By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., May 9—Angell Park Speedway kickoffs their 65th season of midget auto racing this upcoming weekend May 14-15 with “The Pepsi & Miller Lite Spring Double Header Presented by Sun Prairie Tourism Committee”. The event will be co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Midget Series and the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series.
Bryan Clauson (USAC) and Scott Hatton (Badger) will both try to continue their respective series winning streaks, starting with the Saturday Night May 14 event which will be highlighted by a 30-lap feature. Clauson has won three straight USAC events including the recent season-opening double header at Dodge City, Kan., and a 2010 season finale. A sweep of the weekend events would allow Clauson to tie Rich Vogler’s all-time USAC mark of five straight National Midget feature wins set during the 1978 season.
Badger will begin its 75th Anniversary season, the oldest midget auto racing sanctioning organization, on Saturday. Hatton won the final two events of the 2010 season, and hopes to continue his winning ways, as he chases the all-time Badger mark of five straight feature wins shared by Billy Wood, John Hartwig and Brad Loyet. Hatton’s thirty-one APS feature victories has him tied for sixth all-time on the tracks feature win list.
Sunday will feature an identical program to Saturday Nights events. The Badger 600cc Micro division will be the support division both evenings. Pit Gates open at 3:00 p.m., spectator gates at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing begins at 7: 00 p.m.
Two additional USAC National/Badger events will be: the Cornfest Midget Classic on Aug. 21 and the 30th annual Firemans Nationals presented by Pepsi on Sep. 3. The 75th Anniversary Badger Midget Race Night will be on July 17, co-sanctioned by POWRi. Other Badger Angell Park events will be on May 29, June 19, June 26, July 10, and Aug. 14.
Come early and enjoy The Firemens Tailgate Party will be in the upper parking lot from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. fans will have the chance to try out the new Angell Park Speedway food menu, grilled brats, hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages.