Australians came but Schatz won the Kings Royal.

Posted on July 17, 2016 by admin

Australians came but Schatz won the Kings Royal.

Tonight at Eldora Donny Schatz lifted the Kings Royal Crown and Trophy for the third time .After running second in the Jokers Wild and the night before the Kings Royal Schatz would have had the bookies shortening his odds. A field of 60 started through qualifying and the heats the best 24 drivers had earned the right to run the 40 Lap $50,000 to win Feature .

The field had all the big hitters ready to pounce including three Australians, Jamie Veal, Ian Madsen and former Kings Royal winner Kerry Madsen. James McFadden and Daniel Harding were unable to make the Show despite strong performances. Ian Madsen was the best of the Australians finishing 10^th , brother Kerry 15^th and Jamie Veal DNF.

With the biggest purse in the 33 years of the Kings Royal the stage was set for one hell of a race. The pressure was right on from the time the green lights came on and the intensify of the battle can been seen from the number of race leaders during the re first 20 laps .First it was Brown then it was Swindell having his turn before Sweet came thundering past and the defending Champion looked comfortable out front .

But as we have all come to expect Schatz started to lay down his challenge for the crown. Schatz soon stormed past Sweet but coming fast to stake his claim was Christopher Bell and was at one point looking like he might be a concern for Schatz. Bells surge came to nothing after making second he got into the wall, climbed the wall, caught the fence and was done for the night. Behind Bell it was Abreu who was arriving fast and would present more concern for the checker would come out. Many can catch Schatz but passing is art not many have perfected

As hard as Abreu charged and worked the track he would be denied the pass and would have to settle for a position behind Schatz for the night at the Kings Royal, third behind Gravel and Schatz at the Jokers Wild and third behind Pittman and Schatz at the night before the Kings Royal.

Post race with Donny Schatz,Rico Abreu and Brad Sweet : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz8wZbiKGZE

Schatz’s third Kings Royal win takes his season wins to 15 and as the Outlaws head into the month of money the team has increased his points lead to 186 over second place Brad Sweet.

.A-Main – (40 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$50,000]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [8] [$20,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6] [$15,000]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [5] [$12,000]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [2] [$10,000]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [21] [$7,500]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [23] [$6,500]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [9] [$6,000]; 9. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$5,500]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [11] [$5,000]; 11. 5-David Gravel [20] [$4,750]; 12. 1-Sammy Swindell [4] $4,500]; 13. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13] $4,000]; 14. 7-Paul McMahan [10] [$3,750]; 15. 29-Kerry Madsen [19] [$3,500]; 16. 19M-Brent Marks [12] [$3,450]; 17. 11N-Randy Hannagan [18] [$3,400]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [24] [$3,350]; 19. 10H-Chad Kemenah [17] [$3,300]; 20. 71-Jamie Veal [1] [$3,250]; 21. 14-Christopher Bell [14] [$3,200]; 22. 33-Danny Lasoski [15] [$3,150]; 23. 1B-Dale Blaney [22] [$3,100]; 24. 17W-Bryan Clauson [16] [$3,000]. Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-9, Sammy Swindell 10-12, Brad Sweet 13-19, Donny Schatz 20-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman [+16]

Credit Photo: Vince Vellelle @VinnieV77 and Jeremy Elliott 2jelliott101

Kings Royal 2016 record prize purse

Posted on July 14, 2016 by admin

Press release from Eldora Speedway

Record $320,975 Posted For 33rd Annual Kings Royal Weekend At Eldora

World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Return For Expanded Three-Day Event July 14-15-16

ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 7, 2016) – The 33rd running of Kings Royal Weekend, expanded this year to include a full World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race on Thursday, July 14, already promises fans more racing and Eldora Speedway officials today announced more prize money for the racers.

Saturday’s tradition of $50,000-to-win and the pomp and circumstance that surrounds racing’s most unique victory remains untouched – but that is the only position that does not see a major increase for 2016. Over half of the 40-lap Kings Royal finishers will earn double the money posted in previous years. Highlights include: 2nd) $20,000; 5th) $10,000; 10th) $5,000; 24th) $3,000 and the first non-transfer from the B-Feature will receive $2,000. All B-Feature and C-Feature positions received healthy increases as well.

Thursday’s “Jokers Wild” will pay $10,000 to the winner while Friday night’s “The Knight Before” has been increased to $12,000-to-win.

Eight different drivers have won the Kings Royal over the past eight years. Shane Stewart is the defending winner of both the Kings Royal and The Knight Before.

Tickets and camping for all three nights of the 33rd Kings Royal Weekend, sprint car racing’s annual showcase featuring the stars of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series versus Ohio’s best, including the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, are available now at www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by phone at (937) 338-3815.

Full Kings Royal Saturday Purse Breakdown:
Kings Royal A-Feature
1)$50,000; 2)$20,000; 3)$15,000; 4)$12,500; 5)$10,000; 6)$7,500; 7)$6,500; 8)$6,000; 9)$5,500; 10)$5,000; 11)$4,750; 12)$4,500; 13)$4,000; 14)$3,750; 15)$3,500; 16)$3,450; 17)$3,400; 18)$3,350; 19)$3,300; 20)$3,250; 21)$3,200; 22)$3,150; 23)$3,100; 24)$3,000;

Kings Royal B-Feature
1)Transfer; 2)Transfer; 3)Transfer; 4)Transfer 5)$2,000; 6)$1,750; 7)$1,500; 8)$1,250; 9)$1,000; 10)$750; 11)$650; 12-24)$600.

Kings Royal C-Feature
1)Transfer; 2)Transfer; 3)Transfer; 4)Transfer; 5)Transfer 6)Transfer; 7)$500; 8)$450; 9)$400; 10)$375; 11-24)$350.

————————————————
About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Celebrating its 63nd season in 2016, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 22nd annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 33rd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on dirt – the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby; and the 46th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 63rd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedway.

McFadden shook it up but Schatz won the Doty Classic .

Posted on July 13, 2016 by admin

McFadden shook it up but Schatz won the Doty Classic .

Aussie James McFadden back in the Garete Engines 3G won the right to start the Doty Classic at Attacia from pole and shook up the field in a tremendous drive before an unlikely spin on lap 28 while running second ended his Doty chance .McFadden accounted for Holtgraver from the start and then had to defend his position from a charging Haudenschild .The battle between the two young chargers was intense before the young Hud found a way passed on lap 13.McFadden and Sheldon Haudenschild held the crowd’s interest for the early part of the Classic before the amazing Donny Schatz started to imposed his authority over the race and score his 3^rd Dody Classic win from Dale Blaney and Daryn Pittman .

The Brad Doty Classic , one of the most sought after wins on the Sprintcar circuit brings together the Outlaws and the All Star as they battle for the right to hold aloft the Doty Classic trophy. The 28^th running of the Ohio Logistic Brad Doty Classic honors the career and talent of Brad Doty. This was he biggest entry list 59 for an Outlaw show this year.

Australia had a strong present at the Doty with the Madsen brothers, James McFadden, Jamie Veal and Daniel Harding .An indication of just how difficult it was to qualify for A main can be illustrated by the failure of Shane Stewart, Rico Abreu, David Gravel who joined Aussies Jamie Veal and Daniel Harding as spectators’ for the A Main . Ian Madsen was the best placed Australian finishing in 7^th.

The podium of Schatz,Blaney and Pittman was quite an achievement considering all three came from deep in the field to share the spoils, Schatz drove from P15,Blaney from P10 and Pittman after taking a provisional from P 25. Pittman had the most disastrous start to a race you could image .Doing an engine before qualifying set the 2013 Outlaw Champ a huge hill to climb and climb it he did!

Attacia victory lane interviews

A-Main – (40 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [15] [$10,000]; 2. 1B-Dale Blaney [10] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [25] [$2,400]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6] [$2,800]; 5. 70-Danny Holtgraver [2] [$2,500]; 6. 83-Joey Saldana [5] [$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [18] [$2,200]; 8. 33M-Caleb Griffith [3] [$2,100]; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [14] [$2,050]; 10. 5R-Byron Reed [26] [$1,200]; 11. 5T-Travis Philo [11] [$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [24] [$1,200]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [20] [$1,100]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [21] [$1,050]; 15. 45L-Brian Lay [7] [$1,000]; 16. 3G-James McFadden [1] [$900]; 17. 17-Josh Baughman [16] [$800]; 18. 10H-Chad Kemenah [23] [$800]; 19. 29-Kerry Madsen [17] [$800]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$800]; 21. 21-Cap Henry [9] [$800]; 22. 9X-Rob Chaney [13] [$800]; 23. 49D-Shawn Dancer [22] [$800]; 24. 26-Willie Croft [19] [$800]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] [$800]; 26. 11N-Randy Hannagan [12] [$800]. Lap Leaders: James McFadden 1-12, Sheldon Haudenschild 13-26, Donny Schatz 27-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman [+22]

The Outlaws will stay in Ohio for the next big show, three nights at Eldora ending with the Kings Royal on July 16^th .It is expected the Australians will all be present .James McFadden will be back in the Highlands Tires Service #3 for the Eldora shows

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is giving Tony Stewart one heck of a retirement gift.

Posted on June 29, 2016 by admin

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is giving Tony Stewart one heck of a retirement gift.

Story by curt.cavin@indystar.com 9:03 p.m. EDT June 28, 2016

“Indianapolis Motor Speedway is building Tony Stewart a going away present of sorts, a 3/16th-mile dirt track inside Turn 3 of the big oval. Scott Horner/IndyStar

Tony Stewart, who is retiring from NASCAR at season’s end, will receive a going-away gift from Indianapolis Motor Speedway next week that will encourage him to return.
IMS is giving Stewart a dirt track inside Turn 3.

Yes, that Turn 3.

The plan, IMS president Doug Boles said Tuesday, is to install a 3/16th-mile oval for Stewart’s media appearance July 5. Several teams that own dirt midgets have been invited for what amounts to an exhibition. It stands to reason Stewart will take anyone’s offer to take a spin around the new oval, and he might even be the first to do so.

Stewart was told of the plan last weekend, Boles said.

Assuming things come together as expected, IMS will modify the track so it’s large enough to host sprint cars, too.

“Tony doesn’t want gifts, per se, but we thought this was a great way to marry his love for dirt-track racing with his love for racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Boles told IndyStar.

Boles said IMS won’t get in the business of hosting frequent dirt-track events, but it could have an assortment of “special” events, such as a spot in Indiana Sprint Week or a sprint/midget event during Brickyard 400 weekend.

For the July 5 test run, the dirt track will not have fencing, and the banking will be minimal – maybe 6 inches, Boles said – but all aspects of the presentation will be considered for the final product.

As for the real estate the dirt track will encompass, Boles said it will still be able to serve as primary infield parking area for major oval-track events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400.

Stewart has twice won the Cup race at IMS, but the July 24 race is scheduled to be his final start on the oval. Well, the big oval, anyway.”

Follow IndyStar reporter Curt Cavin on Facebook and Twitter: @curtcavin

Breaking news-Larson to Race Ohio

Posted on June 15, 2016 by admin

Breaking news-Kyle Larson to Race Ohio Speed Week.Six of the eight days of the Ohio Speed Week just got a little more interesting and just that more competitive.

Australians on for Ohio Speed Week

Posted on June 14, 2016 by admin

AUSTRALIANS ON FOR OHIO SPEED WEEK !

Attica Raceway Park opens the eight nights of racing at eight tracks for the Ohio Speed Week. The Australian flag will be unfolded and fly over the rigs as Jamie Veal’s Indy Parts #71 and James McFadden’s Garete 3G roll into Attica raceway Park.

Sean Zemunik and Bruce White both currently are racing at Attica Raceway Park and we expect both to take their places during the eight nights of racing.The driver roster for the week is unknown as we post but you can bet Ohio’s best will be on hand. Heading the entries that we know are Dale Blaney and Chad Kemenah who have between them 46 career wins at Attica Raceway Park. Coming off a last start win at Attica 7 times track Champion Bryon Reed is in form at the right time. .

Local Ohio base drivers have recently proved to be a problem for the Outlaws particularly Chad Kemenah and Greg Wilson both with Outlaw wins in 2016 and you can be certain the locals will protect their territory with terrier like pride.

The Australians have the equipment, speed and crew backing to be a major player in the week’s results and I am looking forward to McFadden exchanging sliders with Blaney. Last time McFadden came off second best and Blaney went on to win.

With so many top class teams expected the Ohio Speed Week promised to be of a cracker of a series.

The Ohio Speed Week schedule:

17 June Attica Raceway Park

June 18 Waynesfield Speedway

June 19 Millstream Speedway

June 20 Wayne County Speedway

June 21 Sharon Speedway

June 22 Atomic Speedway

June 24 Limaland Speedway

June 25 Eldora Speedway

Pic credits :Mark Funderburk, Dirtho Fotos 2016,Dirtrack Memories.com

The blitz continues for Kunz Its Abreu at Kokomo

Posted on June 7, 2016 by admin

The blitz continues for Kunz Its Abreu at Kokomo

The final round of the USAC Indiana Midget Weeks was well and truly closed out by the Keith Kunz/Toyota Team when Rico Abreu in his DC Solar # 97K added a fifth win for Team owner Keith Kunz at Kokomo.Rico started the night without a Feature win during the Midget week but his pace during qualifying was an indication of what was to come .Posting fast time for the Prosource Qualifying time over Bell and Bacon and the stage was set for an exciting last night of racing in Indiana.

Heat race wins went to Bryan Clauson, Carson Macedo, Ryan Greth and Davey Ray.

Chad Boat and Bryan Clauson shared the front row for the 30 lap Feature in the Final Indiana Midget Championship Week.Boat lead the Feature for 21 laps before the power of the Kunz team started to take affect with Abreu, Bell and Bayston all looking for a piece of the #84.If the powerful Kunz boys was not enough Clauson was lurking and intent on securing the Indiana Midget Week Title .Clauson entered the race with a 40 points advantage over Bayston.

For the next 9 laps Abreu made the pace up front while Bayston pushed Boat back to third and Brady Bacon got the better of Bell for fourth leaving Clauson to finish in sixth place but on top of the points for the week. It was Abreu’s Feature but Clauson left Kokomo as the 2016 Indiana Midget Week Champion

What can you say about the performance of the Keith Kunz/Toyota Team with wins by Larson, Bayston,Thorson ,Bell and finally Abreu. The Team sponsors will be overjoyed and just like the fans impressed with the management and ability to get all 8 cars up and racy for each and every race during the week.

Bryan Clauson’s work rate through this week has also been impressive driving both the Midget and the no winged Sprints .Champion in both classes for Indiana Midget Week.

Rico Abreu at the post race interview ““Running the top the way we did tonight is tough because you have to keep the tires spinning and not let the motor get bogged down,” Abreu explained. “Midget racing is all about momentum and I felt like, running the bottom, you could get to the middle really quick, but then it would kill your exit because you are so sideways. So, I just tried to keep it straight up top and keep the wheels spinning, so it didn’t start bouncing. It means a lot to win another one of these races because this midget deal is so competitive right now with Clauson and guys like Brady Bacon, Tyler Thomas, plus eight Keith Kunz cars now. So, instead of just four or five competitive cars, there’s more like ten. Track position and qualifying are even more important now. It was a great week for us, but we would’ve liked to have had a better start to the week. But, big congratulations to Bryan because I know how tough it is to win this whole deal. I want to run it next year and get a third one.”

Spencer Bayston ““I was running the top, just not running it right,” Bayston admitted. “When Rico went by me, he kind of showed me a little different line. I’d run it deep into three, but turn off too early and start bouncing. So, when he went by, it showed me I could run in deeper and come across a little smoother. I think if I’d gotten up there before he got to me, we would’ve been alright.”

Chad Boat ““It’s a little disappointing to lead that much and run third, but it was still a great run for us,” Boat said. “We had a solid week and I was excited to get back here to the Indiana bullrings and to come here to Kokomo, which is my favorite track. We obviously wanted to cap off the week with a win, but we’ll take the third and try to keep the momentum up for Arkansas.”

FEATURE FINISH: Abreu, Bayston, Boat, Bacon, Bell, Clauson, Thorson, Macedo, Ray, Robinson, Golobic, Kingshott, Johnson, T.Thomas, Quin, Greth, Budres, Daum, Shelton, Nelson, Walker, Darland, Buckwalter.

Clauson was not able to secure a win during the 5 night but his collection of points during the week ensure that the Team of RKR-Dooling Racing/Cancer Treatment Centers of America – B & H Contractors/Spike/Stanton SR-11 took home the prize at the conclusion of the 5 nights of racing .

On receiving the Indiana Midget Week trophy Clauson had this to say ““We were strong all week long,” Clauson exclaimed. “We knew tonight, seeing how rough and heavy the track was, that it wasn’t really our cup of tea, so we were just trying to make sure we did our job and finish this thing off. We ran strong all week; we just came up a little short the first few nights to get a win, but a few years from now, the only thing people will remember is who won ‘Indiana Midget Week.’ I’m proud of these guys, so we’ll just keep plugging along and see if we can get into victory lane.”

Final standing Indiana Midget Week: FINAL USAC INDIANA MIDGET WEEK POINTS: 1-Clauson-362, 2-Bayston-331, 3-Abreu-312, 4-Bell-288, 5-Bacon-275, 6-Boat-274, 7-Thorson-258, 8-Thomas-240, 9-Macedo-226, 10-Golobic-221.

Australian’s entry Dyane Kingshott finished with 136 points in 21^st position out of a field of 53.Making his first USAC appearance and at tracks that he had only ever heard about his performance in making all 5 Main events was a superb achievement and the team will have to regroup quickly for the POWRi Illinois Speed Week starting June 8 at Belle-Clair and running for 5 night .

NEXT USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 17 – West Memphis, Arkansas – Riverside International Speedway

Photo credits Ric Forman,DB3Imaging,Robert Brown Jr and Bryaan Clauson Racing

Keith Kunz again, but it Bell who wins this time

Posted on June 4, 2016 by admin

Keith Kunz again, but it Bell who wins this time

What can you say, 4 starts at Indiana Midget Week and now four win with four different drivers.I guess the only question that need answers with two rounds left is who of the team will get the next win?

Bell started the night with fast time over Clauson and Ryan Robinson. Heat winners were Abreu, Thorson, Brown and Klaasmeyer.Bell race plans looked a bit shaky when he finished 5^th in his heat and was forced to work for his transfer from the semi, which he won.Bryan Clauson also had car troubles and had to get the backup car out to get his transfer by finishing second to Bell.

Bell started from P 7 and by lap 7 had taken control of the race .Lap 10 and Holly Shelton rolled and Kingshott and Tyler Thomas were involved.Bell had speed that those following could but dream about and had little difficulty in controlling the race.Bryan Clauson had found some pace up on the cushion and quickly move into contention to challenge Darland who was secure in second.

Australian Dayne Kingshott brought out a late caution for a blown rear right tyre just 6 laps from the finish.On the restart Bell bolted away building a lead that Darland and Clauson could not match. With Bell out front Darland had to call on all his years of tough racing to keep Clauson from taking his hard fought position.

Across the stripe at Bloomington and the Kunz/Toyota Team with Bell directing posted win number four , just remarkable but it must be frustrating and have the other 44 teams wondering just how do we beats these dudes !

Driver post race interviews

Christopher Bell “This place is really technical and that plays to my advantage,” Bell assured. “Tonight, there was a big ledge up top and I didn’t spend a lot of time up there, but when I did, I could use it to my advantage and pass guys. The bottom here is really tough to run; you have to make sure you have enough angle in your car, but not too much so you miss the moisture. It’s tough, but very fun too, and, obviously, Keith’s (Kunz) cars are always good so that helps.”

Dave Darland“I could hit the bottom of (turns) three and four really well, but in (turns) one and two, it was a lot harder,” Darland explained. “When Bryan (Clauson) got up next to me, I might’ve bobbled down there and let him get around me. But I just had to get into turn one easy and not get out into the slick. I did that a couple of times early on, but, luckily, it didn’t cost me anything. Tonight is a great confidence builder. It feels good for the team. These guys are still new to the midget scene, so it feels really good to reward their effort.”

Bryan Clauson“The middle was never really the fastest, but on restarts, I could use it to pick some guys off,” Clauson said. “It made the guys on the bottom overdrive the corner a little bit and let me sneak by and that was really the only option I had. It was a herculean effort tonight to get back into contention with having to pull out the backup car and it kept our ‘Midget Week’ hopes alive.”

FEATURE FINISH: 1. Christopher Bell, 2. Dave Darland, 3. Bryan Clauson, 4. Shane Golobic, 5. Spencer Bayston, 6. Carson Macedo, 7. Brady Bacon, 8. Chad Boat, 9. Tyler Thomas, 10. Rico Abreu, 11. Tanner Thorson, 12. Steve Buckwalter, 13. Garrett Aitken, 14. Davey Ray, 15. Ryan Greth, 16. Gage Walker, 17. Austin Brown, 18. Jimi Quin, 19. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 20. David Budres, 21. Jerry Coons, Jr., 22. Dayne Kingshott, 23. Zach Daum, 24. Holly Shelton.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-6 Darland, Laps 7-30 Bell.

KSE RACING PRODUCTS/B & W AUTO MART HARD CHARGER (in memory of Dean Wever): Tyler Thomas (21st to 9th)

**Robinson flipped during the third heat. Shelton flipped on lap 10 of the feature.

NEW USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Clauson-320, 2-Bayston-312, 3-Bacon-285, 4-Thorson-253, 5-Golobic-247, 6-Boat-240, 7-Thomas-238, 8-Daum-214, 9-Coons-194, 10-Darland-193.

NEW USAC INDIANA MIDGET WEEK POINTS: 1-Clauson-297, 2-Bayston-257, 3-Abreu-231, 4-Bell-220, 5-Bacon-204, 6-Thomas & Boat-203, 8-Thorson-201, 9-Coons-194, 10-Darland-183.

NEXT USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 4 – Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway – 12th “Indiana Midget Week”

Tanner Thorson takes victory at Lincoln Park

Posted on June 3, 2016 by admin

Tanner Thorson takes victory at Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park Speedway night three of the Indiana Midget Week was another triumph for the Keith Kunz Motorsports /Toyota Racing but this time it was Tanner Thorson turn in victory lane.The last time Thorson was at Lincoln Park Speedway he left the track in a ambulance and ruined his chance at a maiden USAC National Title .To get the win Thorson had to overcome firstly his younger teammate 15year old Ryan Robinson ,Bryan Clauson and an aggressive Rico Abreu.

Missing from the KKM team for LPS was Larson and Bell but the strength of this team is its depths as both Thorson and Robinson proved tonight.Night three started with Brady Bacon getting fast time during the Resource qualifying followed by last start winner Spencer Bayston and Tanner Thorson.

Heat race winners were Rico Abreu, Tyler Thomas, Carson Macedo and Chad Boat.

Robinson started the 30lap feature with Clauson on his outside and just like Bayston did the previous night showed experience way beyond his years to lead Clauson from the green.Robinson held the race lead for the first 14 laps before Thorson was able to penetrate his defense and get into the lead. As the race entered the 18^th lap Abreu’s presence was starting to be felt as the 2015 USAC Champion started to cut through the field, he was on a mission to get to the race lead, sitting in third Abreu progress was disrupted when Jmi Quinn spun. On the restart Abreu disposed of Robinson with a familiar slide job and now with Thorson firmly in his sight aimed for the race lead.

The race was nearing the end when Thorson had trouble on the cushion and suddenly Abreu looked a real chance and as he started to work past Thorson Darland and Holley Shelton tangled and the yellow was displayed .Abreu had lost a certain race lead and had to revert to second for the restart.

Abreu attacked Thorson with every move he had and the pressure worked to his own disadvantage when he slid high on the cushion and the every present and a patient Clauson took full advantage to take second. Abreu was not finished, pushing the limit of both car and track he jumped the cushion a number of times effectively killing any chance of the race win.

Thorson had one final barrier to overcome, a charging Bryan Clauson made one last desperate slide for the win but track position and the momentum was all with Thorson and win number three in the Indiana Midget Week went again to a Keith Kunz/Toyota driver Tanner Thorson.The podium on night three at Lincoln Park Speedway was Thorson, Clauson and Tyler Thomas.

Driver quotes .Tanner Thorson“I left here last year in an ambulance, so to come back to this track and win is pretty awesome,” Thorson said. “These guys work their butts off starting at 2:30 in the morning when we get back to the shop and it feels great to reward them with another win. Rico had me nervous just because you know a big move is coming. I knew the laps were winding down, but I knew that I just needed to keep hitting my marks. The top was so treacherous that you had to nail it perfectly every lap. I kept getting tight on the cushion and just tried to keep my composure towards the end because the last ten laps were really tricky with the track the way it was and knowing I had fast guys behind me.”

Bryan Clauson “We just needed more time,” Clauson said. “I was a little snug early and each yellow just wasn’t what we needed. We got rolling towards the end and Tanner was getting tight on the curb, but we were good enough off of it to make some decent speed; we just ran out of laps. I saw the white and made my move in turns one and two because it seemed like it was easier to counter a slide job at the other end. I felt like if I slid him in (turns) three and four, it’d be too easy to cross me over, so I took a shot in (turns) one and two and just came up a little short.”

Tyler Thomas “I moved to the bottom in the early laps of the race and it stuck, so I knew I needed to be down there if I wanted to pick some off,” Thomas explained. “The top was so fast early on and the only way to pass was to slide somebody, but you had to have so much momentum to pull it off that it was just really difficult to make happen. Fortunately, our car was really working well on the bottom and I could slide myself in turns three and four and catch the cushion on exit. We qualified better tonight too, so if we can keep that up these next three nights, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

All six members of the Kunz Motorsports/Toyota Racing made the feature and all finished .The result 3 wins, three different drivers what an amazing display of team management, engineering and commitment to Midget racing.

FEATURE FINISH: 1. Tanner Thorson, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Tyler Thomas, 4. Rico Abreu, 5. Spencer Bayston, 6. Carson Macedo, 7. Steve Buckwalter, 8. Ryan Robinson, 9. Jerry Coons, Jr., 10. Chad Boat, 11. Jake Neuman, 12. Ryan Greth, 13. Gage Walker, 14. Chase Johnson, 15. Holly Shelton, 16. Jimi Quin, 17. Zach Daum, 18. Tyler Nelson, 19. Brady Bacon, 20. Dave Darland, 21. Logan Jarrett, 22. David Budres, 23. Dayne Kingshott, 24. Shane Golobic.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-13 Robinson, Laps 14-30 Thorson.

NEW USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Clauson-250, 2-Bayston-249, 3-Bacon-225, 4-Thorson-204, 5-Thmas-191, 6-Daum-189, 7-Boat-188, 8-Golobic-181, 9-Coons-165, 10-Robinson-143.

NEW USAC INDIANA MIDGET WEEK POINTS: 1-Clauson-227, 2-Bayston-194, 3-Abreu-180, 4-Coons-165, 5-Bacon-164, 6-Thomas-156, 7-Thorson-152, 8-Boat-151, 9-Kyle Larson-150, 10-Daum-146.

NEXT USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: June 3 – Bloomington (IN) Speedway – 12th “Indiana Midget Week”

Pic credits Rich Foreman & David Wilson and Toyota Racing

Bayston Bags first USAC Win at Gas City

Posted on June 2, 2016 by admin

Spencer Bayston bags first USA WIn at Gas City

Gas City and 45 Midgets gather the pits for race two for the Indiana Midget Week. The crowd and most of the USAC teams would have been privately concerned that Larson would again remind them of his unbelievable versatility and ability to adjust from the pavement of the NASCAR World back to the hustle of the real raw racing on dirt .

The Gas City track was lighting fast with the track record coming under attack during the warm ups with both Clauson and Abreu getting under the mark.Once qualifying was done and dusted Rico Abreu would emerge as the Prosourse fast qualifier over Ryan Robinson and Bryan Clauson. Heat winners were Ryan Greth, Tanner Thorson, Christopher Bell and Brady Bacon.

Spencer Bayston and Zach Daum had the front row for the 30 lap featurewith Clauson and Larson in row two.Bayston won the start and headed Daum into the first corner.The 2015 rookie of year started to settle nicely into the race lead and moved from the bottom into the middle of the track. The race was stopped on lap 9 when Chase Johnson’s night ended suddenly with a barrel roll in turn four .Johnson’s effort brought out the first caution. Thankfully Johnson was unhurt.

The restart was the only time Bayston was under real pressure and Daum got to the inside to lead the 17year old only to lose it by time the pair reached the stripe for lap 9.At this point Daum’s race started to fade under the pressure from Larson and Clauson.By the halfway point Clauson had pushed past Larson but Bayston was clear with one-and-half second .up his sleeve.

When other 17 year olds are planning their summer vacation Bayston was blitzing past back markers with the skill of a second professional and nothing that Clauson or Larson had made any difference .With just 7 laps remaining Thorson’s car stopped and brought out a caution , providing Clauson and Larson one last chance to overhaul the 2015 Rookie of the year .If Bayston was nervous on the restart, and who could blame him with a host of USAC winners all over his tank he showed no signs and took the restart with total authority leaving Clauson and Larson to argue over the runner up position.

The battle for second between Clauson and Larson grabbed the attention but Larson’s efforts came to an end when he clipped a turn four tyre marker and slowed and would he would have to settle for third.Bayston’s drive was that of a master professional and the Gas City win was the first of many more USAC National wins to come.

Keith Kunz must surely be about the best judge of new talent around, his ability to pick replacements when his stars Larson, Bell and Abreu move on to the bigger NSCAR stage is nothing short of stunning.

With the sun setting above the Gas City Landscape the haulers head out with their cargo of midgets to Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville night two of the Indiana Midget week comes to a close and Bryan Clauson with two second places finds his way into the lead for the Indiana Midget Week Championship with 152 over Larson 150 and Bell third with 140.

Driver interviews: Spencer Bayston “I’m speechless right now,” Bayston exclaimed. “Big Al (Scroggins) had the car absolutely perfect. I could hold it to the ground and it would dig the whole way around. I was waiting for Bryan (Clauson) and Kyle (Larson) to show up, but these guys gave me a good enough race car that I could stay out front. I was getting some signals under the red from my guys about where those two were running, so I just tried to focus on my line and tried to keep making good laps. To race against these guys is special and to beat them is even more special because both of them are guys that I’ve looked up to my whole career.”

Bryan Clauson “Our car was alright tonight; we were just a little off,” Clauson admitted. “We could hang; we just didn’t have enough to mount anything. I pulled out everything I had to hold Kyle off. Those three points could play a big factor at the end of the week, but it’s a great start to ‘Indiana Midget Week’ for us.”

Kyle Larson “It’s always fun racing Bryan (Clauson),” Larson said. “I needed the caution, but I needed to restart in front of Bryan and, after that, I didn’t really have a shot at Spencer (Bayston). He wasn’t on the bottom in (turns) three and four and I could get through there pretty well. Bryan was running on the bottom in (turns) three and four too and it was enough to slow me down a little, but I had a lot of fun. It was a pretty solid weekend of racing for me, so a big thanks to Keith (Kunz) and Pete (Willoughby).”

FEATURE FINISH: (30 laps) 1. Spencer Bayston, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Kyle Larson, 4. Zach Daum, 5. Christopher Bell, 6. Rico Abreu, 7. Brady Bacon, 8. Shane Golobic, 9. Justin Peck, 10. Jerry Coons, Jr., 11. Ryan Robinson, 12. Chad Boat, 13. Justin Grant, 14. Ryan Greth, 15. Tyler Thomas, 16. Chris Windom, 17. Gage Walker, 18. Tony DiMattia, 19. Tanner Thorson, 20.* Dayne Kingshott, 21. Jimi Quin, 22. Holly Shelton, 23. Chase Johnson, 24. Dave Darland. NT
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**Hatton flipped during the fourth heat. Johnson flipped on lap 9 of the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Bayston.

KSE RACING PRODUCTS/B & W AUTO MART HARD CHARGER: Shane Golobic (17th to 8th)

Photo Credits :Travis Branch,Spencer Bayston Racing,Bryan Clauson Racing

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