By Dick Jordan
The 2014 Honda USAC National Midget Series resumes May 9-10 with back-to-back events in Western Illinois. The prestigious “Hut Hundred” unfolds May 9 at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., while Belle Clair Speedway in Belleville hosts the May 10 race, co-sanctioned by POWRi.
Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif. will lead the USAC contingent into the Illinois races after his “sweep” of last week’s “Kokomo Midget Grand Prix” at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. He led all 30 laps of Friday night’s race in his Keitn Kunz/Curb Agajanian Motorsports Toyota TRD Bullet. Dave Darland finished second ahead of Christopher Bell, Chris Windom and Tracy Hines.
Saturday, Abreu led a 1-2-3 “sweep” for the Kunz/Curb-Agajanian team. He led the last 27 laps to win the 40-lapper, beating teammates Tanner Thorson and Bell to the checkered flag. Hines was fourth and Tyler Thomas fifth. Tyler Courtney led the first three laps, Kevin Thomas Jr. led the next five and Bell the next five before suffering a part failure which forced him to the pits for repairs.
The May 9 race at Granite City, Ill. continues a long-standing tradition for the “Hut Hundred,” which dates back to 1952. Active former race winners include Brady Bacon, Zach Daum, Bryan Clauson, Darren Hagen, Bobby East, Dave Darland and Tracy Hines.
2014 Honda USAC National Midget Standings: 1-Rico Abreu-139; 2-Christopher Bell-125; 3-Tracy Hines-114; 4-Tanner Thorson & Kevin Thomas Jr.-102; 6-Dave Darland-94; 7-Chris Windom-89; 8-Zach Daum-84; 9-Bryan Clauson-80; 10-Tyler Thomas-75.