From Bryan Gapinski
Belleville, KS — (July 22, 2013) — Three of midget auto racing’s most successful drivers will be searching for their first career victory in the upcoming 36th Annual Belleville Midget Nationals on Aug. 1-3 at the Belleville High Banks. The event features a new format change, and the return of the United States Auto Club (USAC) as the sanctioning organization, along with The Belleville High Banks Race Committee.
Tracy Hines, Brad Kuhn, and Darren Hagen have yet to “park” on the frontstretch in victory lane at the 1/2-mile high banked clay oval during Saturday Night or a preliminary night feature. Hines has recorded a pair of third place Saturday Night finishes, and will drive the Bob Parker Spike/Toyota no. 24. During his brilliant career Hines has victories in midget auto racing’s crown jewel events including the Chili Bowl, Night Before the 500, Hut Hundred, and Pepsi Midget Nationals.
Kuhn, who currently leads the Badger Midget Series Championship, has accumulated nine midget driving series titles during his career. Kuhn has posted three third place finishes on the High Banks, and will drive the Mason Cook owned Beast/Fontana No. 10.
Hagen has claimed five midget feature events during the 2013 season, including the Night Before the 500. Hagen, the defending USAC National Midget Champion will pilot the RFMS Racing owned DRC/Stanton No. 3. Hagen has posted two top five finishes since making his Belleville debut in 2005.
Thursday Aug. 1 will see the USAC Honda National Midget Dirt Series run qualifications, preliminary races and a 25-lap midget feature race. The TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Series. will hold a practice session during the evening, in preparation for Friday Nights events.
“The Hustle on the High Banks” on Friday Night Aug. 2, will mark the series first ever appearance at the track for Silver Crown series, highlighted by a 50-lap feature. Defending Belleville Midget Nationals champ Jerry Coons Jr. leads the Series points followed by: Bobby East, Kody Swanson, Hines and Shane Hollingsworth. The tracks popular cruiser division will also be competing.
Saturday Aug. 3 will feature dashes, and last chance races setting the field for the 40-lap midget feature. The United Rebel Sprint Car Series again returns for the 2nd annual 305 Sprint Nationals.
General Admission tickets for all events are sold first-come first-served on race day at the ticket gate. Reserved Seating tickets is available for the Belleville Midget Nationals. General admission available only if the event is not sold out, and available only on the day of the race at the track ticket office (bottom 3 rows only).
Tickets can be ordered by going to the tracks website, or logging onto The TicketForce website (direct link to Belleville events) : http://tickets.ticketforce.