MIDWEST THUNDER INVADES MONTPELIER SATURDAY; PIERSON NOW AT 9 STRAIGHT; LANE GRABS 34 FEATURE
Gage Etgen hopes to take another step toward a possible USAC driving title this Saturday when the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets invade Montpelier (Ind.,) Motor Speedway. He enters Saturday’s race with an 88-point lead over Gunnar Lucius in the latest standings.
USAC DMA Midget point leader Adam Pierson of Bradford, Vt. is challenging the all-time record for consecutive USAC feature victories in a single series. Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, he stretched his DMA Midget streak to nine, leading the final 21 laps of the 25-lap race after passing Jeff Champagne on lap five. He now stands just two wins shy of Billy Boat’s all-time USAC record of 11 straight wins, established during the 1995 Western States Midget series season.
Robert Tucker finished second Saturday ahead of Dean Christensen, Seth Carlson and Champagne. Josh Sunn escaped serious injury in a flip over the turn two concrete wall during a heat race.
Pierson also won Friday night’s DMA feature at Legion Speedway in Rumney, N.H. He led the final 18 laps after passing Manny Dias on lap eight. Sunn took second in the 25-lap race ahead of Tucker, Adam Whitney and Dias.
The DMA Midgets resume action September 17 at Bear Ridge in a “double points” race.
Hunter Lane of Milo, Iowa piloted his Zero Motorsports entry to victory in Saturday night’s 15-lap “Pepsi Season Championship” USAC IMRA Midget feature at 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa. He passed Dave Anderson on lap three and led the rest of the way to beat Broc Hunnell, series point leader Jeff Mallonee, Dillon Morley and Jake Sollenberger.
The IMRA Midgets continue the 2016 campaign September 10 at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING USAC SPEED2 MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT:
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 2016
SERIES: USAC Midwest Thunder Midget Championship
TRACK: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, Indiana) – ¼-mile, semi-banked clay oval
EVENT: Montpelier Motor Speedway Midget Series, USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets, UMP Modifieds, Super Streets, Thunder Cars and FWD Compacts
STARTING TIMES: Gates Open: 3pm. Hot Laps: 5pm. Racing: 6:30pm.
TICKETS: General Admission (Adult): $12. Kids (12 and Under): Free with paid adult. Pit Pass: $30
TRACK ADDRESS: 700 S Jefferson St, Montpelier, IN 47359
TRACK PHONE: (765) 728-8210
TRACK WEBSITE: http://www.montpeliermotorspeedway.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC DMA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (985) Adam Pierson (Bradford, VT)
2. (884) Josh Sunn (White River Junction, VT)
3. (805) Adam Whitney (Waitsfield, VT)
4. (805) Dean Christensen (Granby, CT)
5. (722) Robert Tucker (East Corinth, VT)
6. (650) Jeff Champagne (Westfield, MA)
7. (605) Ray Miller (East Granby, CT)
8. (594) Manny Dias (Attleboro, MA)
9. (531) Jeff Horn (Ashland, MA)
10. (505) Mark Cole
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC IMRA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (1202) Jeff Mallonee (Ottumwa, IA)
2. (998) Dillon Morley (Moline, IL)
3. (933) Jake Sollenberger (Canton, IL)
4. (868) Brent Burrows (Lewistown, IL)
5. (833) Mitchell Davis (Auburn, IL)
6. (712) Andy Baugh (Mason City, IL)
7. (682) Broc Hunnell (Eolia, MO)
8. (674) Hunter Lane (Milo, IA)
9. (634) Chase McDermand (Springfield, IL)
10. (591) Travis Pence (Biggsville, IA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET DRIVER POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10):
1. (524) Gage Etgen (Celina, OH)
2. (436) Gunnar Lucius (Delphos, OH)
3. (423) Corey Bedwell (Bluffton, IN)
4. (352) Alex Watson (Columbus, OH)
5. (337) Cory Guingrich (Celina, OH)
6. (331) Tommy Bigelow (Winchester, IN)
7. (276) Jacob Taylor (Troy, OH)
8. (198) Ty Tilton (Lima, OH) & Nick Corea (Crawfordsville, IN)
10. (195) Jon Watson (Columbus, OH)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC SPEED2 MIDGET SCHEDULE & RESULTS:
Apr 2: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Rained Out
Apr 9: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Rained Out
Apr 16: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Patrick Bruns
Apr 16: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Gage Etgen
Apr 23: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Andy Baugh
Apr 30: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Rained Out
May 7: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Josh Sunn
May 7: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Jeff Mallonee
May 7: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Alex Watson
May 14: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Rained Out
May 14: (MTM) Waynesfield, OH - Waynesfield Raceway Park
WINNER: Rained Out
May 21: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Josh Sunn
May 21: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Andy Baugh
May 21: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Gage Etgen
May 28: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Andy Baugh
May 29: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Patrick Bruns
Jun 4: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Jun 4: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Andy Baugh
Jun 4: (MTM) Waynesfield, OH - Waynesfield Raceway Park
WINNER: Rained Out
Jun 10: (DMA) Albany-Saratoga Speedway – Malta, NY
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Jun 11: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Jeff Mallonee
Jun 18: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Jun 18: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Mitchell Davis
Jun 18: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Gage Etgen
Jun 25: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Jeff Mallonee
Jun 25: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Gage Etgen
Jul 2: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Jul 2: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Mitchell Davis
Jul 9: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Chase McDermand
Jul 9: (MTM) Waynesfield, OH - Waynesfield Raceway Park
WINNER: Kobe Allison
Jul 16: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Jul 16: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Andy Baugh
Jul 16: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Gage Etgen
Jul 21: (IMRA) Farmer City, IL - Farmer City Raceway
WINNER: Patrick Bruns
Jul 22: (IMRA) Farmer City, IL - Farmer City Raceway
WINNER: Mitchell Davis
Jul 23: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Chett Gehrke
Jul 30: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Aug 5: (DMA) Malta, NY - Albany-Saratoga Speedway
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Aug 6: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Dave Anderson
Aug 6: (MTM) Waynesfield, OH - Waynesfield Raceway Park
WINNER: Brad Racer
Aug 12: (DMA) Rumney, NH – Legion Speedway
WINNER: Rained Out
Aug 13: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Rained Out
Aug 13: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Patrick Bruns
Aug 20: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
WINNER: Rained Out
Aug 20: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
WINNER: Rained Out
Aug 26: (DMA) Rumney, NH – Legion Speedway
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Aug 27: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
WINNER: Adam Pierson
Aug 27: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
WINNER: Hunter Lane
Sep 3: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
Sep 10: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
Sep 17: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
Sep 17: (IMRA) Burlington, IA - 34 Raceway
Sep 17: (MTM) Montpelier, IN - Montpelier Motor Speedway
Sep 24: (DMA) Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, VT
Sep 24: (IMRA) Canton, IL - Spoon River Speedway
**DMA = USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship
**IMRA = USAC IMRA Midget Championshp
**MTM = USAC Midwest Thunder Midget Championship
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE WINS:
1. (5) Gage Etgen (Montpelier Motor Speedway on Apr. 16, Montpelier Motor Speedway on May 21, Montpelier Motor Speedway on June 18, Montpelier Motor Speedway on June 25 & Montpelier Motor Speedway on July 16)
2. (1) Kobe Allison (Waynesfield Raceway Park on July 9)
(1) Brad Racer (Waynesfield Raceway Park on Aug. 6)
(1) Alex Watson (Montpelier Motor Speedway on May 7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC IMRA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE WINS:
1. (5) Andy Baugh (Spoon River Speedway on Apr. 23, Spoon River Speedway on May 21, 34 Raceway on May 28, Spoon River Speedway on Jun. 4 & Spoon River Speedway on Jul. 16)
2. (4) Patrick Bruns (Spoon River Speedway on Apr. 16, Spoon River Speedway on May 29, Farmer City Raceway on Jul. 21 & Spoon River Speedway on Aug. 13)
3. (3) Mitchell Davis (Spoon River Speedway on Jun. 18, Spoon River Speedway on Jul. 2 & Farmer City Raceway on Jul. 22)
(3) Jeff Mallonee (Spoon River Speedway on May 7, 34 Raceway on Jun. 11 & 34 Raceway on Jun. 25)
5. (1) Dave Anderson (34 Raceway on Aug. 6)
(1) Chett Gehrke (34 Raceway on Jul. 23)
(1) Hunter Lane (34 Raceway on Aug. 27)
(1) Chase McDermand (34 Raceway on Jul. 9)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 USAC DMA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE WINS:
1. (9) Adam Pierson (Bear Ridge Speedway on June 4, Albany-Saratoga Speedway on June 11, Bear Ridge Speedway on June 18, Bear Ridge Speedway on July 2, Bear Ridge Speedway on July 16, Bear Ridge Speedway on July 30, Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Aug. 5, Aug. 26 at Legion Speedway and Aug. 27 at Bear Ridge Speedway)
2. (2) Josh Sunn (Bear Ridge Speedway on May 7 & Bear Ridge Speedway on May 21)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER FEATURE WINS:
1. [5 wins] Gage Etgen
2. [1 win] Kobe Allison, Brad Racer & Alex Watson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC IMRA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER FEATURE WINS:
1. [5 wins] Andy Baugh
2. [4 wins] Patrick Bruns
3. [3 wins] Mitchell Davis & Jeff Mallonee
5. [1 win] Dave Anderson, Chett Gehrke, Hunter Lane & Chase McDermand
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC DMA MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER FEATURE WINS:
1. [30 wins] Adam Pierson
2. [7 wins] Joe Krawiec
3. [6 wins] Josh Sunn
4. [5 wins] Scott Holcomb
5. [4 wins] Kevin Chaffee
6. [3 wins] Jeff Champagne & Scott Viets
8. [1 win] Mike Chaffee, Dean Christensen, Dylan Duhaime, Kenney Johnson, Ray Miller & Dana Shaw
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET DRIVER CHAMPIONS:
None – First Season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC IMRA MIDGET DRIVER CHAMPIONS:
None – First Season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL-TIME USAC DMA MIDGET DRIVER CHAMPIONS:
2011: Joe Krawiec, 2012: Kevin Chaffee, 2013: Joe Krawiec, 2014: Adam Pierson, 2015: Adam Pierson