By David Smith Jr.
Park City, Kansas – July 11, 2011 – A hot $5000 await this weekend’s National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products sprint car division Hutchinson Grand Nationals feature winner as the tour makes the annual stop during the 55th annual Mid-Summer Classic this coming Saturday night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas.
And just as hot as the money and the weather is expected to be this coming weekend, so is the battle for the 2011 series championship.
Former series champion C.J. Johnson of Quinter, Kansas leads current point standings and is also looking to become a four time Hutch Nationals feature winner. However, former five-time series champion Garry Lee Maier of Dodge City, Kansas is slowly closing in on the season long leader in the point standings and is looking to notch his fifth career Hutch Nationals title.
It has been quite a diverse list of drivers who have won the Mid-Summer Classic with eight different drivers having won the past eight years. Last year it was Norman, Oklahoma veteran Danny Jennings claiming his second career Nationals championship.
Former series champion Mike Peters of Wichita, currently third in the point standings, has been running as of late, picking up the victory in the most recent event held at 81 Speedway in Park City back on Independence Day.
Jason Martin of Liberal is currently fourth in the point standings while Patrick Stasa has had a strong year thus far on the tour and currently sits fifth in the point standings.
Defending series champion Jeremy Campbell of Wichita has struggled during his sophomore season on the NCRA sprint car tour and is currently sixth in the point standings. But look for the sprint car veteran to get back on track this weekend to claim his first career Nationals crown.
2007 Hutchinson Grand Nationals champion Jon Freeman of Salina lays claim to the seventh position in the points.
This huge one night event for the NCRA sprint car tour at the Hutchinson Grand Nationals on Saturday night will see the grandstand gates open at 5:30 PM with race time set for a 7:30 PM start time. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults and $5 for ages 6-10 years of age. The series’ modified and southern sport modified divisions will also be competing in this huge one night event. For more race information, contact (316) 755-1781. To learn more about the NCRA, check them out on their website www.racencra.com.
Past NCRA Sprint Car Hutchinson Grand Nationals winners:
2010 – Danny Jennings, 2009 – Gary Lee Maier, 2008 – Mike Chadd, 2007 – Jon Freeman, 2006 – J.D. Johnson, 2005 – Derek Drown, 2004 – Steve King, 2003 – C.J. Johnson, 2002 – C.J. Johnson, 2001 – Dennis Park, 2000 – C.J. Johnson, 1999 – Clay Bontrager, 1998 – Shelby Stenson, 1997 – Mike Peters, 1996 – Danny Jennings, 1995 – Clay Bontrager, 1994 – Mike Peters, 1993 – Scott Brown, 1992 – Garry Lee Maier, 1991 – Garry Lee Maier, 1990 – Garry Lee Maier
Current 2011 NCRA Sprint Car Point Standings
1) C.J. Johnson 1945, 2) Garry Lee Maier 1890, 3) Mike Peters 1810, 4) Jason Martin 1800, 5) Patrick Stasa 1725, 6) Jeremy Campbell 1720, 7) Jon Freeman 1675, 8) Luke Cranston 1625, 9) Taylor Velasquez 1400, 10) Jeff Stasa 1365