Nov 29 2011
CLAUSON, KRUSEMAN, HAGEN CLAIM MIDGET TITLES;
CALEB ARMSTRONG WINS TURKEY NIGHT #71
by DICK JORDAN
Bryan Clauson and Cory Kruseman put the finishing touches on 2011 USAC Mopar Midget driving championships Thursday night as the season concluded in the 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif.
Clauson, of Noblesville, Ind., repeated as USAC’s Mopar National Midget titlist, while Kruseman, of Ventura, Calif., earned his initial USAC Mopar Western Midget crown. Clauson finished third in the 98-lap race while Kruseman struggled to a 21st-place finish in the 35-car field.
Car owner championships respectively went to Tucker Racing /BCI/Curb-Agajanian (National) and Neverlift Motorsports (Western).
Darren Hagen, who was second at Irwindale, emerged as the 2011 USAC Mopar National Pavement Midget Champion.
Caleb Armstrong of New Castle, Ind. led the final 81 laps to win Thursday night’s “Turkey night Grand Prix,” He passed Kody Swanson on lap 18 and held off repeated challenges from several challengers in the final laps for the win in his Ferrell Gas/Syngenta Seeds Beast/Toyota. Hagen, Clauson, Kyle Larson and Kody Swanson rounded out the “top-five” at the checkered flag. Alex Bowman led the first three laps and pole starter Kody Swanson led the next 14 before yielding to Armstrong. Larson won the Don Basile “Rookie of the Race” award for finishing fourth.
FINAL USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-1,164; 2-Darren Hagen-1,148; 3-Kyle Larson-1,082; 4-Tracy Hines-954; 5-Bobby East-867; 6-Brad Kuhn-811; 7-Zach Daum-787; 8-Caleb Armstrong-737; 9-Jerry Coons Jr.-701; 10-Tanner Swanson-630.
FINAL USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-599; 2-David Prickett-562; 3-Johnathon Henry-518; 4-Cody Swanson-479; 5-Jake Swanson-421; 6-Scott Pierovich-313; 7-Connor Kassik-292; 8-Chris Ennis-240; 9-Randi Pankratz-215; 10-Austin Smith-192.
Nov 25 2011
USAC National Midgets – Irwindale, California – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale
– 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix”
CALEB ARMSTRONG HALTS CLAUSON’S “TURKEY NIGHT” 3-PEAT BID
Irwindale, CA………Caleb Armstrong of New Castle, Ind. led the final 81 laps to win Thursday night’s 71st “Turkey night Grand Prix” USAC Mopar National/Western Midget race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. He passed Kody Swanson on lap 18 and held off repeated challenges from several challengers in the final laps for the win in his Ferrell Gas/Syngenta Seeds Beast/Toyota. Darren Hagen, Bryan Clauson, Kyle Larson and Kody Swanson rounded out the “top-five” at the checkered flag. Clauson ended up as the 2011 USAC National Drivers Champion and the Mopar National Midget Champion, while Hagen claimed the National Midget Pavement title. Cory Kruseman, who finished 21st, emerged as the Mopar Western Midget king. Alex Bowman led the first three laps and pole starter Kody Swanson led the next 14 before yielding to Armstrong. Larson won the Don Basile “Rookie of the Race” award for finishing fourth.
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Kody Swanson, 11, Wilke-Pak-16.386; 2. Alex Bowman, 55, Cline-16.424; 3. Bobby Santos III, 20, Stewart-16.442; 4. Brad Kuhn, 17B, RW-16.526; 5. Evan Margeson, 50, Beal-16.552; 6. Kyle Larson, 67, Kunz-16.596; 7. Caleb Armstrong, 7c, C & A-16.597; 8. Robby Josett, 2x, Josett-16.660; 9. Tanner Swanson, 3F, RFMS-16.660; 10. Chris Windom, 56, RW-16.683; 11. Billy Wease, 25, Rodela-16.688; 12. Adam Kramer, 2, Kramer-16.732; 13. Bryan Clauson, 39, Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian-16.742; 14. Darren Hagen, 3, RFMS-16.743; 15. Chad Nichols, 17x, Nichols-16.750; 16. Mario Clouser, 06, MCM-16.760; 17. Dalton Armstrong, 7A, C & A-16.782; 18. Bobby East, 4, Klatt-16.785; 19. Taylor Ferns, 55F, Ferns-16.795; 20. Dillon Welch, 9, Nine Racing-16.806; 21. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Spike-16.829; 22. Tracy Hines, 24, Parker-16.833; 23. Levi Roberts, 91, Nine Racing-16.838; 24. Jason Leffler, 71, Kunz-16.850; 25. Dakoda Armstrong, 7D, C & A-16.868; 26. Troy DeCaire, 2B, Benic-16.909; 27.David Byrne, 20D, Byrne-17.126; 28. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-17.134; 29. Nick Chivello, 27B, Blackwell-17.247; 30. Ben Petter, 21, Petter-17.254; 31. Travis Berryhill, 10c, Eskesen-17.344; 32. Shannon McQueen, 10, Cook-17.366; 33. David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-17.410; 34. David Goodwill, 88x, Arata-17.804; 35. Cory Kruseman, 21k, Kruseman-17.871.
FEATURE: (98 laps) 1. Caleb Armstrong, 2. Darren Hagen, 3. Bryan Clauson, 4. Kyle Larson, 5. Kody Swanson, 6. Brad Kuhn, 7. Chris Windom, 8. Dillon Welch, 9. Evan Margeson, 10. Levi Roberts, 11. Kyle Hamilton, 12. Mario Clouser, 13. Bobby East, 14. Billy Wease, 15. Robby Josett, 16. Taylor Ferns, 17. David Prickett, 18. David Byrne, 19. Dakoda Armstrong, 20. David Goodwill, 21. Cory Kruseman, 22. Troy DeCaire, 23. Dalton Armstrong, 24. Tracy Hines, 25. Bobby Santos III, 26. Tanner Swanson, 27. Alex Bowman, 28. Jason Leffler, 29. Shannon McQueen, 30. Chad Nichols, 31. Scott Pierovich, 32. Nick Chivello, 33. Adam Kramer, 34. Ben Petter, 35. Travis Berryhill. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-3 Bowman, Laps 4-17 K.Swanson, Laps 18-98 C.Armstrong.
FINAL MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Clauson-1,164; 2-Hagen-1,148; 3-Larson-1,082; 4-Hines-954; 5-East-867; 6-Kuhn-811; 7-Zach Daum-787; 8-C.Armstrong-737; 9-Jerry Coons Jr.-701; 10-T.Swanson-630.
FINAL MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-599; 2-Prickett-562; 3-Johnathon Henry-518; 4-Cody Swanson-479; 5-Jake Swanson-421; 6-Pierovich-313; 7-Connor Kassik-292; 8-Chris Ennis-240; 9-Randi Pankratz-215; 10-Austin Smith-192.
FINAL MOPAR PAVEMENT MIDGET POINTS: 1-Hagen-421; 2-Larson-395; 3-C.Arsmtrong-359; 4-Clauson-304; 5-T.Swanson-280; 6-Hines-271; 7-Clouser-261; 8-Kramer-236; 9-East-222; 10-Byrne-217.
FINAL USAC NATIONAL DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Clauson-1,062; 2-Larson-1,028; 3-Windom-1,026; 4-Levi Jones-1,022; 5-Hines-991; 6-East-942; 7-Jerry Coons Jr.-921; 8-Hagen-866; 9-Hunter Schuerenberg-864; 10-Jon Stanbrough-854.
Nov 22 2011
CLAUSON GOES FOR “TURKEY NIGHT” 3-PEAT THURSDAY;
KUHN TAKES VENTURA’S “BATTLE AT THE BEACH”
BY DICK JORDAN
Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. will try to join Ron Shuman and Billy Boat as the only drivers to win three straight “Turkey Night Grand Prix” Midget races when the 71st running of one of America’s most revered short-track events unfolds this Thursday night at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. Shuman actually won four straight from 1979-1982, while Boat won three straight at three different tracks from 1995-1997.
Clauson, the 2009 and 2010 race winner, will also try to nail down his second consecutive USAC Mopar National Midget series championship. He enters the 98-lap contest with a 19-point lead over runner-up Darren Hagen. Hagen holds a 21-point lead over Kyle Larson in his bid to claim his second straight USAC National Midget Pavement title. A total of 66 points are available Thursday.
Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. will also try to claim his first USAC Mopar Western Midget title, holding a 43-point lead over David Prickett going into Thursday’s race. Kruseman previously won the 2006 USAC/CRA Sprint Car championship.
Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind. won Saturday night’s 30-lap “Battle at the Beach” USAC Mopar Western Midget race at Ventura Raceway. He passed Austin Smith on lap 11 and never looked back, piloting the Rotondo Weirich/Champion Brands Beast/Fontana to the victory over Clauson, Brent Camarillo, Smith and Kruseman. Prickett finished eighth at Ventura.
Thursday’s “Turkey Night Grand Prix” concludes with a 98-lap Midget race, continuing a tradition begun back in 1934. The AMSOIL USAC Western/Western Classic Sprint cars also compete on the Irwindale half-mile paved oval, while the USAC Western Ford Focuses compete on the Irwindale third-mile.
USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-1,110; 2-Darren Hagen-1,091; 3-Kyle Larson-1,030; 4-Tracy Hines-941; 5-Bobby East-840; 6-Zach Daum-787; 7-Brad Kuhn-763; 8-Jerry Coons Jr.-701; 9-Caleb Armstrong-677; 10-Tanner Swanson-617.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-586; 2-David Prickett-543; 3-Johnathon Henry-518; 4-Cody Swanson-479; 5-Jake Swanson-421; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Connor Kassik-292; 8-Chris Ennis-240; 9-Randi Pankratz-215; 10-Austin Smith-192.
Nov 19 2011
MOPAR USAC WESTERN MIDGET RACE RESULTS: November 19, 2011
– Ventura, California – Ventura Raceway - “Battle at the Beach”
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Johnathon Henry (#88 Graunstadt), 2. Chris Ennis (#97 Martens), 3. Josh Lakatos (#4x Lakatos), 4. Jake Swanson (#05 Swanson), 5. Sean Dodenhoff (#9D Dodenhoff), 6. Bryan Deegan (#21x Kruseman), 7. Garrett Gilkey (#72 Wadsworth), 8. Bruce Hiroshima (#5 Hiroshima). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Shannon McQueen (#7 McQueen), 2. Danny Ebberts (#5x VanDyne), 3. Robby Josett (#2 Josett), 4. Brian Camarillo (#22 CamLand), 5. Kyle Smith (#55 Smith), 6. Evan Margeson (#50 Margeson), 7. Richard VanderWeerd (#8x VanderWeerd), 8. Greg Edenholm (#73x Ford). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Cody Swanson (#71 Swanson), 2. Austin Smith (#33 Smith), 3. David Prickett (#15 Neverlift), 4. Randi Pankratz (#8 Pankratz), 5. Connor Kassik (#15N Neverlift), 6. Kody Swanson (#25 Rodela), 7. Patrick Clark (#17k Kruseman), 8. Steve Stasa (#22s Stasa). NT
FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Brad Kuhn (#17B RW), 2. Bryan Clauson (#81 CamLand), 3. Brent Camarillo (#51 CamLand), 4. Cory Kruseman (#21k Kruseman), 5. Bruce Douglas (#31 Douglas), 6. Wink Schweitzer (#60 Schweitzer), 7. Kyle Edwards (#39 Edwards), 8. Jimmy Voitel (#21 Voitel). NT
ALSO AT THE TRACK: Troy Rutherford (#87jr Rutherford).
SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Margeson, 22. Kassik, 3. Douglas, 4. K.Swanson, 5. Schweitzer, 6. K/Smith, 7. Dodenhoff, 8. Gilkey, 9. Clark, 10. Voitel, 11. Hiroshima, 12. Edenholm, 13. Edwards, 14. Brian Camarillo, 15. VanderWeerd, 16. Deegan. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Brad Kuhn, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Brent Camarillo, 4. Austin Smith, 5. Cory Kruseman, 6. Cody Swanson, 7. Evan Margeson, 8. David Prickett, 9. Brian Camarillo, 10. Kody Swanson, 11. Chris Ennis, 12. Connor Kassik, 13. Randi Pankratz, 14. Johnathon Henry, 15. Robby Josett, 16. Danny Ebberts, 17. Bruce Douglas, 18. Shannon McQueen, 19. Josh Lakatos, 20. Jake Swanson. NT
----------------------------------
**VanderWeerd flipped during the semi. Ennis, Henry and McQueen all flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-11 Smith, Laps 12-30 Kuhn.
NEW MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-586; 2-Prickett-543; 3-Henry-518; 4-C.Swanson-479; 5-J.Swanson-421; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Kassik-292; 8-Ennis-240; 9-R.Pankratz-215; 10-Smith-192.
NEXT MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET RACE: November 24 – Irwindale, CA – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix”
Nov 17 2011
2012 “INDIANA MIDGET WEEK” DATES SET
by DICK JORDAN
Preliminary 2012 scheduling for USAC’s racing series continues with schedules expected to be released in early-December.
Already solidified are the dates for the 2012 “Indiana Midget Week,” which has proven to be one of America’s most popular traditional events since its inception in 2005.
The 2012 calendar mimics the 2011 slate, with Gas City I-69 Speedway hosting the opener on Wednesday night, June 13. Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville is the Thursday, June 14 venue, while Bloomington Speedway plays host to the Friday night event. Saturday’s race (June 16) is at the Lawrenceburg Speedway and the finale again unfolds at Kokomo Speedway on Sunday night, June 17.
Victories at Putnamville and Lawrenceburg propelled Bryan Clauson to the 2011 title by just six points over “rookie” Kyle Larson, who scored his first USAC National victory at Bloomington,
Darren Hagen won the 2011 Gas City opener and Australian Michael Pickens scored a sensational upset win in the Kokomo finale.
Clauson is one of three two-time “Indiana Midget Champs” expected to return for the 2012 “Indiana Midget Week” events. He also took the 2009 title. Shane Cottle won the first two crowns in 2005 and 2006 and Tracy Hines was the 2008 king before sharing the title in a dead heat with Brad Kuhn in 2010. Jerry Coons Jr. won the 2007 championship.
The 2011 Mopar USAC National Midget Series concludes November 24 with the 71st running of the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. and Clauson has a 19-point lead over Hagen in search of his second consecutive series championship.
--USAC--
Nov 15 2011
KRUSEMAN EYES “HOME-TRACK” ADVANTAGE AT VENTURA
IN SEARCH OF 1ST USAC DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP
by DICK JORDAN
Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. hopes to lock up his first USAC driving championship Saturday night when the Mopar USAC Western Midgets compete at Ventura Raceway in the “Battle at the Beach.”
Kruseman enters Saturday’s race with a 35-point lead over David Prickett and a 48-point lead over third-ranking Jonathon Henry. Kruseman won the first of four 2011 USAC Midget races at the Ventura oval, but Henry has won the last two. Josh Lakatos was the other feature winner.
Saturday night’s program also includes the USAC Western Ford Focus and Focus Young Guns.
Kruseman lost the 2010 Western Midget title to Alex Schutte by 37 points but has six podium finishes in nine series starts this time around. Prickett has a victory and a second, a fourth and two fifths, while Henry has four feature wins in nine starts in 2011.
The Mopar USAC Western Midget Series concludes November 24 in the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif., but a good performance Saturday could solidify a title for Kruseman.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-533; 2-David Prickett-498; 3-Johnathon Henry-485; 4-Cody Swanson-426; 5-Jake Swanson-403; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Connor Kassik-260; 8-Chris Ennis-202; 9-Randi Pankratz-183; 10-Austin Smith-134.
Oct 31 2011
2012 “PLYMOUTH PALOOZA”
USAC’S 1ST DIRT/PAVEMENT “DOUBLEHEADER”
by DICK JORDAN
The Inaugural “Plymouth Palooza” at Plymouth (Ind.) Speedway is scheduled for next July 6 and 7 and will mark a “first” for USAC racing in the club’s 57 year-history.
Never before has a single facility hosted dirt and pavement events for the same USAC racing series on the same weekend! A brand-new dirt oval is being constructed inside the existing 3/8-mile paved oval and the July 6 races will be conducted on the paved oval, with the July 7 races being held on the dirt oval.
The Mopar USAC National Midgets and the USAC Midwest Ford Focus Midgets share the billing in this unique event.
“USAC has a long and storied history but this will be a first for us,” says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller. “The idea of a single facility hosting both dirt and pavement events for the same series presents a challenge for our participants while giving our race fans a truly unique racing experience. We are always looking for innovations in our motorsports programs and this could be an idea which could expand.”
Plymouth Speedway Owner Ed Kennedy is ecstatic about the upcoming event: “I really enjoy the USAC events at Plymouth and we’ve had some incredible racing in recent years. This program should offer race fans something they’ve never seen before and a weekend they will long remember.”
2012 USAC’S 1ST DIRT/PAVEMENT “DOUBLEHEADER”Kyle Hamilton scored a Mopar D1/STARS Midget victory, James Robertson won a 100-lap Ford Focus Feature and Sam McGhee won a USAC Focus Young Guns race at Plymouth this season.
--USAC--
Oct 18 2011
MOPAR D1 TITLE MAKES FERNS 2ND FEMALE USAC CHAMP
HINES, HAMILTON WIN AT KOKOMO, TOLEDO
by DICK JORDAN
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. is the 2011 USAC Mopar D1 Midget Champion. She polished off the championship Saturday at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway with a fifth-place finish in the “Alex Pruett Memorial” series finale.
Ferns joins Sondi Eden as the only female driver to win USAC driving titles. Eden, of Crawfordsville, Ind., won the 2004 Indianapolis Speedrome Regional Midget championship.
Indianapolis 500 veteran Lyn St. James, who annually oversees the “Women in the Winners Circle Foundation” and its associated functions which recognizes female motorsports accomplishments, says: "I've watched Taylor over the last couple of years mature as a person and as a driver. She has the potential to go far in racing and winning the USAC Mopar D1 Midget championship is hopefully just the beginning of a successful career in racing."
Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. won Friday night’s USAC Mopar D1 Midget “special event” at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. Driving the Parker Machines/Turbines Inc. Spike/Toyota, Hines passed Jerry Coons Jr. for the lead on lap 19 and led the rest of the way for the 25-lap win over Brad Kuhn, Mario Clouser, Coons and Casey Shuman. Kuhn and Hines won the two eight-lap heats. Daum, Coons and Hines all led laps during the feature.
Kyle Hamilton of Danville, Ind. led the final 20 laps to win Saturday’s 25-lap “Alex Pruett Memorial” USAC Mopar D1 Midget finale at the Toledo (Ohio) Speedway. Kyle Larson finished second behind Hamilton’s Hamilton Painting/Esslinger Engineering Spike/Esslinger Ford. Dillon Welch took third ahead of Nuckles and Ferns.
FINAL USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-775; 2-Kyle Hamilton-649; 3-Bryan Nuckles-536; 4-Kyle O’Gara-499; 5-Jake Blackhurst-467; 6-Mario Marietta-415; 7-Morgan Nelson-386; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Dalton Armstrong-278; 10-Isaac Chapple-269.
Oct 16 2011
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET RACE RESULTS: October 15,
– Toledo, Ohio – Toledo Speedway
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Spike-15.235; 2. Kyle Larson, 67, Kunz-15.492; 3. Dillon Welch, 9, Nine Racing-15.494; 4. Taylor Ferns, 55F, Ferns-15.612; 5. Travis Young, 11Y, Young-15.655; 6. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles-15.674; 7. Jason Wolfe, 4, East-15.726; 8. Isaac Chapple, 52, Chapple-15.737; 9. Chris Phillips, 64, Phillips-16.122; 10. Tom Fedorczyk, 21F, Fedorczyk-16.506; 11. Tate Martz, 7, Steele/Alexander-NT.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Hamilton, 2. Young, 3. Martz, 4. Welch, 5. Wolfe, 6. Phillips. 2:05.18
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Nuckles, 2. Larson, 3. Ferns, 4. Chapple, 5. Fedorczyk. 2:05.91
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Kyle Hamilton, 2. Kyle Larson, 3. Dillon Welch, 4. Bryan Nuckles, 5. Taylor Ferns, 6. Jason Wolfe, 7. Tate Martz, 8. Isaac Chapple, 9. Travis Young, 10. Chris Phillips, 11. Tom Fedorczyk.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-5 Nuckles, Laps 6-25 Hamilton.
FINAL MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINTS: 1-Ferns-775; 2-Hamilton-649; 3-Nuckles-536; 4-Kyle O’Gara-499; 5-Jake Blackhurst-467; 6-Mario Marietta-415; 7-Morgan Nelson-386; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Dalton Armstrong-278; 10-Chapple-269.
Oct 15 2011
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET “Special Event” RACE RESULTS: October 14,
– Kokomo, Indiana – Kokomo Speedway
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Brad Kuhn (#17B RW), 2. Zach Daum (#5 Daum), 3. Levi Roberts (#39 Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 4. Jerry Coons Jr. (#3nz JCJ), 5. Davey Ray (#2 Ray), 6. Chris Gurley (#12g Gurley), 7. Matt Westfall (#14w Bordner), 8. Kurt Maynew (#21k Mayhew), 9. Justin Grant (#35 Gardner), 10. Shane Cottle (#5c Cottle). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Tracy Hines (#24 Parker), 2. Casey Shuman (#10 Moore), 3. Mario Clouser (#06 MCM), 4. Taylor Ferns (#55F Ferns), 5. David Budres (#31 Manic), 6. Jake Blackhurst (#39x Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 7. Brent Beauchamp (#16 Sandy), 8. John Heydenreich (#57 Heydenreich), 9. Isaac Chapple (#52 Chapple), 10. Bill Kriegbaum (#12 Kriegbaum), 11. Gary Bradley (#4 Bradley). NT
ALSO AT THE TRACK: Michael Koontz (#17 Koontz).
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Tracy Hines, 2. Brad Kuhn, 3. Mario Clouser, 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 5. Casey Shuman, 6. Davey Ray, 7. Zach Daum, 8. Taylor Ferns, 9. Brent Beauchamp, 10. Jake Blackhurst, 11. Chris Gurley, 12. Shane Cottle, 13. Levi Roberts, 14. David Budres, 15. Justin Grant, 16. Isaac Chapple, 17. John Heydenreich, 18. Matt Westfall, 19. Bill Kriegbaum, 20. Gary Bradley. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Daum, Lap 2 Hines, Laps 3 Coons, Laps 4-9 Hines, Laps 10-17 Daum, Lap 18 Coons, Laps 19-25 Hines.
NEXT USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET RACE: October 15 – Toledo (OH) Speedway
Oct 12 2011
USAC, STARS RE-AFFIRM 2012 COMMITMENT TO MIDGET RACING
by DICK JORDAN
The United States Auto Club and Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS) have re-affirmed their commitment to the sport of Midget Auto Racing through the 2012 racing season as a result of today’s agreement to again co-sanction events next year.
Extending the relationship which produced successful events during 2011 at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Ill. and Plymouth (Ind.) Speedway, the two associations will again work together in a number of co-sanctioned races next season in their continuing efforts to offer race fans the most comprehensive entertainment package possible.
“We were extremely pleased with the results of our 2011 efforts,” says USAC’s James Spink, a statement echoed by STARS Managing Director Mike Guglielmucci. “The association with STARS has proven to be a mutually satisfying one for both sanctioning bodies and for competitors and fans as well. We look forward to a long and lasting relationship as we move forward.”
Combined marketing and membership effort by both USAC and STARS and joint promotional efforts are planned for 2012, with Grundy County Speedway serving as the “home track” for co-sanctioned events.
--USAC--
KOKOMO D1 MIDGET RACE SWITCHED TO “SPECIAL EVENT” STATUS
by Dick Jordan
The 2011 USAC Mopar D1 Midget championship will conclude this Saturday at the Toledo (OH) Speedway. This Friday’s Mopar D1 Midget race at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway dirt track has been switched to “special event – non points” status due to a track-implemented open tire rule.
The championship celebration will occur at the conclusion of Saturday’s Toledo race, which is part of the track’s busy weekend, which also includes the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series and the ARCA Stock Car Series.
Saturday’s Toledo events include complete preliminaries and feature events for the Mopar D1 Midgets (“Alex Pruett Memorial”) and the Traxxas Silver Crown cars (“Rollie Beale 150”) as well as practice and qualifying for Sunday’s ARCA 200-lapper.
--USAC--
Oct 11 2011
MIDGETS WRAP UP ON “TURKEY NIGHT” AT IRWINDALE;
JONES GRABS “GOLD CROWN MIDGET NATIONALS” $10,000;
PONTOON BEACH PRELIMS TO HAGEN & LARSON; CLAUSON DIRT CHAMP
by DICK JORDAN
Bryan Clauson and Darren Hagen will battle for the 2011 USAC Mopar National Midget title November 24 in the 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. Only 19 points separate the combatants entering the season’s final race.
Clauson and Hagen met with varying degrees of success in last week’s 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. Clauson had a second, fourth and seventh in the three nights of competition, while Hagen added a seventh and an eighth to his opening-night feature win at the 3/8-mile dirt Illinois oval.
Levi Jones of Olney, Ill., who scored a $10,000 USAC Sprint win at Lawrenceburg, Ind. last week, raked in another $10,000 winner’s prize Saturday night at Tri-City as he won the 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” 50-lap USAC Mopar National Midget feature. The win capped off a perfect night for Jones, who also won the track’s 30-lap non-winged Sprint race! Jones trailed pole starter Brad Sweet for 20 laps but worked the low groove to catch Sweet for the lead on lap 21. From there it was smooth sailing for Jones and his Three Wide Life/Rotondo Weirich Ellis/Esslinger Ford, fielded by car owner Shane Hmiel just one year removed from his accident at Terre Haute, Ind. Jerry Coons Jr. finished second ahead of Brad Kuhn, Sweet and Zach Daum. USAC National Drivers Championship leader Clauson finished seventh, while Kyle Larson, just two points behind him in those standings, finished 22nd after flipping on lap 37.
Larson, of Elk Grove, Calif., nearly took the lead in the 2011 USAC National Drivers Championship Friday night, wheeling the Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota TRD Bullet to victory in the 25-lapper at Tri-City. Trailing Larson at the checkered flag were Sweet, Daum, Clauson and Kuhn. Sweet led the first 13 laps and Larson took over on lap 14 and led the rest of the way
Hagen, of Riverside, Calif., won the opening night 25-lap feature in his RFMS Racing Liberty Village/McGladrey & Pullen Spike/Esslinger Ford. Last year, Hagen swept all three nights of the USAC Mopar National Midget event at the three-eighths mile dirt oval! Hagen was trailing Clauson late in the race and grabbed the lead on the white-flag lap to lead the final two laps. Clauson took second at the checkered flag ahead of Daum, Sweet and Tracy Hines.
Clauson’s finishes earned him the 2011 USAC Mopar National Midget dirt-track title.
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-1,110; 2-Darren Hagen-1,091; 3-Kyle Larson-1,030; 4-Tracy Hines-941; 5-Bobby East-840; 6-Zach Daum-787; 7-Brad Kuhn-763; 8-Jerry Coons Jr.-701; 9-Caleb Armstrong-677; 10-Tanner Swanson-664.
FINAL MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET DIRT POINTS:
1-Bryan Clauson-860; 2-Darren Hagen-727; 3-Kyle Larson-687; 4-Tracy Hines-683; 5-Brad Kuhn-663.
FERNS EYES D1 TITLE IN KOKOMO, TOLEDO FINALES
by DICK JORDAN
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. hopes to become USAC’s second female driving champion this weekend and her chances of doing just that in USAC’s Mopar D1 Midget Series are excellent.
Ferns leads Kyle Hamilton entering Friday’s race at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. The series concludes its 2011 campaign Saturday in the “Alex Pruett Memorial” race at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway as part of the track’s “Rollie Beale 150” event showcasing USAC’s Traxxas Silver Crown Championship cars and Mopar D1 Midgets. The Toledo Mopar D1 race honors the memory of the late Arizona USAC Midget driver who passed away in 2007.
Dave Darland is the defending winner at Kokomo, having won the July 31 race at the 3/8-mile dirt oval, This July, Darren Hagen won a USAC National Midget race at the Toledo oval.
USAC’s only previous female driving champion was Sondi Eden of Crawfordsville, Ind., who won the 2004 Indianapolis Speedrome Regional Midget championship.
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-718; 2-Kyle Hamilton-575; 3-Andy O’Gara-499; 4-Bryan Nuckles-476; 5-Jake Blackhurst-467; 6-Mario Marietta-415; 7-Morgan Nelson-386; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Dakoda Armstrong-278; 10-Davey Ray-255
Oct 9 2011
USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: October 8,
– Pontoon Beach, Illinois – Tri-City Speedway – 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals”
JONES RAKES IN ANOTHER $10,000 FOR GOLD CROWN MIDGET NATIONAL VICTORY!
Pontoon Beach, IL……..Levi Jones of Olney, Ill., who scored a $10,000 USAC Sprint win at Lawrenceburg, Ind. last week, raked in another $10,000 winner’s prize Saturday night at Tri-City Speedway as he won the 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” 50-lap USAC Mopar National Midget feature. The win capped off a perfect night for Jones, who also won the track’s 30-lap non-winged Sprint race! Jones trailed pole starter Brad Sweet for 20 laps but worked the low groove to catch Sweet for the lead on lap 21. From there it was smooth sailing for Jones and his Three Wide Life/Rotondo Weirich Ellis/Esslinger Ford. Jerry Coons Jr. finished second ahead of Brad Kuhn, Sweet and Zach Daum. USAC National Drivers Championship leader Bryan Clauson finished seventh, while Kyle Larson, just two points nehind him in those standings, finished 22nd after flipping on lap 37.
C-MAIN: (12 laps – no points) 1. Tanner Swanson (#19 Team 6R/TK), 2. Robbie Ray (#3R Ray), 3, John Campbell (#19x Campbell), 4. Levi Jones (#56 56 Inc.), 5. Steve Buckwalter (#25 Buckwalter), 6. Hunter Schuerenberg (#2 Ray), 7. Tim Buckwalter (#52 Buckwalter), 8. Jake Blackhurst (#39x Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 9. Chase Barber (#91 Barber), 10. Mike Hess (#51 Hess), 11. David Budres (#31 Manic), 12. Chett Gehrke (#11c Matteson), 13. Danny Frye III (#5s Frye), 14. Tyler Millwood (#2x Bush), 15. Ted Kirkpatrick (#40 Kirkpatrick), 16. Tony Roney (#1T Roney), 17. Steve Stroud (#21x Stroud), 18. Johnny Murdock (#0 Murdock). NT
DASH: (8 laps – no points) 1. Brad Sweet (#49 Kahne), 2. Darren Hagen (#3 RFMS), 3. Dave Darland (#5w Wilke-Pak), 4. Bryan Clauson (#39 Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 5. Zach Daum (#5 Daum), 6. Brad Kuhn (#17B RW).
B-MAIN #1: (15 laps – no points) 1. Jerry Coons Jr. (#3nz JCJ), 2. Tracy Hines (#24 Parker), 3. Scott Hatton (#15 Huston), 4. Bobby East (#4 Klatt), 5. Mario Clouser (#06 MCM), 6. Bubba Altig (#37 Felker), 7. S.Buckwalter, 8. T.Swanson, 9. Barber, 10. Alex Bright (#77 Hemler), 11. Trevor Kobylarz (#20 Two Dogs), 12. Nick Wean (#78 Wean), 13. T.Buckwalter, 14. Campbell, 15. Caleb Armstrong (#71 C & A), 16. Davey Ray (#71x Love), 17. Shane Cottle (#1st Saucier), 18. Jones. NT
B-MAIN #2: (15 laps – no points) 1. Kyle Larson (#67 Kunz), 2. Levi Roberts (#9 Nine Racing), 3. Thomas Messeraull (#2T Bush), 4. Jones, 5. Andrew Felker (#11a Felker), 6. Kody Swanson (#11 Wilke-Pak), 7 . Matt Sherrell (#35s Sherrell), 8. Ryan Smith (#33 Stewart), 9. Schuerenberg, 10. Jake Blackhurst (#39x Tuvker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 11. Dalton Armstrong (#71k Kunz), 12. Hess, 13. Taylor Ferns (#55F Ferns), 14. R.Ray, 15. Nick Knepper (#55 Knepper), 16. Christopher Bell (#21 Lowe), 17. Casey Shuman (#10 Moore). NT
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Levi Jones, 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 3. Brad Kuhn, 4. Brad Sweet, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Steve Buckwalter, 7. Bryan Clauson, 8. Darren Hagen, 9. Bobby East, 10. Alex Bright, 11. Thomas Meseraull, 12. Dave Darland, 13. Tracy Hines, 14. Mario Clouser, 15. Andrew Felker, 16. Ryan Smith, 17. Levi Roberts, 18. Scott Hatton, 19. Tanner Swanson, 20. Bubba Altig, 21. Kody Swanson, 22. Kyle Larson, 23. Caleb Armstrong, 24. Matt Sherrell, 25. Nick Knepper. NT
**Larson flipped on lap 37 of the feature. C.Armstrong flipped on lap 39 of the feature,
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-20 Sweet, Laps 21-50 Jones.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Clauson-1,110; 2-Hagen-1,091; 3-Larson-1,030; 4-Hines-941; 5-East-840; 6-Daum-787; 7-Kuhn-763; 8-Coons-701; 9-C.Armstrong-677; 10-T.Swanson-664.
FINAL MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET DIRT POINTS: 1-Clauson-860; 2-Hagen-727; 3-Larson-687; 4-Hines-683; 5-Kuhn-663.
NEXT MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: November 24 – Irwindale, CA – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix”
Oct 8 2011
USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” Night 2
LARSON WINS NIGHT 2 FEATURE AT GOLD CROWN; SLICES NDC LEAD TO 2 POINTS!
Pontoon Beach, IL……..Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. nearly took the lead in the 2011 USAC National Drivers Championship Friday night, wheeling the Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota TRD Bullet to victory in the 25-lap “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” feature at Tri-City Speedway. Larson’s win moved him to within just two points of NDC point leader Bryan Clauson, who finished fourth Friday night.
The 50-lap “Gold Crown” finale is scheduled for Saturday night at Tri-City.
Trailing Larson at the checkerd flag were Brad Sweet, Zach Daum, Clauson and Brad Kuhn. Sweet led the first 13 laps and Larson took over on lap 14 and led the rest of the way.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Jerry Coons Jr. (#3nz JCJ), 2. Scott Hatton (#15 Huston), 3. Levi Jones (#56 56 Inc.), 4. Davey Ray (#71x Love), 5. Thomas Messeraull (#2T Bush), 6. Don Droud Jr. (#44 Smith), 7. Chett Gehrke (#11c Matteson), 8. Johnny Murdock (#0 Murdock). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bobby East (#4 Klatt), 2. Trevor Kobylarz (#20 Two Dogs), 3. Bubba Altig (#37 Felker), 4. Ryan Smith (#33 Stewart), 5. Tyler Robbins (#35 Robbins), 6. Brett Anderson (#11B Anderson), 7. Dalton Armstrong (#71k Kunz), 8. Tony Roney (#1T Roney), 9. Casey Shuman (#10 Moore). 2:00.45
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Zach Daum (#5 Daum), 2. Bryan Clauson (#39 Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 3. Brad Kuhn (#17B RW), 4. Kody Swanson (#11 Wilke-Pak), 5. A.J. Felker (#11a Felker), 6. Jake Blackhurst (#39x Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 7. Mike Hess (#51 Hess), 8. Taylor Ferns (#55F Ferns), 9. Tim Buckwalter (#52 Buckwalter). 1:58.38
FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Darren Hagen (#3 RFMS), 2. Levi Roberts (#9 Nine Racing), 3. Kyle Larson (#67 Kunz), 4. Tanner Swanson (#19 Team 6R/TK), 5. Matt Sherrell (#35s Sherrell), 6. Michael Koontz (#17k Koontz), 7. Gavin Galbraith (#98g Galbraith), 8. Christopher Bell (#21B Ruston), 9. Danny Frye III (#5s Frye). NT
FIFTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Caleb Armstrong (#71 C & A), 2. Dave Darland (#5w Wilke-Pak), 3. Robbie Ray (#3R Ray), 4. Mario Clouser (#06 MCM), 5. Shane Cottle (#1st Saucier), 6. Kent Schmidt (#5k SK), 7. Tyler Millwood (#2x Bush), 8. Chase Barber (#91 Barber), 9. Steve Stroud (#21x Stroud). 2:01.58
SIXTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Brad Sweet (#49 Kahne), 2. Alex Bright (#77 Hemler), 3. Nick Wean (#78 Wean), 4. John Campbell (#19x Campbell), 5. Nick Knepper (#55 Knepper), 6. Ted Kirkpatrick (#40 Kirkpatrick), 7. Tracy Hines (#24 Parker), 8. Hunter Schuerenberg (#2 Ray), 9. Brady Bacon (#2d Dooling). NT
C-MAIN #1: (10 laps) 1. Anderson, 2. Bell, 3. D.Armstrong, 4. Ferns, 5. Schuerenberg, 6. T.Buckwalter, 7. Gehrke, 8. Millwood, 9. Droug, 10. Hess, 11. Daniel Adler (#401 Kirkpatrick). 2:37.43
C-MAIN #2: (10 laps) 1. Hines. 2. Shuman, 3. Roney, 4. Galbraith, 5. Barber, 6. Koontz, 7. Stroud, 8. David Budres (#31 Manic), 9. Frye, 10. Murdock, 11. Blackhurst. NT
SEMI: (15 laps) 1. Jones, 2. Hines, 3. Meseraull, 4. Knepper, 5. Clouser, 6. Smith, 7. Felker, 8. Wean, 9. Altig, 10. Sherrell, 11. Bell, 12. Shuman, 13. T.Swanson, 14. Anderson, 15. R.Ray, 16. Ferns, 17. Campbell, 18. Roney, 19. D.Armstrong, 20. Schmidt, 21. Galbraith, 22. Kirkpatrick, 23. Robbins, 24. D.Ray. NT
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Kyle Larson, 2. Brad Sweet, 3. Zach Daum, 4. Bryan Clauson, 5. Brad Kuhn, 6. Dave Darland, 7. Darren Hagen, 8. Levi Jones, 9. Kody Swanson, 10. Shane Cottle, 11. Tracy Hines, 12. Jerry Coons Jr., 13. Scott Hatton, 14. A.J. Felker, 15. Bobby East, 16. Ryan Smith, 17. Nick Knepper, 18. Mario Clouser, 19. Thomas Meseraull, 20. Alex Bright, 21. Caleb Armstrong, 22. Levi Roberts, 23. D.Armstrong, 24. Trevor Kobylarz, 25. Nick Wean. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-13 Sweet, Laps 14-25 Larson.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Clauson-1,068; 2-Hagen-1,052; 3-Larson-1,017; 4-Hines-914; 5-East-804; 6-Daum-739; 7-Kuhn-709; 8-C.Armstrong-664; 9-T.Swanson-649; 10-Coons-644.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET DIRT POINTS: 1-Clauson-818; 2-Hagen-688; 3-Larson-674; 4-Hines-656; 5-Kuhn-609.
NEXT MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: October 8 – Pontoon Beach, IL – Tri-City Speedway - “Gold Crown Midget Nationals”
USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals”
THE “HAWK” STILL #1 AT TRI-CITY; HAGEN WINS GOLD CROWN OPENER
Pontoon Beach, Ill……..Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. continued his mastery of the Tri-City Speedway Thursday night as he won the opening night 25-lap feature event at the 3rd Annual Gold Crown Midget Nationals in his RFMS Racing Liberty Village/McGladrey & Pullen Spike/Esslinger Ford. Last year, Hagen swept all three nights of the USAC Mopar National Midget event at the three-eights mile dirt oval! Hagen was trailing Bryan Clauson late in the race and grabbed the lead on the white-flag lap to lead the final two laps. Clauson took second at the checkered flag ahead of Zach Daum, Brad Sweet and Tracy Hines. The top-four drivers from Thursday’s 25-lapper earned automatic starting berths in Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win 50-lap main event. A complete second night of prelims, capped by another 25-lap feature, is slated tonight.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson (#39 Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian), 2. Zach Daum (#5 Daum), 3. Hunter Schuerenberg (#2 Ray), 4. Brett Anderson (#11B Anderson), 5. Brad Kuhn (#17B RW), 6. Daniel Adler (#401 Kirkpatrick), 7. Robbie Ray (#3R Ray), 8. Tyler Millwood (#2x Bush), 9. Jake Blackhurst (#39x Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Levi Roberts (#9 Nine Racing), 2. Kody Swanson (#11 Wilke-Pak), 3. Steve Buckwalter (#25 Buckwalter), 4. Dalton Armstrong (#71k Kunz), 5. Christopher Bell (#21B Ruston), 6. Tyler Robbins (#35 Robbins), 7. Tim Buckwalter (#52 Buckwalter), 8. Ryan Criswell (#11R R & C), 9. Levi Jones (#56 56 Inc.). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Brad Sweet (#49 Kahne), 2. Bubba Altig (#37 Felker), 3. Thomas Messeraull (#2T Bush), 4. Shane Cottle (#1st Saucier), 5. Scott Hatton (#15 Huston), 6. Nick Knepper (#55 Knepper), 7. Tanner Swanson (#19 Team 6R/TK), 8. Steve Stroud (#21x Stroud), 9. Chett Gehrke (#11c Matteson). NT
FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Taylor Ferns (#55F Ferns), 2. A.J. Felker (#11a Felker), 3. Alex Bright (#77 Hemler), 4. Trevor Kobylarz (#20 Two Dogs), 5. Gavin Galbraith (#98g Galbraith), 6. Danny Frye III (#5F Frye), 7. Nick Wean (#78 Wean), 8. Ted Kirkpatrick (#40 Kirkpatrick), 9. Michael Koontz (#17k Koontz). NT
FIFTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Davey Ray (#71x Love), 2. Jerry Coons Jr. (#3nz JCJ), 3. Dave Darland (#5w Wilke-Pak), 4. Kyle Larson (#67 Kunz), 5. Tracy Hines (#24 Parker), 6. Caleb Armstrong (#71 C & A), 7. Ryan Smith (#33 Stewart), 8. Matt Sherrell (#35s Sherrell), 9. John Campbell (#19x Campbell). NT
SIXTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Darren Hagen (#3 RFMS), 2. Bobby East (#4 Klatt), 3. Casey Shuman (#10 Moore), 4. Kent Schmidt (#5k SK), 5. Mario Clouser (#06 MCM), 6. Shane Cockrum (#96 Wallace), 7. Chase Barber (#91 Barber), 8. Johnny Murdock (#0 Murdock), 9. Chris Windom (#2d Dooling). NT
C-MAIN #1: (10 laps) 1. Galbraith, 2. T.Swanson. 3. Robbins, 4. Sherrell, 5. R.Ray, 6. Koontz, 7. Gehrke, 8. Murdock, 9. Frye, 10. Millwood. NT
C-MAIN #2: (10 laps) 1. C.Armstrong, 2. Wean, 3. T.,Buckwalter, 4. Barber, 5. Blackhurst, 6. Campbell, 7. David Budres (#31 Manic). 8. Kirkpatrick, 9. Stroud, 10. Brady Bacon (#2d). NT
SEMI: (15 laps) 1. Hines, 2. Coons, 3. Darland, 4. Shuman, 5. Kuhn, 6. Schuerenberg, 7. Bell, 8. Clouser, 9. Cottle, 10. Hatton, 11. Smith, 12. Anderson, 13. T.Swanson, 14. Adler, 15. K.Swanson, 16. Sherrell, 17. Galbraith, 18. Wean, 19. C.Armstrong, 20. Knepper, 21. Barber, 22. Robbins, 23. Schmidt, 24. T.Buckwalter. NT
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Darren Hagen, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Zach Daum, 4. Brad Sweet, 5. Tracy Hines, 6. Dave Darland, 7. Brad Kuhn, 8. Christopher Bell, 9. Jerry Coons Jr., 10. Bubba Altig, 11. Casey Shuman, 12. A.J. Felker, 13. Davey Ray, 14. Thomas Meseraull, 15. Mario Clouser, 16. Taylor Ferns, 17. Levi Roberts, 18. Kyle Larson, 19. Tanner Swanson, 20. Bobby East, 21. Alex Bright, 22. Trevor Kobylarz, 23. Steve Buckwalter, 24. Dalton Armstrong, 25. Hunter Schuerenberg. NT
**Barber flipped during the sixth heat. Clouser flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-5 East, Laps 6-23 Clauson, Laps 24-25 Hagen.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Clauson-1,010; 2-Hagen-1,002; 3-Larson-951; 4-Hines-880; 5-East-773; 6-Daum-677; 7-Kuhn-655; 8-C.Armstrong-643; 9-Coons-607; 10-T.Swanson-597.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET DIRT POINTS: 1-Clauson-760; 2-Hagen-638; 3-Hines-622; 4-Larson-608; 5-East-578.
NEXT MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: October 7 – Pontoon Beach, IL – Tri-City Speedway – 3rd “Gold Crown Midget Nationals”
Oct 6 2011
POINTS A PRIORITY FOR MOPAR LEADERS AT TRI-CITY THIS WEEK;
3RD ANNUAL “GOLD CROWN MIDGET NATIONALS” OFFERS $10,000-TO-WIN
by DICK JORDAN
The 3rd Annual “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” are on tap Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. and at least three drivers will have their eye squarely on the National points ramifications.
Defending Mopar USAC National Midget Champion Bryan Clauson, Darren Hagen and spectacular rookie Kyle Larson are separated by just 16 points with more than 200 points up for grabs at the 3/8-mile dirt oval just northeast of St. Louis.
All three drivers are “on the spot” so to speak. Clauson needs to protect his lead in the 2011 USAC National Drivers Championship with a $40,000 cash prize and Firestone Indy Lights opportunities on the line. Hagen is the defending “Gold Crown” champion, having swept all three nights of last year’s event. Larson is on a hot streak, having posted numerous high-profile victories in recent racing events, including a clean sweep of the September 24 “4-Crown Nationals” at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Jerry Coons Jr. will be out to regain his “Gold Crown” title, having won the inaugural 2008 event. Rain forced cancellation of the 2009 “Gold Crown.”
Thursday and Friday night prelims include 25-lap features each night and Saturday night’s finale is 50 laps.
TURN 2: Tickets! Get your tickets:Tickets for the 2011 Gold Crown Midget Nationals are all general admission and are priced as follows: Thursday and Friday ($20 each night), Saturday ($28). Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Gates open at 5 p.m.
TURN 3: We’ve got you covered: 2011 Gold Crown Midget Nationals t-shirts are available for pre-order now by e-mailing tricityspeedway@msn.com or calling 1-636-448-9111. They can be picked up at the track during the event. Credit cards only on pre-orders, please.
Tri-City Speedway is located in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. The track is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO. Take exit 4 off of I-270 and then go 1/2 mile south on SR 203. For tickets or more information, you can call the track office at 636-448-9111, 618-931-7836 or 800-617-9077 or visit their website at www.tricityspeedway.net
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-945; 2-Darren Hagen-934; 3-Kyle Larson-929; 4-Tracy Hines-828; 5-Bobby East-753; 6-Caleb Armstrong-642; 7-Zach Daum-616; 8-Brad Kuhn-612; 9-Tanner Swanson-582; 10-Jerry Coons Jr.-564.
TRI-CITY THIS WEEK 3RD ANNUAL USAC“GOLD CROWN MIDGET NATIONALS”
Oct 1 2011
GOLD CROWN QUESTION – CAN ANYBODY BEAT LARSON?
by DICK JORDAN
The lingering question surrounding the October 6-7-8 “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. is “Can anybody beat Kyle Larson?”
That question became valid after Larson’s “clean sweep” of the recent “4-Crown Nationals” at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The 3rd Annual “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” offers $10,000-to-win and Larson’s proficiency in top-dollar races this season has been remarkable.
In addition to raking in $28,000 for his “4-Crown” sweep, Larson also won the $15,000-to-win USAC Sprint race at Oskaloosa, Iowa in August and added that month’s $10,000-to-win Belleville Midget Nationals in Kansas but the Eldora sweep opened a lot of eyes in the racing community as to his vulnerability.
Jerry Coons Jr. and Darren Hagen will be looking to repeat their 2008 and 2010 “Gold Crown” victories in the three-night Midget racing extravaganza at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. Rain forced cancellation of the 2009 event.
Hagen swept all three nights of last year’s “Gold Crown” and has added incentive to repeat this year. He’s only 11 points behind defending USAC Mopar National Midget Champion Bryan Clauson in the 2011 standings. More than 200 points are available during the three-night program, so the standings are sure to be revised after Saturday night’s feature event.
Larson, the only driver this year to win in all three of USAC’s National racing series, Traxxas Silver Crown, AMSOIL Sprint and Mopar Midget, has propelled himself into title contention, now trailing Clauson by only 26.
Larson will be making his “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” debut but that shouldn’t deter him, based on previous 2011 results. His appearances at Oskaloosa, Belleville and Eldora were also his first ever!
The field for the “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” continues to grow and has already surpassed the “golden” figure of 50. Preliminary night features Thursday and Friday are 25 laps and Saturday’s main event is 50 laps.
TURN 2: Tickets! Get your tickets:Tickets for the 2011 Gold Crown Midget Nationals are all general admission and are priced as follows: Thursday and Friday ($20 each night), Saturday ($28). Kids as and under are free with a paid adult. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Tri-City Speedway is located in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. The track is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO. Take exit 4 off of I-270 and then go 1/2 mile south on SR 203. For tickets or more information, you can call the track office at 636-448-9111, 618-931-7836 or 800-617-9077 or visit their website at www.tricityspeedway.net
Sept 27 2011
“GOLD CROWN” AT PONTOON BEACH OCTOBER 6-8
LARSON WIRE-TO-WIRE IN “4-CROWN” MIDGETS
by DICK JORDAN
The 3rd Annual “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” are on tap October 6-8 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. and three drivers will battle for supremacy in the 2011 USAC Mopar National Midget standings in the three-night event. Defending champion Bryan Clauson holds an 11-point lead over Darren Hagen and is only 16 points ahead of Kyle Larson entering the point-rich event.
Larson, of Elk Grove, Calif., had never raced at Eldora Speedway before Saturday night’s “4-Crown Nationals” at the Rossburg, Ohio oval. That didn’t make any difference as he piloted the Toyota TRD Bullet Speedway Toyota to victory in the 25-lap Midget feature, leading all 25 laps!
Larson was trailed at the finish by Clauson, Hagen, Jerry Coons Jr. and Tracy Hines. Clauson was the fastest qualifier.
The victory opened a sensational night for the 19-year old Larson, who went on to “sweep” the “4-Crown Nationals” with victories in the 30-lap USAC AMSOIL National Sprint race and the 50-lap USAC Traxxas Silver Crown race. Track owner Tony Stewart threw in a $10,000 cash bonus for Larson as a result of his spectacular performance.
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-945; 2-Darren Hagen-934; 3-Kyle Larson-929; 4-Tracy Hines-828; 5-Bobby East-753; 6-Caleb Armstrong-642; 7-Zach Daum-616; 8-Brad Kuhn-612; 9-Tanner Swanson-582; 10-Jerry Coons Jr.-564
HOLCOMB OVERALL WINNER IN BRADFORD SPECIAL EVENT
by DICK JORDAN
The USAC Dirt Midget Association closed out its inaugural season with a pair of 15 lap non-points races at Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday. After the first segment, the field was inverted and after the second segment, an overall winner was calculated based on finishes in both segments.
New England Auto Racing Hall of Famer Ray Miller of East Granby, CT won the first segment with a wire-to-wire run. The 69 year old Miller held off a determined challenge from former Sprint Car pilot Scott Holcomb, who finished second. Miller’s teammate Scott Viets, also of East Granby, came home third. “The Fairlee Flier,” Kevin Chaffee of Fairlee Vermont, raced his way from ninth to finish fourth and Tim Gallant of Wales, MA was fifth.
“Flatfoot Joe” Krawiec of Bristol, CT took the second segment, grabbing the lead from Richard Petty Motorsports crewmember and former Sprint Car driver Kevin White on lap two. Tony Montesi of Roxbury, CT finished second and Holcomb raced his way from 12th to finish third. Kevin Chaffee reprised his fourth place finish in segment one and Scott Viets was fifth.
With a second place and a third place, Scott Holcomb was calculated as the overall winner, followed by Joe Krawiec, Kevin Chaffee, Scott Viets and Ray Miller.
--USAC--
Sept 25 2011
USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: Sept 24
– Rossburg, Ohio – Eldora Speedway – 31st “4-Crown Nationals”
QUALIFICATIONS: (Held Sept 24) 1. Bryan Clauson, 39, Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian-16.423; 2. Tracy Hines, 24, Parker-16.622; 3. Kyle Larson, 67, Kunz-16.666; 4. Bobby East, 4, Klatt-16.727; 5. Levi Jones, 0, Styres-16.761; 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 3nz, JCJ-16.800; 7. Darren Hagen, 3, RFMS-16.851; 8. Brad Kuhn, 17B, RW-16.866; 9. Mario Clouser, 06, MCM-16.984; 10. Tanner Swanson, 19, Team 6R/TK-17.021; 11. Caleb Armstrong, 71, C & A-17.176; 12. Matt Westfall, 14w, Bordner-17.257; 13. Chase Barber, 91, Barber-17.413; 14. Zach Daum, 5, Daum-17.611; 15. Brent Beauchamp, 16, Sandy-17.763; 16. Dalton Armstrong, 71k, Kunz-18.135; 17. Bob Schreffler, 21s, Schreffler-18.491; 18. Dave Darland, 5w, Wilke-Pak-NT; 19. Kody Swanson, 11, Wilke-Pak-NT.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. T.Swanson, 2. Hagen, 3. Clauson, 4. East, 5. K.Swanson, 6. D.Armstrong, 7. Barber. 2:14.05
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Hines, 2. Daum, 3. Kuhn. 4. C.Armstrong, 5. Jones, 6. Schreffler.
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Coons, 2. Larson, 3. Westfall, 4. Darland, 5. Beauchamp, 6. Clouser.
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Kyle Larson, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Darren Hagen, 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 5. Tracy Hines, 6. Bobby East, 7. Brad Kuhn, 8. Levi Jones, 9. Tanner Swanson, 10. Dave Darland, 11. Zach Daum, 12. Mario Clouser, 13. Kody Swanson, 14. Chase Barber, 15. Dalton Armstrong, 16. Bob Schreffler, 17. Caleb Armstrong, 18. Brent Beauchamp, 19. Matt Westfall. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-25 Larson.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR STANDINGS: 1-Clauson-945; 2-Hagen-934; 3-Larson-929; 4-Hines-828; 5-East-753; 6-C.Armstrong-642; 7-Daum-616; 8-Kuhn-612; 9-T.Swanson-582; 10-Coons-564.
NEW MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR DIRT STANDINGS: 1-Clauson-695; 2-Larson-586; 3-Hines & Hagen-570; 5-East-558.
NEXT MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: October 6-8 – Pontoon Beach, IL – Tri-City Speedway – DuPont “Gold Crown Midget Nationals”
USAC DMA “Special Event” MIDGET RACE RESULTS: Sept 24,
– Bradford, Vermont – Bear Ridge Speedway
FIRST SEGEMENT: (15 laps) 1. Ray Miller (#1 Miller), 2. Scott Holcomb (#33 Holcomb), 3. Scott Viets (#11V Miller), 4. Kevin Chaffee (#23 Matczak), 5. Tim Gallant (#72 Tefft), 6. Joe Krawiec (#4 Matczak), 7. Jeff Horn (#1 Mossman), 8. Tony Montesi (#27 Tefft), 9. Dean Christenson (#2 Miller), 10. Adam Whitney (#12 Whitney), 11. Kevin While (#93 Tefft), 12. Thom Ring (#6x Douville), 13. Tyler Rivard (#37 Rivard), 14. Alex Rose (#11 Rose), 15. Denny Zimmerman (#3 Matczak). NT
SECOND SEGEMENT: (15 laps) 1. Joe Krawiec, 2. Tony Montesi, 3. Scott Holcomb, 4. Kevin Chaffee, 5. Scott Viets, 6. Jeff Horn, 7. Tim Gallant, 8. Ray Miller, 9. Thom Ring, 10. Kevin White, 11. Adam Whitney, 12. Dean Christenson, 13. Tyler Rivard, 14. Alex Rose. NT
OVERALL: 1. Scott Holcomb, 2. Joe Krawiec, 3. Kevin Chaffee, 4. Scott Viets, 5. Ray Miller, 6. Tony Montesi, 7. Tim Gallant, 8. Jeff Horn, 9. Thom Ring, 10. Kevin White, 11. Adam Whitney, 12. Dean Christenson, 13. Tyler Rivard, 14. Alex Rose. 15. Denny Zimmerman.
SEGMENT 1 LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-15 Miller.
SEGMENT 2 LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 White, Laps 2-15 Krawiec.
Sept 20 2011
“4-CROWN” COULD SHAKE UP MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET STANDINGS
by DICK JORDAN
This Saturday’s 31st “4-Crown Nationals” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio will certainly play into determining this year’s USAC Mopar National Midget Champion. The top three drivers in the standings are separated by just 18 points, with 74 available Saturday.
Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. has only a three-point lead over Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif., while series rookie Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. has vaulted into contention, now just 18 back of the leader in third.
Clauson and Hagen posted second and sixth-place finishes at Eldora last year, while Larson will be making his debut at the half-mile dirt oval.
Jerry Coons Jr. is the defending “4-Crown” champion but is currently 10th in the series standings.
Saturday’s race is 25 laps and Kasey Kahne holds the 25-lap race record of 105.713 mph set in 2000. Mike Hess is the one-lap Midget track record holder at 113.917 mph, which he set in 2004.
Clauson has five victories in the Midgets this year, while Hagen also has five. Larson has won twice but has caught fire recently and hopes to mount a championship charge.
In addition to Coons, former “4-Crown” Midget champion Tracy Hines (1996 and 2006) is also expected to be in Saturday’s field.
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-876; 2-Darren Hagen-873; 3-Kyle Larson-858; 4-Tracy Hines-767; 5-Bobby East-700; 6-Caleb Armstrong-618; 7-Zach Daum-578; 8-Brad Kuhn-564; 9-Tanner Swanson-538; 10-Jerry Coons Jr.-504.
WESTERN MIDGETS CLOSE OUT 2011 AT VENTURA & IRWINDALE;
HENRY WINS AGAIN AT VENTURA RACEWAY
by DICK JORDAN 11-224
Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. will try to put a wrap on his first-ever USAC driving championship in November when the USAC Mopar Western Midget Series concludes its 2011 run at Ventura at Irwindale, Calif.
Kruseman emerged from last Saturday night’s race at Ventura Raceway with a 35-point lead over David Prickett, who was fifth at Ventura. Kruseman’s adventuresome night, which included a flip during the feature, ended with an eighth-place finish.
Johnathon Henry of Stockton, Calif. won another Mopar USAC Western Midget race at Ventura Saturday night, leading the final 10 laps after passing Marcus Niemela on lap 21. Niemela finished second ahead of Brent Camarillo, Josh Lakatos and Prickett.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-533; 2-David Prickett-498; 3-Johnathon Henry-485; 4-Cody Swanson-426; 5-Jake Swanson-403; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Connor Kassik-260; 8-Chris Ennis-202; 9-Randi Pankratz-183; 10-Austin Smith-134
FERNS EYES KOKOMO-TOLEDO D1 FINALES;
HAMILTON WINS COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 30-LAPPER
by DICK JORDAN
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. has a 143-point lead over Kyle Hamilton in the USAC Mopar D1 Midget standings entering the final two races, October 14 and 15 at Kokomo, Ind. and Toledo, Ohio respectively. She hopes to become only USAC’s second female driving champion, following in the footsteps of 2004 Indianapolis Speedrome Regional Midget Champ Sondi Eden.
Hamilton, of Danville, Ind., posted the fastest qualifying time, then went on to win the 30-lapper Saturday night at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. Hamilton caught early leader Mario Marietta on lap 11 and led the final 20 laps in his Hamilton Painting Spike/Esslinger Ford to beat Dalton Armstrong, Marietta, Tyler Cottongim and Dillon Welch to the checkered flag.
Ferns finished sixth in the Columbus feature.
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-718; 2-Kyle Hamilton-575; 3-Andy O’Gara-499; 4-Bryan Nuckles-476; 5-Jake Blackhurst-467; 6-Mario Marietta-415; 7-Morgan Nelson-386; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Dakoda Armstrong-278; 10-Davey Ray-255
SATURDAY’S RACE AT BRADFORD A “POST-SEASON” SPECIAL
This Saturday night’s USAC DMA Midget race at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. is a “post-season special event,” not offering series points due to its late addition to the 2011 schedule.
Joe Krawiec of Bristol, Conn. laid claim to the inaugural USAC DMA Midget crown September 10 at Bear Ridge, finishing the series with a 35-point cushion over runnerup Scott Holcomb.
Krawiec posted four wins, a second, a fourth and an eighth on his way to the title, while Holcomb had a win, three seconds and a third in seven starts.
--USAC--
Sept 18 late reports report
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 17, 2011
– Ventura, California – Ventura Speedway
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Brent Camarillo (#51 CamLand), 2. Marcus Niemela (#81 CamLand), 3. Randi Pankratz (#8 Pankratz), 4. Brian Camarillo (#22 CamLand), 5. David Prickett (#15 Neverlift), 6. Kyle Edwards (#39 Edwards). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Robby Josett (#2 Josett), 2. Johnathon Henry (#88 Graunstadt), 3. Bruce Douglas (#31 Douglas), 4. Josh Lakatos (#4x Lakatos), 5. Shannon McQueen (#7 McQueen), 6. Jake Swanson (#05 Swanson). NT
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Kyle Smith (#55 Smith), 2. Cody Swanson (#71 Swanson), 3. Cory Kruseman (#21k Kruseman), 4. Connor Kassik (#15N Neverlift), 5. Jimmy Voitel (#21 Voitel), 6. Austin Smith (#33 Smith). NT
FEATURE: (20 laps) 1. Johnathon Henry, 2. Marcus Niemela, 3. Brent Camarillo, 4. Josh Lakatos, 5. David Prickett, 6. Kyle Smith, 7. Shannon McQueen, 8. Cory Kruseman, 9. Connor Kassik, 10. Jake Swanson, 11. Austin Smith, 12. Robby Josett, 13. Brian Camarillo, 14. Randi Pankratz, 15. Jimmy Voitel, 16. Cody Swanson, 17. Kyle Edwards. NT
**Kruseman, Pankratz and Josett all flipped during the feature,
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-20 Niemela, Laps 21-30 Henry.
NEW MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-533; 2-Prickett-498; 3-Henry-485; 4-C.Swanson-426; 5-J.Swanson-403; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-C.Kassik-260; 8-Chris Ennis-202; 9-R.Pankratz-183; 10-Smith-134.
NEXT USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET RACE: November 19 – Ventura (CA) Raceway
Sept 18 2011
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 17,
– Columbus, Ohio – Columbus Motor Speedway
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Spike-13.325; 2. Tyler Cottongim, 28, Cottongim-13.380; 3. Kyle O’Gara, 4, East-13.431; 4. Dalton Armstrong, 7A, C&A-13.475; 5. Mario Marietta, 85, Marietta-13.478; 6. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles-13.485; 7. Tate Martz, 7, Steele/Alexander-13.623; 8. Taylor Ferns, 55F, Ferns-13.750; 9. Dillon Welch, 9, Nine Racing-13.755; 10. Tom Fedorczyk, 21F, Fedorczyk-14.456; 11. Jacob Wilson, 10, Moore-14.459.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Martz, 2. Marietta, 3. Hamilton, 4. O’Gara, 5. Welch. NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Ferns, 2. D.Armstrong, 3. Cottongim, 4. Nuckles, 5. Fedorczyk. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Kyle Hamilton, 2. Dalton Armstrong, 3. Mario Marietta, 4. Tyler Cottongim, 5. Dillon Welch, 6. Taylor Ferns, 7. Tate Martz, 8. Kyle O’Gara, 9. Tom Fedorczyk, 10. Bryan Nuckles, 11. Jacob Wilson. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-10 Marietta, Laps 11-30 Hamilton.
NEW MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINTS: 1-Ferns-718; 2-Hamilton-575; 3- O’Gara-499; 4-Nuckles-476; 5-Jake Blackhurst-467; 6-Marietta-415; 7-Morgan Nelson-386; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-D.Armstrong-278; 10-Davey Ray-255.
NEXT MOPAR D1 MIDGET RACE: October 14 – Kokomo (IN) Speedway
Sept 13 2011
KRUSEMAN LEADS MIDGETS TO “HOME TRACK” SATURDAY;
CHICO FEATURE TO PRICKETT; RAIN HALTS BAKERSFIELD
by DICK JORDAN
The 2011 battle for the Mopar USAC Western Midget championship returns to Cory Kruseman’s “home” track Saturday and he hopes to protect his 42-point lead over David Prickett at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway.
Prickett, of Fresno, Calif., led all 25 laps to win Thursday night’s Mopar USAC Western Midget race co-sanctioned by BCRA at Silver Dollar Speedway, part of the Chico, Calif. track’s 58th “Gold Cup Race of Champions” event. Prickett and his NLMS/DPR Spike/Van Dyne were trailed at the checkered flag by Kruseman, Shane Golobic, Matt Streeter and Michelle Decker.
Rains fell immediately after practice at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway Saturday night, forcing cancellation of the track’s USAC “tripleheader” racing program featuring the USAC Western Midgets, Ford Focuses and Focus Young Guns.
Kruseman has a victory and two thirds in three Ventura Midget starts this year, while Prickett has been unable to crack the “top-10” at the one-fifth mile dirt oval. Third-ranking Jonathan Henry won the last USAC Western Midget race at Ventura.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-488, 2-David Prickett-446; 3-Johnathan Henry-418, 4-Cody Swanson-398, 5-Jake Swanson-367, 6-Scott Pierovich-300, 7-Connor Kassik-219; 8-Chris Ennis-202, 9-Randi Pankratz-152, 10-Austin Smith-100.
D1 MIDGETS HEADLINE COLUMBUS “TRIPLEHEADER” SATURDAY
by DICK JORDAN
The USAC Mopar D1 Midgets headline this Saturday’s USAC “tripleheader” program at the Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.
Taylor Ferns brings a comfortable 162-point lead over Kyle Hamilton to the one-third paved CMS oval for the event which also includes USAC’s Midwest/Eastern Ford Focuses and Focus Young Guns.
Ferns’ 13 appearances this year have yielded no finish worse than 10th. Included have been a victory, a third and two fourths.
Hamilton has done well at CMS in recent years, winning a Ford Focus feature there in 2009.
Saturday will be “carload night” at CMS, with families admitted for a special “carload” price of just $10.
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-665; 2-Kyle Hamilton-503; 3-Jake Blackhurst-467; 4-Kyle O’Gara-451; 5-Bryan Nuckles-437; 6-Morgan Nelson-386; 7-Mario Marietta-352; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Davey Ray-255; 10-Dave Fhurman-251.
KRAWIEC CLOSES DMA TITLE SEASON WITH VICTORY
by DICK JORDAN
"Flatfoot Joe” Krawiec of Bristol, CT cinched the first USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship by winning his fourth feature of the season at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. on Saturday night.
Krawiec started sixth and grabbed the lead of the non-stop event on lap four. Scott Holcomb of Granby, CT used his runner-up finish to secure the second spot in the points battle and Tony Montesi of Roxbury, CT came home third to secure his first podium finish of the season.
Dana Shaw of Plainfield, CT had another strong run, coming from 11th to finish fourth. Jamie Spalding of Chaplin, CT was fifth, completing an all Nutmeg State top five.
Bear Ridge Speedway will host a non-points “special event” for DMA competitors on Saturday, September 24.
FINAL USAC DMA MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Joe Krawiec-440; 2-Scott Holcomb-405; 3-Ray Miller-383; 4-Tim Gallant-328; 5-Kevin Chaffee-326; 6-Dana Shaw-300; 7-Dean Christenson-271; 8-Jeff Horn-248; 9-Jamie Spalding-227; 10-David Rose Jr.-217.
Sept 11 2011
USAC DMA MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 10, 2011 – Bradford, Vermont – Bear Ridge Speedway
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Joe Krawiec (#4 Matczak), 2. Hank Rogers Jr. (#23 Matczak), 3. Tony Montesi (#27 Tefft), 4. Dean Christenson (#2 Miller), 5. David Rose Jr. (#11 Rose), 6. Adam Whitney (#12 Whitney), 7. Jim Close (#7x Close), 8. Jim Mossman (#1 Mossman). 2.03.00
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Scott Holcomb (#33 Holcomb), 2. Ray Miller (#1 Miller), 3. Tim Gallant (#72 Tefft), 4. Jamie Spalding (#93 Tefft), 5. Dana Shaw (#7 Olson), 6. Greg Olson (#6 Olson), 7. Denny Zimmerman (#3 Matczak). 2:01.00
ALSO AT THE TRACK: Robbie Hart (#6 Gormley).
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Joe Krawiec, 2. Scott Holcomb, 3. Tony Montesi, 4. Dana Shaw, 5. Jamie Spalding, 6. Ray Miller, 7. David Rose, 8. Tim Gallant, 9. Hank Rogers Jr., 10. Denny Zimmerman, 11. Adam Whitney, 12. Jim Close, 13. Dean Christenson, 14. Jim Mossman, 15. Greg Olson. 6:31.00
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Spalding, Laps 2-3 Christenson, Laps 4-25 Krawiec.
NEW USAC DMA MIDGET POINTS: 1-Krawiec-440; 2-Holcomb-405; 3-Miller-383; 4-Gallant-328; 5-Kevin Chaffee-326; 6-Shaw-300; 7-Christenson-271; 8-Jeff Horn-248; 9-Spalding-227; 10-Rose-217.
NEXT USAC DMA MIDGET RACE: September 24 – Bradford, Vt. – Bear Ridge Speedway
RAIN HALTS BAKERSFIELD "TRIPLEHEADER"
Bakersfield, CA........Rain which began after practice had been concluded forced cancellation of Saturday night's USAC "tripleheader" racing program at the Bakersfield Speedway involving the Western Midgets, Western Ford Focuses and Western Focus Young Guns.0 2011
Sept 9 2011
PRICKETT WINS 35-LAP SILVER DOLLAR MIDGET RACE
Chico, CA……..David Prickett of Fresno, Calif. led all 35 laps to win Thursday night’s Mopar USAC Western Midget race co-sanctioned by BCRA at Silver Dollar Speedway, part of the track’s 58th “Gold Cup Race of Champions” event. Prickett and his NLMS/DPR Spike/Van Dyne were trailed at the checkered flag by series point leader Cory Kruseman, Shane Golobic, Matt Streeter and Michelle Decker. Kruseman emerged with a 42-point lead over Prickett in the new Mopar USAC Western Midget standings.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 8, 2011 – Chico, California – Silver Dollar Speedway – (Co-sanctioned by BCRA)
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Cody Swanson (#71 Swanson), 2. Cory Kruseman (#21k Kruseman), 3. Michelle Decker (#7m McQueen) 4. Dillon Silverman (#4a RAM), 5. Pete Davis (#00 Davis), 6. Johnathon Henry (#88 Graunstadt), 7. Rikc Holbrook (#6 Holbrook), 8. Matt Streeter (#14jr Streeter). 1:40.89
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Jake Swanson (#05 Swanson), 2. Shane Golobic (#26 Bock), 3. Nick Foster (#1 Foster), 4. Connor Kassik (#15n Neverlift), 5. Travis Haugh (#5H Haugh), 6. Floyd Alvis (#18a Alvis), 7. Tom Dougherty (#66 Dougherty), 8. J.R. Williams (#74 Williams). 1:42.00
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Shannon McQueen (#7 McQueen), 2. David Prickett (#15 Neverlift), 3. Quinton Crye (#15q Crye), 4. Larry Peterson (#17 Peterson), 5. Britton Bock (#67 Bock), 6. Jimmy Sills (#17T Sills), 7. Gary Conterno (#83 Conterno), 7. Michael Snider (#2k Snider), NT
FEATURE: (35 laps) 1. David Prickett, 2. Cory Kruseman, 3. Shane Golobic, 4. Matt Streeter, 5. Michelle Decker, 6. Cody Swanson, 7. Shannon McQueen, 8. Pete Davis, 9. Nick Foster, 10. Quinton Crye, 11. Johnathan Henry, 12. Connor Kassik, 13. Larry Peterson, 14. Dillon Silverman, 15. Travis Haugh, 16. Rick Holbrook, 17. Floyd Alvis, 18. Jake Swanson, 19. J.R. Williams, 20. Tom Dougherty. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-35 Prickett.
NEW MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-488; 2-Prickett-446; 3-Henry-418; 4-C.Swanson-398; 5-J.Swanson-367; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Kassik-219; 8-Chris Ennis-202; 9-Randi Pankratz-152; 10-Austin Smith-100.
NEXT USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET RACE: September 10 – Bakersfield (CA) Speedway
Sept 6 2011
WESTERN MIDGETS VISIT CHICO THURSDAY & BAKERSFIELD SATURDAY;
PIEROVICH, HENRY TOPS AT CLAISTOGA; KRUSEMAN PADS LEAD
by DICK JORDAN
Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. takes a 40-point lead over Johnathon Henry into this week’s Mopar USAC Western Midget races at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. (Thursday) and Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway (Saturday). Kruseman posted a third and fourth in races last Saturday and Sunday at Calistoga, Calif.
Scott Pierovich of Alamo, Calif. scored his first USAC Mopar Western Midget triumph in six years Saturday night, winning the 25-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” feature at Calistoga Speedway. He led all 25 laps to beat Alex Schutte, Kruseman, Henry and Cody Swanson.
Henry, of Stockton, Calif., paced the final 17 circuits to win Sunday night’s 25-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” Mopar USAC Western Midget feature at Calistoga. Schutte was second, ahead of Ronnie Gardner, Kruseman and Pierovich. Schutte led the first eight laps of the race.
Thursday nights’ races are part of Chico’s 58th “Gold Cup Race of Champions” which also includes the AMSOIL USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprint cars. Saturday’s race is the first of 2011 at Bakersfield.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-424; 2-Johnathon Henry-384; 3-David Prickett-379; 4-Cody Swanson-345; 5-Jake Swanson-342; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Chris Ennis-202; 8-Connor Kassik-185; 9-Randi Pankratz-152; 10-Austin Smith-100.
DMA MIDGET FINALE SATURDAY AT BEAR RIDGE
by DICK JORDAN
This Saturday night’s USAC race at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. concludes the 2011 DMA Midget Series and Joe Krawiec enters the event with a comfortable 32-point lead over runner-up Scott Holcomb. With 74 points available, Ray Miller (41 behind) and Kevin Chaffee (46 behind) still have mathematical hopes for the inaugural series title.
Krawiec’s six Bear Ridge appearances have produced three victories, a second, fourth and an eighth. Holcomb has a win, two seconds and a third, while Miller has two thirds, two fourths, a fifth and a sixth. Chaffee enters the finale on a two-race winning streak after posting a trio of seconds.
USAC DMA MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Joe Krawiec-372; 2-Scott Holcomb-340; 3-Ray Miller-331; 4-Kevin Chaffee-326; 5-Noah Gallant-283; 6-Jeff Horn-248; 7-Dana Shaw-245; 8-Dean Christenson-239; 9-Jaime Spalding-174; 10-Scott Viets-174.
This Saturday night’s USAC race at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. concludes the 2011 DMA Midget Series and Joe Krawiec enters the event with a comfortable 32-point lead over runner-up Scott Holcomb. With 74 points available, Ray Miller (41 behind) and Kevin Chaffee (46 behind) still have mathematical hopes for the inaugural series title.
Krawiec’s six Bear Ridge appearances have produced three victories, a second, fourth and an eighth. Holcomb has a win, two seconds and a third, while Miller has two thirds, two fourths, a fifth and a sixth. Chaffee enters the finale on a two-race winning streak after posting a trio of seconds.
USAC DMA MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Joe Krawiec-372; 2-Scott Holcomb-340; 3-Ray Miller-331; 4-Kevin Chaffee-326; 5-Noah Gallant-283; 6-Jeff Horn-248; 7-Dana Shaw-245; 8-Dean Christenson-239; 9-Jaime Spalding-174; 10-Scott Viets-174.
Sept 5 2011
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 4, 2011
– Calistoga, California – Calistoga Speedway – “Louie Vermeil Classic”
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Josh Ford, 73, Ford-21.942; 2. Ronnie Gardner, 73x, Ford-21.973; 3. Cory Kruseman, 21k, Kruseman-22.024; 4. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-22.072; 5. Johnathon Henry, 88, Graunstadt-22.175; 6. Alex Schuitte, 25, Rodela-22.309; 7. Cody Swanson, 71, Swanson-22.364; 8. Matt Streeter, 14jr., Streeter-22.474; 9. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock-22.502; 10. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-22.535; 11. David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-22.746; 12. Connor Kassik, 15x, Neverlift-22.919; 13. Jake Swanson, 05, Swanson-23.301; 14. Britton Bock, 67, Bock-23.335; 15. Pete Davis, 00, Davis-23.465.
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Johnathon Henry, 2. Alex Schutte, 3. Ronnie Gardner, 4. Cory Kruseman, 5. Scott Pierovich, 6. Matt Streeter, 7. Connor Kassik, 8. Josh Ford, 9. Cody Swanson, 10. Pete Davis, 11. Randi Pankratz, 12. David Prickett, 13. Britton Bock, 14. Shane Golobic, 15. Jake Swanson. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-8 Schutte, Laps 9-25 Henry.
NEW MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-424; 2-Henry-384; 3-Prickett-379; 4-C.Swanson-345; 5-J.Swanson-342; 6-Pierovich-300; 7-Chris Ennis-202; 8-Kassik-185; 9-R.Pankratz-152; 10-Austin Smith-100.
NEXT USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET RACE: September 8 – Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Speedway - 58th Annual “Gold Cup Race of Champions”
Sept 4 2011
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: September 3, 2011
– Calistoga, California – Calistoga Speedway – “Louie Vermeil Classic”
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Josh Ford, 73, Ford-21.250; 2. Johnathon Henry, 88, Graunstadt-21.457; 3. Alex Schuitte, 25, Rodela-21.539; 4. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-21.547; 5. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock-21.569; 6. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-21.687; 7. Cody Swanson, 71, Swanson-21.730; 8. Matt Streeter, 14jr., Streeter-21.791; 9. David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-22.174; 10. Jake Swanson, 05, Swanson-22.232; 11. Cory Kruseman, 21k, Kruseman-22.274; 12. Pete Davis, 00, Davis-22.665; 13. Britton Bock, 67, Bock-22.766; 14. Connor Kassik, 15x, Neverlift-22.817; 25. Ronnie Gardner, 35x, Pierovich-NT.
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Scott Pierovich, 2. Alex Schutte, 3. Cory Kruseman, 4. Johnathon Henry, 5. Cody Swanson, 6. Josh Ford, 7. David Prickett, 8. Matt Streeter, 9. Jake Swanson, 10. Pete Davis, 11. Shane Golobic, 12. Randi Pankratz, 13. Britton Bock, 14. Connor Kassik, 15. Ronnie Gardner. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-25 Pierovich.
NEW MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINTS: 1-Kruseman-369; 2-Prickett-350; 3-Henry-322; 4-J.Swanson-319; 5-C.Swanson-309; 6-Pierovich-252; 7-Chris Ennis-202; 8-Kassik-143; 9-Pankratz-118; 10-Austin Smith-100.
NEXT USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET RACE: September 4 – Calistoga, CA – Calistoga Speedway - “Louie Vermeil Classic”
Sept 2 2011
MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 2, 2011
– LaSalle, Illinois – LaSalle Speedway – “Bob Tattersall Memorial”
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Zach Daum, 5, Daum-13.230; 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 5x, Wilke-Pak-13.247; 3. Tracy Hines, 24, Parker-13.252; 4. Darren Hagen, 3, RFMS-13.305; 5. Bryan Clauson, 39, Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian-13.310; 6. Brad Kuhn, 17, RW-13.319; 7. Tanner Swanson, 19, Team 6R/TK-13.328; 8. Kody Swanson, 11, Wilke-Pak-13.357; 9. Bobby East, 4x, Klatt-13.384; 10. Mario Clouser, 06, MCM-13.404; 11. Caleb Armstrong, 71, Kunz-13.417; 12. Kyle Larson, 67, Kunz-13.441; 13. Scott Hatton, 15, Huston-13.538; 14. Dalton Armstrong, 71k, Kunz-13.735; 15. Eric Johnson, 82, Johnson-13.819; 16. Bob Shreffler, 21s, Shreffler-NT (time disallowed).
FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Hatton, 2. East, 3. Hines, 4. T.Swanson, 5. Clauson, 6. Daum, 7. Johnson, 8. C.Armstrong. NT
SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Larson, 2. K.Swanson, 3. Clouser, 4. Hagen, 5. Kuhn, 6. Coons, 7. D.Armstrong, 8. Shreffler. 2:12.99
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Brad Kuhn, 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 3. Bryan Clauson, 4. Tracy Hines, 5. Kyle Larson, 6. Mario Clouser, 7. Tanner Swanson, 8. Darren Hagen, 9. Caleb Armstrong, 10. Bobby East, 11. Eric Johnson, 12. Scott Hatton, 13. Zach Daum, 14. Dalton Armstrong, 15. Kody Swanson, 16. Bob Shreffler. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 K.Swanson, Laps 3-30 Kuhn.
NEW MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Clauson-876; 2-Hagen-873; 3-Larson-858; 4-Hines-767; 5-East-700; 6-C.armstrong-618; 7-Daum-578; 8-Kuhn-564; 9-T.Swanson-538; 10-Coons-504.
NEXT MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: September 3 – Sun Prairie, WI – Angell Park Speedway – “Pepsi Nationals”
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER MONTPELIER D1 MIDGET RACES “OFF”
by Dick Jordan
Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway will host a pair of USAC Midwest Ford Focus/Focus Young Guns “doubleheaders” September 10
and October 1.
Those dates originally were planned as USAC “tripleheaders” but the Mopar D1 Midget events on both dates have been removed from the 2011 calendar.
The Mopar D1 Midget Series has three remaining races, at Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway September 17, Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway October 14 and Toledo (OH) Speedway October 15.
--USAC--
