Archive for USAC
Bacon Gets $10K Grandview Trifecta in Eastern Storm Opener
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The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
Brady Bacon celebrates with the $10,000 check after winning his third-straight Eastern Storm opener Tuesday at Grandview Speedway.
(Rich Forman Photo)
BACON GETS $10K GRANDVIEW TRIFECTA IN EASTERN STORM OPENER
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania (June 11, 2019).........In each of the last two years, Brady Bacon had to pull some late-race heroics out of his pocket in the final laps of the "Jesse Hockett Classic" / "Eastern Storm" opener at Grandview Speedway.
This one Tuesday night was anything but a nail-biter as the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma driver led all 40 laps in dominant fashion to collect $10,000 and become the first driver in Eastern Storm history to win three races at a single track, an achievement which took him just three years to accomplish.
As opposed to his 2017-18 Grandview triumphs, Bacon felt he had car to beat right from the get-go, though it very nearly ended as soon as it started with a huge bike in turn two during hot laps that he managed to save, carry on and then thrive, on a night and a 1/3-mile track he seems to have a knack for winning at.
"This is the first year I actually think we had the best car," Bacon admitted. "The other couple of years, we managed to sneak to the front and find some stuff to get the wins. This time, I feel like we had a really good car all night. We had a game plan going in here, and even though it was rough at the beginning of the night, we wanted to stick to our guns and make sure we got tight enough for the feature."
Bacon's victory was also special in personal ways, both for the car owner he won his two USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car titles for and for the race's namesake, who won at Grandview in 2009, and was one of Bacon's closest fellow competitors on the USAC trail.
"This is the first win since the passing of (car owner) Richard Hoffman and with this being the Jesse Hockett race, I was close friends with him too. That's pretty special," Bacon beamed.
To set Bacon's Grandview backstory, in 2017, Bacon started sixth and worked his way to lead laps 25-35 before being overtaken by C.J. Leary with five laps remaining. Bacon reeled Leary back in, and on lap 38 in lapped traffic, Bacon shot underneath as Leary got hung up on the outside.
In 2018, Bacon started from the pole, fell back, then charged to the front to lead laps 13-29 before Kevin Thomas, Jr. snatched the lead away with 11 laps to go. Again, when it all looked to be over for Bacon, he found his second wind and tracked down Thomas with three to go to pull off the victory.
None of that transpired Tuesday night. Bacon got the jump on the start, using the topside from his outside front row starting position to power around polesitter Justin Grant to grab the lead exiting turn two. By the fourth lap, Bacon was wheels up and just about ready for takeoff as he crossed the stripe with a one second lead.
As would be the case throughout the duration of the race, the battle was for second on back. Just before the end of the first quarter of the 40-lapper, Tyler Courtney went around the outside of Grant for position in turn four. Grant fought back to reclaim second going into turn three before Courtney got Grant at the line on lap six.
Grant got the runner-up position back from Courtney on lap seven and the pair tussled until the ninth lap when Courtney made contact with Grant's rear bumper. Courtney swung wide in turn three, laying down the red carpet for series point leader C.J. Leary to duck underneath for third.
Moments later, disaster struck for local favorite and 12th running Timmy Buckwalter of Douglassville, Pa., who slid wide off turn four, clipped the right rear against the wall and rode out a wild flip down the front straightaway that ripped the tail tank off and displaced the engine from its normal position. The 2018 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car co-Rookie of the Year climbed out and walked away.
Bacon's 25th career USAC National Sprint Car win moved him into a tie for 18th all-time with Steve Butler, Jay Drake and Kevin Thomas, Jr.
(Rich Forman Photo)
By the halfway mark, Bacon stepped away once again as second through seventh were all under a blanket, but the one surging through it all was ninth-place starter Chris Windom. The two-time and defending Eastern Storm champ zipped by Kevin Thomas, Jr. for fourth on the bottom. Then, on lap 22, disposed of Leary for third in the same spot on the track.
Two laps later, on lap 24, Windom slid Grant into turn one. Grant countered back underneath off turn two. On lap 25, it was déjà vu with both swapping the lead on each end of the track before Windom prevailed a lap later with the position in turn three. Leary moved to third by Grant one lap later, likewise, on the bottom of three.
All the while, Bacon was grinning as he constructed an unchallenged 3.5 second lead with less than 10 laps left and to 4 seconds with just five to go. Although, the race for second was not on ice just quite yet. Leary stormed his way back by Windom with just two laps left to nab second at the end, though, still 4.352 seconds behind Bacon at the finish.
Leary finished second ahead of Windom, Courtney and Thomas. Robert Ballou, fast qualifier Chase Stockon, Justin Grant, Jason McDougal and Chad Boespflug rounded out the top-ten.
Bacon's 25th career USAC National Sprint Car win moved him into a tie for 18th all-time with Steve Butler, Jay Drake and Kevin Thomas, Jr. He also joined Windom as the second driver to win multiples races in the series this year.
Contingency award winners Tuesday night at Grandview Speedway were Chase Stockon (Fatheadz Eyewear Fast Qualifier), Timmy Buckwalter (Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner), Carson Short (Competition Suspension, Inc. Second Heat Winner), Chad Boespflug (AutoMeter Third Heat Winner), Jason McDougal (Indy Race Parts Semi Winner), Dave Darland (Roger & Barb Tapy 13th Fastest Qualifier), Steven Drevicki (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher) and Ryan Godown (KSE Racing Products Hard Charger).
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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: June 11, 2019 - Grandview Speedway - Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania - 13th "Eastern Storm" - 1/3-Mile Dirt Oval
FATHEADZ EYEWEAR QUALIFYING: 1. Chase Stockon, 32, 32 TBI-13.478; 2. C.J. Leary, 19AZ, Reinbold/Underwood-13.616; 3. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 19, Hayward/Thomas-13.792; 4. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall/Newman-13.799; 5. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-13.829; 6. Justin Grant, 4, TOPP-13.936; 7. Steven Drevicki, 19s, Drevicki-13.956; 8. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-13.959; 9. Chris Windom, 5G, Goacher-13.992; 10. Timmy Buckwalter, 7, LNB-14.024; 11. Jason McDougal, 71p, Daigh/Phillips-14.127; 12. Carmen Perigo, 21p, Perigo-14.170; 13. Dave Darland, 39, Hogue-14.188; 14. Carson Short, 20, Dyson-14.209; 15. Chad Boespflug, 98e, EZR-14.294; 16. Joey Biasi, B1, Biasi-14.377; 17. Trevor Kobylarz, 14, RT-14.516; 18. Ryan Godown, 4F, Freyer-14.551; 19. Dustin Christie, 75, Christie-14.611; 20. Bill Balog, 2, Lein-14.627; 21. Kyle Lick, 8, Lick-14.673; 22. Dominick Buffalino, 3x, Wasitowski-14.925; 23. Brian VanMeveren, 24, VanMeveren-14.953; 24. Heidi Hedin, 3H, Hedin-15.797; 25. Isaac Chapple, 52, LNR/Chapple-NT.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Buckwalter, 2. Biasi, 3. Courtney, 4. Darland, 5. Stockon, 6. Drevicki, 7. Chapple, 8. Christie, 9. Buffalino. 1:57.53
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Short, 2. Ballou, 3. Kobylarz, 4. Bacon, 5. Leary, 6. Balog, 7. VanMeveren, 8. McDougal. NT
AUTOMETER THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer) 1. Boespflug, 2. Thomas, Jr., 3. Windom, 4. Godown, 5. Grant, 6. Perigo, 7. Lick, 8. Hedin. 1:56.93
INDY RACE PARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer) 1. McDougal, 2. Drevicki, 3. Perigo, 4. Chapple, 5. Lick, 6. Balog, 7. Christie, 8. VanMeveren, 9. Buffalino, 10. Hedin. 3:01.48 (New Track Record)
FEATURE: (40 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (2), 2. C.J. Leary (5), 3. Chris Windom (9), 4. Tyler Courtney (3), 5. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (4), 6. Robert Ballou (8), 7. Chase Stockon (6), 8. Justin Grant (1), 9. Jason McDougal (11), 10. Chad Boespflug (15), 11. Ryan Godown (18), 12. Carson Short (14), 13. Steven Drevicki (7), 14. Dave Darland (13), 15. Joey Biasi (16), 16. Bill Balog (20), 17. Isaac Chapple (22), 18. Carmen Perigo (12), 19. Trevor Kobylarz (17), 20. Kyle Lick (21), 21. Timmy Buckwalter (10), 22. Dustin Christie (19). NT
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**Buckwalter flipped on lap 10 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-40 Bacon.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Ryan Godown (18th to 11th)
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Steven Drevicki
ROGER & BARB TAPY 13TH FASTEST QUALIFIER: Dave Darland
NEW USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Leary-615, 2-K. Thomas-576, 3-Windom-571, 4-Courtney-563, 5-Stockon-551, 6-Bacon-541, 7-Grant-489, 8-Ballou-487, 8-Short-474, 10-McDougal-439.
NEW EASTERN STORM POINTS: 1-Bacon-77, 2-Leary-76, 3-Windom-70, 4-Courtney-70, 5-Thomas-69, 6-Ballou-62, 7-Stockon-62, 8-Grant-54, 9-Boespflug-51, 10-McDougal-50.
NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 12, 2019 - Bridgeport Speedway - Swedesboro, New Jersey - 13th "Eastern Storm" - 3/8-Mile Dirt Oval
Thunder on the Hill results
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Thunder on the Hill
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JUNE 11, 2019
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL OPENS 30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON IN A BIG WAY. . . . .
BRADY BACON STORMS AWAY WITH $10,000 JESSE HOCKETT CLASSIC USAC WIN; RYAN WATT CLAIMS NASCAR 358 MODIFIEDS
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (June 11, 2019) – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma’s Brady Bacon picked up his third consecutive win and the $10,000 winner’s share as part of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Jesse Hockett Classic on Tuesday Night at Grandview Speedway. This event marked the one-hundred and thirty-third Thunder on the Hill event since the series started in 1990.
Bacon was the winner of the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car portion of the Thunder season kick-off while Boyertown, Pennsylvania’s Ryan Watt picked up the victory in the NASCAR 358 Modifieds – his second career Thunder on the Hill Racing Series win.
A drag race down the front stretch started the 40-lap USAC main event with front row starters Justin Grant and Brady Bacon. Bacon gained the advantage and quickly pulled away from the twenty-two car field.
Behind the leader, Grant and Tyler Courtney swapped the second-place spot multiple times before the red flag flew on lap 9 for local favorite Tim Buckwalter, who clipped the outside retaining wall -- violently flipping down the frontstretch of the speedway. Buckwalter, a Douglassville, PA native, walked away uninjured.
The remains of Timmy Buckwalter’s car after feature crash at Grandview tonight. He was OK.
(WOS Photo)
On the restart, Bacon continued his quest for the win, maintaining the lead over Justin Grant and CJ Leary.
The best-of-the-best in USAC competition battled it out for the second spot. Five cars challenged Grant including Leary, Kevin Thomas Jr. and Tyler Courtney.
All eyes were on Chris Windom, powering from his ninth-place starting position into the top five. Forging a battle with Grant, Windom moved into the third spot at the halfway point – the two stole the show, swapping sliders for multiple laps and exchanging the second position numerous times.
It was all Bacon for the remainder of the event, claiming the victory and the prize money. CJ Leary would grab the second position with three laps remaining and Chris Windom would settle for third.
Tyler Courtney came home in the fourth position followed by Kevin Thomas Jr.
USAC Heat Races were won by Tim Buckwalter, Carson Short, and Chad Boespflug while Jason McDougal won the B-Main with a new 12-lap track record.
Ringoes, NJ’s Ryan Godown led the NASCAR 358 Modified field to the drop of the green flag with Watt quickly moving into the second spot. Godown set the pace, but Watt closed quickly, stalking the leader and waiting patiently to make a move for the top spot.
The only yellow of the event flew on lap 10, as the leader, Ryan Godown slowed entering turn 3 handing the lead over to Watt.
On the restart, Craig Von Dohren charged inside the leader, with Duane Howard close on his tail – but neither could complete the pass on Watt. Howard moved passed VonDohren a few laps later, setting his sights on the leader.
The leaders approached lapped traffic on the 20th circuit closing the gap and allowing Howard to challenge for the win. Howard’s No. 357 machine moved inside Watt’s, showing the nose but unable to complete the pass.
The pair raced down the backstretch side-by-side as the checkered flag approached. The battle for the lead shaped up, but Watt gained an advantage while Howard struggled with a noticeable right rear flat tire. Watt would roll on for the victory, Howard held on for the second position, Craig VonDohren finished in third, Jared Umbenhauer in fourth, and Brett Kressley rounding out the top five finishers.
Modified heat races were won by Brett Kressley, Kevin Hirthler and Brian Hirthler with TJ Lily winning the Modified Consolation.
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series returns on Tuesday, July 2 for Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek with $10,000 to win for the 410 Sprint Cars – also on the card, the NASCAR 358 Modifieds. NASCAR competitor Kyle Larson has picked up the victory in the past two Grandview Speedway Speedweek events.
The USAC National Midget Championship comes to Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, July 30 alongside the NASCAR 358 Modifieds for the Ken Brenn Midget Masters event.
For more information visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Complete Results
USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship
Time Trials -- 1. Chase Stockon 13.478 2. CJ Leary 13.616 3. Kevin Thomas Jr. 13.792 4. Tyler Courtney 13.799 5. Brady Bacon 13.829 6. Justin Grant 13.936 7. Steve Drevicki 13.956 8. Robert Ballou 13.959 9. Chris Windom 13.992 10. Timmy Buckwalter 14.024 11. Jason McDougal 14.127 12. Carmen Perigo 14.17 13. Dave Darland 14.188 14. Carson Short 14.209 15. Chad Boespflug 14.294 16. Joey Biasi 14.377 17. Trevor Kobylarz 14.516 18. Ryan Godown 14.551 19. Dustin Christie 14.611 20. Bill Balog 14.627 21. Kyle Lick 14.673 22. Dominick Buffalino 14.925 23. Brian VanMeveren 14.953 24. Heidi Hedin 15.797 Isaac Chapple NT
Heat 1 (8 Laps) – 1. Tim Buckwalter 2. Joey Biasi 3. Tyler Courtney 4. Dave Darland 5. Chase Stockon
Heat 2 (8 Laps) – 1. Carson Short 2. Robert Ballou 3. Trevor Kobylarz 4. Brady Bacon 5. CJ Leary
Heat 3 (8 Laps) – 1. Chad Boespflug 2. Kevin Thomas Jr. 3. Chris Windom 4. Ryan Godown 5. Justin Grant
B-Main (12 Laps) – 1. Jason McDougal 2. Steve Drevicki 3. Carmen Perigo 4. Isaac Chapple 5. Kyle Lick 6. Bil Balog 7. Dustin Christie
13th Annual Jesse Hockett Classic (40 Laps) – 1. Brady Bacon 2. CJ Leary 3. Chris Windom 4. Tyler Courtney 5. Kevin Thomas, Jr. 6. Robert Ballou 7. Chase Stockon 8. Justin Grant 9. Jason McDougal 10. Chad Boespflug 11. Ryan Godown 12. Carson Short 13. Steven Drevicki 14. Dave Darland 15. Joey Biasi 16. Bill Balog 17. Isaac Chapple 18. Carmen Perigo 19. Trevor Kobylarz 20. Kyle Lick 21. Timmy Buckwalter 22. Dustin Christie
NASCAR 358 Modifieds
Heat 1 (10 Laps) – 1. Brett Kressley 2. Billy Pauch Jr. 3. Duane Howard 4. Jordan Henn 5. Louden Reimert 6. Justin Grimm
Heat 2 (10 Laps) – 1. Kevin Hirthler 2. Ryan Watt 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Ryan Godown 5. Frank Cozze 6. Jeff Strunk
Heat 3 (10 Laps) – 1. Brian Hirthler 2. Jared Umbenhauer 3. Doug Manmiller 4. Rick Laubach 5. Mike Gular
Consi (10 Laps) – 1. TJ Lilly 2. Alex Yankowski 3. Dylan Swinehart 4. Richie Hitzler 5. Kris Graver 6. Mike Lisowski
Modified Feature (30 Laps) – 1. Ryan Watt 2. Duane Howard 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Jared Umbenhauer 5. Brett Kressley 6. Doug Manmiller 7. Rick Laubach 8. Jeff Strunk 9. Billy Pauch Jr. 10. Mike Gular 11. Frank Cozze 12. Kevin Hirthler 13. Louden Reimert 14. Alex Yankowski 15. Justin Grim 16. Dylan Swinehart 17. Kris Graver 18. TJ Lilly 19. Richie Hitzler 20. Brian Hirthler 21. Jordan Henn 22. Ryan Godown 23. Danny Erb 24. Mike Lisowski
USAC EASTERN STORM AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY THIS WEDNESDAY
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USAC EASTERN STORM at BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
You won’t need a weather map for this storm!
The Eastern Storm is headed to the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at the Bridgeport Speedway on Wednesday, June 12th.
Last year’s event was a huge success. The drivers found the track “racey”. The fans came in droves for the only appearance of the stars of USAC in the state of New Jersey and they did not go home disappointed. In the words of USAC’s Levi Jones, “There was a good crowd who got to see the greatest names in USAC. You can’t ask for it to be much better than that!”
At the end of the night, Kevin Thomas Jr. was the first to the checkered flag after laps of wheel to wheel racing with Chris Windom and Tyler Courtney. Windom and Courtney had swapped the lead back and forth. When the two made contact, Thomas saw his chance and raced into the lead. It was just the opportunity that he was looking for.
So far this season, Chris Windom is the only driver to have repeated in the win column, but it is CJ Leary who sits on top of the point standings , currently 29 points ahead of Kevin Thomas, Jr. and 38 points ahead of Windom. Justin Grant, Leary, Brady Bacon, Tyler Courtney and Chase Stockon have one win a piece coming into the Eastern Storm races.
In addition to the regulars on the USAC tour, race fans will be able to see several local drivers competing in these events.
Joey Biasi recently picked up the win in the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint Car event on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile. Biasi has made it no secret that he really likes this track and his record shows it. In two events, Biasi has a win and a second-place finish.
Biasi is no stranger to Eastern Storm competition. He has competed in these event for several years because, as the driver explains, “You don’t have to have a million dollar engine to compete. Wingless competition is more about the driver driving the car.” Biasi’s sponsors are on board for the Eastern Storm, including B&F General Machine, Burns & Yost Engines, GME Steering, Calaman Radiator, Frank’s Truck Lettering, HG Block Lightning and Dyno, Larry’s Hot Rod & Harleys, Blinders restaurant, Shaup Brothers and Tito Juice. These sponsors are very important to Biasi for monetary as well as product support.
USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint Car Champion, Steve Drevicki will also be in this year’s line-up.
Drevicki is receiving support from Gene Franckowiak, who is supplying the engine. Drevicki will also be receiving some technical support from Clauson & Marshall in what will be his first endeavor in Eastern Storm competition. Drevicki will be using the same car that he uses in wingless competition. He and his team have already done all of the prep work to allow them to change engines with relative ease.
A former two-time ARDC midget competitor, Drevicki believes that the car with the 410-power plant will react more like the midget than the 360-sprint car so he isn’t expecting the change to be a big adjustment.
With the exception of the last event scheduled at Weedsport, the local talent has considerable experience in the tracks that will run during the Eastern Storm.
Grandstand admission for this event is $30, $10 for students 10-15 years old with children 9 and under admitted for Free. Racing will get underway at 7:30pm
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
USAC EASTERN STORM at BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Thunder on the Hill
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
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JUNE 9, 2019
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 43 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
WHERE IS BRADY BACON WITH THREE LAPS TO GO?
AMSOIL USAC EASTERN STORM TO BE PART OF NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL SERIES OPENER AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY TUESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 11
BECHTELSVILLE, PA JUNE 9, 2019 . . . . . . . Where oh where will Brady Bacon be with three laps to go?
At the previous two AMSOIL USAC Sprint Eastern Storm events at the Grandview Speedway, Broken Arrow, OK driver Brady Bacon was in the right place at the right time. Bacon, the defending winner of the last two Jesse Hockett Classic events took the lead with just three laps to go in both 40 lap feature events. This Tuesday night, Brady Bacon will attempt the “hat trick” of three wins in a row on the “hill”. This year the Jesse Hockett Classic will pay $10,000 to win so Bacon just may be racing a little harder to get that lead position a little earlier in chase of the biggest payoff of the 13th Annual Eastern Storm.
The AMSOIL USAC sprints will bring a field of talent to the “hill” in chase of the $10,000 to win 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic. Also on the card will be the NASCAR Modifieds chasing a $3,000 payday for the win in their 30 lap feature. The USAC Sprints will open the show with time trials and a series of qualifying events followed by the Modifieds that will take part in qualifying heats and a consolation. Gates open at 5 PM with qualifying getting underway at 7:30 PM.
Advance tickets may be ordered for the Tuesday, June 11 USAC Sprints & Modified show by calling 443 513 4456. Please speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message and be sure to provide your name and number of tickets you will need. Tickets may be paid for and picked up at the WILL CALL Window on race night after 3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may entitle you to enter the grandstands at 4:30. Adult admission tickets are $30, children 6 to 11 $10 and children five and under will be admitted for free. Advance tickets may be order until 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 11. General admission tickets will go on sale at 5 PM at the Grandview Speedway.
Be sure to come out early and be part of the Low, Down & Dirty pre-race activities taking place at the main gate at Grandview Speedway from 5 PM to 6 PM. You’ll have a chance to meet and greet USAC drivers Robert “The Madman” Ballou, Issac Chapple, Timmy Buckwalter and Joey Biasi. The crew of Low, Down & Dirty always ask drivers “the right questions”, far different then the normal interview. You’ll get a great feel for who these drivers really are. In addition, an Eastern Storm Autograph Card will be available at the Meet & Greet Free of Charge thanks to Racing Fans Worldwide. Be sure to inquire about the benefits of Racing Fans Worldwide. For a minimal membership free you’ll enjoy discounts on rental cars, Delta Airline tickets, other travel and hotel discounts, plus much, much more. Visit their website for more details; racingfansworldwide@outlook.com
See cars and representatives from the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) at Grandview on Tuesday night. The EMMR will have at least two restored Weikert Livestock sprint cars on hand and you are invited to meet the folks from the museum and chat about racings past memories. The EMMR will be located in the first turn grandstand area from 5 to 7 PM with interviews going on from 6 PM to 6:45 PM. Enjoy the memories and become a member of the EMMR and help preserve racing history.
The AMSOIL USAC non-wing sprints come east just once a year and this show at Grandview Speedway is a must see event. These guys make even the time trials exciting, as they bicycle, pull wheelies and send roaster-tails flying high in sky, and that’s with just one car at a time on the race track. The heat races earn the drivers their ticket to start the 40 lap $10,000 to win Jesse Hockett Classic. When the green flag drops in the feature, you won’t know where to watch as the field of twenty-two cars race three abreast, pull off slide jobs, take part in some wheel banging and yes, run countless laps with their rear bumpers inches from the outside boiler-plate. You’ll see all this on the one-third mile high-banked Grandview Speedway on Tuesday night, June 11.
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Series Website: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
The brainchild of Grandview Speedway owner Bruce Rogers, special events promoter Bob Miller, and local driving star Dave Kelly, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series celebrates 30 years of the most anticipated events of the racing calendar year after year. In 132 events, over $4.6 million dollars has been divvied up among the area's fastest racers. What started as a single 410 Sprint Car event in 1990 has blossomed to feature a variety of racing action including 358 Modifieds, USAC Wingless Sprints, All-Star Circuit of Champions, 360 & 410 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Late Models, Midgets, Legend Cars, DIRTcar and ROC Modified events. The 2019 30th Anniversary Series of Thunder on the Hill is dedicated to Bruce Rogers.
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 57th Anniversary season in 2019. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill racewear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine-tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap.
Windom Breaks Through for First USAC Midget Win at The Burg
Posted by: | Comments- The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
Chris Windom celebrates his long-awaited first career USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget win Saturday at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
(Dallas Breeze Photo)
WINDOM BREAKS THROUGH FOR FIRST MIDGET WIN AT THE BURG
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Lawrenceburg, Indiana (June 8, 2019).........All throughout "Indiana Midget Week," Chris Windom was confident that he had a car to win. Yet, when it came time to start the first four feature events this week, the Canton, Ill. driver found himself seemingly light years away from his destination.
Through the first four nights, no driver had passed more cars than Windom (42), an astonishing 24 more than his nearest competition. But that's what happens when you start 11th, 23rd, 14th and 22nd. He got up on the wheel on each of those nights and drove to finishes of 10th, 9th, 5th and 4th.
Just imagine the shot in the arm he felt in Saturday's penultimate round of IMW at Lawrenceburg Speedway when he qualified 2nd and secured the 5th starting spot for the 30-lap feature. The same refrain lingered in his mind all week. "If only..."
"I knew we've had fast cars all week," Windom said. "We've just been behind the eight ball early in the night all week and have had to come from 20th, 21st and 16th. Like I've been saying all week, if we start up front, I think we can pull one off."
Few drivers had ever had to wait as long as Windom to reach victory lane in USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget competition, 102 starts to be exact. Finally, that night arrived for the 2016 USAC Silver Crown and 2017 AMSOIL National Sprint Car champion on Saturday.
Even before the green flag dropped, track position was key. Scheduled outside front row starter Jerry Coons, Jr. had a left rear tire go flat, sending him to the work area for new rubber and a new starting spot from the tail. That moved previous night's Bloomington winner and National point leader Tyler Courtney up to the outside of the front row, where he took full advantage.
Initially, Shane Golobic took his brief turn at the point, sliding past Courtney on the start in between turns one and two. Courtney, using the "mo" from the topside, drove downhill off turn two to zip past the 2017 IMW champ. Golobic took another shot in turn three, but Courtney was ready, countered off turn four and shot away to a 2.5 second lead.
Sixth-running Andrew Layser clipped the infield berm in turn three on the sixth lap, spinning sideways up to the middle of the racetrack where all incomers were able to scatter and dodge contact with the car of the series Rookie of the Year contender.
On the restart, Windom made quick work to get by Golobic and set forth toward CMR teammate Courtney and the race lead. Entering turn one on lap seven, Windom dove to the bottom, sliding up the hill past Courtney who turned down and drove back past Windom midway down the back straight. Windom shot to the bottom of turn three and stuck it, riding the low line by Courtney to secure the top spot at the stripe.
The following lap, Courtney arched turns one and two like a three-point line around the top to get a massive run that took him underneath Windom as the two hit turn three. Windom, though, slammed the lid on Courtney's fingers, keeping him in check behind him.
"When I got to Courtney, it was about being in the right place at the right time," Windom explained. "He messed up on the cushion and I hit the bottom just right that lap and got a big run to throw a slider on him into one. That worked out just out of luck, but I knew we had a car that could win."
At the halfway mark, similarly to how he executed the night prior at Bloomington, Seavey began to surge, sliding by Courtney for second in turn one on lap 16 before turning up the pressure on Windom. Seavey put his right rear up on the cushion all the way around the 3/8-mile dirt oval, while Windom switched it up with a rim-riding line in one and two and the catfish line in three and four.
On the 22nd lap, heartbreak befell Courtney who ran third as he slowed with a flat right rear tire, sending him to the tail where he eventually finished 15th, putting a damper on his hopes for a first "Indiana Midget Week" title following runner-up finishes in each of the last two years.
For the first two laps following the ensuing restart, March "Shamrock Classic" winner Cannon McIntosh poked his nose under Seavey for second. The two ran side-by-side for a back-to-back laps before Seavey cleared him around the outside of four for second and aimed to make a run at Windom.
With three laps remaining, Seavey had not only caught Windom, but slid by him into one to take the lead. Windom countered and matched him wheel-to-wheel to the bottom of three. Windom stuck the bottom again and throttled off the corner to edge Seavey by the width of dzus button. As the pair headed into turn one with two laps remaining, the caution fell for fifth-running Michael Pickens of New Zealand, whose hard luck week continued as he slowed off turn four. That set up one final restart, and one final opportunity to receive last-minute final instruction as it turned out.
Saturday's victory by Chris Windom at Lawrenceburg came in his 102nd career USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget start. (Dallas Breeze Photo)
"On the last restart, Rizzy (Crew Chief Tyler Ransbottom) told me to get up on the wheel," Windom recalled. "So, I knew that Seavey was probably ripping the top. I had to slide myself to kill his momentum because you could throw big sliders into one. I hadn't been to the top in three and four the whole race and went up there with a prayer, and it worked."
Sliding himself into turn one prevented a patented Burg slide-job from Seavey and, getting into turn three a half-lap later, Windom threw a proverbial Tom Candiotti knuckleball by going topside. Seavey jumped the cushion between three and four, allowing Windom to break away while Chad Boat and Tanner Thorson went into Blue Angels formation, surrounding Seavey.
Boat streamed through the middle between one and two on the final lap as Seavey got above the cushion again, this time at the exit of two, allowing Boat to slip away into the night with second.
At last, Windom's pressure was normalized as he arrived off turn four with the checkered flag in clear view without too much of a challenge to capture his long-awaited first series win by 0.607 sec. over Boat, Seavey, Thorson and McIntosh.
With 23 career USAC Sprint and 8 Silver Crown triumphs, it's almost hard to believe it took Windom this long to enter his name onto the list of USAC National Midget winners. He's won twice in USAC Regional Midget action, in 2008 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and in 2016 at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, but it was Saturday's win at Lawrenceburg that stands above the rest.
"I was at a loss for words in victory lane," Windom said. "I haven't run a lot of midgets in the past few years, but I've been trying for a long time. We've been working our butts off over here trying to get me in victory lane. I know this is just as sweet for everybody on this team as it is for me."
Contingency award winners Saturday night at Lawrenceburg Speedway were Justin Grant (Fatheadz Eyewear Fast Qualifier), Logan Seavey (Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner), Chad Boat (Competition Suspension, Inc. Second Heat Winner & ProSource Passing Master/KSE Racing Products Hard Charger), Karsyn Elledge (AutoMeter Third Heat Winner), Tanner Thorson (Indy Race Parts Semi Winner), Zeb Wise (ProSource Hard Work Award), Jesse Colwell (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher) and Sterling Cling (Saldana Racing Products First Non-Transfer).
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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS:
June 8, 2019 - Lawrenceburg Speedway - Lawrenceburg, Indiana - 15th "Indiana Midget Week" - 3/8-Mile Dirt Oval
FATHEADZ EYEWEAR QUALIFYING: 1. Justin Grant, 4A, RAMS-14.412; 2. Chris Windom, 17BC, Clauson/Marshall-14.443; 3. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall-14.449; 4. Andrew Layser, 47BC, Clauson/Marshall-14.474; 5. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac-14.516; 6. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 5, Petry-14.519; 7. Jerry Coons, Jr., 25, Petry-14.560; 8. Shane Golobic, 17w, Wood-14.562; 9. Brady Bacon, 76m, FMR-14.573; 10. Michael Pickens, 1NZ, RMS-14.585; 11. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 27, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.616; 12. Cole Bodine, 15, Petry-14.626; 13. Logan Seavey, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.641; 14. Zach Daum, 5D, Daum-14.661; 15. Jason McDougal, 21KS, Reynolds-14.671; 16. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-14.698; 17. Chad Boat, 84, Tucker/Boat-14.747; 18. Karsyn Elledge, 1, Tucker/Boat-14.748; 19. Tanner Thorson, 98, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.821; 20. Dave Darland, 36, RMS-14.878; 21. Ethan Mitchell, 19m, Bundy Built-14.891; 22. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.906; 23. Holley Hollan, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.907; 24. Jesse Colwell, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-14.955; 25. Sterling Cling, 35, Petry-14.960; 26. Zeb Wise, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-16.112; 27. Noah Gass, 20G, Gass-NT.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Seavey, 2. Grant, 3. Meseraull, 4. Coons, 5. Pickens, 6. Thorson, 7. Carrick, 8. Cling, 9. Layser. NT
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Boat, 2. Daum, 3. Golobic, 4. Windom, 5. Wise, 6. McIntosh, 7. Darland, 8. Klaasmeyer, 9. Hollan. NT
AUTOMETER THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-5 transfer to the feature) 1. Elledge, 2. Bacon, 3. Thomas, 4. Courtney, 5. Colwell, 6. McDougal, 7. Bodine, 8. Mitchell. 1:59.57
INDY RACE PARTS SEMI: (12 laps, top-7 transfer to the feature) 1. Thorson, 2. Klaasmeyer, 3. Layser, 4. McIntosh, 5. Darland, 6. Carrick, 7. Hollan, 8. Cling, 9. Bodine, 10. Mitchell, 11. McDougal. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Chris Windom (5), 2. Chad Boat (15), 3. Logan Seavey (12), 4. Tanner Thorson (17), 5. Cannon McIntosh (8), 6. Zach Daum (13), 7. Shane Golobic (1), 8. Brady Bacon (9), 9. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (3), 10. Jerry Coons, Jr. (2), 11. Zeb Wise (22), 12. Tucker Klaasmeyer (11), 13. Jesse Colwell (21), 14. Andrew Layser (7), 15. Tyler Courtney (4), 16. Tanner Carrick (19), 17. Holley Hollan (20), 18. Cole Bodine (24), 19. Karsyn Elledge (16), 20. Michael Pickens (10), 21. Thomas Meseraull (14), 22. Jason McDougal (23), 23. Justin Grant (6), 24. Dave Darland (18). NT
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**Gass flipped during practice and was transported to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for further observation.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-6 Courtney, Laps 7-30 Windom.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS/PROSOURCE HARD CHARGER: Chad Boat (15th to 2nd)
PROSOURCE HARD WORK AWARD: Zeb Wise
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Jesse Colwell
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS FIRST NON-TRANSFER: Sterling Cling
NEW USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Courtney-772, 2-Seavey-709, 3-Thomas-664, 4-Windom-664, 5-Wise-618, 6-Boat-600, 7-Klaasmeyer-511, 8-Carrick-502, 9-Coons-498, 10-C.J. Leary-490.
NEW INDIANA MIDGET WEEK POINTS: 1-Seavey-352, 2-Thorson-316, 3-Courtney-316, 4-Golobic-276, 5-Windom-267, 6-Boat-253, 7-Thomas-247, 8-Coons-231, 9-McDougal-222, 10-Wise-222.
NEW PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Windom-32, 2-Thorson-31, 3-Wise-29, 4-Boat-28, 5-Seavey-21, 6-Daum-21, 7-McDougal-15, 8-Colwell-15, 9-Courtney-14, 10-McIntosh-13.
NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 9, 2019 - Kokomo Speedway - Kokomo, Indiana - 15th "Indiana Midget Week" - ¼-Mile Dirt Oval
Eastern Storm Preview 2019
Posted by: | Comments- The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car 'Eastern Storm' returns June 11-16.
(John DaDalt Photo)
EASTERN STORM PREVIEW 2019
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Speedway, Indiana (June 8, 2019).........Three past Eastern Storm champions are headed eastbound June 11-16 for one of the most-highly anticipated events on the USAC calendar with five USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship races in a six-day span at five different tracks in three states - Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
The series begins Tuesday, June 11, at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville and honors the memory of the 2009 Grandview Eastern Storm winner who lost his life tragically in the Spring of 2010 with the "Jesse Hockett Classic." The 40-lap event pays a sweet $10,000-to-win prize.
From there, the series travels to the 3/8-mile Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey for the second time ever on Wednesday, June 12. Then, it's back to the Keystone State and BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa. on Thursday, June 13. The following night is an idle night for the Sprint Cars, but the USAC Silver Crown Cars are in action on the half-mile Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on Friday, June 14.
It's the Sprint Cars turn on the half-mile the following night on Saturday, June 15, at Port Royal Speedway in Pa. The series closes out on Sunday, June 16, in New York at the 3/8-mile Weedsport Speedway.
In each of the last two years, Chris Windom (Canton, Ill.) has been the dominant force, capturing three wins and both titles. The 2017 USAC National Sprint champ is the lone driver to have won Eastern Storm feature events in each of the past three seasons and owns six career wins in the series, including last year's round at Williams Grove and the two most recent trips to Port Royal. His six Eastern Storm victories are tied with Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson for the most all-time. His first career USAC win came in 2010 at Big Diamond.
Robert Ballou's stellar 2015 Eastern Storm performance was one for the ages as the Rocklin, Calif. driver swept all three nights and walked away with a title. The Eastern part of the country has been kind to Ballou, who also claimed the 2015 National title. Last year's trip to BAPS is the most recent of his 29 career USAC National Sprint Car victories, which rank 13th on the all-time list.
Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Okla.) captured the Eastern Storm crown in 2014 and has won thrice in the series along the way. The two-time USAC National Sprint Car champion in 2014 and 2016 has been spectacular the past two seasons when the series has arrived at Grandview, using late race passes to claim each of the wins.
A handful of additional drivers are aiming to add onto their Eastern Storm feature win title. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) has been victorious the last two seasons, first in 2017 at Williams Grove and in last year's debut at Bridgeport. He's been excellent this year with six top-6 finishes in seven series starts and, at press dates, has won four local sprint features in four nights at four different tracks in the state of Indiana.
The Eastern Storm one-win club includes a talented bunch who are hungry to reach the pinnacle once again during the series. Defending USAC National Sprint Car titlist Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, Ind.) took the BAPS closer by storm in 2017. Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.), your most recent USAC Sprint winner in May's "Tony Hulman Classic" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track, nailed down the win in the 2014 Grandview opener. Dave Darland (Lincoln, Ind.), a 2013 Port Royal winner, was recently tabbed as the driver of New Jersey car owner Tim Hogue's ride for Eastern Storm. Chad Boespflug (Hanford, Calif.) was dominant in his lone Eastern Storm triumph at New Egypt in New Jersey back in 2016.
Drivers who've tasted USAC victory lane but are seeking a first Eastern Storm include current USAC National Sprint Car point leader C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.), a winner in Ocala, Fla. in February. Justin Grant (Ione, Calif.) has won in both USAC National Sprint Cars and Midgets in 2019, including a last-lap midget win at BAPS in 2017. His TOPP Motorsports team was previously victorious in Eastern Storm with Courtney at BAPS in 2017.
Speaking of victorious teams with drivers aiming for Eastern Storm victory number one, you can include Carson Short (Marion, Ill.) who has joined Chris Dyson Racing for the tour. Dyson's ride took the 2018 finale at Weedsport with driver Thomas Meseraull. Jason McDougal (Broken Arrow, Okla.) is an Eastern Storm Rookie, arriving on the scene with Daigh/Phillips Motorsports who won with Darland at Port Royal in 2013.
Isaac Chapple (Willow Branch, Ind.) made his USAC Sprint Car debut at Eastern Storm in 2015. The North Pole Nightmare Bill Balog (Brookfield, Wisc.) is set to make his debut as well along with Brian VanMeveren (Woodbury, Minn.) and Dustin Christie (Washington, Ind.).
A strong representation from the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series contingent will be on display with three of the series' winners making plans to do the tour, including 2018 East Coast champ and current point leader Steven Drevicki (Reading, Pa.), who will pilot his own car with technical assistance from 2018 USAC National Sprint Car owner champ Clauson/Marshall/Newman Racing and 2013 Eastern Storm feature winning car owner Gene Franckowiak. Timmy Buckwalter (Douglassville, Pa.) is a force on the National scene, capturing co-Rookie of the Year honors in 2018. Joey Biasi (Mary D, Pa.) and Carmen Perigo (Stoystown, Pa.) have been regular competitors on the National scene and are top-flight forces to reckon with when USAC travels to their home turf.
Jarett Andretti (Mooresville, N.C.) has had some impressive Eastern Storm performances, earning his best career USAC National Sprint Car feature finish of 2nd at Lincoln Speedway in 2017. Landon Simon (Tipp City, Ohio) won a USAC Sprint Car Special Event feature at Lincoln in 2016. Versatile racing veteran Ryan Godown (Ringoes, N.J.) was a regular on the Eastern Storm tour a year ago while the ever-popular "Colfax Comet" Robert Bell (Colfax, Iowa) is making the trip east for the full deal.
Tuesday at Grandview, pits open at 2pm (Eastern), front gates open at 5pm and racing at 7:30pm. NASCAR 358 Modifieds will join the USAC Sprint Cars. Adult general admission tickets are $30, kids 6-11 are $10. Children 6 and under are free. Advance tickets may be ordered by calling (443) 513-4456.
Wednesday at Bridgeport, racing starts at 7:30pm (Eastern). Adult general admission tickets are $30, students 10-15 are $10, children 9 and under are free.
Thursday at BAPS, Adult general admission tickets are $25, seniors are $15, students 13-17 are $15, kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $35 apiece.
Friday at Williams Grove for the Silver Crown race, pits open at 5pm (Eastern), hot laps begin at 7pm with qualifying and racing immediately following. The 410 wing sprints are also on the event card. Adult general admission tickets are $28, age 13-20 are $10, kids 12 and under are free. Pit passes are $35 apiece.
Saturday at Port Royal, it's a sprint car doubleheader with 410 wing sprints also on hand. Adult general admission tickets are $25, students are $10 and pit passes are $35 apiece.
Sunday at Weedsport, pits open at 4pm (Eastern), front gates open at 5pm and hot laps begin at 7pm with qualifying and racing immediately following. Champion Oil Modifieds and NY6A Micro Sprints are also on the docket. Reserved seating is $32, adult general admission tickets are $28, age 11-17 are $12 and age 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $32 apiece for members and $36 for non-members. Reserve camping is $30 and general camping is $24.
Courtney Connects in Bloomington IMW Victory
Posted by: | Comments- The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
Friday night's Bloomington 'Indiana Midget Week' winner Tyler Courtney from Indianapolis, Indiana. (David Nearpass Photo)
COURTNEY CONNECTS IN BLOOMINGTON IMW VICTORY
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Bloomington, Indiana (June 7, 2019).........On Friday morning, the engine that Tyler Courtney would use later that night was in the process of being rebuilt. On Friday night, that same engine helped power the Indianapolis, Ind. driver to victory in round four of "Indiana Midget Week" at Bloomington Speedway.
It had been a trying week for Clauson/Marshall Racing throughout the first three races of IMW. Courtney had gone through one engine and had a minor issue on another. Teammate Chris Windom went through two and another teammate, Andrew Layser, had to step into a backup as well.
Still, when the deck seemed stacked against them amidst trying circumstances, the team was able to persevere as Courtney drove to his fifth USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget victory of the year with only ten races in the books. In fact, his quick start already has him halfway to the double-digit win mark, something that hasn't been achieved in the series since Rich Vogler's magical 16-win season in 1988.
"It's crazy," Courtney said. "But, you know, I wouldn't want to do this with anybody else. These guys are never going to stop. The least I can do is do my job and give them 110 percent because I know they're going to give me 110 percent. It's been nuts, but if this was easy, everybody would do it. It's part of it."
Courtney started from the fourth spot, while Justin Grant bolted to the lead from the pole position, utilizing the high line as outside front row starter Thomas Meseraull followed in tow and Chad Boat worked the bottom.
Meanwhile, Thursday night's Lincoln Park hero Tanner Thorson saw his feature go from bad to worse, first spinning over the turn three banking to a stop on lap four while running 16th. Three laps later, as the Indiana Midget Week point leader coming in tried to work his way back through the field, he found contact at the bottom of turn one, bounced and flipped sidewinder style over the banking. Noah Gass and Jesse Colwell were also collected. Thorson walked away, but only Colwell restarted.
Back to the front, Boat had the low groove working, and had already moved into the second position by lap five. Following the incident, he went right back to the well on the bottom and was digging his way closer to race leader Grant, missing the point at the strip by a half car length at the conclusion of lap 8.
One lap later, series Rookie Karsyn Elledge, who had been having a career-best fifth place run at the time, caught the turn three lip and flipped over the banking. She walked away without injury but finished 22nd.
On the restart, the high/low battle between Grant and Boat would resume with Grant ripping the cush and Boat skimming inches from the infield tires. Boat surged once again, but Grant was precise on the high line, nipping Boat by the width of a dime at the stripe, 0.012 of a second to be precise.
Suddenly, series point leader Courtney emerged as a contender just behind Grant and Boat, carving through the middle as a third line came to fruition between turns three and four. By lap 17, they were three-wide for the lead with Courtney clearing around the outside of Boat in turn four for second and were still three-wide by the conclusion of the 18th lap.
"I saw where they'd blown the good stuff off the bottom," Courtney observed. "Chad was running the bottom and JG the top and I just had to go where they weren't. I did it once and it worked alright. I did it again a little differently and it worked pretty well. I knew if I could keep doing it, keep chipping away, chipping away, we were going to catch them."
Catching is one part of the equation, passing is another, and Grant was the class through the first two-thirds of the 30-lapper. However, it all went awry for Grant, Wednesday's Gas City winner, who had a right rear tire give way entering turn one on the 20th lap. He managed to control the car from jumping over the banking while Courtney did a masterful job of avoiding tagging the back of suddenly off-the-pace Grant who crawled around the quarter mile before stopping in turn four. Grant restarted, but only mustered a 20th place finish after leading a race-high 19 laps.
On the lap 20 restart, second-running Boat once again found solace on the low line, appearing to have the kind of surge that could carry him to the front, missing out on the lead by a mere 0.026 of a second to Courtney at the line. The bottom appeared to slightly fade for Boat who dropped back from Courtney by a few car lengths the following time by.
Taking Boat's place in second was opening night IMW winner Logan Seavey who found the outside rubber to run his fastest lap of the race with seven circuits remaining and was invading Courtney's fortress of solitude at the front. However, Courtney heard the oncoming freight train that was Seavey and moved off the middle line to go to the top and stifle Seavey's charge on the open path up on the cushion.
Tyler Courtney's third career 'Indiana Midget Week' victory Friday at Bloomington was also the 10th USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget win of his career, tying him for 68th on the all-time list with Allen Heath, Doug Kalitta, Brad Kuhn, Steve Lotshaw, Jerry McClung & Chuck Weyant. (Rich Forman Photo)
"I figured somebody would be coming and the middle kind of went away there in three and four," Courtney recalled. "I started hearing somebody doing something and I knew it didn't sound like somebody on the bottom, so I knew I needed to get up and take their line away, run my own race and make sure I didn't fall off the track and do anything dumb the last few laps."
To get into a rhythm in a which a driver is trying to hit his marks lap-after-lap is key, but once those marks change midstream with another driver ready to pounce, it can present a difficult challenge, but Courtney was game.
"It's a big change, especially here," Courtney explained. "This place gets really technical. It gets slick up to a big curb. If you hit it too hard, you're throwing the nose. You take the chance of bouncing over it and you throw your whole race away. So, you have to kind of ease your way into it. I knew Logan was probably pounding (the cushion) a lot harder than I was. I just knew if I could stay smooth on it, we would be alright. I felt we had good enough speed to maintain up there."
During the final laps, Seavey remained about two car lengths behind the tail tank of Courtney and, on the final lap, fired one last shot, repositioning at the midway point of the back straightaway, angling his car toward the bottom of turn three. Seavey slid up between turns three and four, but had to tuck in behind the flawless Courtney who made no mistakes down the stretch to win his second-straight Bloomington USAC Midget race. Seavey took second ahead of Boat, hard-charging Chris Windom (from 22nd) and a career-best performance from the night's fast qualifier Ethan Mitchell to round out the top-five.
Contingency award winners Friday night at Bloomington Speedway were Ethan Mitchell (Fatheadz Eyewear Fast Qualifier), Justin Grant (Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner), Dave Darland (Competition Suspension, Inc. Second Heat Winner), Kevin Thomas, Jr. (AutoMeter Third Heat Winner), Chad Boat (Indy Race Parts Fourth Heat Winner), Chris Windom (ProSource Passing Master/KSE Racing Products Hard Charger & ProSource Hard Work Award), Jerry Coons, Jr. (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher) and Cannon McIntosh (Saldana Racing Products First Non-Transfer).
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USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: June 7, 2019 - Bloomington Speedway - Bloomington, Indiana - 15th "Indiana Midget Week" - ¼- Mile Dirt Oval
FATHEADZ EYEWEAR QUALIFYING: 1. Ethan Mitchell, 19m, Bundy Built-11.652; 2. Logan Seavey, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.707; 3. Michael Pickens, 1NZ, RMS-11.750; 4. Chad Boat, 84, Tucker/Boat-11.807; 5. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall-11.824; 6. Karsyn Elledge, 1, Tucker/Boat-11.834; 7. Brady Bacon, 76m, FMR-11.840; 8. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-11.844; 9. Justin Grant, 4A, RAMS-11.865; 10. Andrew Layser, 47BC, Clauson/Marshall-11.869; 11. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.877; 12. Jerry Coons, Jr., 25, Petry-11.885; 13. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 27, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.888; 14. Tanner Thorson, 98, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.901; 15. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 5, Petry-11.909; 16. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac-11.937; 17. Holley Hollan, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.946; 18. Noah Gass, 20G, Gass-11.956; 19. Sterling Cling, 35, Petry-11.982; 20. Shane Golobic, 17w, Wood-12.005; 21. Jason McDougal, 21KS, Reynolds-12.021; 22. Dave Darland, 36, RMS-12.035; 23. Jesse Colwell, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.054; 24. Cole Bodine, 15, Petry-12.064; 25. Chris Windom, 17BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.075; 26. Zach Daum, 5D, Daum-12.128; 27. Zeb Wise, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.153; 28. Kendall Ruble, 11m, Martin-12.216; 29. Michael Koontz, 17, Koontz-12.314; 30. Kyle Cummins, 2G, Yeley/Styres-12.315; 31. Sam Johnson, 72, Johnson-12.504; 32. Justin Dickerson, 21D, Dickerson-12.764; 33. Oliver Akard, 41, Akard-NT.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Grant, 2. Courtney, 3. Hollan, 4. Windom, 5. McDougal, 6. Klaasmeyer, 7. Mitchell, 8. Koontz. 2:03.18 (New Track Record)
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Darland, 2. Thorson, 3. Elledge, 4. Gass, 5. Daum, 6. Layser, 7. Cummins, 8. Seavey. NT
AUTOMETER THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Thomas, 2. Colwell, 3. Pickens, 4. Carrick, 5. Wise, 6. Bacon, 7. Cling, 8. Johnson. NT
INDY RACE PARTS FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature) 1. Boat, 2. Golobic, 3. Meseraull, 4. Coons, 5. McIntosh, 6. Bodine, 7. Dickerson, 8. Ruble. NT
SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer to the feature) 1. Seavey, 2. Bacon, 3. McDougal, 4. Mitchell, 5. Layser, 6. Klaasmeyer, 7. McIntosh, 8. Wise, 9. Daum, 10. Bodine, 11. Koontz, 12. Cling, 13. Dickerson, 14. Akard. 2:40.02 (New Track Record)
FEATURE: (30 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Tyler Courtney (4), 2. Logan Seavey (8), 3. Chad Boat (5), 4. Chris Windom (22), 5. Ethan Mitchell (7), 6. Brady Bacon (9), 7. Michael Pickens (6), 8. Thomas Meseraull (2), 9. Andrew Layser (10), 10. Shane Golobic (18), 11. Zach Daum (24), 12. Zeb Wise (23), 13. Jerry Coons, Jr. (12), 14. Tanner Carrick (11), 15. Tucker Klaasmeyer (13), 16. Jesse Colwell (21), 17. Jason McDougal (19), 18. Dave Darland (20), 19. Holley Hollan (16), 20. Justin Grant (1), 21. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (15), 22. Karsyn Elledge (3), 23. Noah Gass (17), 24. Tanner Thorson (14). NT
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**Thorson flipped on lap 7 of the feature. Elledge flipped on lap 9 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-19 Grant, Laps 20-30 Courtney.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS/PROSOURCE/ANDY PETERSON RE/MAX ACCLAIMED PROPERTIES HARD CHARGER: Chris Windom (22nd to 4th)
PROSOURCE HARD WORK AWARD: Chris Windom
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Jerry Coons, Jr.
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS FIRST NON-TRANSFER: Cannon McIntosh
NEW USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Courtney-730, 2-Seavey-637, 3-Thomas-611, 4-Windom-584, 5-Wise-573, 6-Boat-525, 7-C.J. Leary-490, 8-Carrick-470, 9-Klaasmeyer-469, 10-Coons-450.
NEW INDIANA MIDGET WEEK POINTS: 1-Seavey-280, 2-Courtney-274, 3-Thorson-251, 4-Golobic-218, 5-McDougal-212, 6-Thomas-194, 7-Windom-187, 8-Coons-183, 9-Grant-181, 10-Boat-178.
NEW PROSOURCE PASSING MASTER POINTS: 1-Windom-28, 2-Thorson-18, 3-Wise-18, 4-Boat-15, 5-McDougal-15, 6-Courtney-14, 7-Daum-14, 8-Seavey-12, 9-McIntosh-10, 10-Golobic-10.
NEXT USAC NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 8, 2019 - Lawrenceburg Speedway - Lawrenceburg, Indiana - 15th "Indiana Midget Week" - 3/8-Mile Dirt Oval
