By Dick Jordan
The 2k11 USAC “Generation Next” Mopar .25 Midget championships are up for grabs this weekend in the series finale at Tony Stewart’s “Little E” dirt oval adjacent to his Eldora Speedway, site of this weekend’s 31st USAC “4-Crown Nationals.”
Although seven championships are already determined, another eight will be decided by this weekend’s results.
Drivers already locking up titles include Jared Irvan of Midland, N.C. (Senior Honda), Carson Hocevar of Portage, MI (Junior Stock), Bryant Dawson of Phoenix, AZ (Mod), Ryan Krachun of Neshanic, N.J. (B), Gage Walker of Fairland, IN (Light AA), Mark Miller of Mooresville, NC (Heavy 160), Wil Raber of Allegan, MI (Heavy Honda), and Michael Fanelli of Rio Rancho, NM (Unrestricted Animal).
In Junior Honda, Zeb Wise of Angola, IN leads Tyler Clem of St. Petersburg, FL by six points. Wise is also tied with Hocevar in Junior Animal. In Light World Formula Garrett Jones of West Palm Beach, FL leads Frankie Nervo of Tallmadge, OH by three points. Jones also leads the Light 160 standings by six over Harrison Burton of Huntersville, NC and 12 over Krachun, and Jones also leads Senior Animal by three over Burton and six over Michael Atwell of Naples, FL. Bryant Dawson of Phoenix, AZ has a six point lead over Richie Streicher of Bluffton, OH in Heavy AA.
Katlyn Stanley of Concord, NC has a three point lead over Raber and six point edge over Tyler Shullick of Vermillion, OH in Heavy World Formula.
Each class victory is worth 60 points, but a driver’s best five point performances are utilized to determine the champions. In order to be eligible for year-end championships and awards, drivers must have competed in at least five events.
Champions of USAC’s 2011 “Generation Next” tour will be recognized during USAC’s “Night of Champions” year-end banquet on December 9 at the IndianaRoof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.