By Dick Jordan
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. continues her pursuit of USAC’s history-making second driving championship by a female. She emerged from Saturday night’s race at Morris, Ill. with a comfortable 162-point lead over Kyle Hamilton after she finished sixth in the 40-lap race.
Mario Clouser of Auburn, Ill. made his first 2011 USAC Mopar D1 Midget appearance a winning one, grabbing Saturday night’s “D’Arcy Shootout” co-sanctioned by STARS at Grundy County Speedway. Clouser and his Illinois Corn Marketing Board/MCM Beast/Stanton Mopar led the final 15 laps after passing Aaron Andruskevitch on lap 21 of the 35-lap race. Clouser, also the fastest qualifier, was trailed by Hamilton, Andruskevitch, Dalton Armstrong and Brad Greenup at the checkered flag.
Patrick Wilda Jr. led the first nine laps and Andruskevitch led the next 11. Both Clouser and Hamilton broke Andruskevitch’s track record during qualifying. Clouser started seventh after a blind draw and Hamilton came from 19th to battle Clouser in the closing laps. STARS point leader Jim Anderson dropped out of the race on lap 14.
USAC MOPAR D1 MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Taylor Ferns-665; 2-Kyle Hamilton-503; 3-Jake Blackhurst-467; 4-Kyle O’Gara-451; 5-Bryan Nuckles-437; 6-Morgan Nelson-386; 7-Mario Marietta-352; 8-Ali Jackson-346; 9-Davey Ray-255; 10-Dave Fhurman-251.