From Bryan Gapinski
After 201 events at 82 different tracks in 24 states, Bryan Clauson’s late season victories have earned him the 2009 National Midget Driver of the Year Championship.
Clauson scored eleven midget feature victories with five sanctioning organizations, finishing 51 points ahead of two-time NMDOTY Champion Brad Kuhn, who led the point standings from late-June until the final weekend. Kuhn captured both the USAC National Midget and POWRI Championships during the season.
Brad Loyet who won 19 midget features the most since Billy Boat in 1995, finished third, followed by Jerry Coons Jr.and Brad Sweet, with 567 drivers earning points during the season.
Kuhn’s primary car owner RW Motorsports captured the Car Owners Championship finishing ahead of Loyet Motorsports and Wilke-PAK. Arizona’s Alex Bowman captured two features during the season winning the Design 500 Racewear Rookie of the Year. Spike (Chassis), and Ford-Esslinger (engine) again won the Manufacturers Championship.
The top drivers and car owners along with Manufacturers Champions and Rookie of the Year will receive their point fund checks and trophies in the annual ceremony held during the final night of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Jan. 16, 2010.
POINTS
Driver: 1. Bryan Clauson 1574; 2. Brad Kuhn 1523; 3.Brad Loyet 1259; 4. Jerry Coons Jr. 1252; 5. Brad Sweet 990; 6. Bobby East 986; 7. Darren Hagen 965; 8. Tracy Hines 911; 9. Cole Whitt 775; 10. Josh Wise 728.
Car Owner: 1. RW Motorsports#17, 1434; 2. Loyet Motorsports#05, 1289, 3. Wilke-PAk#11, 1179, 4. Corey Tucker#39, 1007; 5. Kahne/Curb#49, 874.
Rookie of the Year: 1. Alex Bowman 537; 2. Caleb Armstrong 438; 3. Andrew Felker 381; 4. Alex Schuette 341; 5. Tanner Swanson 334.
Manufactures: Engine: 1. Ford-Esslinger 565; 2. Mopar 170; 3. Fontana 133; 4. Toyota 119; 5. Chevrolet 83.
Chassis: 1. Spike 521; 2. Beast 310; 3. Stealth 155; 4. Drinan 49; 5. Buzzard 31.