By Dick Jordan
The USAC Mopar D1 Midget Series resumes this Saturday night at Grundy County Speedway in the $4,000-to-win “D’Arcy Shootout” co-sanctioned by STARS (Short Track Auto Racing Series). This event replaces the previously-scheduled September 3 race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich., which has not been rescheduled, however, USAC and Berlin officials are discussing an expanded 2012 USAC schedule at the track.
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. continues to lead the USAC Mopar D1 Midget standings after rain forced cancellation of last Saturday’s USAC “tripleheader” at the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Speedway.
Ferns holds a comfortable 167-point lead over Jake Blackhurst in the latest Mopar D1 points entering the race at Grundy County Saturday.
The unique format for Saturday’s program will include qualifying, followed by three heat races offering direct transfers to the 35-lap feature event. The first of those heats will be a four-car trophy dash featuring the four fastest qualifiers, all of which will transfer directly to the feature. The second and third heats will include the rest of the qualifiers, with the top six finishers in each advancing to the 35-lap finale. Up to four race organizer “options” may be added to complete the feature field.
A special “draw” held at the start/finish line will determine the entire feature starting lineup for the “D’Arcy Shootout.”
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-612; 2-Jake Blackhurst-445; 3-Bryan Nuckles-437; 4-Kyle Hamilton-434; 5-Kyle O’Gara-409; 6-Morgan Nelson-373; 7-Mario Marietta-352; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Davey Ray-255; 10-Dave Fuhrman-251.