By Dick Jordan
The highly-successful 2010 USAC Mopar .25 Midget “Generation Next Tour” concludes this Sunday in Rossburg, Ohio and champions will be crowned in over 15 classes at the newly-constructed oval on the grounds of Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway.
The most diversified slate of quarter midget racing ever produced events at iconic facilities like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida and Hoosier Tire’s Newton Park in Lakeville, Ind., as well as this weekend’s closer at Eldora.
Record car counts showcased America’s youth, featuring drivers as young as five, competing for USAC seasonal championships in numerous different classes.
The 10-race series enjoyed National scope and recognition, from California to Florida and drivers from 20 different states scored class victories.
Entering the Eldora finale, the battle for 2010 USAC Mopar .25 championships is intense. A tie for the point lead has occurred in two of the classes, while six other classes enjoy point leads of less than 10 points!
The “Generation Next Tour” began in March in North Carolina and has journeyed through California, Indiana, Florida and Ohio. This weekend’s Eldora event will showcase a brand-new facility which will host the series finales as part of the track’s spectacular “4-Crown Nationals” weekend.
Current class point leaders entering the Eldora events are: Chandler Smith of Fitzgerald, GA (Junior Honda and Junior Stock), Mark Miller of Mooresville, NC (Senior Honda), Caleb Cagle of Galena, OH (Heavy Honda), Tommy McCarthy of Mt. View, CA (Senior Stock), Nathan McCauley of Millersport, OH (Mod), Frankie Nervo of Stow, OH (Light World Formula), Michael Fanelli of Rio Rancho, NM (Heavy World Formula and Heavy 160), Bryant Dawson of Phoenix, AZ (B), Tyler Shullick of Concord, NC (Light AA), Cooper Clouse of Ohio City, OH (Heavy AA), Erika Newcombe of Pickerington, OH (Heavy AA), Michael Atwell of Naples, FL (Light 160), Seth Crandall of Pickerington, OH (Junior Animal), Tyler Clem of St. Petersburg, FL (Junior Animal) and Ross Rankine of Willard, Ohio (Senior Animal).
Champions of each “Generation Next Tour” USAC Mopar .25 Midget class will be crowned at the annual USAC Night of Champions Award Gala to be held in downtown Indianapolis in early December.