By Tim Tuttle
KOKOMO, Ind. (April 2, 2013)—At the age of 14, Justin Peck of Monrovia, Ind., will make a full-time move into the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series this season, which begins at Kokomo Speedway on April 12-13 in a co-sanctioned event with the USAC Mopar Midget National Championship.
Peck’s resume supports the decision. He became the youngest feature winner at 13 in the history of the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series last June at Lincoln, Ill., and backed it up with a second victory at the 66 Mike Phillips Memorial at Marion, Ill., in July, an event that had 106 entries from across the United States.
The decisive event in the decision to move into Midgets was the annual Rumble in Fort Wayne in December, run indoors on concrete. Driving for car owner Steve Clay of Michigan, Peck finished second on the opening night to Billy Wease and third on the second night to Derek Bischuk and Bobby East. He’d never driven a Midget prior to the event, which was full of veterans including Tony Stewart.
“I think it was Fort Wayne that made us decided to run the full season in the Midget,” Peck said. “To do that well, it says something that I’m ready to run in POWRi. I’m a little nervous taking that big jump in horsepower (about 380 for Midgets, 140 for Micros), but I think I’ve got the dirt experience and capability.”
Peck’s family-owned-and-run team, with father Steve as crew chief, has purchased a Bullet chassis from Keith Kunz and will use Essingler power.
“Our goals are to be Rookie of the Year and to make 38 main events,” Peck said.
The POWRi Midgets have 38 events scheduled.
“That’s a lot of races,” Peck said. “It will be pretty crazy.’
Peck will make his debut on dirt in a Midget at Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway on Friday (April 5) and Saturday (April 6). It’s a quarter-mile track, the same as Kokomo.
“It will be good to get some laps before Kokomo,” Peck said.
Peck has raced twice at Kokomo in a 600cc Outlaw Micro, winning the feature last October in the Kokomo Klash.
“It’s pretty wicked fast,” Peck said. “It’s all about knowing what the track will do.”
The Kokomo Grand Prix will also be the season opener for the USAC National Midgets on dirt and with $4,000 to win for the 30-lap feature on April 12 and $6,000 to win for the 40-lap feature on April 13, it is expected to attract an outstanding field.
The POWRi 600cc Outlaw Micros and USAC’s Ignite Midgets are also on the program both nights.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.powri.com.