indiana Sprint Week, with drivers hailing from 12 different United States: Indiana (50), California (11), Ohio (9), Arizona (6), Texas (4), Illinois (3), Pennsylvania (3), Alabama (1), Colorado (1), Kentucky (1), Michigan (1) and Missouri (1), plus four more from Australia.

Fourteen drivers started all seven feature events. Only nine of those drivers started every feature without the aid of a provisional: Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou, Shane Cottle, Kyle Cummins, Carson Garrett, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Mitchel Moles and Kevin Thomas Jr.

Several drivers earned their best career USAC National Sprint Car finishes during Indiana Sprint Week. Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) led 14 laps and finished second at Bloomington, tying his previous best series result while also becoming just the third Pennsylvanian to finish inside the top-five during ISW after Frankie Kerr (4th at Bloomington in 1991) and Steve Surniak (5th at Paragon in 1998).

Carson Garrett (Littleton, Colo.) led six laps near the midway point at Kokomo en route to 3rd place result. Xavier Doney (Odessa, Mo.) led a race-high 17 laps and finished with his first career top-five at Circle City. Joey Amantea (Mount Pocono, Pa.) charged up through the field to finish 7th at Lawrenceburg after starting 18th.

Charles Davis Jr.’s 8th place run at Lincoln Park was the Buckeye, Ariz. native’s first top-ten result during Indiana Sprint Week since 2004, 19 years earlier when he took sixth at Lawrenceburg.

Perhaps the most talked about achievement of the week was Shane Cottle’s passing prowess. In seven starts, the Kansas, Ill. driver passed a grand total of 82 cars combined in heat races, semi-feature and feature events. To put it all into perspective, Brady Bacon passed the second most cars throughout the week – 49. That achievement earned Cottle the Indiana Sprint Week ProSource Passing Master award for the second consecutive year.

Incredibly, Cottle was the J & J Trucking Hard Charger in five of his seven starts this week: 22nd to 11th at Gas City; 20th to 8th at Kokomo; 12th to 3rd at Circle City, 17th to 7th at Terre Haute; and 22nd to 13th at Bloomington.

======================

2023 USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK STAT LEADERS

Champion: Brady Bacon

Most Wins: 3-Justin Grant

Most Laps Led: 78-Justin Grant

Most Top-Fives: 6-Brady Bacon

Most Top-Tens: 6-Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou & Justin Grant

Most Fast Qualifying Times: 2-Brady Bacon & C.J. Leary

Most Heat Race Wins: 3-Robert Ballou, Carson Garrett, Mitchel Moles & Kevin Thomas Jr.

Most Feature Starts: 7-Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou, Shane Cottle, Kyle Cummins, Carson Garrett, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Mitchel Moles, Logan Seavey, Chase Stockon, Jake Swanson, Kevin Thomas Jr. & Matt Westfall

Biggest Charge: July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway – Brady Bacon (22nd to 3rd)

=================

2023 USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK POINT STANDINGS

POS. PTS. DRIVER, HOMETOWN

1. 474 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.

2 466 Justin Grant, Ione, Calif.

3 418 Robert Ballou, Rocklin, Calif.

4 403 Kyle Cummins, Princeton, Ind.

5 399 Emerson Axsom, Franklin, Ind.

6 371 C.J. Leary, Greenfield, Ind.

7 366 Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, Ala.

8 346 Shane Cottle, Kansas, Ill.

9 342 Jake Swanson, Anaheim, Calif.

10 340 Carson Garrett, Littleton, Colo.

11 327 Mitchel Moles, Raisin City, Calif.

12 314 Chase Stockon, Fort Branch, Ind.

13 306 Logan Seavey, Sutter, Calif.

14 267 Daison Pursley, Locust Grove, Okla.

15 254 Matt Westfall, Pleasant Hill, Ohio

16 190 Charles Davis Jr., Buckeye, Ariz.

17 182 Brandon Mattox, Terre Haute, Ind.

18 166 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, Ind.

19 165 Joey Amantea, Mount Pocono, Pa.

20 164 Xavier Doney, Odessa, Mo.

21 152 Braxton Cummings, Bedford, Ind.

22 145 Briggs Danner, Allentown, Pa.

23 136 Geoff Ensign, Sebastopol, Calif.

24 135 Eddie Tafoya Jr., Chino Hills, Calif.

25 132 Sterling Cling, Tempe, Ariz.

26 113 Stevie Sussex, Tempe, Ariz.

27 101 Max Adams, Loomis, Calif.

28 99 Jadon Rogers, Worthington, Ind.

29 95 Travis Millar, Wandin North, Vic.

30 88 Alex Bright, Collegeville, Pa.

31 84 Justin Zimmerman, Athens, Texas

32 70 Troy Carey, Tullamore, N.S.W.

70 Dalton Stevens, Scurry, Texas

34 68 Tye Mihocko, Peoria, Ariz.

35 67 Colten Cottle, Kansas, Ill.

36 50 Logan Calderwood, Goodyear, Ariz.

50 Tayte Williamson, Rushylvania, Ohio

38 49 Hunter Maddox, Bloomington, Ind.

39 48 Zack Pretorius, Yorktown, Ind.

40 41 Ricky Lewis, Camarillo, Calif.

41 41 Larry Kingseed Jr., Castalia, Ohio

42 40 Rylan Gray, Greenfield, Ind.

40 Kobe Simpson, Bonham, Texas

44 39 Jordan Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.

45 35 Brayden Fox, Avon, Ind.

46 34 Trey Osborne, Columbus, Ohio

47 30 Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, Calif.

48 30 Ryan Barr, Piqua, Ohio

30 Saban Bibent, Cincinnati, Ohio

30 Tim Creech, Greenfield, Ind.

30 Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind.

52 20 Cole Bodine, Rossville, Ind.

20 Brayden Clark, Tipton, Ind.

20 Tyler Hewitt, Marion, Ind.

20 Dustin Ingle, Lima, Ohio

20 Jack James, Harlan, Ind.

20 Evan Mosley, Lapel, Ind.

20 Devan Myers, Delphi, Ind.

20 Alec Sipes, Springville, Ind.

20 Travis Thompson, Brazil, Ind.

20 Noah Whitehouse, Greenfield, Ind.

62 10 Harley Burns, Brazil, Ind.

10 Nathan Carle, West Harrison, Ind.
10 Scott Evans, Rhome, Texas

10 Parker Frederickson, Kokomo, Ind.

10 Ivan Glotzbach, Fillmore, Ind.

10 Matt Goodnight, Winchester, Ind.

10 Colin Grissom, Anderson, Ind.

10 Tony Helton, Cloverdale, Ind.

10 Todd Hobson, Clyde, Vic.

10 Johnny Ivers, Vincennes, Ind.

10 Kyle Johnson, Greencastle, Ind.

10 Tyler Kendall, Connersville, Ind.

10 Matt McDonald, Brownsburg, Ind.

10 Justin Meneely, Brazil, Ind.

10 Tyler Miller, Kokomo, Ind.

10 Todd Moule, Heathcote, Vic.

10 Brian Ruhlman, Clark Lake, Mich.

10 Bryar Schroeter, Kokomo, Ind.

10 Jake Scott, Morgantown, Ind.

10 Kyle Shipley, El Mirage, Ariz.

10 Brady Short, Bedford, Ind.

10 John Sluss, Indianapolis, Ind.

10 Marcus Smith, Tracy, Calif.

85. 0 Stan Beadles, Owensville, Ind.
0 Dustin Beck, Petersburg, Ind.

0 Donny Brackett, Fort Branch, Ind.

0 Aric Gentry, Robards, Ky.

0 J.J. Hughes, Jasper, Ind.

0 Kayla Roell, Dillsboro, Ind.

0 Kendall Ruble, Vincennes, Ind.

0 Adyn Schmidt, Haubstadt, Ind.

0 Stephen Schnapf, Newburgh, Ind.

0 Sam Scott, Patoka, Ind.

0 Eddie Vancil, Olney, Ill.

=================

2023 USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK SCHEDULE & RESULTS

July 21: Gas City I-69 Speedway | Gas City, IN
WINNER: Justin Grant (TOPP Motorsports #4)

July 22: Kokomo Speedway | Kokomo, IN
WINNER: C.J. Leary (BGE Dougherty Motorsports #15x)

July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway | Lawrenceburg, IN
WINNER: Justin Grant (TOPP Motorsports #4)

July 24: Circle City Raceway | Indianapolis, IN
WINNER: Kyle Cummins (Rock Steady Racing #3R)

July 26: Terre Haute Action Track | Terre Haute, IN
WINNER: Justin Grant (TOPP Motorsports #4)

July 27: Lincoln Park Speedway | Putnamville, IN
WINNER: Jake Swanson (Team AZ Racing #21AZ)

July 28: Bloomington Speedway | Bloomington, IN
WINNER: Emerson Axsom (Clauson Marshall Newman Racing #47BC)

July 29: Tri-State Speedway | Haubstadt, IN
WINNER: Rained Out

2023 INDIANA SPRINT WEEK FEATURE WINS

3-Justin Grant (July 21 at Gas City I-69 Speedway, July 23 at Lawrenceburg Speedway & July 26 at the Terre Haute Action Track)

1-Emerson Axsom (July 28 at Bloomington Speedway)

1-Kyle Cummins (July 24 at Circle City Raceway)

1-C.J. Leary (July 22 at Kokomo Speedway)

1-Jake Swanson (July 27 at Lincoln Park Speedway)

=================

2023 INDIANA SPRINT WEEK STATISTICS

FEATURE LAPS LED

78-Justin Grant

40-Jake Swanson

17-Brady Bacon & Xavier Doney

16-Emerson Axsom

14-Briggs Danner

11-Kyle Cummins

8-Carson Garrett & C.J. Leary

1-Robert Ballou

=================

TOP-FIVE FEATURE FINISHES

6-Brady Bacon

4-Emerson Axsom & Justin Grant

3-Kevin Thomas Jr.

2-Robert Ballou, Kyle Cummins, C.J. Leary, Logan Seavey, Chase Stockon & Jake Swanson

1-Shane Cottle, Briggs Danner, Xavier Doney, Carson Garrett, Mitchel Moles & Daison Pursley

=================

TOP-TEN FEATURE FINISHES

6-Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou & Justin Grant

5-Kyle Cummins

4-C.J. Leary, Logan Seavey, Jake Swanson & Kevin Thomas Jr.

3-Shane Cottle, Carson Garrett, Mitchel Moles, Daison Pursley & Chase Stockon

2-Charles Davis Jr. & Xavier Doney

1-Joey Amantea, Brent Beauchamp, Colten Cottle, Briggs Danner, Jadon Rogers & Matt Westfall

=================

FAST QUALIFYING TIMES (Presented by Honest Abe Roofing)

2-Brady Bacon & C.J. Leary

1-Robert Ballou, Kyle Cummins & Brayden Fox

=================

HEAT RACE WINS (Presented by Simpson Race Products, Rod End Supply, T.J. Forged & Car IQ)

3-Robert Ballou, Carson Garrett, Mitchel Moles & Kevin Thomas Jr.

2-Emerson Axsom, Charles Davis Jr., C.J. Leary & Chase Stockon

1-Brady Bacon, Colten Cottle, Kyle Cummins, Justin Grant, Larry Kingseed Jr., Brandon Mattox, Logan Seavey & Matt Westfall

=================

SEMI WINS (Presented by Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts)

1-Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou, Kyle Cummins, C.J. Leary, Brandon Mattox, Jake Swanson & Matt Westfall

=================

D-MAIN WINS (Presented by The Frolic Bar & Grill)

1-Brayden Clark & Rylan Gray

=================

C-MAIN WINS (Presented by Steel-It)

1-Joey Amantea, Ivan Glotzbach & Dustin Ingle

=================

FEATURE STARTS

7-Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou, Shane Cottle, Kyle Cummins, Carson Garrett, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Mitchel Moles, Logan Seavey, Chase Stockon, Jake Swanson, Kevin Thomas Jr. & Matt Westfall

6-Daison Pursley

5-Brandon Mattox

4-Brent Beauchamp, Braxton Cummings & Charles Davis Jr.

3-Joey Amantea, Sterling Cling, Briggs Danner, Xavier Doney, Geoff Ensign & Eddie Tafoya Jr.

2-Max Adams, Alex Bright, Tye Mihocko, Jadon Rogers & Stevie Sussex

1-Colten Cottle, Brayden Fox, Larry Kingseed Jr., Jordan Kinser, Ricky Lewis, Hunter Maddox, Thomas Meseraull, Travis Millar, Trey Osborne, Zack Pretorius & Justin Zimmerman

=================

HARD CHARGER OF THE RACE (Presented by J & J Trucking)

July 21: Gas City I-69 Speedway – Shane Cottle (22nd to 11th)

July 22: Kokomo Speedway – Shane Cottle (20th to 8th)

July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway – Brady Bacon (22nd to 3rd)

July 24: Circle City Raceway – Shane Cottle (12th to 3rd)

July 26: Terre Haute Action Track – Shane Cottle (17th to 7th)

July 27: Lincoln Park Speedway – Brent Beauchamp (22nd to 10th)

July 28: Bloomington Speedway – Shane Cottle (22nd to 13th)

=================

GREEN APU FIRST LAP LEADER

July 21: Gas City I-69 Speedway – Justin Grant

July 22: Kokomo Speedway – Jake Swanson

July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway – Justin Grant

July 24: Circle City Raceway – Xavier Doney

July 26: Terre Haute Action Track – Brady Bacon

July 27: Lincoln Park Speedway – Jake Swanson

July 28: Bloomington Speedway – Briggs Danner

=================

DIRT DRAFT HOT LAPS FASTEST DRIVER

July 21: Gas City I-69 Speedway – Max Adams (11.680)

July 22: Kokomo Speedway – Daison Pursley (13.190)

July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway – C.J. Leary (13.432)

July 24: Circle City Raceway – Brady Bacon (12.142)

July 26: Terre Haute Action Track – Robert Ballou (19.947)

July 27: Lincoln Park Speedway – Brady Bacon (12.587)

July 28: Bloomington Speedway – Shane Cottle (11.528)

=================

HARD WORK AWARD (Slowest qualifier to transfer to the feature)

July 21: Gas City I-69 Speedway – Shane Cottle

July 22: Kokomo Speedway – Braxton Cummings

July 23: Lawrenceburg Speedway – Brady Bacon

July 24: Circle City Raceway – Matt Westfall

July 26: Terre Haute Action Track – Joey Amantea

July 27: Lincoln Park Speedway – Brent Beauchamp

July 28: Bloomington Speedway – Justin Zimmerman

=================

INDIANA SPRINT WEEK STATS: (1988-2023)

INDIANA SPRINT WEEK CHAMPIONS

1988: Randy Kinser/Bloomington, Ind.

1989: Chuck Amati/Freeman Spur, Ill.

1990: Chuck Amati/Freeman Spur, Ill. & Gary Trammell/Bloomington, Ind.

1991: Bob Kinser/Bloomington, Ind.

1992: Kevin Thomas/Danville, Ind.

1993: Kevin Thomas/Danville, Ind.

1994: Kelly Kinser/Bloomington, Ind.

1995: Kevin Thomas/Danville, Ind.

1996: Kevin Thomas/Danville, Ind.

1997: J.J. Yeley/Phoenix, Ariz.

1998: Dave Darland/Lincoln, Ind.

1999: Tony Elliott/Kokomo, Ind.

2000: Jay Drake/Val Verde, Calif.

2001: Dave Darland/Lincoln, Ind.

2002: Cory Kruseman/Ventura, Calif.

2003: J.J. Yeley/Phoenix, Ariz.

2004: Levi Jones/Olney, Ill.

2005: Cory Kruseman/Ventura, Calif.

2006: Jon Stanbrough/Avon, Ind.

2007: Dave Darland/Lincoln, Ind.

2008: Levi Jones/Olney, Ill.

2009: Levi Jones/Olney, Ill.

2010: Jon Stanbrough/Avon, Ind.

2011: Chris Windom/Canton, Ill.

2012: Levi Jones/Olney, Ill.

2013: Bryan Clauson/Noblesville, Ind.

2014: Bryan Clauson/Noblesville, Ind.

2015: Robert Ballou/Rocklin, Calif.

2016: Brady Bacon/Broken Arrow, Okla.

2017: Kevin Thomas Jr./Cullman, Ala.

2018: Chris Windom/Canton, Ill.

2019: C.J. Leary/Greenfield, Ind.

2020: Chase Stockon/Fort Branch, Ind.

2021: Kevin Thomas Jr./Cullman, Ala.

2022: Justin Grant/Ione, Calif.

2023: Brady Bacon/Broken Arrow, Okla.

===================

ALL-TIME INDIANA SPRINT WEEK WINS:

20-Dave Darland

16-Jon Stanbrough

12-Cory Kruseman

9-Justin Grant & J.J. Yeley

7-Bryan Clauson, Kyle Cummins & C.J. Leary

6-Jay Drake, Danny Smith & Kevin Thomas Jr.

5-Robert Ballou, Kevin Briscoe, Tyler Courtney, Tony Elliott, Brady Short & Kevin Thomas

4-Brady Bacon, Jack Hewitt, Levi Jones, Kelly Kinser & Logan Seavey

3-Daron Clayton, Jerry Coons Jr., Tracy Hines & Hunter Schuerenberg

2-Chuck Amati, Shane Cottle, Kevin Doty, Tim Gee, Rick Hood, Bud Kaeding, Thomas Meseraull, Chase Stockon & Chris Windom

1-A.J. Anderson, Emerson Axsom, Brent Beauchamp, Jeff Bland Jr., Chad Boat, Derek Davidson, Cary Faas, Aaron Farney, Blake Fitzpatrick, Brad Fox, Dickie Gaines, Damion Gardner, Tray House, Bob Kinser, Mike Mann, Brad Marvel, Mitchel Moles, Mat Neely, Terry Pletch, Casey Riggs, Bill Rose, Carson Short, Mickey Smith, Jake Swanson, Brad Sweet, Tanner Thorson, Brian Tyler & Cole Whitt

===================

ALL-TIME USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK LAPS LED (USAC ERA 1996-2023)

431-Dave Darland

413-Jon Stanbrough

276-Cory Kruseman

217-Brady Bacon

216-Kevin Thomas Jr.

205-Robert Ballou & Justin Grant

187-J.J. Yeley

184-C.J. Leary

176-Jay Drake

173-Bryan Clauson

148-Chris Windom

124-Levi Jones

121-Tracy Hines

103-Kyle Cummins & Hunter Schuerenberg

101-Tyler Courtney

98-Kevin Briscoe

97-Brady Short

94-Jerry Coons Jr. & Logan Seavey

82-Jack Hewitt

80-Chase Stockon

76-Tony Elliott

68-Daron Clayton & Thomas Meseraull

63-Jake Swanson

57-Bud Kaeding

52-Brad Sweet

50-Shane Cottle & Derek Davidson

43-Cole Whitt

42-Chad Boespflug

38-Carson Short

36-Damion Gardner

35-Aaron Farney & Dickie Gaines

33-Josh Wise

30-Chad Boat & Brad Marvel

29-Mitchel Moles & Bill Rose

26-Robbie Rice, Stephen Schnapf & Scotty Weir

25-Brad Fox

24-John Memmer

23-Cary Faas & Brandon Petty

22-Darren Hagen, & Brian Tyler

21-A.J. Anderson, Brent Beauchamp, Briggs Danner & Eric Shively

20-Kevin Doty

18-Boston Reid

17-Xavier Doney

16-Emerson Axsom, Justin Marvel & Casey Riggs

14-Mike Mann & Wes McIntyre

13-Jeff Bland Jr.

12-Christopher Bell

11-Bobby Stines

10-Brian Hayden & Jason McDougal

9-Kevin Thomas

8-Carson Garrett, Mat Neely & Jimmy Sills

6-Jarett Andretti, Cole Bodine, Terry Pletch & Dustin Smith

5-John Wolfe

4-Kent Christian, Blake Fitzpatrick & Derek Scheffel

3-Keith Bloom Jr., Rickie Gaunt & Tanner Thorson

1-Jesse Hockett, Logan Jarrett, Rusty McClure, Dustin Morgan, Jadon Rogers, Jeremy Sherman & Jonathan Vennard

===================

ALL-TIME INDIANA SPRINT WEEK TOP-FIVE FINISHES (1988-2023)

66-Dave Darland

51-Jon Stanbrough

45-Levi Jones

42-Brady Bacon

33-Tony Elliott & Chris Windom

32-Justin Grant

31-J.J. Yeley

29-Bryan Clauson

28-Robert Ballou & Kevin Thomas Jr.

27-Kevin Thomas

25-Shane Cottle & Cory Kruseman

24-C.J. Leary & Chase Stockon

20-Jerry Coons Jr.

19-Jay Drake & Tracy Hines

18-Kyle Cummins

15-Brady Short

14-Kevin Briscoe, Bill Rose & Hunter Schuerenberg

13-Tyler Courtney & Bud Kaeding

10-Jack Hewitt & Randy Kinser

9-Derek Davidson & Danny Smith

8-Damion Gardner, Brian Hayden, Bob Kinser, Kelly Kinser, Thomas Meseraull & Logan Seavey

7-Kevin Doty, Tim Gee, Darren Hagen, Tray House, Jason McDougal, Terry Pletch & Josh Wise

6-Chuck Amati, Chad Boespflug, Daron Clayton, Dickie Gaines, Mat Neely, Terry Shepherd, Brian Tyler, Scotty Weir & Cole Whitt

5-A.J. Anderson, Chad Boat & Joe Roush

4-Emerson Axsom, Mike Mann, Carson Short, Jake Swanson, Brad Sweet & Tanner Thorson

3-Jeff Bland Jr., Bobby East, Aaron Farney, Jesse Hockett, Rick Hood, Kevin Huntley, Tony Jarrett, Mitchel Moles, Dustin Morgan, Robbie Rice, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Gary Trammell & Jeff Walker

2-Brent Beauchamp, Christopher Bell, Larry Bland, Tom Chalk, Blake Fitzpatrick, Brad Fox, Jeff Gordon, Coleman Gulick, Kurt Hawkins, Justin Marvel, Rusty McClure, Dave Peperak, Boston Reid, Casey Riggs, Jon Sciscoe, John Scott, Jeremy Sherman, Eric Shively, Casey Shuman & Mike Spencer

1-Garrett Aitken, Jarett Andretti, Chris Beaver, Ryan Bernal, Keith Bloom Jr., Mike Bowling, Kent Christian, Hud Cone, Troy Cline, Briggs Danner, Xavier Doney, Mike English, Cary Faas, Gary Fisher, Josh Ford, Russ Gamester, Carson Garrett, Dink Glidden, Eric Gordon, Richard Griffin, Jonathan Hendrick, Josh Hodges, Blake Hollingsworth, Shane Hollingsworth, Danny Holtsclaw, A.J. Hopkins, Kasey Kahne, Doug Kalitta, Todd Kane, Todd Kelley, Mike Kirby, Frankie Kerr, Chris LaFollette, Troy Link, Brad Marvel, Brandon Mattox, Wes McIntyre, Joe Miller, Brandon Petty, Daison Pursley, Jadon Rogers, Joey Saldana, Derek Scheffel, Stephen Schnapf, Todd Shields, Jimmy Sills, Mickey Smith, Greg Staab, Steve Surniak, Tyler Thomas, Lee Underwood, Rick Ungar, Jonathan Vennard, Mike Ward, Matt Westfall, Rip Williams & Greg Wilson

===================

INDIANA SPRINT WEEK TOP-10 FINISHES (USAC ERA 1996-2023)

98-Dave Darland

74-Jon Stanbrough

66-Levi Jones

64-Brady Bacon

59-Robert Ballou & Chris Windom

53-Shane Cottle & Justin Grant

48-Kevin Thomas Jr.

47-Chase Stockon

46-Jerry Coons Jr.

45-Bryan Clauson

43-Cory Kruseman & C.J. Leary

42-Tracy Hines

40-J.J. Yeley

39-Tony Elliott

34-Kyle Cummins

31-Jay Drake

30-Brady Short

24-Hunter Schuerenberg

21-Tyler Courtney, Damion Gardner, Bud Kaeding & Bill Rose

20-Kevin Thomas

19-Chad Boespflug

17-Kevin Briscoe & Scotty Weir

16-Derek Davidson, Darren Hagen & Brian Hayden

15-Thomas Meseraull & Logan Seavey

14-Dickie Gaines

13-Daron Clayton, Carson Short & Josh Wise

12-Kevin Doty & Jason McDougal

11-Mat Neely, Terry Pletch, Brad Sweet & Cole Whitt

10-Jake Swanson

9-A.J. Anderson, Emerson Axsom, Jack Hewitt, Josh Hodges & Jadon Rogers

8-Jarett Andretti & Jeff Bland Jr.

7-Brent Beauchamp, Chad Boat, Bobby East, Blake Fitzpatrick, Coleman Gulick, Todd Kane, Justin Marvel, Mitchel Moles, Boston Reid, Casey Shuman & Brian Tyler

6-Kent Christian, Troy Cline, Eric Shively, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. & Matt Westfall

5-Christopher Bell, Shane Hollingsworth, Tony Jarrett, Critter Malone, Dustin Morgan, Jeremy Sherman & Mike Spencer

4-Hud Cone, Charles Davis Jr., Aaron Farney, Jesse Hockett, A.J. Hopkins, Wes McIntyre, Brandon Petty, Robbie Rice, Brody Roa, Jimmy Sills, & John Wolfe

3-A.J. Anderson, Briggs Danner, Josh Ford, Brad Fox, Carson Garrett, Eric Gordon, Richard Griffin, Jonathan Hendrick, Dakota Jackson, Rusty McClure, Casey Riggs, Derek Scheffel, Jon Sciscoe, Neil Shepherd, Steve Surniak & Ryan Timms

2-Ryan Bernal, Eric Burns, Kenny Carmichael, Henry Clarke, Xavier Doney, Mike English, Danny Holtsclaw, Kasey Kahne, Mike Kirby, Jason Knoke, Chris LaFollette, Mike Mann, Brad Marvel, Brandon Mattox, Max McGhee, Tye Mihocko, Kevin Miller, Tim Montgomery, Billy Puterbaugh Jr., Kendall Ruble, Stephen Schnapf, John Scott, Tim Spindler, Kevin Swindell, Tyler Thomas, Richard Vander Weerd & Jeff Wilson

1-Max Adams, Garrett Aitken, Joey Amantea, Chris Beaver, Kevin Besecker, Keith Bloom Jr., Timmy Buckwalter, Brett Burdette, Mark Cassella, Mark Clark, Shane Cockrum, Chris Coers, Colten Cottle, Tim Cox, Zach Daum, Cary Faas, Nic Faas, Russ Gamester, Kurt Gross, Tom Hessert III, Tray House, J.J. Hughes, Kevin Huntley, Logan Jarrett, Marc Jessup, Chase Johnson, Doug Kalitta, Joey Kerr, Jimmy Light, Jason McCord, Matt Mitchell, Vince Osman, Richard Ott, Dave Peperak, Daison Pursley, Davey Ray, Jason Robbins, Kyle Robbins, Eric Roberts, Joe Roush, Alex Shanks, Corey Smith, Dustin Smith, Stevie Sussex, Tanner Thorson, Lee Underwood, Jonathan Vennard, Danny Williams Jr., Rip Williams, Greg Wilson & Kyle Wissmiller

===================

ALL-TIME USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK FAST QUALIFYING TIMES (USAC ERA 1996-2023)

12-Dave Darland

11-Brady Bacon

9-Justin Grant

8-Levi Jones

7-Tracy Hines, C.J. Leary, Jon Stanbrough, Kevin Thomas Jr. & J.J. Yeley

6-Daron Clayton & Richard Griffin

5-Bryan Clauson, Jerry Coons Jr., Tony Elliott, Mitchel Moles & Hunter Schuerenberg

4-Tyler Courtney & Jay Drake

3-Robert Ballou, Cory Kruseman, Carson Short, Chase Stockon, Brad Sweet & Josh Wise

2-Brent Beauchamp, Chad Boat, Chad Boespflug, Brayden Fox, Justin Marvel, Kevin Miller, Brandon Petty, Boston Reid, Logan Seavey, Tanner Thorson & Scotty Weir

1-Nick Bilbee, Keith Bloom Jr., Kevin Briscoe, Mark Cassella, Shane Cottle, Kyle Cummins, Derek Davidson, Kevin Doty, Bobby East, Nic Faas, Blake Fitzpatrick, Jared Fox, Damion Gardner, Rickie Gaunt, Darren Hagen, Jonathan Hendrick, Josh Hodges, Ray Kenens, Dustin Morgan, Mat Neely, Ande Possman, Jadon Rogers, Bill Rose, Neil Shepherd, Jeremy Sherman, Jimmy Sills, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kevin Thomas, Shawn Westerfeld, Rip Williams, Chris Windom, Mitch Wissmiller & John Wolfe

===================

ALL-TIME USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK HEAT RACE WINS (USAC ERA 1996-2023)

32-Dave Darland

30-Jon Stanbrough

31-Robert Ballou

26-Shane Cottle

20-Brady Bacon

19-Cory Kruseman & C.J. Leary

18-Chris Windom

17-Brady Short

15-Chase Stockon

14-Kevin Thomas Jr.

13-Jerry Coons Jr., Kyle Cummins & Thomas Meseraull

12-Tyler Courtney, Tony Elliott, Justin Grant & Tracy Hines

11-Chad Boespflug, Levi Jones & J.J. Yeley

10-Bryan Clauson

9-Hunter Schuerenberg

8-Kent Christian, Jay Drake, Carson Short & Kevin Thomas

7-Kenny Carmichael, Damion Gardner & Terry Pletch

6-Kevin Briscoe, Dickie Gaines, Darren Hagen & Scotty Weir

5-Blake Fitzpatrick, Josh Hodges, Shane Hollingsworth, Bud Kaeding, Mat Neely, Brandon Petty, Bill Rose, Eric Shively, Mike Spencer, Brian Tyler & Matt Westfall

4-Emerson Axsom, Daron Clayton, Hud Cone, Charles Davis Jr., Brian Hayden, Danny Holtsclaw, Logan Jarrett, Brandon Mattox, Jason McDougal, Mitchel Moles, Corey Smith, Cole Whitt & Mitch Wissmiller

3-A.J. Anderson, Jarett Andretti, Brad Fox, Carson Garrett, Jack Hewitt, Mike Kirby, Justin Marvel, Wes McIntyre, Boston Reid, Jadon Rogers, Derek Scheffel, John Scott, Logan Seavey, Casey Shuman, Dustin Smith, Brad Sweet & Tanner Thorson

2-Brent Beauchamp, Nick Bilbee, Jeff Bland Jr., Troy Cline, Tim Cox, Derek Davidson, Kris Deckard, Bobby East, Aaron Farney, Josh Ford, Richard Griffin, Coleman Gulick, A.J. Hopkins, Tray House, Dakota Jackson, Todd Kane, Mike Mann, Bret Mellenberndt, Tye Mihocko, Dustin Morgan, Casey Riggs, Brody Roa, Stephen Schnapf, Alex Shanks, Jake Swanson, Kody Swanson, Greg Wilson, Josh Wise & Kyle Wissmiller

1-Max Adams, Rodney Argo, Chris Beaver, Ryan Bernal, Keith Bloom Jr., Cole Bodine, Eric Burns, Josh Burton, Mark Cassella, Isaac Chapple, Roger Chaudion, Dustin Clark, Henry Clarke, Colten Cottle, Anthony D’Alessio, Briggs Danner, Ron Dennis, Kevin Doty, Cary Faas, Brayden, Jared Fox, Brian Gerster, Travis Gregg, Bart Grider, Kurt Gross, Chris Gurley, Chayse Hayhurst, Tom Hessert III, Jesse Hockett, J.J. Hughes, Marc Jessup, Chase Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Joey Kerr, Larry Kingseed Jr., Jordan Kinser, Jason Knoke, Critter Malone, Brad Marvel, Rusty McClure, Max McGhee, John Memmer, Jerry Miller Jr., Kevin Miller, Jim Moughan, Derek O'Dell, Ande Possman, Michael Pickens, Robbie Rice, Kyle Robbins, Joe Roush, Bryan Ruble, Jon Sciscoe, Jason Setser, Neil Shepherd, Jimmy Sills, Landon Simon, Tim Spindler, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Greg Stephens, Dalton Stevens, Gary Taylor, Tyler Thomas, Ryan Timms, Michael Trimble, Richard Vander Weerd, Jonathan Vennard, Ricky Williams & John Wolfe

===================

ALL-TIME USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK FEATURE STARTS (USAC ERA 1996-2023)

158-Dave Darland

119-Jon Stanbrough

98-Robert Ballou & Shane Cottle

96-Jerry Coons Jr.

88-Chris Windom

86-Tracy Hines

84-Levi Jones

83-Brady Bacon

82-Kevin Thomas Jr.

75-Justin Grant

79-Chase Stockon

74-C.J. Leary

65-Cory Kruseman

62-Hunter Schuerenberg

61-Kyle Cummins

60-Brady Short

58-Tony Elliott

56-Bryan Clauson & Thomas Meseraull

54-Chad Boespflug

53-Damion Gardner

50-Scotty Weir & J.J. Yeley

47-Jay Drake

41-Darren Hagen

40-Tyler Courtney

39-Bill Rose

37-Bud Kaeding

36-Daron Clayton

34-Derek Davidson

33-Jarett Andretti

32-Kevin Briscoe

31-Brian Hayden & Matt Westfall

30-A.J. Anderson & Carson Short

29-Brent Beauchamp

28-Kent Christian, Dickie Gaines & Justin Marvel

27-Josh Hodges, Brandon Mattox & Kevin Thomas

25-Mat Neely, Brandon Petty & Logan Seavey

24-Josh Wise

23-Jason McDougal, Terry Pletch & Casey Shuman

22-Jeff Bland Jr., Jake Swanson & Brian Tyler

21-Isaac Chapple, Jack Hewitt, Mike Spencer & Brad Sweet

19-Brody Roa, Derek Scheffel & Cole Whitt

18-Blake Fitzpatrick & Jadon Rogers

17-Kevin Doty, Aaron Farney & Critter Malone

16-Hud Cone, Bobby East, Shane Hollingsworth & Dustin Morgan

15-Dustin Smith & Tyler Thomas

14-Henry Clarke, Charles Davis Jr., Jesse Hockett, A.J. Hopkins, Dakota Jackson, Wes McIntyre & Eric Shively

13-Max Adams, Emerson Axsom, Chad Boat, Troy Cline, Coleman Gulick, Mitchel Moles & Richard Vander Weerd

12-Logan Jarrett, Robbie Rice & Jonathan Vennard

11- Ryan Bernal, Josh Ford, Eric Gordon, Tony Jarrett, Todd Kane, Mike Mann & Corey Smith

10-Eric Burns, Kenny Carmichael, Jonathan Hendrick, Boston Reid, Kyle Robbins, John Scott, Tim Spindler, Kyle Wissmiller & John Wolfe

9-Shane Cockrum, Briggs Danner, Tom Hessert III, Danny Holtsclaw, Tye Mihocko, Kevin Miller, Matt Mitchell, Steve Surniak & Kody Swanson

8-Cole Bodine, Carson Garrett, Richard Griffin, J.J. Hughes, Chase Johnson, Mike Kirby, Jimmy Laser, Dave Peperak, Billy Puterbaugh Jr., Casey Riggs, Jeremy Sherman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stevie Sussex & Kevin Swindell

7-Timmy Buckwalter, Tim Cox, Andrew Elson, Brad Fox, Jordan Kinser, Jason Knoke, Rusty McClure, Max McGhee, Joe Roush, Neil Shepherd, Josh Spencer, Tanner Thorson, Jace Vander Weerd & Mitch Wissmiller

6-Christopher Bell, Tony DiMattia, Jared Fox, Marc Jessup, Ryan Pace, Daison Pursley, Jason Robbins, Troy Rutherford, Jimmy Sills, Eddie Tafoya Jr. & Michael Trimble

5-Keith Bloom Jr., Clinton Boyles, Mario Clouser, Cary Faas, Chris Gurley, Shane Hmiel, Jon Sciscoe, Brian VanMeveren & Ricky Williams

4-Caleb Armstrong, Nick Bilbee, Dustin Clark, Braxton Cummings, Xavier Doney, Rickie Gaunt, Bart Grider, Ted Hines, Aaron Mosley, Kendall Ruble, Kent Schmidt, Stephen Schnapf, Landon Simon, Mark Smith, Gus Wasson & Greg Wilson

3-Joey Amantea, Chris Beaver, Mike Boat, Donny Brackett, Chase Briscoe, Brett Burdette, Michael Burthay, Sterling Cling, Zach Daum, Mike English, Geoff Ensign, A.J. Fike, Kurt Gross, Kasey Kahne, Brad Kuhn, Brad Marvel, Jason McCord, Cannon McIntosh, Nate McMillin, Bret Mellenberndt, John Memmer, Jeff O’Banion, Richard Ott, Ande Possman, Davey Ray, Alex Shanks, Gary Taylor, Ryan Timms, Danny Williams Jr., Rip Williams & Jeff Wilson

2-Rodney Argo, Koby Barksdale, Ethan Barrow, Donnie Beechler, Robert Bell, Kevin Besecker, Greg Bragg, Alex Bright, Mark Cassella, Roger Chaudion, Mark Clark, Colten Cottle, Braydon Cromwell, Kris Deckard, Ty Deckard, Ron Dennis, Gregg Dillion, Nic Faas, Brayden Fox, Russ Gamester, Chris Gansen, Aric Gentry, Travis Gregg, Max Guilford, Tom Harris, Rick Hayden, Tray House, Jack Hoyer, Kevin Huntley, Cole Ketcham, Sheldon Kinser Jr., Chris LaFollette, Jimmy Light, Zach Martini, Joss Moffatt, Tim Montgomery, Derek O’Dell, Scott Orr, Tony Ploughe, Davey Pombo, Zack Pretorius, Terry Richards, Eric Roberts, Bryan Ruble, Bryan Stanfill, Dave Steele, Greg Stephens, Dalton Stevens, Leon Thickstun, & Shawn Westerfeld

1-Garrett Abrams, Nick Adams, Garrett Aitken, Marc Arnold, Chris Babcock, Dustin Beck, Dean Billings, J.C. Bland, Steve Buckwalter, Wyatt Burks, Josh Burton, Cole Carter, Kevin Chambers, Rob Chaney, Chris Coers, Jesse Cramer, Buddy Cunningham, Anthony D’Alessio, Eric Davis, Mitchell Davis, J.R. Douglas, Nick Drake, Brian Gerster, Dennis Gile, Matt Goodnight, Russ Harper, Jared Harris, Ed Hassler, Kurt Hawkins, Chayse Hayhurst, Zane Hendricks, Jordan Hermansader, Gary Howard, Chris Hoyer, Logan Hupp, Sammy Imel, Dustin Ingle, R.J. Johnson, Chase Jones, Tony Jones, Doug Kalitta, Ryan Kaplan, Brian Karraker, Tyler Kendall, Ray Kenens, Joey Kerr, Larry Kingseed Jr., Riley Kreisel, Ricky Lewis, Hunter Maddox, David McCreary, Matt McDonald, Austin Mero, Travis Millar, Jerry Miller Jr., Ray Morgan, Brandon Morin, Jim Moughan, Nick Naber, Wil Newlin, Paul Nienhiser, Trey Osborne, Vince Osman, Steve Ott, Seth Parker, Mark Perry III, Chris Phillips, Michael Pickens, Bart Pletch, Brett Pool, Travis Rilat, Charlie Sarver, Jason Setser, Danny Sheridan, Kyle Shipley, Jake Simmons, Bobby Smith, Eric Smith, Brandon Spencer, J.T. Stapp, Bobby Stines, Joe Stornetta, Lee Underwood, Chris Urish, Chet Williams, Rick Ziehl & Justin Zimmerman

===================

INDIANA SPRINT WEEK FEATURE WINNERS

1988

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 27, 1988 | Avilla Speedway | Rick Hood | Campbell #1N | Wing

July 28, 1988 | Paragon Speedway | Rick Hood | Campbell #1N | Wing

July 29, 1988 | Bloomington Speedway | Kelly Kinser | Kinser #4K | Wing

July 31, 1988 | Kokomo Speedway | Tim Gee | Gee #88 | Wing

Aug 6, 1988 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Tim Gee | Gee #88 | Wing


1989

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 26, 1989 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Danny Smith | Gohr #56 | Wing

July 28, 1989 | Bloomington Speedway | Chuck Amati | Tate #66 | Wing

July 29, 1989 | Paragon Speedway | Mickey Smith | Smith #14 | Wing

July 30, 1989 | Kokomo Speedway | Danny Smith | Gohr #56 | Wing


1990

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 25, 1990 | Paragon Speedway | Danny Smith | Gohr #56 | Wing

July 27, 1990 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Briscoe | Briscoe #5 | Wing

July 28, 1990 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Darland #36D | Non-Wing

Aug 5, 1990 | Kokomo Speedway | Chuck Amati | Tate #66 | Non-Wing


1991

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 25, 1991 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jack Hewitt | Hampshire #63 | Non-Wing

July 26, 1991 | Bloomington Speedway | Danny Smith | Gohr #56 | Wing

July 27, 1991 | Paragon Speedway | Danny Smith | Gohr #56 | Wing

July 28, 1991 | Kokomo Speedway | Dave Darland | Darland #36D | Non-Wing


1992

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 31, 1992 | Bloomington Speedway | Bob Kinser | Bayless #17B | Wing

Aug 1, 1992 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Kevin Thomas | Hazen #57 | Non-Wing

Aug 9, 1992 | Kokomo Speedway | Tony Elliott | Newkirk #17 | Non-Wing


1993

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 15, 1993 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Dave Darland | Earlywine #36D | Non-Wing

July 16, 1993 | Bloomington Speedway | Cary Faas | Faas #37 | Non-Wing

Aug 1, 1993 | Kokomo Speedway | Kevin Thomas | Black #2B | Non-Wing

Aug 6, 1993 | Paragon Speedway | Tray House | Frampton #95 | Non-Wing


1994

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 14, 1994 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Kelly Kinser | Kinser #4K | Wing

July 15, 1994 | Bloomington Speedway | Kelly Kinser | Kinser #4K | Wing

July 16, 1994 | Paragon Speedway | Danny Smith | Bodkins #00 | Wing

July 17, 1994 | Kokomo Speedway | Kelly Kinser | Kinser #4K | Wing


1995

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

Jun 15, 1995 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Tony Elliott | Hazen/Walker #57 | Non-Wing

Jun 16, 1995 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Thomas | Applebee #3 | Non-Wing

Jun 17, 1995 | Paragon Speedway | Kevin Thomas | Applebee #3 | Non-Wing

Jun 18, 1995 | Kokomo Speedway | Mike Mann | Mann #37m | Non-Wing


1996

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 26, 1996 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Thomas | Applebee #3 | USAC

July 27, 1996 | Paragon Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Law #77 | USAC

July 28, 1996 | Kokomo Speedway | Brad Marvel | Black #2m | USAC


1997

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 19, 1997 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Brian Tyler | Contos #4c | USAC

July 20, 1997 | Kokomo Speedway | J.J. Yeley | Yeley #4J | USAC

July 23, 1997 | Terre Haute Action Track | J.J. Yeley | Yeley #4J | USAC

July 24, 1997 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Kevin Doty | Chrisman #25 | USAC

July 25, 1997 | Bloomington Speedway | Brad Fox | Fox #53 | USAC

July 26, 1997 | Paragon Speedway | Bill Rose | Gardner #96 | USAC

July 27, 1997 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jack Hewitt | Hampshire #63 | USAC


1998

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 18, 1998 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dave Darland | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 19, 1998 | Evans Kokomo Speedway | Tony Elliott | Vance/Walker #2 | USAC

July 23, 1998 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Kevin Doty | Chrisman #25 | USAC

July 24, 1998 | Bloomington Speedway | Tony Elliott | Vance/Walker #2 | USAC

July 25, 1998 | Paragon Speedway | Derek Davidson | BWB #62 | USAC

July 26, 1998 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Dynamics #69 | USAC


1999

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 21, 1999 | Terre Haute Action Track | Terry Pletch | Pletch #29 | USAC

July 22, 1999 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Jack Hewitt | Newkirk #17 | USAC

July 23, 1999 | Bloomington Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Ellis #21 | USAC

July 24, 1999 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 25, 1999 | Kokomo Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Ellis #21 | USAC

July 28, 1999 | Eldora Speedway | Tracy Hines | Willoughby #97 | USAC


2000

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 20, 2000 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Bud Kaeding | BK #129 | USAC

July 21, 2000 | Bloomington Speedway | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 22, 2000 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Kevin Briscoe | Briscoe #5 | USAC

July 23, 2000 | Kokomo Speedway | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 28, 2000 | Terre Haute Action Track | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 29, 2000 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 30, 2000 | Tri-State Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Potter #3p | USAC


2001

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 21, 2001 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Hazen #57H | USAC

July 22, 2001 | Tri-State Speedway | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 24, 2001 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Jack Hewitt | Kaser #31 | USAC

July 26, 2001 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dave Darland | DeSalle #3AC | USAC

July 27, 2001 | Bloomington Speedway | A.J. Anderson | Edison #10 | USAC

July 29, 2001 | Kokomo Speedway | Tony Elliott | Walker/Gratton #66 | USAC


2002

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 19, 2002 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 20, 2002 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 21, 2002 | Tri-State Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 22, 2002 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | J.J. Yeley | GT Racing #76 | USAC

July 25, 2002 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Kevin Briscoe | Briscoe #5 | USAC

July 26, 2002 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Briscoe | Briscoe #5 | USAC

July 27, 2002 | Terre Haute Action Track | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC


2003

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 17, 2003 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | J.J. Yeley | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 18, 2003 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | J.J. Yeley | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 19, 2003 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jay Drake | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 20, 2003 | Tri-State Speedway | J.J. Yeley | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 23, 2003 | Kokomo Speedway | Bud Kaeding | BK #29 | USAC

July 24, 2003 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Hazen #57 | USAC

July 25, 2003 | Bloomington Speedway | J.J. Yeley | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 26, 2003 | Terre Haute Action Track | Tracy Hines | Dynamics #69 | USAC


2004

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 15, 2004 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | J.J. Yeley | Stanton #75 | USAC

July 17, 2004 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Stewart #21 | USAC

July 18, 2004 | Tri-State Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Stewart #21 | USAC

July 22, 2004 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 23, 2004 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Briscoe | Briscoe #5 | USAC

July 24, 2004 | Terre Haute Action Track | J.J. Yeley | Stanton #75 | USAC


2005

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 14, 2005 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 15, 2005 | Bloomington Speedway | Tracy Hines | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 17, 2005 | Tri-State Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 19, 2005 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Walker/Guiducci #11 | USAC

July 20, 2005 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Cory Kruseman | Kunz #67 | USAC

July 21, 2005 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dickie Gaines | Roberts #21x | USAC

July 22, 2005 | Terre Haute Action Track | Levi Jones | 2B Racing #2B | USAC


2006

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 13, 2006 | Twin Cities Raceway Park | Mat Neely | 2B Racing #2B | USAC

July 14, 2006 | Bloomington Speedway | Brady Short | Short #36 | USAC

July 15, 2006 | Tri-State Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 16, 2006 | Kokomo Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 19, 2006 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC


2007

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 11, 2007 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 12, 2007 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dave Darland | Pace #44 | USAC

July 13, 2007 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Daron Clayton | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 14, 2007 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 15, 2007 | Kokomo Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 19, 2007 | Kamp Motor Speedway | Jerry Coons Jr. | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 20, 2007 | Bloomington Speedway | Dave Darland | Pace #44 | USAC

July 21, 2007 | Tri-State Speedway | Daron Clayton | Walker/Guiducci #11D | USAC


2008

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 9, 2008 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Jeff Bland Jr. | Bland #21s | USAC

July 10, 2008 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Brady Short | Short #36 | USAC

July 11, 2008 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Cole Whitt | Kunz #67K | USAC

July 13, 2008 | Kokomo Speedway | Dave Darland | 2B Racing #2B | USAC

July 17, 2008 | Kamp Motor Speedway | Jerry Coons Jr. | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 18, 2008 | Bloomington Speedway | Jerry Coons Jr. | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 19, 2008 | Tri-State Speedway | Hunter Schuerenberg | Walker/Guiducci #11 | USAC


2009

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 10, 2009 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dave Darland | RWB #2B | USAC

July 11, 2009 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Levi Jones | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 12, 2009 | Kokomo Speedway | Chad Boat | Boat #30 | USAC

July 15, 2009 | Terre Haute Action Track | Brad Sweet | Kahne/Curb #9 | USAC

July 16, 2009 | Kamp Motor Speedway | Dave Darland | RWB #2B | USAC

July 17, 2009 | Bloomington Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Tucker #7 | USAC

July 18, 2009 | Tri-State Speedway | Levi Jones | Stewart #20 | USAC


2010

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 9, 2010 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Dave Darland | Goodnight #39 | USAC

July 10, 2010 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 11, 2010 | Kokomo Speedway | Levi Jones | Stewart #20 | USAC

July 14, 2010 | Terre Haute Action Track | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 15, 2010 | Brownstown Speedway | Brady Short | Short #36 | USAC

July 16, 2010 | Bloomington Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Fox #53 | USAC

July 17, 2010 | Tri-State Speedway | Blake Fitzpatrick | Fitzpatrick #10F | USAC


2011

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 8, 2011 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Dave Darland | Roberts/Tate #21x | USAC

July 9, 2011 | Kokomo Speedway | Hunter Schuerenberg | Byram #35 | USAC

July 10, 2011 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Robert Ballou | MPHG #81 | USAC

July 13, 2011 | Terre Haute Action Track | Chris Windom | Baldwin #5x | USAC

July 14, 2011 | Brownstown Speedway | Casey Riggs | Indiana Underground #37 | USAC

July 15, 2011 | Bloomington Speedway | Hunter Schuerenberg | Byram #35 | USAC

July 16, 2011 | Tri-State Speedway | Damion Gardner | DG #71 | USAC


2012

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 13, 2012 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian #7 | USAC

July 15, 2012 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Justin Grant | Hery #40 | USAC

July 16, 2012 | Kokomo Speedway | Dave Darland | Walker #11 | USAC

July 18, 2012 | Terre Haute Action Track | Daron Clayton | Clayton #92 | USAC

July 20, 2012 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Thomas Jr. | Black Jack #9K | USAC

July 21, 2012 | Tri-State Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Roberts/Tate #21x | USAC

July 22, 2012 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Walker #11 | USAC


2013

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 12, 2013 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Wade #66 | USAC

July 13, 2013 | Kokomo Speedway | Kevin Thomas Jr. | Dutcher/RW/Tri-Star #17RW | USAC

July 14, 2013 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Kevin Thomas Jr. | Dutcher/RW/Tri-Star #17RW | USAC

July 17, 2013 | Terre Haute Action Track | Kevin Thomas Jr. | Dutcher/RW/Tri-Star #17RW | USAC

July 18, 2013 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #20 | USAC

July 19, 2013 | Bloomington Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #20 | USAC


2014

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 11, 2014 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Jon Stanbrough | Dutcher #37RW | USAC

July 12, 2014 | Kokomo Speedway | Dave Darland | Phillips #71p | USAC

July 16, 2014 | Terre Haute Action Track | Bryan Clauson | Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #20 | USAC

July 17, 2014 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Robert Ballou | Ballou #12x | USAC

July 18, 2014 | Bloomington Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #20 | USAC

July 19, 2014 | Tri-State Speedway | Robert Ballou | Ballou #12x | USAC


2015

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 10, 2015 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Chase Stockon | 32 TBI #32 | USAC

July 12, 2015 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Brady Bacon | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 15, 2015 | Terre Haute Action Track | Aaron Farney | Farney #15F | USAC

July 16, 2015 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Brady Bacon | Dynamics #69 | USAC

July 18, 2015 | Tri-State Speedway | Brady Short | Pottorff #11p | USAC


2016

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 8, 2016 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Tyler Courtney | TOPP #23c | USAC

July 9, 2016 | Kokomo Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady #3R | USAC

July 10, 2016 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Bryan Clauson | Dooling/Hayward #63 | USAC

July 14, 2016 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Brady Short | Pottorff #11p | USAC

July 15, 2016 | Bloomington Speedway | Brent Beauchamp | Olson #34 | USAC

July 16, 2016 | Tri-State Speedway | Carson Short | Short #21 | USAC

July 17, 2016 | Terre Haute Action Track | Chase Stockon | 32 TBI #32 | USAC


2017

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 8, 2017 | Kokomo Speedway | Thomas Meseraull | Briscoe #5B | USAC

July 9, 2017 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | C.J. Leary | Leary #30 | USAC

July 10, 2017 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | C.J. Leary | Leary #30 | USAC

July 14, 2017 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Thomas Jr. | KT #9K | USAC

July 15, 2017 | Tri-State Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady #3R | USAC

July 16, 2017 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Robert Ballou | Ballou #12 | USAC


2018

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 20, 2018 | Plymouth Speedway | Brady Bacon | Bacon #99 | USAC

July 22, 2018 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Tyler Courtney | Clauson Marshall Newman #7BC | USAC

July 24, 2018 | Kokomo Speedway | Thomas Meseraull | Briscoe #5B | USAC

July 25, 2018 | Terre Haute Action Track | Tyler Courtney | Clauson Marshall Newman #7BC | USAC

July 26, 2018 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Dave Darland | Goodnight/Curb-Agajanian #36D | USAC

July 27, 2018 | Bloomington Speedway | C.J. Leary | Leary #30 | USAC

July 28, 2018 | Tri-State Speedway | Dave Darland | Goodnight/Curb-Agajanian #36D | USAC

2019

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 18, 2019 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Shane Cottle | Epperson Racing #2E | USAC

July 19, 2019 | Plymouth Speedway | Tyler Courtney | Clauson/Marshall/Newman Racing #7BC | USAC

July 20, 2019 | Kokomo Speedway | Chris Windom | Parallax Group/Goacher Racing #5G | USAC

July 21, 2019 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 24, 2019 | Terre Haute Action Track | Tyler Courtney | Clauson/Marshall/Newman Racing #7BC | USAC

July 25, 2019 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady Racing #3R | USAC

July 26, 2019 | Bloomington Speedway | Kevin Thomas Jr. | Hayward/Thomas Motorsports #19 | USAC

July 27, 2019 | Tri-State Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady Racing #3R | USAC

2020

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 24, 2020 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Logan Seavey | Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports #19AZ | USAC

July 25, 2020 | Kokomo Speedway | C.J. Leary | Leary Racing #30 | USAC

July 26, 2020 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | C.J. Leary | Leary Racing #30 | USAC

July 29, 2020 | Terre Haute Action Track | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

Aug 2, 2020 | Tri-State Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady Racing #3R | USAC


2021

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 24, 2021 | Kokomo Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 25, 2021 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Logan Seavey | Baldwin-Fox Racing #5 | USAC

July 26, 2021 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Logan Seavey | Baldwin-Fox Racing #5 | USAC

July 28, 2021 | Terre Haute Action Track | Logan Seavey | Baldwin-Fox Racing #5 | USAC

July 29, 2021 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Tanner Thorson | Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports #19AZ | USAC

July 30, 2021 | Bloomington Speedway | Brady Bacon | Dynamics, Inc. #69 | USAC

July 31, 2021 | Tri-State Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

2022

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 22, 2022 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Shane Cottle | Hodges Motorsports #74x | USAC

July 25, 2022 | Circle City Raceway | C.J. Leary | Michael Motorsports #77m | USAC

July 26, 2022 | Kokomo Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 28, 2022 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Mitchel Moles | Reinbold-Underwood Motorsports #19AZ | USAC

July 29, 2022 | Bloomington Speedway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady Racing #3R | USAC

July 30, 2022 | Tri-State Speedway | Robert Ballou | Ballou Motorsports #12 | USAC

2023

DATE | TRACK | DRIVER | CAR | TYPE

July 21, 2023 | Gas City I-69 Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 22, 2023 | Kokomo Speedway | C.J. Leary | BGE Dougherty Motorsports #15x | USAC

July 23, 2023 | Lawrenceburg Speedway | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 24, 2023 | Circle City Raceway | Kyle Cummins | Rock Steady Racing #3R | USAC

July 26, 2023 | Terre Haute Action Track | Justin Grant | TOPP Motorsports #4 | USAC

July 27, 2023 | Lincoln Park Speedway | Jake Swanson | Team AZ Racing #21AZ | USAC

July 28, 2023 | Bloomington Speedway | Emerson Axsom | Clauson Marshall Newman Racing #47BC | USAC


 


DOWN, BUT NOT OUT:
AXSOM BLOOMS AT SHELDON KINSER MEMORIAL

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Bloomington, Indiana (July 28, 2023)………Dejected and disappointed, yet not defeated, Emerson Axsom still had a ton to race for when he arrived at Bloomington Speedway for Friday night’s penultimate round of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing.

For all intents and purposes, the Franklin, Ind. racer saw his shot at an Indiana Sprint Week championship crumble a night earlier at Lincoln Park Speedway when he missed out on transferring to the feature, and thus, had to use a provisional, which did not allow him to earn feature points toward the eight-race series title race.

Driving with desire, and a fire in the belly, at Bloomington’s Sheldon Kinser Memorial, Axsom recorded his first career Indiana Sprint Week triumph, while extending his lead in another concurrent miniseries for USAC National Sprint Car racing, the 10-race Bubby Jones Master of Going Faster series Presented By Spire Sports + Entertainment.

Axsom grabbed the reins of his Clauson Marshall Newman Racing/Driven2SaveLives – ZMax Race Lubricants/Spike/Kistler Chevy, then chased down racelong leader Briggs Danner on lap 15 before patrolling the final 16 laps to earn his third feature victory of the USAC season, all while having a little bit of the night before on his mind.

“Honestly, I’m still upset about last night,” Axsom admitted. “Not that it was anybody’s fault, we just didn’t run very well. I told my guys last night that if I have anything to do with it, we’re going to win tonight. I just wanted to win really badly, and I’ve been wanting to win a Sprint Week race all week. We’ve been fast; we just haven’t been able to qualify to put us up front. It’s hard to pass these guys because they’re so good.”

The arch of Axsom mimics Jake Swanson, who simultaneously captured both his first Indiana Sprint Week win and his sixth career USAC National Sprint Car victory on Thursday at Lincoln Park. Axsom achieved exactly the same on Friday at Bloomington with his sixth career series score moving him to 76th on the all-time series win list alongside Chad Boespflug, Kevin Briscoe, Shane Cottle, Jac Haudenschild, Jason McCord, Jan Opperman, Tom Sneva, George Snider, Jake Swanson and Dick Tobias.

Axsom’s performance is now the next chapter in a long line of successes for the Clauson family at Bloomington. Bryan Clauson owns the record for most Bloomington USAC National Sprint Car driving victories with five on the 1/4-mile red clay between 2009-16, plus a USAC National Midget dub in 2013. Clauson Marshall Racing also nabbed back-to-back USAC Midget victories between 2018-19 with Tyler Courtney at the wheel.

But on Friday night, it was Axsom’s turn to kick a shine. Starting from the third position, Axsom was already challenging for the lead by lap two. Axsom first scooted underneath Chase Stockon off turn four to slot into second at the conclusion of the opening lap, then came within a car length of Danner for the race lead on the second go-around.

However, just as Axsom was in position to, perhaps, race into the lead, he hit the muck at the very bottom of turn one and was unable to get the car to turn. Sliding up the track, Axsom left the bottom open for Stockon to reemerge in second.

On lap five, fourth running Mitchel Moles’ tumultuous Indiana Sprint Week continued when his car fell dramatically off the pace, forcing him to the Indy Metal Finishing Work Area as the yellow flag was displayed. Moles ultimately returned to the tail and advanced his way to a 14th place finish.

When racing resumed, it was go time for Axsom who made a successful bid for second under Stockon, taking the spot on the back straight on the lap five restart. However, at that moment, Danner had stepped away to a half-straightaway advantage as the leader.

Meanwhile, Justin Grant and Brady Bacon entered the fray with a four-point separation in their quests for the Indiana Sprint Week championship. Bacon gained a crucial spot on the 10th lap when Grant skated up the racetrack in turns one and two, allowing Bacon to jet away on the outside to take away the fifth position.

Back up front, traffic loomed for Danner, and as soon as he caught it, he was extensively mired. His 1.5 second interval vanished in a heartbeat just before the midway point, and on lap 15, Axsom flashed by on the inside to take over the lead. Moments later in turn four, Danner snagged the cushion, knocking him sideways, which cost him more than a second, and practically ended his window of opportunity to win his first career USAC National Sprint Car feature.

For Axsom, though, he had a pretty good feeling that he was in good shape moving forward.

“It was a real fine line between the greasy, the slick and the monster curb off two and four,” Axsom explained. “I knew that if I could just stay even with the lapped cars, nobody would get by me. I didn’t really know if anybody was catching me, but I knew if I stayed even with the car below me, it was enough that nobody was going to be able to do anything. I knew that as long as I didn’t mess up big on the top, I’d be all right.”

On lap 22, Bacon gained further ground to move into fourth as the 2022 Bloomington Indiana Sprint Week winner got caught up on the turn four cushion as Bacon raced by underneath to further pad his Indiana Sprint Week point lead to eight markers.

Axsom was untouchable at the front of the field, however, and finished off the evening by crossing the finish line 3.753 seconds ahead of the competition. Danner collected a runner-up finish by a narrow half car length margin ahead of Stockon while Bacon grabbed fourth and Kyle Cummins rounded out the top-five.

Sitting fifth in the Indiana Sprint Week standings, 75 points out of the lead, Axsom is fully aware that his shot at title with the series is over. However, he’s thinking “big picture,” which has him in good shape in multiple ongoing series. He’s second in the overall USAC National Sprint Car standings, just 19 behind Bacon, and currently leads the Bubby Jones points by a 28-point margin.

“Our Sprint Week isn’t over,” Axsom related, “but obviously, last night really hurt us. The national title is still there and that’s our main goal anyway. Hopefully this gets us back to where we need to be.”

Briggs Danner (Allentown, Pa.) equaled his best career USAC National Sprint Car finish with a second-place result in his Hogue Racing Enterprises/Boulevard Truck Repair – E. Schneider & Sons/DRC/Rider Chevy. Danner previously scored a second at Grandview Speedway in 2022. His second place run at Bloomington was the best finish ever by a native Pennsylvanian in an Indiana Sprint Week event. Frankie Kerr previously was the best with a fourth at Bloomington in 1991 while Steve Surniak finished fifth at Paragon Speedway in 1998.

Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.) tied his best result of the 2023 USAC National Sprint Car campaign with a third-place finish in his KO Motorsports/Banded Ag – Superior Tank & Trailer – Dewig Meats – AMSOIL/Triple X/Fisher Chevy. The podium run at Bloomington came on the heels of a fifth place finish the previous night at Lincoln Park. It’s the 2020 Indiana Sprint Week champion’s first back-to-back top-five finishes with the series since September of 2022.

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) pocketed $400 for his Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifying performance at Bloomington. It was his second consecutive quick time with the series, the sixth time he’s timed in as the fastest in back-to-back fashion during his USAC Sprint Car career. Overall, it was the 47th fast time of his career with the series, fourth all-time, and his third Indiana Sprint Week fast time at Bloomington, doing so in perfectly spaced four-year increments in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Shane Cottle has been a hard-charging machine throughout Indiana Sprint Week. For the fifth time in seven races throughout the week, the Kansas, Ill. driver has earned J & J Trucking Hard Charger honors. At Bloomington, he advanced from 21st to 13th, and has now passed a total of 82 cars thus far during ISW. To put it all into perspective, his closest competition has passed 49 cars during Indiana Sprint Week.

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 28, 2023 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing – Sheldon Kinser Memorial

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-11.244; 2. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-11.247; 3. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-11.304; 4. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-11.356; 5. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-11.372; 6. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-11.373; 7. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-11.378; 8. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-11.428; 9. Brent Beauchamp, 11, Beauchamp-11.432; 10. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-11.446; 11. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-11.457; 12. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-11.459; 13. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-11.475; 14. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-11.484; 15. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-11.506; 16. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-11.511; 17. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-11.544; 18. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-11.546; 19. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-11.560; 20. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-11.583; 21. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-11.587; 22. Geoff Ensign, 17, On The Gass-11.619; 23. Jordan Kinser, 04, Burton-11.661; 24. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-11.679; 25. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-11.694; 26. Alec Sipes, 19, Hayward-11.698; 27. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-11.746; 28. Hunter Maddox, 24m, Maddox-11.788; 29. Brady Short, 61m, Edwards-11.880; 30. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-11.948; 31. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-11.998.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Brandon Mattox, 2. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 3. Mitchel Moles, 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Brent Beauchamp, 6. Joey Amantea. 2:00.92

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Charles Davis Jr., 2. Briggs Danner, 3. Geoff Ensign, 4. Daison Pursley, 5. Robert Ballou, 6. Jake Swanson, 7. Alec Sipes, 8. Justin Zimmerman. 2:00.86

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Garrett, 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 3. Emerson Axsom, 4. Matt Westfall, 5. Shane Cottle, 6. C.J. Leary, 7. Troy Carey, 8. Jordan Kinser. 1:57.08

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Justin Grant, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Chase Stockon, 4. Kyle Cummins, 5. Travis Millar, 6. Tayte Williamson, 7. Hunter Maddox. 2:00.30

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Jake Swanson, 2. Robert Ballou, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Shane Cottle, 5. Brent Beauchamp, 6. Justin Zimmerman, 7. Travis Millar, 8. Troy Carey, 9. Joey Amantea, 10. Alec Sipes, 11. Tayte Williamson, 12. Dalton Stevens. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Emerson Axsom (3), 2. Briggs Danner (1), 3. Chase Stockon (2), 4. Brady Bacon (6), 5. Kyle Cummins (5), 6. C.J. Leary (12), 7. Justin Grant (7), 8. Robert Ballou (13), 9. Jake Swanson (11), 10. Charles Davis Jr. (8), 11. Carson Garrett (9), 12. Daison Pursley (16), 13. Shane Cottle (21), 14. Mitchel Moles (4), 15. Kevin Thomas Jr. (15), 16. Matt Westfall (17), 17. Geoff Ensign (20), 18. Brandon Mattox (10), 19. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (19), 20. Brent Beauchamp (14), 21. Logan Seavey (18), 22. Justin Zimmerman (22). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-14 Briggs Danner, Laps 15-30 Emerson Axsom.

**Dalton Stevens flipped during qualifying. Hunter Maddox flipped during the heat.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1638, 2-Emerson Axsom-1619, 3-Justin Grant-1615, 4-Jake Swanson-1559, 5-Kyle Cummins-1539, 6-C.J. Leary-1469, 7-Robert Ballou-1372, 8-Mitchel Moles-1364, 9-Chase Stockon-1325, 10-Daison Pursley-1275.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-474, 2-Justin Grant-466, 3-Robert Ballou-418, 4-Kyle Cummins-403, 5-Emerson Axsom-399, 6-C.J. Leary-371, 7-Kevin Thomas Jr.-366, 8-Shane Cottle-346, 9-Jake Swanson-342, 10-Carson Garrett-340.

BUBBY JONES MASTER OF GOIN’ FASTER PRESENTED BY SPIRE SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-476, 2-Brady Bacon-448, 3-C.J. Leary-447, 4-Jake Swanson-434, 5-Mitchel Moles-414, 6-Kyle Cummins-387, 7-Chase Stockon-374, 8-Justin Grant-372, 9-Daison Pursley-371, 10-Robert Ballou-320.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-145, 2-Logan Seavey-84, 3-Robert Ballou-81, 4-Shane Cottle-81, 5-Matt Westfall-79, 6-Brady Bacon-77, 7-Justin Grant-70, 8-Emerson Axsom-64, 9-Chase Stockon-63, 10-C.J. Leary-51.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-82, 2-Brady Bacon-49, 3-Joey Amantea-46, 4-Robert Ballou-45, 5-Daison Pursley-37, 6-Logan Seavey-33, 7-Emerson Axsom-31, 8-Kevin Thomas Jr.-30, 9-Braxton Cummings-29, 10-Mitchel Moles-28.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 29, 2023 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Shane Cottle (11.528)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Brady Bacon (11.244)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Brandon Mattox

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Carson Garrett

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Charles Davis Jr.

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Justin Grant

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Jake Swanson

Hard Work Award: Justin Zimmerman

Green APU First Lap Leader: Briggs Danner

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (22nd to 13th)

 

LIVIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT:
SWANSON ROCKS LINCOLN PARK
FOR FIRST USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK WIN

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Putnamville, Indiana (July 27, 2023)………Twenty-four hours after lying upside down in a heap of disappointment with a destroyed racecar, Jake Swanson and Team AZ Racing were back on their feet, so to speak, on Thursday night at Putnamville, Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway.

Armed with another car from the team’s stable that was prepared on blazing hot Thursday afternoon through a combination of blood, sweat and tears – but mostly sweat – the Anaheim, Calif. native 180’d from the previous night’s Terre Haute disappointment to win his first career USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing feature event.

The timeline of events that transpired between the events at Terre Haute and Lincoln Park are a microcosm of the tug-of-war of emotions the team has experienced. In the six Indiana Sprint Week events contested thus far, Swanson has three finishes of 16th or worse, plus a 2nd, an 8th and now a victory in his Team AZ Racing/Racing For Autism Awareness – Apache Transport/DRC/1-Way Chevy.

Wednesday’s Terre Haute round was undoubtedly the team’s most discouraging moment of the week thus far, crashing and writing off a racecar while running third after leading eight laps.

However, Thursday’s triumphant performance turned out to be the team’s most rewarding, which arrived after the clock had already struck midnight due to a two-plus hour rain delay that doused the 5/16-mile dirt oval with excessive moisture. Together, everyone achieved more, and finally, they were rewarded with their initial Indiana Sprint Week victory.

“We crashed last night at Terre Haute, and it was all on me,” Swanson admitted. “I was just trying too hard, and these guys have worked their (tails) off trying to get a car back together and get this thing ready. Tonight, we struggled with brake problems, and (the crew) just continued to work through the heat. I think they sweated through about three t-shirts each.”

Swanson started the 30-lap, $8,000-to-win main event from the outside of the front row, but quickly gained the upper hand on the opening lap as he scooted around the outside of pole sitter Logan Seavey to grab the lead while Seavey slotted into second with Kevin Thomas Jr. closing in from the third position.

The top-three remained in formation as lapped traffic loomed for the frontrunners on lap 10. With Swanson slightly roadblocked, that allowed Seavey and Thomas Jr. to chop down a 1.5 second deficit. One lap later, on the 11th circuit, Thomas found the inside edge to swipe second place from Seavey on the bottom of turns three and four.

Thomas Jr. rapidly ascended toward the forefront of the field and managed to pull even with Swanson for the race lead on the 13th lap. As Thomas Jr. and Swanson surrounded Hunter Maddox to put him a lap down, Thomas Jr. suddenly began to slow dramatically and pulled to the infield after the engine simply lost power, ending his bid for s first USAC win of 2023 and car owner Dwight Cheney’s first ever USAC score.

With Thomas Jr. out of the picture, it still wasn’t quite clear sailing for Swanson. Seavey suddenly found a resurgence and began to chase down Swanson and had closed to within a car length of the lead by lap 18. With 11 laps to go, however, the merry-go-round came to a halt when 10th running Mitchel Moles spun sideways in turn four, then was clipped by the trailing car driven by Briggs Danner, resulting in a knocked-out front end for Moles and a 21st place feature result.

Under the yellow, second running Seavey abruptly exited the racetrack, like Thomas Jr., also experiencing a sudden loss of power under the hood that promptly ended the team’s night. That moved Ballou up to the second spot behind Swanson for the restart where he promptly took several peeks to the inside of Swanson with as he clamped down right on Swanson’s back bumper.

Current Indiana Sprint Week point leader and defending champ Justin Grant shuffled to the third spot with a slick move under Chase Stockon on the lap 20 restart. Brady Bacon, second in the ISW standings, followed suit past Stockon for fourth on lap 22. Bacon continued to surge and snagged the third spot when Grant slipped up the surface in turn four on the 27th lap.

All the while, up front, it was a race between the resilient Swanson and Ballou, both of whom endured major incidents the night before at Terre Haute and who had both experienced their fair share of tumultuous trials and tribulations throughout the grueling week.

Swanson’s ride was smooth and easy like an (early) Friday morning as he kept Ballou at arm’s length throughout the final 10 laps to thwart the pressure, winning by a 0.344 second margin for his fourth points-paying USAC National Sprint Car victory of his career and his sixth overall, tying him for 76th all-time alongside Chad Boespflug, Kevin Briscoe, Shane Cottle, Jac Haudenschild, Jason McCord, Jan Opperman, Tom Sneva, George Snider and Dick Tobias.

Coming home second was Robert Ballou with Brady Bacon third, Justin Grant fourth and Chase Stockon fifth.

Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) equaled both his best Indiana Sprint Week and USAC National Sprint Car performance of the season with a second-place result in his Ballou Motorsports/Suburban Subaru – Berks Western Telecom/Triple X/Ott Chevy. The 2015 Indiana Sprint Week champ also finished as the runner-up during last Friday’s ISW opener at Gas City I-69 Speedway.

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) remained in close quarters in pursuit of his first Indiana Sprint Week championship since 2016. Bacon gained a pivotal position from Grant just three laps from the finish line to earn a third-place result in his Dynamics, Inc./Apex Spa Service – Tel-Star Technologies /Triple X/Rider Chevy. Bacon now sits just four points behind Grant in the ISW title race with two races remaining on Friday at Bloomington Speedway and on Saturday at Tri-State Speedway.

A rare feat occurred during the Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying session when Brady Bacon and Mitchel Moles posted identical fast times of 12.370 seconds. Based on the tiebreaker of each driver's fastest "other lap," Bacon received the nod as the quickest qualifier. For Bacon, it was his 46th career fast qualifying time in USAC National Sprint Car competition, which ranks fourth all-time behind Tom Bigelow (65), Dave Darland (62) and Tracy Hines (60).

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 27, 2023 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Indiana – 5/16-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-12.370; 2. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-12.370; 3. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-12.372; 4. Hunter Maddox, 24m, Maddox-12.378; 5. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-12.473; 6. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.534; 7. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-12.557; 8. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-12.616; 9. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-12.617; 10. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-12.639; 11. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.688; 12. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-12.710; 13. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-12.757; 14. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-12.768; 15. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.772; 16. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-12.776; 17. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-12.780; 18. Ricky Lewis, 41, Brown-12.796; 19. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Ensign-12.846; 20. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-12.854; 21. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-12.861; 22. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-12.899; 23. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-12.920; 24. Jordan Kinser, 04, Burton-12.935; 25. Jadon Rogers, 14, 4J Motorsports-12.968; 26. Jake Scott, 33, Miller-12.979; 27. Todd Hobson, 5T, Daming-12.990; 28. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-13.015; 29. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-13.035; 30. Ivan Glotzbach, i1, Glotzbach-13.091; 31. Todd Moule, 26, Moule-13.107; 32. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-13.111; 33. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-13.131; 34. Tye Mihocko, 5, Wilson-13.170; 35. Dave Darland, 36D, Darland/Curb-Agajanian-13.178; 36. Brent Beauchamp, 34B, Olson-13.292; 37. Evan Mosley, 27, Barkdull-13.313; 38. Tim Creech, 31, Creech-13.330; 39. Alec Sipes, 19, Hayward-13.355; 40. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-13.387; 41. Rylan Gray, 06, Gray-13.583; 42. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-13.710; 43. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-13.743; 44. Kyle Johnson, 99J, Johnson-13.841; 45. Tony Helton, 87, Miller-14.290; 46. Johnny Ivers, 55, Ivers/Thomas-14.316; 47. Justin Meneely, 100, Meneely-14.757; 48. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-15.030; 49. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-NT; 50. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Charles Davis Jr., 2. Justin Grant, 3. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 4. Jadon Rogers, 5. Brady Bacon, 6. Brandon Mattox, 7. Daison Pursley, 8. Dalton Stevens, 9. Rylan Gray, 10. Zack Pretorius, 11. Johnny Ivers. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Stevie Sussex, 3. Chase Stockon, 4. Tye Mihocko, 5. Ricky Lewis, 6. Jake Scott, 7. Tim Creech, 8. Sterling Cling, 9. Ivan Glotzbach, 10. Travis Millar, 11. Justin Meneely, 12. Mitchel Moles. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Matt Westfall, 2. Jake Swanson, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Logan Seavey, 5. Briggs Danner, 6. Todd Hobson, 7. Dave Darland, 8. Alec Sipes, 9. Todd Moule, 10. Tayte Williamson, 11. Troy Carey, 12. Geoff Ensign. 2:14.19

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. Shane Cottle, 3. Jordan Kinser, 4. Brent Beauchamp, 5. Kyle Johnson, 6. Hunter Maddox, 7. C.J. Leary, 8. Carson Garrett, 9. Logan Calderwood, 10. Tony Helton, 11. Emerson Axsom, 12. Braxton Cummings. NT

STEEL-IT C-MAIN: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Ivan Glotzbach, 2. Dalton Stevens, 3. Zack Pretorius, 4. Tim Creech, 5. Dave Darland, 6. Alec Sipes, 7. Travis Millar, 8. Rylan Gray, 9. Tony Helton, 10. Tayte Williamson, 11. Evan Mosley, 12. Todd Moule, 13. Troy Carey, 14. Logan Calderwood, 15. Kyle Johnson, 16. Justin Meneely. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Mitchel Moles, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Carson Garrett, 5. Hunter Maddox, 6. Briggs Danner, 7. Daison Pursley, 8. Emerson Axsom, 9. Ricky Lewis, 10. Sterling Cling, 11. Tim Creech, 12. Zack Pretorius, 13. Dalton Stevens, 14. Jake Scott, 15. Geoff Ensign, 16. Todd Hobson, 17. Brandon Mattox. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jake Swanson (2), 2. Robert Ballou (8), 3. Brady Bacon (10), 4. Justin Grant (5), 5. Chase Stockon (4), 6. Kyle Cummins (6), 7. Carson Garrett (15), 8. Charles Davis Jr. (7), 9. Jadon Rogers (19), 10. Brent Beauchamp (22), 11. Briggs Danner (13), 12. Shane Cottle (20), 13. Emerson Axsom (23-P), 14. Matt Westfall (9), 15. C.J. Leary (14), 16. Stevie Sussex (17), 17. Daison Pursley (24-P), 18. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (16), 19. Hunter Maddox (12), 20. Logan Seavey (1), 21. Mitchel Moles (11), 22. Jordan Kinser (18), 23. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3), 24. Tye Mihocko (21). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Jake Swanson.

**Daison Pursley flipped during the first heat. Mitchel Moles flipped during the second heat. Hunter Maddox flipped while lining up for the fourth heat. Braxton Cummings flipped during the fourth heat. Emerson Axsom flipped during the fourth heat. Justin Meneely flipped during the C-Main. Brandon Mattox flipped during the semi.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1566, 2-Justin Grant-1555, 3-Emerson Axsom-1543, 4-Jake Swanson-1504, 5-Kyle Cummins-1473, 6-C.J. Leary-1408, 7-Mitchel Moles-1321, 8-Robert Ballou-1319, 9-Chase Stockon-1255, 10-Daison Pursley-1231.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-406, 2-Brady Bacon-402, 3-Robert Ballou-365, 4-Kyle Cummins-337, 5-Kevin Thomas Jr.-326, 6-Emerson Axsom-323, 7-C.J. Leary-310, 8-Shane Cottle-308, 9-Carson Garrett-291, 10-Jake Swanson-287.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-141, 2-Logan Seavey-84, 3-Matt Westfall-78, 4-Robert Ballou-76, 5-Brady Bacon-75, 6-Shane Cottle-73, 7-Justin Grant-70, 8-Chase Stockon-63, 9-Emerson Axsom-62, 10-Carson Garrett-51.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-66, 2-Brady Bacon-46, 3-Joey Amantea-46, 4-Robert Ballou-39, 5-Daison Pursley-33, 6-Logan Seavey-32, 7-Braxton Cummings-29, 8-Kevin Thomas Jr.-28, 9-Brent Beauchamp-28, 10-Emerson Axsom-27.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 28, 2023 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing – Sheldon Kinser Memorial

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

USAC & Lincoln Park Speedway First Car on Track: Mitchel Moles

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Brady Bacon (12.587)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Brady Bacon (12.370)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Charles Davis Jr.

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Matt Westfall

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Robert Ballou

Steel-It C-Main Winner: Ivan Glotzbach

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Brady Bacon

Hard Work Award: Brent Beauchamp

Green APU First Lap Leader: Jake Swanson

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Brent Beauchamp (22nd to 10th)


 

 

1 OF 10:
GRANT SCORES 40TH CAREER USAC SPRINT WIN
AT THE TERRE HAUTE ACTION TRACK
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Terre Haute, Indiana (July 26, 2023)………You can count on two hands the number of drivers who have had the good fortune of earning at least 40 career USAC National Sprint Car feature victories.

On Wednesday night at the Terre Haute Action Track, Justin Grant became the 10th individual to join the exclusive 40-win club in USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competition, a highwater mark reached by a select few over the course of the 68-year history of the series.

The Ione, Calif. native was the class of the field in the 30-lap Don Smith Classic feature which served as round five of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing, prospering through several challenges levied by Brady Bacon and Jake Swanson before taking over for good on lap 10 in a race that featured as many twists and turns as a ride at Six Flags.

Fittingly, Grant now possesses a series-leading six flags of the checkered variety throughout the USAC National Sprint Car season. His latest Terre Haute victory made him just the fifth driver in series history to earn six or more wins in three consecutive seasons, joining Dave Darland (2012-14), Bryan Clauson (2012-14), Tracy Hines (1999-2001) and Gary Bettenhausen (1968-70), the man who Grant tied for ninth all-time on USAC’s all-time National Sprint Car win list.

Furthermore, Grant came into the event tied with Bacon for the Indiana Sprint Week championship lead but exited the stage with an eight-point edge three races from the finish line as he attempts to repeat his crown in the eight-race Hoosier State series aboard his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – Bow Foundation – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

Grant’s third win of the week thus far has moved him up to fifth all-time in terms of career Indiana Sprint Week victories with eight, trailing only Dave Darland (20), Jon Stanbrough (16), Cory Kruseman (12) and J.J. Yeley (9).

The initial attempt at a green flag was waved off when it was deemed that pole sitter Jake Swanson jumped the start. A new rule put into place for 2023 penalized Swanson one row and moved inside second row starter Grant to the outside of the front row. However, it was new pole starter Bacon who pounced early to grab the lead on lap one.

Major trouble came on lap two when 18th running Joey Amantea flipped wildly at the entry to turn one after already advancing four positions by the completion of lap one. The trailing Ricky Lewis narrowly avoided contact with Amantea and spun backwards to a stop against the outside guardrail. Amantea ultimately walked away from the incident.

The early penalization didn’t deter Swanson as he swooped into the lead on the lap two restart with a major run off turn two past Bacon. Third-running Grant attempted to slide Swanson in turn three but split the difference and slotted into second. Grant tried again in turn three on lap four, sliding across the nose of Swanson, who was prepared and reacted accordingly by cutting back under to retake the lead.

On the lap 10 restart following seventh-running Logan Seavey’s stoppage for a new right rear tire, Grant found his way to the lead, changing his plan of execution by blowing around the outside of Swanson for the top spot on the back straight.

While Swanson and Bacon traded barbs back-and-forth for the runner-spot as the race pressed through the midway point, Grant capitalized and ran his lead up to a 2.314 second margin until Seavey once again slowed to a stop with issues with his right rear, this time the culprit was a mud-packed wheel. The crew cleared the mud out and returned him to the action where he managed to crack 10th place at the checkered.

Grant was just about to hit lapped traffic at the time of the yellow, but instead, the caution bunched up the field for a restart with 13 laps remaining. That’s where Swanson made a sudden burst to run alongside Grant for the lead on the lap 18 restart, but Grant successfully fended off the challenge. Swanson’s misfire at Grant opened the door for Bacon to close in and overtake Swanson for the second spot in turn one on lap 19.

On lap 24, Grant now had company with Bacon hot on his trail just three car lengths behind when trouble nearly enveloped Grant with a major Huffy bike on the turn two cushion. Mere moments later, the same exact spot caught third-running Swanson who snagged the cush and barrel rolled multiple times before coming to a rest. Swanson climbed out and walked away but was done for the evening after leading eight laps.

After very nearly junking it, so to speak, it was at that point that Grant admittedly needed a little guidance and reassurance to settle down during the red flag period, a moment in which Grant felt relieved in more ways than one.

“I was starting to make mistakes, especially down in turns one and two,” Grant recalled. “I knew I had a little more in the tank if I needed it in three and four, but I was maybe running the entry into one and two too hard. I would actually get on top of the curb, then it grabbed the floor pan and tried to turn me over. Under that red, (crew chief Jeff Walker) came out, and he’s like, ‘buddy, calm down. We’re fine. As long as we don’t make any mistakes, we’re not going to lose this race. Just settle down.’”

Grant’s reassurance was challenged immediately when Bacon attempted to slide Grant for the lead on the lap 24 restart, but Grant made a narrow escape around the outside of turn two to maintain his stranglehold on the position. Bacon’s maneuver turned out to be to the benefit of Kevin Thomas Jr. who drifted by Bacon for second place a half lap later in turns three and four.

Bacon nearly found complete disaster in turns one and two on lap 25, getting all but the right front tire off the ground before landing back on all fours, which sent him free-falling all the way back to eighth. Miraculously, Bacon jumped back on the horse and was able to make up four of those spots in the final laps to bring it home fourth.

In the end, however, it was all Grant who widened his lead to 4.898 seconds by the time he hit the finish line for an $8,000 prize ahead of Kevin Thomas Jr., C.J. Leary, Brady Bacon and Emerson Axsom.

With that said, the wildest moment of the race didn’t happen until after the winner had crossed the finish line. Running seventh as he came off the fourth and final turn with the checkered flag in sight, Robert Ballou’s car suddenly veered hard left without warning. Just after crossing the stripe, Ballou’s car slammed the inside wall, then somersaulted violently. Ballou climbed out immediately, but still came out with a ninth-place result and a severely damaged machine after early setting the fastest time in both Dirt Draft Hot Laps and Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying before winning Simpson Race Products Heat One.

Back to Grant, who reconnected with famed car owner and wrench, Jeff Walker, beginning with the second weekend of July. Since then, the two have clicked remarkably well, and now find themselves atop the Indiana Sprint Week points. It was the Walker connection that Grant had been intertwined with during his introduction to sprint cars all those years ago.

“J-Dub and I working together again is so much fun,” Grant said. “Everything I know about sprint cars started with J-Dub. We speak the same language and that’s so huge. I trust him, and the car is fantastic almost every night. We’ve had some really good racecars, and we’re just having a ton of fun.”

It was about as technical of a Terre Haute surface that Grant’s ever seen and admitted that it was certainly on the tricky side this time around. But a half-mile dirt oval is akin to a home for Grant who has won three of the seven half-mile USAC Sprint Car events held thus far in 2023. In fact, 14 of his 40 career series wins have come on the halves, and it’s a place where the 32-year-old feels that as the speeds rise, everything else seemingly slows down.

“I think they’re just big enough and things happen slow enough – and I’m old – and it slows everything down enough that I’m just more comfortable,” Grant relayed. “I’ve done this a long time and the speed doesn’t really bother me. It’s just a bit slower and a bit more open, and you’ve got more time to make things happen. It’s almost easier to pass guys when they make mistakes.”

Kevin Thomas Jr. put together his best run in Dwight Cheney’s No. 42 since joining the team last month. On this night at Terre Haute, the Cullman, Ala. native raced from his seventh starting position to finish second in his Cheney Racing/Racing Optics – Native Spirits Tequila – SteelCo USA – CCR Sports/DRC/Ott Chevy.

C.J. Leary recovered to round out the podium after suffering a broken left shock that knocked him out of his heat race to begin the night. The Greenfield, Ind. racer got back on track with a semi-feature win, then charged from eighth to finish third in the feature at the wheel of his BGE Dougherty Motorsports/Altoz – Hornbeck Concrete - Highsmith Guns - Elliott’s/DRC/1-Way Chevy.

Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) once again earned J & J Trucking Hard Charger honors for the fourth time in five nights thus far throughout Indiana Sprint Week. At Terre Haute, he advanced from his 17th starting spot to finish seventh and has now recorded an astonishing 52 total passes for position during the week.

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 26, 2023 – Terre Haute Action Track – Terre Haute, Indiana – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing – Don Smith Classic

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-20.289; 2. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-20.372; 3. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-20.541; 4. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-20.549; 5. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-20.626; 6. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-20.710; 7. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-20.749; 8. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-20.847; 9. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-21.075; 10. Tye Mihocko, 5, Wilson-21.081; 11. Briggs Danner, 39, Hogue-21.106; 12. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-21.114; 13. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-21.238; 14. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-21.249; 15. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-21.251; 16. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-21.272; 17. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-21.353; 18. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-21.401; 19. Travis Thompson, 7, Thompson-21.411; 20. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-21.422; 21. Ricky Lewis, 41, Brown-21.492; 22. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-21.584; 23. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-21.588; 24. Max Adams, 17GP, Dutcher-21.650; 25. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-21.705; 26. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-21.799; 27. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-21.801; 28. Hunter Maddox, 24m, Maddox-21.823; 29. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-21.848; 30. Geoff Ensign, 17, On The Gass-21.868; 31. Brian Ruhlman, 49, Ruhlman-22.065; 32. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-22.129; 33. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-22.218; 34. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-22.394.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. Sterling Cling, 3. Emerson Axsom, 4. Justin Grant, 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Ricky Lewis, 7. Travis Millar, 8. Logan Calderwood, 9. Matt Westfall. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Brady Bacon, 3. Shane Cottle, 4. Tye Mihocko, 5. Justin Zimmerman, 6. Geoff Ensign, 7. Dalton Stevens, 8. Troy Carey, 9. Logan Seavey. 2:50.42

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kyle Cummins, 2. Jake Swanson, 3. Briggs Danner, 4. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 5. Travis Thompson, 6. Charles Davis Jr., 7. Braxton Cummings. 2:52.95

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Daison Pursley, 3. Carson Garrett, 4. Joey Amantea, 5. Brandon Mattox, 6. Max Adams, 7. Hunter Maddox, 8. C.J. Leary. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. C.J. Leary, 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Ricky Lewis, 4. Brandon Mattox, 5. Charles Davis Jr., 6. Chase Stockon, 7. Justin Zimmerman, 8. Dalton Stevens, 9. Matt Westfall, 10. Travis Millar, 11. Braxton Cummings, 12. Max Adams, 13. Hunter Maddox, 14. Logan Calderwood, 15. Troy Carey, 16. Travis Thompson. 4:19.96

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (3), 2. Kevin Thomas Jr. (7), 3. C.J. Leary (8), 4. Brady Bacon (2), 5. Emerson Axsom (10), 6. Kyle Cummins (4), 7. Shane Cottle (17), 8. Mitchel Moles (5), 9. Robert Ballou (6), 10. Logan Seavey (13), 11. Matt Westfall (22-P), 12. Daison Pursley (18), 13. Carson Garrett (9), 14. Tye Mihocko (11), 15. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 16. Sterling Cling (16), 17. Ricky Lewis (23), 18. Chase Stockon (20), 19. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (19), 20. Jake Swanson (1), 21. Brandon Mattox (15), 22. Briggs Danner (12), 23. Joey Amantea (21). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Brady Bacon, Laps 2-9 Jake Swanson, Laps 10-30 Justin Grant.

**Joey Amantea flipped on lap 2 of the feature. Jake Swanson flipped on lap 24 of the feature. Robert Ballou flipped on lap 30 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-1506, 2-Brady Bacon-1492, 3-Justin Grant-1485, 4-Jake Swanson-1427, 5-Kyle Cummins-1408, 6-C.J. Leary-1373, 7-Mitchel Moles-1290, 8-Robert Ballou-1244, 9-Daison Pursley-1202, 10-Chase Stockon-1190.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-336, 2-Brady Bacon-328, 3-Emerson Axsom-313, 4-Kevin Thomas Jr.-295, 5-Robert Ballou-290, 6-C.J. Leary-275, 7-Kyle Cummins-272, 8-Shane Cottle-262, 9-Mitchel Moles-253, 10-Logan Seavey-248.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-141, 2-Logan Seavey-84, 3-Matt Westfall-78, 4-Robert Ballou-70, 5-Justin Grant-69, 6-Brady Bacon-68, 7-Shane Cottle-65, 8-Chase Stockon-63, 9-Emerson Axsom-62, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-49.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-52, 2-Joey Amantea-46, 3-Brady Bacon-38, 4-Daison Pursley-33, 5-Robert Ballou-32, 6-Logan Seavey-32, 7-Braxton Cummings-29, 8-Mitchel Moles-27, 9-Kevin Thomas Jr.-25, 10-Emerson Axsom-25.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 27, 2023 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Indiana – 5/16-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Robert Ballou (19.947)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Robert Ballou (20.289)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Robert Ballou

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Mitchel Moles

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Kyle Cummins

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: C.J. Leary

Hoosier Auto Race Fans Last Semi Transfer In Memory of Rich Vogler: Chase Stockon

Hard Work Award: Joey Amantea

Green APU First Lap Leader: Brady Bacon

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (17th to 7th)

 

 

USAC ANNOUNCES 2023 HALL OF FAME CLASS
Speedway, Indiana (July 25, 2023)………The newest class of USAC Hall of Fame inductees was revealed during last Thursday’s running of the Rich Vogler Classic USAC Silver Crown event at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway.

USAC’s 11th hall of fame class includes champion driver Bobby East; safety innovator Ted Halibrand; champion driver Tracy Hines; television producer Terry Lingner; vice president/general manager/editor/media/general manager Bill Marvel; and team owners and contributors, The Wilke Family.

The official 2023 USAC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday afternoon, September 29, during Driven2SaveLives BC39 weekend for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Championship at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More details will be made available in the coming weeks.

MEET THE NEW USAC HALL OF FAME CLASS:

BOBBY EAST

Born in Torrance, Calif., but made his home in Brownsburg, Ind., Bobby East captured 56 career USAC-sanctioned feature victories, 48 of them in national divisions.

East racked up three USAC National driving titles – in 2004 with the Midgets and twice with the Silver Crown series in 2012 and 2013.

Bobby was an immediate success with USAC, becoming, at the time, the youngest winner in National Midget history at age 16 in 2001 at Illiana Motor Speedway en route to being named Rookie of the Year.

Bobby totaled 22 USAC National Midget feature wins, the majority of which came in Steve Lewis’ famed “Nine Cars” which were built by his father. He was a winner of the Hut 100, the Belleville Nationals, the Turkey Night Grand Prix, the Night Before the 500 and the Copper World Classic.

He also tacked on 11 USAC Silver Crown wins and 15 USAC National Sprint Car triumphs, and he’s one of only nine drivers in USAC history to win on dirt and pavement tracks in all three USAC National divisions.

Bobby becomes the fourth second generation USAC Hall of Fame inductee following Tony & Gary Bettenhausen, Duane & Pancho Carter and Doug & Jimmy Caruthers.

TED HALIBRAND

As sportswriter Shav Glick of the L.A. Times so aptly wrote, “Thanks to Halibrand, drivers can get old.”

Ted Halibrand was a pioneer in many facets of racing, first as the designer of magnesium wheels and disc brakes. Working behind the scenes, Halibrand was tireless in revolutionizing numerous safety aspects throughout the sport.

A Paterson, New Jersey native, and later a resident of southern California, Halibrand long served as the Chairman of USAC's safety committee where he introduced many regulations in terms of car design and racetrack construction that remain in use to this day and have been adopted by racing organizations throughout the world. His ideas were ultimately illustrated in a series of Halibrand Engineering manuals.

When Pat Clancy’s six-wheeled machine arrived at Indianapolis in 1948, it was outfitted with Halibrand magnesium wheels. In 1951, Lee Wallard won the 500 with Halibrand mag wheels, and his disc brakes were aboard Bill Vukovich’s 1953 winner.

In fact, Halibrand quick-change rear-end assemblies, steering gears and suspension components were on every Indianapolis 500 winner from 1951 until 1965. With the advent of the rear-engine car, Halibrand had begun building complete chassis, named the Shrike, which were outfitted with an innovative fuel cell.


TRACY HINES

When it comes to USAC racing, Tracy Hines is one of the most recognizable names in the history of the organization and also one of the most accomplished.

The New Castle, Indiana native grew up in a racing family with father, Jim, and brother, Ted, being highly successful midget racing champions in their own right. Eventually, Tracy made a name for himself by spending the majority of a quarter-century competing full-time in USAC’s three national divisions.

In 1996, he burst onto the national scene following a fiery incident. In his first race back from injury, he scored his first career USAC National Midget victory at Indiana’s Winchester Speedway, which propelled him to the series’ Most Improved Driver Award.

Hines captured his first USAC title in 2000 with the Silver Crown series, and in 2002, added a National Sprint title. After announcing his retirement midseason in 2015, he finished the year by completing the Triple Crown as Midget champ.

Hines owns 91 USAC National wins across its three divisions, 47 of which have come in Sprint Cars, 35 in Midgets and nine with the Silver Crown series, and won at least one USAC National feature in 19 straight years between 1996-2014.


TERRY LINGNER

Terry Lingner was among the greatest creative forces behind USAC’s national revival during the 1980s and 1990s as the brainchild of USAC’s Thursday and Saturday Night Thunder programs on ESPN.

“Thunder” galvanized multiple generations of race fans and turned grassroots racers into household names. The names are golden, with the likes of Rich Vogler, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kenny Irwin Jr., Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and more all finding their initial fame in front of a national audience on “Thunder.”

The Indianapolis, Indiana-born Lingner was hired as ESPN’s second ever employee in the production department in 1980 following a stint as Associate Producer for ABC Sports in the late 1970s, working alongside Jim McKay.

Lingner choreographed numerous auto racing programs for ESPN during the 1980s, including Speedweek and Speedworld, for which he was honored as the recipient of numerous Emmy and Cable Ace awards. In 1989, he formed his own business – Lingner Group Productions – which continued to produce USAC’s Thunder series until the final episode in 2002.

In 1989, Lingner received the prestigious USAC President's Award from Dick King, and in 1993, was instrumental in the creation of the memorable Fast Masters Championship held at Indianapolis Raceway Park.


BILL MARVEL

Bill Marvel’s contributions to the sports world are incomparable. As a charter member of USAC, he was present in victory lane during the first event at Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Memorial Coliseum in 1956, presenting winner Gene Hartley a Hoosier Auto Racing Fans jacket, of which he was the president of at the time.

He served as USAC Corporate Advisor from 1978-1982 and as the Vice President/Corporate Affairs from 1983-1997 and as the Executive Director of the USAC Benevolent Foundation. In 1997, Marvel was presented the Ross Hadley Achievement Award, and in 2014, was the recipient of the Roger McCluskey Award.

Marvel was the News Media Liaison Officer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1953-1967, then served as General Manager & Director of Public Relations at Pocono Raceway, Texas World Speedway, Trenton Speedway, the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Winchester Speedway.

He was Editor & Publisher of Charger Auto Racing News, and in the media, he was a reporter for WIBC and a Color Commentator for Indianapolis 500 activities on WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

He also had his hand in the film industry as a consultant for the 1969 movie, "Winning,” and organized the first USAC indoor dirt midget race at Houston Astrodome.

THE WILKE FAMILY

The Wisconsin-based Wilke family has been integrally involved with USAC since the series’ foundation in 1956, spanning four generations in the sport that continues to this very day.

Family patriarch Bob Wilke fielded entries in USAC’s National Championship, Sprint, Midget and Road Racing divisions, taking Leader Card Racers to six USAC National entrant championships in 1959-60-62-64-67-68 and has amassed a total of 136 USAC National feature victories, which ranks fifth all-time.

Among the victories were three Indianapolis 500 triumphs with Rodger Ward in 1959 and 1962 and once again with Bobby Unser in 1968.

Bob’s son, Ralph Wilke, carried the torch as a car owner, winning 16 USAC National Midget features, plus USAC Dirt Car Championships in 1971 with George Snider and in 1979 with Bobby Olivero.

Ralph’s USAC Midgets were driven by the era’s greatest with Don Branson, Chuck Weyant, Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones, Bobby Marshman, Bob Tattersall, Bob Wente and Johnny White all winning for the team, while Mike Mosley scored victories for the team’s Indy Car operation in the 1970s.

Ralph’s sons, Mark and Greg, became involved in car ownership during the 1980s, winning in Silver Crown competition with Rich Vogler and Stevie Reeves. As Wilke Racers, USAC National Midget championships were earned in 1984, 1987, 2005 and 2007 with drivers such as Rich Vogler, Kevin Olson, Tracy Hines and Jerry Coons Jr. at the helm.

A fourth generation Wilke, Greg’s son Chris, joined the team as a mechanic and fabricator in the 21st century, and also served as the promoter of Angell Park Speedway. Nikki Klepper (Wilke), Greg’s daughter, has worked in the front office of USAC for several years in charge of licensing, and recently, has taken on the role as head of USAC’s Benevolent Foundation – USAC RaceAid.

USAC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

2012: J.C. Agajanian, Mario Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen, Tom Binford, Jimmy Bryan, Duane Carter, A.J. Foyt, Tony Hulman, Parnelli Jones, Mel Kenyon, Roger McCluskey & Rich Vogler

2013: Earl Baltes, Henry Banks, Tony Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Jack Hewitt, Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, A.J. Watson, Don White & Bob Wilke

2014: Rollie Beale, George Bignotti, Don Branson, Larry Dickson, Gus Hoffman, Jud Larson, Norm Nelson, Eddie Sachs, Don Smith, Bob Stroud, Rodger Ward & Bob Wente

2015: Clint Brawner, Jimmy Caruthers, Butch Hartman, Lindsey Hopkins, Jim Hurtubise, Don Kenyon, Sheldon Kinser, Fred Lorenzen, Roger Penske, Larry Rice, Shorty Templeman & Sleepy Tripp

2016: Steve Butler, Russ Clendenen, Jimmy Davies, Willie Davis, Bob Higman, Tommy Hinnershitz, Dick King, Rick Mears, Pat O’Connor, Kevin Olson, Tony Stewart & Bob Tattersall

2017: Donald Davidson, Frankie DelRoy, Bob East, Chuck Gurney, Gene Hartley, Steve Lewis, Howard Linne, Lloyd Ruby, Ken Schrader, Robbie Stanley, Steve Stapp & Johnny Thomson

2018: Mike Devin, Tony Elliott, Paul Goldsmith, Jason Leffler, Bill Lipkey, Troy Ruttman, Bob/Gene Shannon & Jimmy Sills

2019: Bryan Clauson, Johnny Capels, Dick Jordan & Dave Steele

2020: None

2021: None

2022: Doug Caruthers, Jay Drake, Galen Fox, Jeff Gordon, Dan Gurney, Ray Nichels, Johnny Vance & Joe Shaheen

2023: Bobby East, Ted Halibrand, Tracy Hines, Terry Lingner, Bill Marvel & The Wilke Family


 


CIRCLE K FOR KYLE:
CUMMINS REPEATS CIRCLE CITY SUCCESS
AT USAC ISW ROUND 4

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Indianapolis, Indiana (July 24, 2023)………”I love this place.”

Kyle Cummins isn’t shy in sharing his fondness for Circle City Raceway, and it was quite evident to see why during Monday night’s fourth round of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing.

In the sixth ever visit by the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship to the 1/4-mile dirt oval on the southeast side of Indianapolis, Indiana, not only did the Princeton, Ind. native become the first two-time feature winner at the track, he also became the first driver to win back-to-back series events at the venue after previously scoring a victory in May of this year.

Starting his 30-lap pursuit from the fifth position, Cummins raced his way into the lead with a turn one slider on leader Xavier Doney with 11 laps remaining to earn his fourth USAC National Sprint Car main event triumph of the season and the 18th of his career, surpassing Jerry Coons Jr., Jim Hurtubise and Bud Kaeding for sole possession of 34th all-time.

Cummins’ first USAC win in more than five weeks also was the seventh of his Indiana Sprint Week career, moving him up to sixth place on the all-time list, tying himself with Bryan Clauson and C.J. Leary. His seven ISW wins have come at five different racetracks since his initial score in 2016, but this particular one was of utmost importance as much as it was needed after opening the first three nights of Indiana Sprint Week with results of 6th, 19th and 18th.

“I love this place,” Cummins exclaimed. “You’ve got to run hard, then you’ve got to be easy. You just need the cushion a little bit and be really nice with the throttle. This is a big win for our team. We’ve struggled for the past two months.”

Additionally, Cummins and his Avanti Windows & Doors – Tim Mason ReMax/Mach-1/Stanton Chevy delivered the 25th USAC National Sprint Car entrant win for car owner Hank Byram and Rock Steady Racing, boosting the Dupont, Ind. based team to 20th all-time alongside National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hampshire.

The front row of the feature showcased two young talents, both of whom were vying for their first career USAC National Sprint Car feature victories. Doney delivered the first punch, driving to the lead from his pole starting position while outside front row starter Carson Garrett slotted into second.

Soon after, Garrett went on the attack and posed the first challenge to Doney for the lead. On the fourth lap, Garrett took off to the outside, pulling even with Doney as the pair crossed the start/finish line with both touching wheels. The resulting contact required Garrett to recalibrate, and he began to re-pursue Doney on the low line.

On lap six, Garrett was able to slide past Doney for the position in lap three. However, seemingly expecting the maneuver, Doney tapped the brakes and pointed his car’s nose toward the bottom of turn four to drive past Garrett and retain the lead for the time being. That is, until lap eight when Garrett tried again and succeeded with a turn two slide job that put him at the forefront of the 22-car field.

Garrett’s lead was relatively short-lived, however, after performing a half-spin in turn two on lap 10, which allowed Doney to race back by into the lead while Garrett free-fell all the way to fifth as Doney, Cummins, Logan Seavey and Brady Bacon all blitzed by to capitalize on the Garrett stumble.

The feature’s lone red flag was displayed on lap 15 when eighth running Mitchel Moles flipped atop the outside wall between turns one and two. Moles was able to walk away, albeit gingerly, as the Circle City USAC one-lap track record holder saw his race conclude prematurely.

When action resumed, Doney established a solid restart which provided him with a healthy cushion in the lead as the race passed the midway point. All along, from lap one, Cummins was right there with the leaders. On lap 20, he was ready to pounce, sliding Doney in turns one and two. Doney returned fire by sliding Cummins a half-lap later in turn three. Cummins was ready and countered back underneath in turn four to repossess the number one spot from Doney with a mere 10 laps to go.

“He was hitting his marks perfectly,” Cummins said of Doney. “One time, he got a little sideways, and I thought it might be my only chance, but I didn’t think I was going to fully slide him. I went to the middle, and I didn’t hear him, so I was like, ‘well, maybe he tried to turn down.’ So, I got to the cushion. If he would’ve ran around, he would’ve just taken back the lead.”

Lurking in the shadows was Indiana Sprint Week point leader Bacon who rode the bottom past Doney for second on the 21st circuit, and it appeared as if the final 10-lap tussle was going to become a heavyweight, high/low match between he and Cummins.

However, on lap 23, in one of the more unexpected turn of events you’ll ever witness, Bacon proceeded to clip an infield tire with his left front in turns three and four, which slid him into a stall and stop. The incident proved costly as it dropped Bacon from a possible victory down to 16th in the running order. It also cost him his lead in both the overall USAC Sprint Car National Championship as well as the Indiana Sprint Week title race, a lead in which he now shares with Justin Grant, who finished 11th at Circle City.

Cummins wasn’t going to allow himself to be detained by his competitors as he raced away from the field on the restart. Instead, the battles ensued behind him with Seavey swiping third from Doney with an outside back straightaway pass on lap 24. Meanwhile, Shane Cottle was putting on a patented Shane Cottle-like performance, surging on the low line to fourth after starting back in 12th.

Seavey’s conquest continued with a slider on Doney for second as the field came to the white flag on lap 29 before nipping him at the stripe for the spot with one lap remaining.

Up further ahead, Cummins wasn’t going to be denied on his journey to victory lane, winning by a 2.453 second margin over Seavey. Cottle grabbed third at the finish line with new USAC National Sprint Car point leader Emerson Axsom fourth and Doney finishing a career best fifth after leading a race-high 17 laps.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.) earned his best finish of the USAC National Sprint Car season with a second-place performance in his 2B Racing/Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises – Goodnight Racing/DRC/Claxton Chevy. It was his first finish on the podium with the series since scoring a third in April of this year at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway.

Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) once again earned J & J Trucking Hard Charger honors, doing so for the third time in four Indiana Sprint Week starts in this year’s edition. On this night, he officially traveled 12th to third for his best finish of the USAC National Sprint Car season. He was running ninth with as few as 10 laps to go and was still sixth with six to go before making his surge to the podium in his Epperson Racing/Epperson Painting – PPG Paints/DRC/Claxton Chevy.

C.J. Leary drew a “74” during the pre-race pill draw, which made him the last driver to make an Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying attempt of the night. Despite that, Leary posted the fastest time of all for the second night in a row with a time of 11.990 seconds. In his first 21 appearances of the 2023 USAC National Sprint Car season, the Greenfield, Ind. driver had zero fast times. In his last two appearances, he has two. It's the 43rd fast qualifying time of his career, putting him just two behind Brady Bacon for fourth all-time.

Four drivers got upside down throughout the event with Tayte Williamson flipping down the back straight in hot laps. Matt McDonald left the ballpark by clearing the outside wall in turns one and two on his qualifying run. Dalton Stevens tipped his ride after he clipped an infield tire during the fourth heat race. Moles was the last one to get on his lid with lap 15 incident during the feature. All drivers were able to walk away.

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 24, 2023 – Circle City Raceway – Indianapolis, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-11.990; 2. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-12.106; 3. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-12.139; 4. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-12.144; 5. Max Adams, 17GP, Dutcher-12.149; 6. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.162; 7. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-12.169; 8. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.212; 9. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-12.229; 10. Xavier Doney, 74, Doney/Lawson-12.244; 11. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-12.296; 12. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-12.300; 13. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.340; 14. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-12.348; 15. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-12.371; 16. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Ensign-12.376; 17. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-12.379; 18. Rylan Gray, 06, Gray-12.485; 19. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-12.490; 20. Brent Beauchamp, 11, Beauchamp-12.519; 21. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-12.521; 22. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-12.543; 23. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-12.551; 24. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-12.566; 25. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-12.571; 26. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-12.573; 27. Kyle Shipley, 0G, Shipley-12.596; 28. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-12.699; 29. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-12.737; 30. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-12.756; 31. John Sluss, 4R, RayPro-12.774;; 32. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-12.793; 33. Trey Osborne, 6T, Osborne-12.893; 34. Matt McDonald, 5m, McDonald-13.223; 35. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-13.270; 36. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-13.545; 37. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Garrett, 2. Sterling Cling, 3. Chase Stockon, 4. Kevin Thomas Jr., 5. Brandon Mattox, 6. C.J. Leary, 7. Max Adams, 8. Trey Osborne, 9. Eddie Tafoya Jr. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Emerson Axsom, 2. Jake Swanson, 3. Xavier Doney, 4. Charles Davis Jr., 5. Robert Ballou, 6. Joey Amantea, 7. Matt Westfall, 8. Rylan Gray, 9. Justin Zimmerman. 2:09.48

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Daison Pursley, 3. Shane Cottle, 4. Kyle Cummins, 5. Stevie Sussex, 6. Justin Grant, 7. Kyle Shipley, 8. John Sluss, 9. Troy Carey. 2:11.70

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Brent Beauchamp, 3. Logan Seavey, 4. Braxton Cummings, 5. Geoff Ensign, 6. Kobe Simpson, 7. Travis Millar, 8. Dalton Stevens. 2:13.01

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. C.J. Leary, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Brandon Mattox, 5. Matt Westfall, 6. Joey Amantea, 7. Geoff Ensign, 8. Stevie Sussex, 9. Kyle Shipley, 10. Trey Osborne, 11. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 12. Max Adams, 13. Rylan Gray, 14. Justin Zimmerman, 15. Kobe Simpson, 16. Troy Carey, 17. John Sluss, 18. Travis Millar. 2:46.53

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kyle Cummins (4), 2. Logan Seavey (3), 3. Shane Cottle (12), 4. Emerson Axsom (8), 5. Xavier Doney (1), 6. Carson Garrett (2), 7. Robert Ballou (10), 8. Jake Swanson (5), 9. C.J. Leary (9), 10. Daison Pursley (16), 11. Justin Grant (11), 12. Chase Stockon (13), 13. Joey Amantea (21), 14. Matt Westfall (22), 15. Brent Beauchamp (17), 16. Brady Bacon (6), 17. Brandon Mattox (15), 18. Braxton Cummings (19), 19. Kevin Thomas Jr. (20), 20. Sterling Cling (18), 21. Charles Davis Jr. (14), 22. Mitchel Moles (7). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-7 Xavier Doney, Laps 8-9 Carson Garrett, Laps 10-19 Xavier Doney, Laps 20-30 Kyle Cummins.

**Tayte Williamson flipped during practice. Matt McDonald flipped during qualifying. Dalton Stevens flipped during the fourth heat. Mitchel Moles flipped on lap 15 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-1442, 2-Brady Bacon-1423, 3-Justin Grant-1408, 4-Jake Swanson-1397, 5-Kyle Cummins-1341, 6-C.J. Leary-1302, 7-Mitchel Moles-1228, 8-Robert Ballou-1184, 9-Chase Stockon-1162, 10-Daison Pursley-1156.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-259, 2-Brady Bacon-259, 3-Emerson Axsom-249, 4-Robert Ballou-230, 5-Kevin Thomas Jr.-220, 6-Kyle Cummins-205, 7-C.J. Leary-204, 8-Shane Cottle-204, 9-Logan Seavey-202, 10-Carson Garrett-195.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-135, 2-Logan Seavey-81, 3-Matt Westfall-78, 4-Robert Ballou-70, 5-Brady Bacon-68, 6-Justin Grant-67, 7-Chase Stockon-61, 8-Emerson Axsom-57, 9-Shane Cottle-55, 10-Mitchel Moles-46.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-42, 2-Joey Amantea-42, 3-Brady Bacon-35, 4-Logan Seavey-29, 5-Braxton Cummings-29, 6-Robert Ballou-27, 7-Daison Pursley-27, 8-Mitchel Moles-22, 9-Emerson Axsom-19, 10-Kevin Thomas Jr.-17.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 26, 2023 – Terre Haute Action Track – Terre Haute, Indiana – 1/2-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing – Don Smith Classic

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Brady Bacon (12.142)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: C.J. Leary (11.990)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Carson Garrett

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Emerson Axsom

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Mitchel Moles

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Brady Bacon

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Robert Ballou

Hard Work Award: Matt Westfall

Green APU First Lap Leader: Xavier Doney

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (12th to 3rd)

 

OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OUTLAST:
GRANT WINS A WILD ONE AT THE BURG

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Lawrenceburg, Indiana (July 23, 2023)………With five laps remaining, hopes of winning were fleeting for Justin Grant during Sunday night’s third round of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing at Lawrenceburg Speedway.

Yet that’s precisely when the Ione, Calif. native was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – Bow Foundation – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

After leading the initial 23 laps of the 30-lap feature, Grant could only watch as C.J. Leary passed by and pulled away from him with just a handful of laps remaining.

But then, a crazy thing little thing happened, which actually kind of went along with the theme of the night. Just when you thought you had this race figured out, suddenly, it turned on a dime. Seemingly he only thing one could expect throughout was the unexpected.

As Leary began to distance himself from Grant on lap 26, Leary got bitten by the third turn, which chewed him and spit him out, sending him flipping over several times and denying him the glory on this evening one night after winning at Kokomo Speedway.

Re-enter Grant as the leader, and this time, he was unshaken, unstirred and untouchable as he closed out The Burg with his second Indiana Sprint Week victory during the first three nights of the event, scoring dubs at both Gas City I-69 Speedway and at Lawrenceburg.

Grant’s fifth win of the USAC National Sprint Car season equaled him with Brady Bacon as the winningest series driver in 2023. Furthermore, Grant’s 39th career series victory moved him inside the top-10 all-time in that regard, knotting him up with Kevin Thomas Jr. for the 10th most wins in series history.

And this one came at the place where it all started. It’s where Grant earned his very first career USAC National Sprint Car feature triumph during Indiana Sprint Week at Lawrenceburg in 2012. Grant’s Burg score was his fifth overall series win at the track and his third during ISW at the southeastern Indiana oval after previous winning moments in 2012 and 2019.

Grant now stands fifth overall in career Indiana Sprint Week wins with eight, moving past Bryan Clauson and Leary, ironically, for sole possession of the position in the all-time rankings. Furthermore, Grant extended his lead as the winningest sprint car driver ever at Lawrenceburg’s 3/8-mile dirt oval.

It was inarguably an inauspicious beginning to the night’s main event with an hour-long rain delay hitting the speedway just as the cars were pushed off for the start of the feature the first time. When Mother Nature cleaned up her act, the event proceeded, but not for long as it turned out.

On the initial attempt at the green, wheel-to-wheel contact between second row starters Jake Swanson and Alex Bright sent Bright launching into a combination of eight flips and somersaults down the front straightaway. After taking careful precautions during the extrication, Bright was placed on a stretcher and even waved to the crowd while being loaded into the ambulance. Bright received lung contusions and a broken wrist in the aftermath of the vicious incident and vowed to return as soon he’s healed up.

On the complete restart, Grant shot out to the lead from his outside front row starting position and remained at the forefront for the majority of the contest. By lap 10, Grant had caught lapped traffic, allowing second-running Carson Garrett to close in and cut Grant's advantage in half to just a few car lengths.

At the halfway mark, Garrett showed his nose for the first time to Grant as the pair dueled for the lead in turn one on lap 16. Garrett ricocheted off the back straightaway wall in his pursuit of Grant for the lead on lap 20, but Grant escaped the clutches and extended his lead to a half-straight.

That kickstarted an unfathomable flurry of misfortune for several contenders at the front of the field, starting with Garrett on lap 23, who slammed the outside wall and grinded to a halt, the victim of a flat right rear tire that went down at the entry to turn three. The incident ended Garrett’s night with a 21st place result.

On the ensuing lap 25 restart, third-running Leary made a most spectacular move as he committed himself to the top shelf and charged around the outside of Swanson for second in turn two, then split down to the bottom of turns three and four to rip the lead away from Grant in an incredible third to first surge. It was a time that Grant remembered as the moment in which he felt the race might’ve slipped away.

“I was kind of sliding myself and I felt like I was making pretty good speed there, sliding myself and then C.J. slid me,” Grant recalled. “I felt like I really messed up because I felt we were the better car there and I was coming back to him. Fortunately for us and unfortunately for him, he got into that hole.”

Just as Grant foreshadowed, moments later, the race went from being the best of times for Leary to the worst of times as he dug in with his right rear tire in turn three and flipped over, erasing him out of the lead and the win in a fraction of a second. The crash also ended Leary’s pursuit of a complete sweep after earlier setting quick time in Honest Abe Roofing qualifying and scoring a victory in the first heat race.

Under the red flag, Grant’s wife, Ashley, signaled from the front row of the grandstands to the new race leader how Leary was able to get such a run on him, and to be on the lookout for a similar maneuver from another driver on the upcoming restart, of which there were aplenty on this night.

“Lawrenceburg, with its long, slick front straightaway, it’s hard not to get slid into one,” Grant explained. “You want to slide yourself, but then it gets to a place where you almost have to decide which end do I want to get slid on? I know I can get slid in one and two and get back to them in three and four. I messed it up once, but we got a break.”

However, the roller coaster of emotions and the carousel of calamity continued with fourth running Robert Ballou moments later with three laps remaining as his left side wheels biked up on the bottom of turn three, resulting in him barrel-rolling four times up to the outside wall before landing on all four wheels with a crashed racecar. He walked away, but the incident relegated him back to an 18th place result.

On the final restart, Grant decided to end this one once and for all, withstanding and dispelling the pressure from Swanson during the final stretch to win by a 0.486 second margin over Swanson.

Brady Bacon charged from his 22nd starting spot to take third, inserting himself on the podium with a last lap pass of Kevin Thomas Jr. on the back straight. Thomas took fourth while Daison Pursley scurried up a couple more spots on the final restart to finish fifth.

A rocky start to Indiana Sprint Week for Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.) resulted in a pair of 16th place finishes at Gas City and Kokomo. But the third race was finally the charm as he grabbed his best result since winning six weeks ago during the Eastern Storm opener at Pennsylvania’s Grandview Speedway on June 13. At Lawrenceburg, he collected a runner-up result in his Team AZ Racing/Racing For Autism Awareness – Apache Transport/DRC/1-Way Chevy.

All’s well that ends well was the motto for Bacon’s adventurous evening at Lawrenceburg. The Broken Arrow, Okla. driver initially timed in third quickest during qualifying, but was deemed underweight at the scales, which disallowed his time and forced him to start at the tail for all proceeding events throughout the night. Bacon then proceeded to race from ninth to fourth in his heat race and from 22nd to 3rd in the feature to earn J & J Trucking / B & A Seal Coating Hard Charger honors aboard his Dynamics, Inc./Longworth Equipment – Mays-Shedd Sales & Service/Triple X/Rider Chevy. It wasn’t a win but might as well have been as it helped preserve his lead atop the Indiana Sprint Week standings.

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 23, 2023 – Lawrenceburg Speedway – Lawrenceburg, Indiana – 3/8-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-13.312; 2. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-13.477; 3. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-13.531; 4. Alex Bright, 27, Heffner-13.592; 5. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-13.600; 6. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-13.626; 7. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-13.702; 8. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-13.720; 9. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-13.732; 10. Max Adams, 17GP, Dutcher-13.743; 11. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-13.765; 12. Xavier Doney, 74, Doney/Lawson-13.765; 13. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-13.825; 14. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-13.829; 15. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-13.846; 16. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-13.849; 17. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-13.982; 18. Saban Bibent, 98, Wedgewood-14.010; 19. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-14.044; 20. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-14.139; 21. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-14.153; 22. Nathan Carle, 14c, Carle-14.170; 23. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-14.193; 24. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-14.222; 25. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-14.246; 26. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-14.404; 27. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-14.439; 28. Tyler Hewitt, 118, Evans-14.505; 29. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-14.526; 30. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-15.038; 31. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-15.151; 32. Ryan Barr, 21B, Barr-NT; 33. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-NT; 34. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-NT; 35. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-NT (Time of 13.507 disallowed after being underweight at the scales).

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. C.J. Leary, 2. Joey Amantea, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Daison Pursley, 5. Emerson Axsom, 6. Logan Seavey, 7. Justin Zimmerman, 8. Brandon Mattox, 9. Kobe Simpson. 1:56.09

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Robert Ballou, 2. Carson Garrett, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr., 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Saban Bibent, 6. Max Adams, 7. Tayte Williamson, 8. Braxton Cummings, 9. Nathan Carle. NT

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Chase Stockon, 2. Shane Cottle, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Jake Swanson, 5. Matt Westfall, 6. Dalton Stevens, 7. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 8. Troy Carey. 2:01.08

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Mitchel Moles, 2. Alex Bright, 3. Travis Millar, 4. Xavier Doney, 5. Stevie Sussex, 6. Tyler Hewitt, 7. Sterling Cling, 8. Ryan Barr. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Matt Westfall, 2. Emerson Axsom, 3. Max Adams, 4. Sterling Cling, 5. Brandon Mattox, 6. Braxton Cummings, 7. Stevie Sussex, 8. Logan Seavey, 9. Justin Zimmerman, 10. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 11. Tayte Williamson, 12. Tyler Hewitt, 13. Nathan Carle, 14. Kobe Simpson, 15. Troy Carey, 16. Dalton Stevens. 3:10.49

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (2), 2. Jake Swanson (4), 3. Brady Bacon (22), 4. Kevin Thomas Jr. (5), 5. Daison Pursley (11), 6. Mitchel Moles (7), 7. Joey Amantea (18), 8. Xavier Doney (14), 9. Emerson Axsom (15), 10. Chase Stockon (9), 11. Max Adams (12), 12. Matt Westfall (10), 13. Logan Seavey (23-P), 14. Brandon Mattox (17), 15. Sterling Cling (16), 16. Shane Cottle (19), 17. Travis Millar (20), 18. Kyle Cummins (13), 19. Robert Ballou (8), 20. C.J. Leary (6), 21. Carson Garrett (1), 22. Braxton Cummings (21), 23. Alex Bright (3). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-23 Justin Grant, Laps 24-25 C.J. Leary, Laps 26-30 Justin Grant.

**Logan Calderwood flipped during practice. Alex Bright flipped on lap 1 of the feature. C.J. Leary flipped on lap 26 of the feature. Robert Ballou flipped on lap 28 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-1381, 2-Emerson Axsom-1373, 3-Justin Grant-1361, 4-Jake Swanson-1340, 5-Kyle Cummins-1266, 6-C.J. Leary-1247, 7-Mitchel Moles-1197, 8-Robert Ballou-1123, 9-Chase Stockon-1117, 10-Daison Pursley-1106.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-217, 2-Justin Grant-212, 3-Kevin Thomas Jr.-190, 4-Emerson Axsom-180, 5-Robert Ballou-169, 6-Mitchel Moles-160, 7-C.J. Leary-149, 8-Shane Cottle-134, 9-Carson Garrett-132, 10-Kyle Cummins-130.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-129, 2-Logan Seavey-80, 3-Matt Westfall-70, 4-Brady Bacon-68, 5-Justin Grant-67, 6-Robert Ballou-67, 7-Chase Stockon-60, 8-Emerson Axsom-53, 9-Mitchel Moles-46, 10-Shane Cottle-46.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-32, 2-Brady Bacon-30, 3-Joey Amantea-30, 4-Braxton Cummings-28, 5-Logan Seavey-26, 6-Robert Ballou-22, 7-Daison Pursley-21, 8-Mitchel Moles-20, 9-Emerson Axsom-15, 10-Travis Millar-15.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 24, 2023 – Circle City Raceway – Indianapolis, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: C.J. Leary (13.432)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: C.J. Leary (13.312)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: C.J. Leary

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Robert Ballou

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Chase Stockon

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Mitchel Moles

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Matt Westfall

Hard Work Award: Brady Bacon

Green APU First Lap Leader: Justin Grant

J & J Trucking / B & A Seal Coating Hard Charger: Brady Bacon (22nd to 3rd)


 


FROM DESPAIR TO WINNING WITH A SPARE:
LEARY SCORES BIG AT KOKOMO

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Kokomo, Indiana (July 22, 2023)………After enduring a vicious flip during the previous night's feature that wiped out their primary ride, C.J. Leary and BGE Dougherty Motorsports turned to a car that had been sitting on jackstands for the past three years and had never seen a racetrack, let alone even touched the ground.

With body panels adorned in the look Leary sported during the 2020 season when he drove the family-owned No. 30, the Greenfield, Ind. native and his Altoz – Hornbeck Concrete - Highsmith Guns - Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts/DRC/1-Way Chevy hit the ground running during Saturday night’s Darland Classic at Kokomo Speedway.

Starting fifth on the grid, Leary became the third and final driver to race into first place when race leader Brady Bacon stumbled upon the turn two cushion with six laps remaining, opening the door for Leary to drive past and earn his seventh career USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented By Honest Abe Roofing victory, moving him into a tie for fifth all-time alongside Bryan Clauson and Justin Grant.

Leary, who captured the Indiana Sprint Week title in 2019, also moved inside the top-30 in all-time USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature victories. His 22nd career triumph moved him ahead of 1967 series champion Greg Weld and into a four-way tie for 29th all-time alongside Rick Hood, Bubby Jones and Sammy Sessions.

Clawing his way back from the depths of despair following a massive feature crash on Friday night at Gas City I-69 Speedway to the joy of achieving his third USAC win of the season, and first since early May, Leary was overjoyed with the result of his hard work coming to fruition.

“Man, this is huge,” Leary exclaimed. “I’m sick, I’m worn out, and the last night really put a hurt on me. Last night was unfortunate and I feel like we had a good car; it just happened so fast. We stayed up all night last night building this thing. This car has never been raced, and tonight’s the first night on it. We built this thing new in 2020 and it’s just been sitting.”

It didn’t sit idle for long during feature time, however, although Leary initially fell back two spots to seventh in the early going before settling into a groove. Meanwhile, up front, outside front row starter Jake Swanson rang around the topside to lead the opening two laps before third-starting Bacon took over the lead on lap three when Jake Swanson nearly turned over on the turn three cushion. Kyle Cummins also scooted past, slotting into second as Swanson dropped to third.

Cummins soon tracked down and caught up with Bacon on lap seven, and just as he was making his bid for the lead off the exit of turn four, it turned out to be all for naught as 19th running Braxton Cummings spun around to a stop in turn two.

When action got back underway, soon, a battle for fourth had developed between Swanson and Mitchel Moles, both of whom resided in the top-two of the Bubby Jones Master of Goin’ Faster Presented By Spire Sports + Entertainment standings entering Kokomo, which served as round six of ten for the season long miniseries.

However, the battle for position between the two soon became among the most spectacular incidents of the entire USAC season. As Swanson worked a lower line, Moles occupied the high road as he attempted to work his was around Swanson. Exiting turn four on lap eight, real estate was at a premium as the two came together on the front straight. Moles’ car then ramped up the wall and tore down layers of catch fencing.

Severe damage was immediately evident on Moles' machine with much of the front half of the car shredded into pieces along the 1/4-mile dirt oval’s surface. Moles climbed away from the wreckage while Swanson was beset by a flat right rear tire. Swanson returned with fresh rubber, but only managed to work his way back to a 16th place finish.

Sitting sixth at the time of the incident, under the red flag, C.J.’s father, past USAC Midget and Silver Crown Rookie of the Year driver Chuck Leary, was there on the scene to assist C.J. But, as it turned out, all C.J. needed was a different plan of attack.

“Under the red, my dad came up to the fence and asked me what I needed,” C.J. recalled. “I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’ I just didn’t think we were that good. I really hadn’t cowboy’d up or went four in the fluff that hard. Honestly, I felt like the 3R was probably the best car.”

Soon after the lap eight restart, trouble became evident with the right front shock tower on the 3R of Cummins as his front wheels constantly dangled, creating quite a tumultuous ride for the winner of the last two USAC Sprint Car features at Kokomo dating back to August of 2022. Ultimately, the night’s Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier became a non-factor as he was plagued with his car’s ongoing mechanical issues, ultimately finishing 19th.

On that same lap eight restart, the suddenly surgent Carson Garrett was showcasing his presence, driving under Cummins on the restart for second, then slid past Bacon for the lead in turn two on lap 10. Bacon was initially able to fend off Garrett by driving back under in turn two to retain the spot, but Garrett came right back on the bottom on lap 11 to take over up front.

Bacon found the diamond line over in turns three and four and charged back into the lead past Garrett on lap 17. Leary followed suit and mimicked the same such pattern to race past his teammate for second on the 18th trip.

Leary carved into Bacon’s lead during the ensuing laps, and with six to go, was in a prime spot when Bacon’s right rear tire ricocheted off the turn two cushion, which kicked him sideways and scrubbed his momentum. Leary, with a full head of steam, freight-trained his way under Bacon and into the lead.

From that point forward, total control belonged to Leary who opened up the gap to 1.413 seconds by race’s end as he captured his second career Indiana Sprint Week feature win at Kokomo, also doing so in 2020. Brady Bacon grabbed second with Carson Garrett third, Emerson Axsom fourth and Logan Seavey fifth.

Sooner or later, one of these days, Brady Bacon is going to win one of these darned things. On this night, the Broken Arrow, Okla. native collected his eighth career runner-up finish in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo Speedway, just missing out on his first triumph after leading a race-high 16 laps in his Dynamics, Inc./Hartley Brothers Farms – Tel-Star Technologies/Triple X/Rider Chevy. The 2016 Indiana Sprint Week champion did, however, rise to the top spot in the ISW standings by virtue of his performance.

Carson Garrett (Littleton, Colo.) led his first career Indiana Sprint Week laps midway through the Kokomo feature en route to his best career ISW finish of third in his BGE Dougherty Motorsports/Altoz – Hornbeck Concrete – Leary Shock Technology/DRC/1-Way Chevy. His previous best Indiana Sprint Week finish was 20th.

In qualifying, Kyle Cummins (Princeton, Ind.) recorded his 14th career fast qualifying time with the USAC National Sprint Cars. That moved him into 34th all-time alongside Billy Cassella, Tyler Courtney and Damion Gardner.

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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 22, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing – Darland Classic

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-12.924; 2. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-12.957; 3. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-13.005; 4. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-13.006; 5. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-13.023; 6. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-13.056; 7. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-13.075; 8. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-13.112; 9. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-13.116; 10. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-13.145; 11. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-13.147; 12. Max Adams, 17GP, Dutcher-13.172; 13. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-13.205; 14. Trey Osborne, 6T, Osborne-13.283; 15. Alex Bright, 27, Heffner-13.298; 16. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-13.347; 17. Dave Darland, 36D, Darland/Curb-Agajanian-13.399; 18. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-13.405; 19. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-13.439; 20. Brent Beauchamp, 34B, Olson-13.468; 21. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-13.470; 22. Tyler Hewitt, 118, Evans-13.511; 23. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-13.517; 24. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-13.528; 25. Geoff Ensign, 17, On The Gass-13.535; 26. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-13.537; 27. Dustin Ingle, 2DI, Ingle-13.558; 28. Jadon Rogers, 14, 4J Motorsports-13.563; 29. Xavier Doney, 74, Doney/Lawson-13.638; 30. Tim Creech, 31, Creech-13.644; 31. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-13.659; 32. Saban Bibent, 98, Wedgewood-13.661; 33. Brayden Clark, 42G, Jackson/Clark-13.663; 34. Colten Cottle, 57, Hazen-13.663; 35. Parker Frederickson, 34F, Frederickson-13.667; 36. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-13.683; 37. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-13.707; 38. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-13.737; 39. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-13.745; 40. Noah Whitehouse, 00, Whitehouse-13.748; 41. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-13.751; 42. Ryan Barr, 21B, Barr-13.773; 43. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-13.773; 44. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-13.795; 45. Cole Bodine, 57B, Bodine-13.816; 46. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-13.822; 47. Rylan Gray, 06, Gray-13.901; 48. Larry Kingseed Jr., 59, Powell-13.992; 49. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-14.070; 50. Tyler Kendall, 20, Kendall-14.079; 51. Devan Myers, 75, Myers-14.098; 52. Jack James, 99, James-14.382; 53. Tyler Miller, 67, Miller-15.277; 54. Bryar Schroeter, 21s, Schroeter-15.300.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Emerson Axsom, 2. Robert Ballou, 3. Kyle Cummins, 4. Zack Pretorius, 5. Stevie Sussex, 6. Dave Darland, 7. Geoff Ensign, 8. Brayden Clark, 9. Xavier Doney, 10. Logan Calderwood, 11. Dalton Stevens, 12. Cole Bodine, 13. Troy Carey, 14. Tyler Miller. 2:13.79

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Seavey, 2. Matt Westfall, 3. C.J. Leary, 4. Jake Swanson, 5. Tyler Hewitt, 6. Charles Davis Jr., 7. Colten Cottle, 8. Tim Creech, 9. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 10. Ryan Barr, 11. Tyler Kendall, 12. Justin Zimmerman, 13. Bryar Schroeter, 14. Trey Osborne. 2:15.68

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Carson Garrett, 2. Mitchel Moles, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr., 4. Shane Cottle, 5. Alex Bright, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Parker Frederickson, 8. Braxton Cummings, 9. Kobe Simpson, 10. Rylan Gray, 11. Sterling Cling, 12. Devan Myers, 13. Dustin Ingle. 2:15.57

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Chase Stockon, 2. Brady Bacon, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Brent Beauchamp, 5. Brandon Mattox, 6. Joey Amantea, 7. Jadon Rogers, 8. Max Adams, 9. Travis Millar, 10. Saban Bibent, 11. Jack James, 12. Noah Whitehouse, 13. Larry Kingseed Jr. NT

THE FROLIC BAR & GRILL D-MAIN: (8 laps, top-2 transfer to the C-Main) 1. Rylan Gray, 2. Tyler Kendall, 3. Justin Zimmerman, 4. Devan Myers, 5. Troy Carey, 6. Tyler Miller, 7. Bryar Schroeter. 1:54.62

STEEL-IT C-MAIN: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Joey Amantea, 2. Braxton Cummings, 3. Saban Bibent, 4. Cole Bodine, 5. Colten Cottle, 6. Brayden Clark, 7. Parker Frederickson, 8. Ryan Barr, 9. Rylan Gray, 10. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 11. Kobe Simpson, 12. Dalton Stevens, 13. Sterling Cling, 14. Logan Calderwood, 15. Travis Millar, 16. Tyler Kendall. NT

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Brandon Mattox, 2. Geoff Ensign, 3. Stevie Sussex, 4. Braxton Cummings, 5. Trey Osborne, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Joey Amantea, 8. Alex Bright, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Dustin Ingle, 11. Max Adams, 12. Xavier Doney, 13. Charles Davis Jr., 14. Jadon Rogers, 15. Tyler Hewitt, 16. Cole Bodine, 17. Tim Creech, 18. Saban Bibent. 2:55.86

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. C.J. Leary (5), 2. Brady Bacon (3), 3. Carson Garrett (1), 4. Emerson Axsom (8), 5. Logan Seavey (7), 6. Robert Ballou (12), 7. Justin Grant (11), 8. Shane Cottle (20), 9. Kevin Thomas Jr. (13), 10. Daison Pursley (17), 11. Stevie Sussex (10), 12. Brent Beauchamp (18), 13. Chase Stockon (9), 14. Braxton Cummings (22), 15. Brandon Mattox (15), 16. Jake Swanson (2), 17. Matt Westfall (16), 18. Geoff Ensign (21), 19. Kyle Cummins (6), 20. Trey Osborne (14), 21. Zack Pretorius (19), 22. Mitchel Moles (4). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Jake Swanson, Laps 3-10 Brady Bacon, Laps 11-16 Carson Garrett, Laps 17-24 Brady Bacon, Laps 25-30 C.J. Leary.

**Mitchel Moles flipped on lap 8 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-1324, 2-Brady Bacon-1312, 3-Justin Grant-1283, 4-Jake Swanson-1264, 5-Kyle Cummins-1233, 6-C.J. Leary-1210, 7-Mitchel Moles-1134, 8-Robert Ballou-1090, 9-Chase Stockon-1066, 10-Daison Pursley-1043.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Brady Bacon-148, 2-Robert Ballou-136, 3-Justin Grant-134, 4-Emerson Axsom-131, 5-Logan Seavey-119, 6-Kevin Thomas Jr.-118, 7-C.J. Leary-112, 8-Carson Garrett-101, 9-Mitchel Moles-97, 10-Kyle Cummins-97.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-123, 2-Logan Seavey-80, 3-Matt Westfall-70, 4-Robert Ballou-67, 5-Justin Grant-66, 6-Chase Stockon-60, 7-Brady Bacon-49, 8-Emerson Axsom-47, 9-Mitchel Moles-45, 10-Carson Garrett-43.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-29, 2-Braxton Cummings-24, 3-Robert Ballou-20, 4-Joey Amantea-19, 5-Mitchel Moles-15, 6-Logan Seavey-15, 7-Daison Pursley-15, 8-Geoff Ensign-13, 9-Cole Bodine-13, 10-Travis Millar-12.

BUBBY JONES MASTER OF GOIN’ FASTER PRESENTED BY SPIRE SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-400, 2-C.J. Leary-386, 3-Jake Swanson-379, 4-Brady Bacon-376, 5-Mitchel Moles-371, 6-Daison Pursley-327, 7-Kyle Cummins-321, 8-Justin Grant-312, 9-Chase Stockon-304, 10-Robert Ballou-267.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 23, 2023 – Lawrenceburg Speedway – Lawrenceburg, Indiana – 3/8-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Daison Pursley (13.190)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Kyle Cummins (12.924)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Emerson Axsom

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: Logan Seavey

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Carson Garrett

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Chase Stockon

The Frolic Bar & Grill D-Main Winner: Rylan Gray

Steel-It C-Main Winner: Joey Amantea

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Brandon Mattox

Hard Work Award: Braxton Cummings

Green APU First Lap Leader: Jake Swanson

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (20th to 8th)

 

PHOTO FINISH!
GRANT OPENS USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK
WITH LAST LAP WIN AT GAS CITY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Gas City, Indiana (July 21, 2023)………Justin Grant had been in this very position before during the Gas City I-69 Speedway round of USAC Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing.

In this very same scenario one year ago, the Ione, Calif. native had the victory ripped away from him during the final laps, forcing him to settle for a runner-up finish.

On Friday night during the 2023 ISW opener, Grant turned the tables and met an entirely different fate in his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – Bow Foundation – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy.

This time, after the lead slipped from his fingers with one lap remaining, Grant fought back and refused to loosen his grip. In turns three and four, Grant found himself boxed in behind a lapped car, but managed to break free past Ballou to beat him to the line by mere inches, exactly .005 of second ahead at the stripe in one of the closest Indiana Sprint Week finishes in the 36-year history of the series.

Grant, the reigning Indiana Sprint Week champion, had recently been in a self-admitted slump of late after finishes of 16th and 20th in early July at Macon (Ill.) Speedway. Furthermore, one night earlier during a USAC Silver Crown run at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, the engine under Grant’s car’s hood experienced an issue, which sent Grant to the sidelines for the remainder of the event.

This circumstance ended Grant’s all-time record of 239 consecutive USAC National feature starts across all three divisions which had been intact since July of 2020.

Now, possessing a brand-new streak of one start and one win, Grant has returned to the top, earning his 38th career USAC National Sprint Car feature triumph, which surpassed Robert Ballou and Sheldon Kinser for 11th place on the all-time series win list.

“It’s no secret I’ve been struggling,” Grant admitted. “Everybody kept telling me that my luck was going to turn around. I just keep telling them that I needed to do a better job. I’ve just been getting myself in bad positions and bad places, and not executing like I need to execute in a racecar. But I finally felt like myself again tonight.”

Grant began his 30-lap venture from the outside of the front row and held the early advantage on the high line alongside pole sitter Colten Cottle. However, the action ceased just moments later in turn three on the opening lap when fast qualifier and sixth place running Brayden Fox biked and flipped. He was able to climb out of his car unscathed but highly disappointed with a damaged racecar.

Upon the resumption, Grant promptly pulled out to a half-straight lead over C. Cottle by lap eight when a violent two car crash ensued on the front straightaway. Fifth running Larry Kingseed Jr. and sixth place C.J. Leary connected with each other, resulting in both cars simultaneously somersaulting into turn one. Both drivers managed to step out from the wreckage under their own power, though both cars were finished for the evening.

By lap 10, Grant had reestablished his dominance up front as the leader while a tug-of-war for second raged on. Running second and third, respectively at the time, both Colten Cottle and Robert Ballou bounced through turns three and four. Once the door opened, Brady Bacon burst past underneath both drivers to advance and escape from fourth to second.

Bacon’s time in second was relatively brief as Ballou raced back to the runner-up spot on lap 13 after the two exchanged the position multiple times with back-and-forth slide jobs on both ends of the racetrack.

Grant pushed his lead to 1.6 sec. by the 20th lap, but heavy lapped traffic loomed just a few car lengths ahead with less than 10 laps to go. At that point, Ballou clamped down on Grant for the lead with seven remaining, and were separated by a car length as they worked within each other’s shadow on the bottom, nose-to-tail under traffic.

“Right as we were starting to catch the big pack of lappers there, I was starting to hear somebody,” Grant diagrammed. “I just heard somebody back there running more throttle, then a couple guys got tangled up off four, so I snuck through there and got into one and two pretty good. I think I got a little bit of a break there. I didn’t hear anybody, and then when I tried to circle that guy in three and four, I thought I had a little more room than I actually had.”

One could say that it was at that exact moment when Grant received Ballou’s undivided attention.

“It was 29 laps of riding around and riding around, and then it was, ‘oh boy, we better get to racing here,’” Grant recalled. “The heart rate definitely jacked up there on lap 29. There at the end, I tried to circle that lapped car on the outside, and it was ‘oh, that isn’t good.’

That lapped car was Geoff Ensign, and amid Grant and Ballou’s approach toward Ensign, Ballou knew it was go-time and carved out a path on the bottom of turns three and four to assume the lead by .009 second and a wheel ahead of Grant at the stripe with the white flag signaling above, signifying one lap to go.

On the 30th and final lap, the trio choo-choo’d in a straight-line exiting turn two. However, Ballou set up wide in turns three and four to work around the outside of Ensign while Grant remained committed to the bottom. With a bit of rolling momentum, Grant tapped the rear bumper of Ensign off turn four and followed his path for the final 50 feet.

That little bit of oomph from Grant was just barely enough to propel him ahead of Ballou’s high side momentum, with Grant beating him to the line in by just a few inches in one of the greatest finishes in series history, which served as Grant’s seventh career Indiana Sprint Week victory, tying him with Bryan Clauson for the fifth most all-time.

Robert Ballou came home a close second with Brady Bacon third, Mitchel Moles fourth and Kevin Thomas Jr. fifth.

Friday’s victory was special for Grant in a personal way as well. Earlier this month, legendary car owner Jeff Walker was brought on board to serve as crew chief for Grant. It was Walker who provided Grant with his first opportunity in sprint car racing all those years ago. Now, Grant was able to deliver a big win in his new but familiar surroundings consisting of Grant and Walker.

“I’m really grateful for my old buddy, my old pal, Jeff Walker coming back and crew chiefing for me again,” Grant said. “It’s pretty cool for me. Jeff was the first guy to hire me, and now I’ve gotten to hire him. We’re having a lot of fun racing, and it feels good to get in victory lane.”

Robert Ballou (Rocklin, Calif.) made a charge from his 12th starting position to take the lead on the white flag lap. At the checkered, he came up just inches short of his first USAC National Sprint Car win of the season in his Ballou Motorsports/Suburban Subaru – Berks Western Telecom/Triple X/Ott Chevy.

“I knew I had to be getting near the end and I knew I had the best car from lap one,” Ballou attested. “You don’t just start 12th and charge to the front right away in seven laps. When we got to lapped traffic, I knew it was now or never. Sometimes you follow the lapped car, and you get your doors blown off around the outside. I knew the top wasn’t very good there, and I didn’t get a good enough run off the middle to get back to the top. I also had a tough battle with the 69 car. He likes to throw elbows, so if he wants to play hardball, we’re more than ready.”

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) finished a solid third in his Dynamics, Inc./Bullseye Pest Control – Daredevil Brewing – Tel-Star Technologies/Triple X/Rider Chevy. The result put him firmly in the Indiana Sprint Week points race right off the bat while also moving him up to second in the season long USAC National Sprint Car points.

“We were a little bit better than Robert for a while, but some people are harder to pass than others,” Bacon shot back. “We could’ve moved him out of the way like he probably would’ve done to me, but we’ll keep that in our pocket for when we can win a race. I didn’t think we had a car to win tonight. I just got a little shy with the rough earlier in the night. Toward the end of the feature, we just didn’t have enough drive. A lot of people had some trouble tonight, but we survived, so we’ll take it.”

=====================

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 21, 2023 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Brayden Fox, 53, Fox-11.639; 2. Emerson Axsom, 47BC, Clauson Marshall Newman-11.715; 3. Matt Westfall, 33m, Marshall-11.740; 4. Alex Bright, 27, Heffner-11.756; 5. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-11.771; 6. Kyle Cummins, 3R, Rock Steady-11.779; 7. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-11.797; 8. Colten Cottle, 57, Hazen-11.805; 9. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-11.809; 10. Max Adams, 17GP, Dutcher-11.825; 11. Mitchel Moles, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-11.853; 12. Harley Burns, 16, Burns-11.856; 13. Braxton Cummings, 71B, Cummings-11.917; 14. Carson Garrett, 15, BGE Dougherty-11.930; 15. Tim Creech, 31, Creech-11.931; 16. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Ensign-11.950; 17. Cole Bodine, 57B, Bodine-11.961; 18. C.J. Leary, 15x, BGE Dougherty-11.965; 19. Larry Kingseed Jr., 21, Kingseed-11.966; 20. Saban Bibent, 98, Wedgewood-11.972; 21. Kevin Thomas Jr., 42, Cheney-11.973; 22. Thomas Meseraull, 23K, NIKSTE-11.991; 23. Logan Seavey, 2B, 2B Racing-12.034; 24. Xavier Doney, 74, Doney/Lawson-12.058; 25. Tayte Williamson, 20, Williamson-12.091; 26. Stevie Sussex, 77s, Sturgeon-12.102; 27. Jadon Rogers, 14, 4J Motorsports-12.106; 28. Shane Cottle, 2E, Epperson-12.106; 29. Jake Swanson, 21AZ, Team AZ-12.123; 30. Joey Amantea, 88J, Amantea-12.133; 31. Zack Pretorius, 9z, Pretorius-12.171; 32. Brandon Mattox, 28, Mattox-12.173; 33. Chase Stockon, 5s, KO-12.181; 34. Dustin Ingle, 2DI, Ingle-12.214; 35. Logan Calderwood, 6, Calderwood-12.224; 36. Ryan Barr, 21B, Barr-12.245; 37. Matt Goodnight, 39, Goodnight-12.247; 38. Colin Grissom, 00, Grissom-12.277; 39. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 51T, Tafoya-12.295; 40. Dave Darland, 36D, Darland/Curb-Agajanian-12.309; 41. Charles Davis Jr., 47, Davis-12.318; 42. Dalton Stevens, 99x, Stevens-12.320; 43. Rylan Gray, 06, Gray-12.334; 44. Marcus Smith, 28s, Smith-12.336; 45. Evan Mosley, 27m, Barkdull-12.354; 46. Brent Beauchamp, 11, Beauchamp-12.354; 47. Sterling Cling, 34, Cling-12.365; 48. Brayden Clark, 42G, Jackson/Clark-12.421; 49. Kobe Simpson, 21K, Simpson-12.508; 50. Scott Evans, 118, Evans-12.514; 51. Justin Zimmerman, 1, D-Up-12.583; 52. Devan Myers, 75, Myers-12.599; 53. Travis Thompson, 7, Thompson-12.637; 54. Daison Pursley, 5p, KO-12.824; 55. Troy Carey, 45N, Carey-12.850; 56. Travis Millar, 93AU, Millar-13.054; 57. Noah Whitehouse, 00w, Whitehouse-13.190; 58. Jack James, 99, James-NT

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr., 2. Robert Ballou, 3. Brayden Fox, 4. Brady Bacon, 5. Jake Swanson, 6. Chase Stockon, 7. Cole Bodine, 8. Charles Davis Jr., 9. Evan Mosley, 10. Braxton Cummings, 11. Travis Thompson, 12. Noah Whitehouse, 13. Tayte Williamson, 14. Kobe Simpson, 15. Matt Goodnight. NT

ROD END SUPPLY SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. C.J. Leary, 2. Thomas Meseraull, 3. Carson Garrett, 4. Emerson Axsom, 5. Stevie Sussex, 6. Kyle Cummins, 7. Max Adams, 8. Joey Amantea, 9. Brent Beauchamp, 10. Daison Pursley, 11. Dustin Ingle, 12. Dalton Stevens, 13. Colin Grissom, 14. Scott Evans. 2:01.78

T.J. FORGED THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Larry Kingseed Jr., 2. Logan Seavey, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Jadon Rogers, 5. Tim Creech, 6. Mitchel Moles, 7. Matt Westfall, 8. Zack Pretorius, 9. Sterling Cling, 10. Eddie Tafoya Jr., 11. Logan Calderwood, 12. Rylan Gray, 13. Justin Zimmerman, 14. Troy Carey. 2:05.55

CAR IQ FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Colten Cottle, 2. Xavier Doney, 3. Geoff Ensign, 4. Alex Bright, 5. Harley Burns, 6. Dave Darland, 7. Travis Millar, 8. Brayden Clark, 9. Ryan Barr, 10. Devan Myers, 11. Marcus Smith, 12. Saban Bibent, 13. Shane Cottle, 14. Brandon Mattox. NT

THE FROLIC BAR & GRILL D-MAIN: (8 laps, top-2 transfer to the C-Main) 1. Brayden Clark, 2. Evan Mosley, 3. Sterling Cling, 4. Justin Zimmerman, 5. Kobe Simpson, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Devan Myers, 8. Travis Millar, 9. Travis Thompson, 10. Noah Whitehouse, 11. Troy Carey, 12. Scott Evans. 1:42.39

STEEL-IT C-MAIN: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi) 1. Dustin Ingle, 2. Brandon Mattox, 3. Colin Grissom, 4. Ryan Barr, 5. Chase Stockon, 6. Zack Pretorius, 7. Dalton Stevens, 8. Dave Darland, 9. Evan Mosley, 10. Charles Davis Jr., 11. Matt Goodnight, 12. Logan Calderwood, 13. Brayden Clark, 14. Rylan Gray, 15. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2:11.42

ELLIOTT’S CUSTOM TRAILERS & CARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Kyle Cummins, 2. Matt Westfall, 3. Mitchel Moles, 4. Max Adams, 5. Braxton Cummings, 6. Shane Cottle, 7. Cole Bodine, 8. Jake Swanson, 9. Harley Burns, 10. Brandon Mattox, 11. Joey Amantea, 12. Tim Creech, 13. Ryan Barr, 14. Colin Grissom, 15. Stevie Sussex, 16. Saban Bibent, 17. Tayte Williamson, 18. Dustin Ingle. 2:36.19

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Justin Grant (2), 2. Robert Ballou (12), 3. Brady Bacon (3), 4. Mitchel Moles (14), 5. Kevin Thomas Jr. (9), 6. Kyle Cummins (11), 7. Emerson Axsom (5), 8. Colten Cottle (1), 9. Logan Seavey (19), 10. Matt Westfall (10), 11. Shane Cottle (22), 12. Braxton Cummings (15), 13. Alex Bright (4), 14. Geoff Ensign (17), 15. Jadon Rogers (21), 16. Jake Swanson (23-P), 17. Xavier Doney (20), 18. Chase Stockon (24-P), 19. Max Adams (13), 20. Carson Garrett (16), 21. Larry Kingseed Jr. (8), 22. C.J. Leary (7), 23. Thomas Meseraull (18), 24. Brayden Fox (6). NT

(P) represents a provisional starter

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-28 Justin Grant, Lap 29 Robert Ballou, Lap 30 Justin Grant.

**Mitchel Moles flipped during qualifying. Brandon Mattox flipped during the fourth heat. Shane Cottle flipped during the fourth heat. Stevie Sussex flipped during the semi. Brayden Fox flipped on lap 1 of the feature. Larry Kingseed Jr. & C.J. Leary flipped on lap 8 of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Emerson Axsom-1255, 2-Brady Bacon-1235, 3-Jake Swanson-1227, 4-Justin Grant-1225, 5-Kyle Cummins-1196, 6-C.J. Leary-1129, 7-Mitchel Moles-1100, 8-Robert Ballou-1028, 9-Chase Stockon-1021, 10-Daison Pursley-999.

USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PRESENTED BY HONEST ABE ROOFING POINTS: 1-Justin Grant-76, 2-Robert Ballou-74, 3-Brady Bacon-71, 4-Kevin Thomas Jr.-66, 5-Mitchel Moles-63, 6-Emerson Axsom-62, 7-Kyle Cummins-60, 8-Colten Cottle-57, 9-Logan Seavey-53, 10-Matt Westfall-50.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-116, 2-Logan Seavey-78, 3-Matt Westfall-70, 4-Justin Grant-62, 5-Robert Ballou-61, 6-Chase Stockon-60, 7-Brady Bacon-48, 8-Mitchel Moles-45, 9-Emerson Axsom-43, 10-Carson Garrett-43.

USAC INDIANA SPRINT WEEK PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Shane Cottle-17, 2-Robert Ballou-12, 3-Mitchel Moles-11, 4-Logan Seavey-10, 5-Evan Mosley-10, 6-Travis Millar-10, 7-Jadon Rogers-9, 8-Jake Swanson-8, 9-Colin Grissom-8, 10-Ryan Barr-7.

NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: July 22, 2023 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana – 1/4-Mile Dirt Track – 36th Annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Fastest Hot Laps Driver: Max Adams (11.680)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Brayden Fox (11.639)

Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner: Kevin Thomas Jr.

Rod End Supply Second Heat Winner: C.J. Leary

T.J. Forged Third Heat Winner: Larry Kingseed Jr.

Car IQ Fourth Heat Winner: Colten Cottle

The Frolic Bar & Grill D-Main Winner: Brayden Clark

Steel-It C-Main Winner: Dustin Ingle

Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Semi Winner: Kyle Cummins

Hard Work Award: Shane Cottle

Green APU First Lap Leader: Justin Grant

J & J Trucking Hard Charger: Shane Cottle (22nd to 11th)


 


BACK-TO-BACK ON THE BANKS:
SWANSON STORMS TO WINCHESTER VICTORY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Winchester, Indiana (July 20, 2023)………For Kody Swanson, on Thursday night, Winchester (Ind.) Speedway served as a place to go back-to-back in a myriad of manners.

The victory was his second consecutive in USAC Silver Crown competition after winning the most recent round at Wisconsin’s Madison International Speedway in June, marking the 13th occasion in which he’s won two-straight series main events in his career with the series.

Furthermore, the triumph was the second occasion in a row in which he performed a complete sweep by recording the fastest time in both Dirt Draft Practice and Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying before going on to lead all 100 laps en route to victory.

Finally, and perhaps most impressively, it was Swanson’s second straight win at the 31st running of the Rich Vogler Classic Presented by The Pallet Builder, backing up a similar dominant run from the pole position in 2022 in which he also completely swept the night.

Swanson’s performance culminated with the Kingsburg, Calif. native’s fourth career Rich Vogler Classic victory following previous triumphs in 2016, 2019 and 2022, which ranks second only to the six achieved by Tracy Hines.

On a night when both rain and stray cats interrupted the proceedings at one point or another, Swanson was a steady force in his Doran-Binks Racing/Mission Foods – Glenn Farms/Beast/Lanci Ford, strutting back into the series point lead in his pursuit for an eighth career USAC Silver Crown National Championship.

After earning his record-extending 44th career USAC Silver Crown pole position earlier in the evening, Swanson went forth and set the pace that all others would be chasing for the rest of the evening as point leader Logan Seavey slotted into second from his outside front row starting position.

Initially, C.J. Leary was the man on the move, taking Aaron Pierce for fourth on lap four and gunning underneath Caleb Armstrong for the third spot on lap 12 entering turn three. Armstrong was making his first series start since his Rookie of the Year season in 2014. On lap 19, Leary continued the charge as he dove low past Seavey in turn four for second place.

Problems plagued Seavey just prior to the halfway point as he began to drop dramatically through the field. In fact, during a span of three laps between 41-44, he dropped from seventh to 17th in the running order. The diagnosis was that the brake pads were knocked off on his ride about 40 laps into the race, requiring a stop for a new set during an unexpected red flag for rain just after the midpoint.

A brief shower doused the speedway under green flag conditions on the 55th lap, necessitating a half-hour red flag period until the rain stopped and the track drying process commenced. Nonetheless, that didn’t hinder Swanson a bit when action resumed as he opened his lead to a half-straight over Leary with another half-straight gap back to third running Armstrong.

Santos ran fourth on the restart, but quickly jumped to third on lap 55 when Armstrong experienced a Maalox moment in turn two after his ride got completely sideways, nearly spinning, but was able to save it and regain control. As a result, however, Armstrong dropped two spots to fifth while Santos and Davey Hamilton Jr. stormed on by for third and fourth, respectively.

Just a mere eight laps later, Santos thundered to second, cruising underneath Leary entering the third turn to take over the position on lap 63. Yet, Santos remained a full second behind Swanson with 37 to go.

Fourth running Hamilton Jr. became the next to find himself crossed up sideways and narrowly avoid disaster in turn two on lap 71 as Bischak took advantage and drove past to take over the fourth spot and quickly closed right to the tail of third running Leary.

The most major incident of the race came on lap 79 when series point leader Seavey’s right front wheel center broke, sending him straight into the outside turn two wall with the right front of the car before sliding to a stop on the inside of the racing surface while his right front wheel rolled all the way around to turn four. Seavey climbed out and walked away, but his 12th place result was his first outside the top-five all season long.

Starting with lap 88, Santos reeled off his five fastest laps of the race in rapid-fire succession, helping him to close within three car lengths of Swanson for the race lead. With that said, on lap 92, Swanson answered with his third fastest lap of the race and, thusly, kept Santos at bay and began to suddenly inch away to put the race on ice during the ensuing laps.

The race for third remained hotly contested on lap 93 as Bischak finally was able to muster the move to third after 20-plus laps of constantly working on Leary to take over the position. Bischak, a former college cross country star at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, dove low at the exit of turn four with seven laps to go to move into the final “podium” position.

Further up ahead, Swanson couldn’t be corralled or contained as he earned his 39th career USAC Silver Crown victory by a 2.858 second margin over Santos with Bischak third, Leary fourth and Hamilton Jr. fifth.

Late in the race, Swanson felt he was staggering a bit to the finish line while Santos was surging, which kept Swanson on needles, pins and toes until the music stopped.

“On those long runs, maybe they let us go a little bit,” Swanson said of the field’s pace. “Bobby was so strong at the end, I think he kind of proved to me anyway that he was still capable, and I got lucky to fend him off there at the end. You never know if he’s going to reload and make another charge on the restart. He’s just that good of a racer. I felt like I was floundering a little bit on that last restart, and I was glad to be able to hang on. I felt like we had a really good car early, and I hated to think that I could mess it up under one of those cautions.”

For Santos, a second-place run was still his best ever performance on the 37-degree high banks of Winchester in his DJ Racing/Classic Corvettes – Brown & Miller Racing Solutions – Simpson/Beast/Speedway Chevy. The Franklin, Mass. driver had previously finished third here with the Silver Crown series in 2021 and was also third in an Auto Value Super Sprint run in 2019. In three USAC Silver Crown starts this season, he's finished inside the top-two in all three.

Patience paid off for Derek Bischak as he collected his first career podium finish in what is his fifth year of USAC Silver Crown competition. The Angola, Indiana wheelman earned his best career series result after advancing from seventh to third in his Derek Bischak/Allstar Performance – Klotz Synthetic Lubricants – Complete Collision/Beast/J & D Chevy. His previous best career Silver Crown finish was a fourth at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, which was earned less than two months ago in May.

Engine problems in practice sidelined 2020 USAC Silver Crown driving champion Justin Grant for the evening, ending one of the great records in USAC competition. The Ione, Calif. native had started 239 consecutive feature events throughout USAC’s Silver Crown, National Sprint Car and National Midget divisions, a streak that dated back to July of 2020.

Furthermore, Grant hadn’t missed a Silver Crown features since 2015, making 74 consecutive series starts in that span, which was the fourth longest streak ever, trailing only Brian Tyler’s 97, Kody Swanson’s 88 and Dave Darland’s 79.

===============

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 20, 2023 – Winchester Speedway – Winchester, Indiana – 1/2-Mile Paved Oval – 31st Rich Vogler Classic Presented by The Pallet Builder

HONEST ABE ROOFING QUALIFYING: 1. Kody Swanson, 77, Doran/Binks-14.758; 2. Logan Seavey, 22, Rice/Abacus-14.962; 3. Aaron Pierce, 126, Pierce-15.010; 4. Caleb Armstrong, 19, Legacy-15.030; 5. Bobby Santos, 98, DJ-15.122; 6. C.J. Leary, 6, Klatt-15.149; 7. Derek Bischak, 131, Bischak-15.152; 8. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR-15.300; 9. Davey Hamilton Jr., 14, Hamilton/SRG-15.310; 10. Taylor Ferns, 555, Ferns-15.431; 11. Billy Wease, 60, Wilson-15.502; 12. Nathan Byrd, 88, Byrd-15.508; 13. Kaylee Bryson, 26, Pierce-15.571; 14. Kyle O'Gara, 67, SFHR-15.584; 15. Mario Clouser, 92, Kazmark-15.591; 16. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott-15.682; 17. Matt Goodnight, 39, Goodnight-15.743; 18. Matt Westfall, 81, BCR-15.781; 19. Trey Burke, 11, Hamilton/SRG-16.020; 20. Kyle Steffens, 08, Steffens-16.490; 21. Gregg Cory, 32, Williams-16.681; 22. Dave Berkheimer, 31, Berkheimer-18.950; 23. Mike McVetta, 94, RAM-NT; 24. Tom Paterson, 111, Paterson-NT; 25. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-NT.

FEATURE: (100 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Kody Swanson (1), 2. Bobby Santos (5), 3. Derek Bischak (7), 4. C.J. Leary (6), 5. Davey Hamilton Jr. (9), 6. Billy Wease (11), 7. Kaylee Bryson (13), 8. Caleb Armstrong (4), 9. Mario Clouser (15), 10. Kyle O'Gara (14), 11. Travis Welpott (16), 12. Logan Seavey (2), 13. Matt Westfall (18), 14. Kyle Robbins (8), 15. Taylor Ferns (10), 16. Trey Burke (19), 17. Kyle Steffens (20), 18. Aaron Pierce (3), 19. Mike McVetta (23), 20. Matt Goodnight (17), 21. Nathan Byrd (12), 22. Dave Berkheimer (22), 23. Gregg Cory (21), 24. Tom Paterson (24). NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-100 Kody Swanson.

USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Kody Swanson-311, 2-Logan Seavey-295, 3-Kaylee Bryson-210, 4-Bobby Santos-207, 5-Mario Clouser-206, 6-Matt Westfall-200, 7-Taylor Ferns-191, 8-C.J. Leary-177, 9-Justin Grant-174, 10-Travis Welpott-169.

OVERALL PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Daison Pursley-116, 2-Matt Westfall-70, 3-Logan Seavey-68, 4-Justin Grant-61, 5-Chase Stockon-60, 6-Robert Ballou-51, 7-Brady Bacon-48, 8-Emerson Axsom-43, 9-Carson Garrett-43, 10-Bryant Wiedeman-39.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 5, 2023 – Toledo Speedway – Toledo, Ohio – 1/2-Mile Paved Oval – Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic Presented By Marco’s Pizza

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

Dirt Draft Practice Fastest Driver: Kody Swanson (14.755)

Honest Abe Roofing Fast Qualifier: Kody Swanson (14.758)

Hard Charger: Kaylee Bryson (13th to 7th)

 

PIERCE RETURNS TO USAC SILVER CROWN RACING AT WINCHESTER

Winchester, Indiana (July 19, 2023)………Open wheel racing veteran Aaron Pierce will return to USAC Silver Crown competition this Thursday night, July 20, at the World’s Fastest Half Mile alongside Sam Pierce Racing (SPR) teammate and 2023 Silver Crown Championship contender Kaylee Bryson.

Crew Chiefs Dave Newman and Chris Santucci will call the shots for the two-car effort at the Rich Vogler Classic Presented By The Pallet Builder.

Pierce’s return to the cockpit will mark two years since the central Indiana racer wheeled one of his potent SamPierceChevy.com / Logical Systems Racing Champ Cars at the 2021 Rich Vogler Classic on the High Banks, leading 25 laps midway through the 100-lap feature before tire failure relegated the multi-time open wheel champion to a respectable fourth place finish.

Since then, Pierce has launched his AP Driver Development program primarily focused on protégé’ Kaylee Bryson, in support of her promising career. Bryson has raced in nine different disciplines this season, including pavement and dirt Midgets, Sprint Cars (winged and non-wing), Silver Crown and Trans Am Series Corvettes and Camaros, helping her hone her race craft.

Team SPR tested at Winchester on Monday with Bryson in her primary #26 AP Driver Development / SamPierceChevy.com / Logical Systems Racing Chevy Beast and Mitchell Moles in her backup car. Both drivers were able to get up to race pace lap times early in the day and build confidence at speed on the High Banks. Neither driver had ever seen Winchester Speedway before. It was Moles’ first time on pavement as well.

With both drivers up to speed and comfortable and both cars on point for Thursday’s race, “AP” jumped in the backup car and immediately went to the top of the day’s speed chart.

“It felt really good and comfortable to be back in the car at speed here at Winchester, and I love this place so much, that I just figured I’ll run the backup car on race day and maybe help her from a different perspective here rather than the spotter’s stand,” said Pierce.

AP has three USAC Silver Crown Series wins, was the 2004 Rookie of the Year, 2006 Most Improved Driver and owns the fastest lap in Silver Crown history at 175.012 MPH set at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2006. Pierce finished a career best of third in National points (2006) with three other seasons in the top ten (2015, 2017 and 2020).

Kaylee Bryson’s quote upon the conclusion of Monday’s test session: “We made a lot of laps around Winchester today in preparation for the race on Thursday. I felt really comfortable and extremely happy with the balance of the car. I can’t believe how fast and high banked this place is, I LOVE it!”

Bryson is currently locked in a six-way Silver Crown Series national points battle for third place – a mere six points behind Justin Grant going into Thursday’s event at the historic Indiana speed plant.

Kaylee is the current series Rookie of the Year points leader and was the USAC Most Improved Driver for the 2022 season after setting a myriad of USAC records, including the first woman to qualify on the front row and lead a lap (72 of them) in the 53-year history of the Silver Crown Series (Springfield Mile, October 15).

THE DETAILS:

Spectator Gates Open at 4pm Eastern with practice starting at 5pm and qualifying at 7pm, followed by an autograph session, then pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event. Crown Vics will also be in action.

General admission tickets are $30 for ages 13 & up. General admission tickets are free for ages 12 and under. Reserved seating is $35 for ages 13 & up and $15 for ages 12 & under. Pit passes are $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Tickets will be available at the gate on race day. You can also save $5 buying advance tickets online at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2023-elite-promotions.

The event can be watched live and on-demand at FloRacing | https://flosports.link/40w7aPg.

 

 

USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS CLASH AT PETALUMA SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings

JULY 19, 2023... This Saturday, July 22nd, the chase for the USAC Western States Midget championship heads to Petaluma Speedway. Promoted by Rick Faeth, the $1,500-to-win seventh point race is the only appearance of the “mighty midgets” at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. The event will also showcase the Top Dog Modified Nationals, Hobby Stocks, and Mini Stocks. The Pit Gates will open at noon, Front Gates open at 4:00pm, Practice starts at 5:00pm, and Racing at “The Fastest 3/8 Mile Dirt Oval in Northern California” will begin at 6:00pm. For event information, visit the track’s website at petaluma-speedway.com or call 707.763.7223 (RACE).

NOTICE TO RACERS:
- PETALUMA TARP RULE: Tarps are mandatory under all racecars in the pit area and must stick out at least one foot at each side.
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit (TP) online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet, COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s, EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272730-78, RODELA FAB: 2557-01 *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC Western States Midget Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In addition to championship points, every event will award points for the season-long Woodland Auto Display Top Qualifier Standings and the unsponsored Passing Master Standings. Drivers that finish in the top-3 in Woodland points will take home $500-for-1st, $300-for-2nd, and $200-for-3rd. Last season, Michael Faccinto earned Top Qualifier honors and veteran driver Randi Pankratz passed the most cars in the main events.

Since October 6, 2012, fifteen USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. “Sugar” Shane Golobic claimed the inaugural victory as “Fireball” Maria Cofer, Ronnie Gardner, and Alex Schutte lead all drivers with three Petaluma wins. When the series last visited the 3/8-mile oval on July 23, 2022, Brody Fuson took the checkered flags. Gardner set the 1-lap track record of 14.200 on October 5, 2013 and a complete series win list at Petaluma is at the bottom of this release.

Heading to Petaluma, Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) has a 58-point advantage over the competition. Driving Rusty Carlile’s #51 RacePa Motorsports / Van Meter Motorsports Spike, Fuson earned his third victory of the season at Placerville on July 8th. To date, the point leader has also posted three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, three heat race victories, two Ebbco Offroad / Wireless 101 Hard Charger Awards, six top-10 finishes, and 53 feature la