From Dick Jordan
Major events signal the release of USAC’s 2013 National Midget calendar as the slate includes a historic number of signature races. The series also includes the return of the “Belleville (Kans.) Midget Nationals in August, a brand-new two-night Kokomo “Grand Prix” at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, a two-night “Florida Speedweeks” visit to New Smyrna Beach , Fla. in February, a two-night USAC/Powri spectacular at the Belle Clair (Ill.) Speedway and a change of venue for the traditional “Hut Hundred” to Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. are among the list of events announced today.
Other major events include the season-ending 73rd “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway. The five-race “Indiana Midget Week” unfolds at tracks in Gas City, Putnamville, Bloomington, Lawrenceburg and Kokomo, the “4-Crown Nationals” is scheduled at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, the “Gold Crown Midget Nationals” present their three-night extravaganza at Pontoon Beach, Ill. and the “Western Classic” returns at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz.
The pavement slate for 2013, while showcasing high-speed, high-profile venues such as the aforementioned races at Pikes Peak and New Smyrna, includes races at Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind. in May (“Night Before the 500”) and July, a National return after 12 years for an August 9 race at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Ind., an October 12 race at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway and an appearance with the STARS series at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Ill.
Emphasis in 2013 will focus on National Championships for both dirt and pavement racing showcasing the diversity of competition which has long been the trademark of USAC activity.
Defending Champion Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. captured both the Dirt and Pavement titles in 2012 on his way to the National crown.
2013 USAC NATIONAL MIDGET DIRT SCHEDULES
Date Location/Track
April 12 *Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
April 13 *Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
May 31 *Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
June 12 @Gas City, IN/Gas City I-69 Speedway
June 13 @Putnamville, IN/Lincoln Park Speedway
June 14 @Bloomington, IN/Bloomington Speedway
June 15 @Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg Speedway
June 16 @Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
June 23 *Sun Prairie, WI/Angell Park Speedway
July 5 *Belleville, IL/Belle-Clair Speedway
July 6 *Belleville, IL/Belle-Clair Speedway
August 1 Belleville, KS/Belleville High Banks
August 3 Belleville, KS/Belleville High Banks
August 18 *Sun Prairie, WI/Angell Park Speedway
September 21 Rossburg, OH/Eldora Speedway
October 3 *Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
October 4 *Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
October 5 *Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
November 14 Peoria, AZ/Canyon Speedway Park
November 15 Peoria, AZ/Canyon Speedway Park
November 16 Peoria, AZ/Canyon Speedway Park
November 28 Perris, CA/Perris Auto Speedway
2013 USAC NATIONAL MIDGET PAVEMENT SCHEDULES
Date Location/Track
February 17 New Smyrna Beach, FL/New Smyrna Speedway
February 18 New Smyrna Beach, FL/New Smyrna Speedway
May 25 Indianapolis, IN/Raceway Park @ Indianapolis
June 29 Fountain, CO/Pikes Peak International Raceway
July 27 Indianapolis, IN/Raceway Park @ Indianapolis
August 9 Schererville, IN/Illiana Motor Speedway
August 10 #Morris, IL/Grundy County Speedway
October 12 #Columbus, OH/Columbus Motor Speedway
@=Indiana Midget Week
#=Co-sanctioned by STARS
*=Co-sanctioned by Powri