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RACING SCENE Column – (Perris Turkey Night Midget GP Notes) – By Tim Kennedy

Los Angeles, Calif. - The 72nd running of the “Turkey Night Grand Prix for Midgets” return to dirt at Perris Auto Speedway Thanksgiving evening was a rousing success from the standpoint of on-track competition, fan and racer satisfaction. Comments on racing websites raved about the 2012 Perris TNGP and winner Kyle Larson. Grandstand attendance this year increased by at least 1,000 over the 2011 TNGP crowd at the paved, half-mile Irwindale Speedway, which had USAC 360 cu. in. sprint cars and Ford Focus Midgets also racing at the TNGP. The 2012 PAS midgets-only field this year had 60 midgets in the pits for qualifying compared to 35 at Irwindale last year, 37 in 2010 and 41 in 2009. The USAC TNGP entry blank showed the purse as $31,245 with more than $29,000 allocated to the 98-lap main event.

Fifteen midget drivers who raced in the 2011 TNGP feature were not in the 2012 Perris TNGP field. They were: Chris Windom, Kody and Tanner Swanson, Dakoda Armstrong, Chad Nichols, Bobby Santos III, Billy Wease, Mario Clouser, Adam Kramer, Travis Berryhill, David Byrne, Kyle Hamilton, David Goodwill, Troy DeCaire and Ben Petter. Multi-TNGP winning car entrant Steve Lewis also did not return in 2012, but he is busy with his annual PRI show in Florida. Five past TNGP winners—Jason Leffler, Bobby East, Dave Darland, Bryan Clauson and Caleb Armstrong--raced in the 2012 event. Three female TNGP drivers raced full midgets this year (up from two last year). They were: Shannon McQueen, Randi Pankratz and 16-year old Taylor Ferns, who came from her home in Michigan to race in her second TNGP. Taylor also raced sprints and Silver Crown cars this year.

DRIVERS BY STATES: The 60 drivers who drew qualifying numbers for the 2012 TNGP came from 12 states and two foreign countries. California led with 29. Second was Indiana with 11 residents, including three who originally called California home. Ten states--Ariz., Colo., Iowa, IlI., Kan., Mich., MO, Okla, Utah and Wash.--were represented by one driver each. Two came from Australia and one from New Zealand. ... Nine of the top ten drivers in USAC National Midget point standings raced in the 2012 TNGP, only tenth place Windom was absent. Seven of the top ten USAC Western Midget drivers raced. Fifth through seventh drivers--Alex Schutte, Frankie Guerrini and Cole Carter--were not present. Eight of the top ten in USAC Western Dirt Track standings raced at PAS. Only P. 3 Schutte and P. 8 Carter were missing. The 2011 TNGP at Irwindale drivers came from ten states and California led with 15 drivers, followed by Indiana with ten.

First-time TNGP drivers at PAS: About 16 drivers had never raced in a TNGP on dirt before the 2012 edition in Perris. They included: Pickens, Welch, Abreu, Smee, Felker, Waters, Daum, Bock, the Armstrong cousins, Margeson, Roberts, Kassik, Ferns and Rick Shuman. ... Cars running at the finish of two qualifying races: Qualifier No. 1 – 17 of 22; Q. No. 2 – 19 of 21. Last year 21 of 35 Irwindale TNGP drivers finished the 98 lap main with 16 on the lead lap. Twenty of 34 Perris TNGP drivers finished all 98 laps with six on the lead lap. All green flag racing to lap 33 accounted for so many cars being lapped early. Reasons for DNF at PAS: Clauson (No. 67 flipped); Chad Boat (No. 12 Allen) flat tire lap 33 and with laps under caution counting “made it not worth coming back laps down”; Gardner (No. 68) overheating lap 53; Vanderweerd (No. 19S) broken brake rotor-hub;

Three drivers made the TNGP feature top five finishers for the first time; their names will be shown in the TNGP program each year on the two pages that list top five finishers for every TNGP—1934 to present. They are: P. 3 Ryan Bernal, P. 4 Nic Faas, and P. 5 Shane Golobic. P. 2 Jerry Coons, Jr bettered his prior TNGP best P. 3 in 1998 at Bakersfield. ... Before the TNGP feature cars paraded three abreast as the PA system played the PAS traditional AC/DC recording of “Thunder”. ... I spoke to numerous grandstand fans, including BCRA Midget Series fans from No. Calif., who were attending a race at PAS for the first time. They loved the track and racing action and said watching PAS racing on the Internet doesn't compare to watching it in person. ... Fans living more than 100 miles from “The PAS” were able to watch the 2012 TNGP for a $14.95 fee via live streaming.

TNGP CHASSIS: There were 12 different chassis manufacturers in the 2012 TNGP. Spike led with 34. Second place was a three-way tie at four cars each from Beast, Edmunds and Stealth. Bullet and TCR had three cars each. DRC and Ellis each had two cars. Single cars came from Bondio, Cobra, Eagle, and Stewart. The 2011 TNGP had only five different chassis builders. Beast led with 27 entries, followed by Spike with five, and one each from Edmunds, Gerhardt and Stealth.

TNGP ENGINES: This year had 11 different engines. Esslinger led with 20. Next were Toyota (10), Fontana (9), Van Dyne (8), Chevy (4), Mopar (3), Honda (2), and one each from Barnes, Gaerte, VDS and VW. The 2011 TNGP had eight different engine builders. Esslinger built 15, followed by Toyota (7), Fontana (5), Mopar (4), Chevy (2) and single engines from Stanton Mopar and Speedway Mopar. The 2012 TNGP winning car was a Bullet/Toyota.

The three car Sean Dodenhoff Spike/Fontana team entered cars No. 9B, 9D and 9E for Sean, and TNGP rookie Wink Schweitzer, also from Bakersfield. Sean and the cars were no shows because his professor at a chiropractic program in Colorado did not excuse his planned absence on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Other three car entrants in addition to Keith Kunz were Keith Ford, David Prickett and Cory Kruseman. ... Dave Thurston's No. 11x Spike/Esslinger BCRA car entered for Visalia's Greg Bragg was not present for Wednesday practice or race-day. Bragg's wife Lori (in a “chase truck”) injured her back during the 45th annual SCORE Baja 1,000 run November 15-17 from Ensenada to LaPaz. She was flown from Mexico to California and hospitalized in San Diego, so Greg remained with her. USAC-CRA drivers Kruseman and Rickie Gaunt drove the No. 149 car in their first Baja 1,000.

Veteran USAC driver Danny Ebberts was entered in the TNGP as driver of Tres Van Dyne's No. 5. Days before the TNGP Danny raced in the Baja 1,000. He received second degree burns to his hands, face and about 20% of his body during a refueling stop. A spark from an electric impact wrench ignited spilled fuel and caused a flash fire that engulfed his car. His co-driver had left the car earlier. Danny initially had trouble releasing the window net. He exited from the side opposite the flames, but still received painful burns. He was taken to a hospital in Loreto initially and then airlifted to San Diego with his eyes swollen shut. He was released from the burn ICU on Sunday, Nov. 18. He was optimistic for a full recovery in a message sent to well-wishers a few days before the TNGP. Note: Only 58% of 298 starters finished the 2012 Baja 1,000.

ROOKIES OF THE RACE: The 2012 TNGP had 12 first time drivers in the 34 car feature. There were nine TNGP rookies in the 2011 event. The highest finishing rookie received the coveted Don Basile Rookie of the Race plaque and $500 from Bob Basile. He is the son of the late J. C. Agajanian right hand man, racing promoter at his own Speedway 117 in Chula Vista (near San Diego), and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee. The 12 rookies feature positions (with starting/finishing positions in parenthesis) were: 19-year old R of the R winner Ryan Bernal (22/3), Casey Shuman (9/8), Johnathon Henry (20/11), Michael Pickens (2/16), Jake Swanson (29/19), Davey Ray (16/20), Troy Rutherford (13/21), Danny Stratton (14/23), Rico Abreu (34/25), Richard Vanderweerd (25/28), Mike Spencer (28/30) and Ronnie Gardner (30/31). ... Past Basile Rookie of the race winners are: NASCAR's Kasey Kahne, Dave Steele, B. East, Jerome Rodela, Kevin Swindell, Kody Swanson, Nic Faas, Aaron Pollock, Ryan Durst, Brad Loyet, Mike Murgoitio, Levi Roberts, Dalton Armstrong and Larson last year.

New Tradition: Motor Press Guild member Albert Wong suggested a new TNGP tradition in tribute to the Indianapolis 500 winner kissing the huge Borg-Warner Trophy in victory lane each year for photographers. The large three-tier Aggie Trophy, with names of all prior TNGP winners on individual plaques on all four sides, was at the podium. TNGP winner Larson kissed the brim of the bronzed actual Aggie Stetson hat atop the Aggie Trophy and photographers captured Larson's kiss. ... Former PAS and Irwindale publicist Doug Stokes was in the PAS pits. The Aggie Trophy was his idea .Other pit observers were: former drivers Garrett Hansen, three-time TNGP winner Billy Boat, Walt Johnson, Jr., Page Jones, Billy Felts, plus NASCAR-USAC driver/current USAC Midget car owner Shane Hmiel. Shane moved around the pits on his motorized wheelchair to watch Jason Leffler practice and race his Hmiel No. 56. ... Michael Lewis, from Laguna Beach, was interviewed on the PA about his successful 2012 Formula 3 racing season. Michael, who won a F.3 race, said he lives in northern Italy and had a test drive in a Formula 1 Ferrari this summer. He said he hopes to be in Formula 1 in two years. Alexander Rossi and Conor Daly are other American drivers currently racing in Europe hoping to be hired by a Formula 1 team ASAP.

WEDNESDAY PRACTICE: PAS had a practice session Wed., Nov. 21 from 5:00-10:00 pm and 59 USAC Midgets took part. The only adverse incident occurred at 7:30 when USAC-CRA sprint car driver Brody Roa, 21, flipped in the fourth turn after his aluminum rear axle snapped in half. The RR dug in and launched his No. 0 Dave Lamott midget into one and a half flips at the cushion, landing on its side. Abreu spun his 67K midget to a stop and avoided contact with Roa's car. Brody emerged shaken, but walked unassisted to his pit. “It felt like someone got into my left rear and lifted the left rear,” Roa stated. ... Brody, seeking his first midget ride, picked up the Lamott Stealth/Honda ride when BCRA driver Cameron Beard did not come south. ... A handful of the street stock cars entered from four states for the first 1-800LOAN MART Turkey Derby on Fri.-Sat. Nov. 23-24. Some street stock drivers also practiced a bit Wednesday to prepare to race for the $15,000 purse posted by 1-800LOANMART.

USAC-CRA 2008-2012 champion Mike Spencer was in the pits for Wednesday practice in Bill Ecker's POWRI No. 57S backup Spike/Fontana for Andrew Felker, a 20-year old midget driver from Missouri. The 57S car dropped a valve pushing off for practice. Arizonan Bobby Martin offered Mike a ride in R. J. Johnson's backup No. 51 Spike and it became 51S for Spencer. Mike and R.J qualified 38th and 40th fastest and found themselves in the same 12-lap qualifying race. Mike was outside in row six and R.J was inside row seven. Mike drove the white & yellow 51S to P. 7, within the critical top eight positions. R.J drove the colorful yellow & orange Weiler Farms 51J to tenth and missed the feature. ... Weather at PAS was ideal for the TNGP. It was 72 degrees Wednesday when practice started and 55 when most cars concluded by 9:30. Thanksgiving race day temps were 81 at 2:00 pm when the front gate opened and 55 when racing finished at 10:52 pm. The 2011 TNGP temps in Irwindale were 65 degrees at 1:30 pm and 50 at 11 pm.

AUTOGRAPH SESSION: A race-day driver autograph session from 2:30-3:30 pm took place on the front straight with drivers standing by their cars. Fans collected autographs and took photos of favorite drivers. It was well attended. Afterward, Darren Hagen donated one of his flame-resistant racing uniforms (“value $1,200 to $2,000” according to Darren) to commemorate his first USAC driving championship. With many youngsters asking for it, Darren, 26, gave it a young fan he picked at random in the PAS grandstand. Darren's newest uniform had “Romans 8:28” on the belt-line. His white and red uniform sponsor is now Red Onion Lounge & Restaurant in Flagstaff, Ariz.; the owner is a fan who came out of the stands and wanted to sponsor him. Darren said he again will test NASCAR stock cars for Tony Stewart's (No. 10 Danica Patrick, 14 and 39) NASCAR Cup team in 2013. He hopes to land more ARCA or NASCAR stock car rides next season.

The drivers meeting was at 4:00. Wheel-packing and hot-lapping began at 4:30. Qualifying started about 20 minutes early at 5:38 and concluded at 6:20 without any incidents. The track produced slower qualifying times as qualifying progressed. Damion Gardner went out last (57th) and turned the 37th FQ time. Hagen, the ninth driver to qualify, set fast time and a NTR of 17.025. He beat Billy Boat's old 1996 track record (17.037). Three cars with drawn numbers did not qualify. They were: Britton Bock (No. 26)--engine woes; Rick Shuman (22AZ) overheating, and Jim Giardina (own No. 57D). Known as “the tooth doc” when he raced CRA sprint cars for decades, the dentist became ill from food poisoning after parking his tow rig in the infield near turn four. His yellow car, an old Edmunds chassis with a VW engine, had to be the oldest car and engine present. Rick Shuman, of Gilbert, Ariz., is the son of Dick Shuman, the uncle of retired drivers Ron and Billy Shuman, so they are first cousins. Rick, 49, and Ron's son Casey, 33, are cousins. Rick drove the only Cobra chassis, built by Paul Norbury in Arizona.

Race day hot-lapping had 58 of the 60 cars in the pits on the track and each driver posted quickest laps on their third through seventh laps at speed. The fastest laps were sub-track record times set by Kunz Racing teammates Larson (a sub-TR 16.923 on L 3) and Abreu (16.937 on L 4). Other fastest laps in order from P. 3-20 were: 17.055 (Brad Sweet), followed in speed order by Clauson, Gardner, East, Roberts, Coons, Bernal, Stratton, Hines, Daum, Darland, Ferns, Golobic, Spencer, Gardner, McQueen, C. Swanson and Kuhn. Some 34 drivers ran 17 second best laps, 19 were in the 18s, two in the 19s and the slowest driver ran a 20.004.

ARMY MIDGET: PFC Joey Fabozzi, a 22-year old former Norco resident/USAC Western midget veteran, is now serving in the U. S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas. He enlisted in October 2011 and on 2-1-13 will try out for Special Forces duty at Fort Bragg, N.C. Just for the opportunity to race in the TNGP on dirt, Joey flew home Thursday to race. He then returned to his Kansas base Friday. Joey put U. S. Army on the hood of his No. 84 Spike/Fontana to honor the wounded warrior project. He said any money he earned at PAS would be donated to that worthy project. Joey said his favorite driver is Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR No. 48) so he uses 84 (48 backwards) on his midget in honor of Jimmie. Engine misfiring during qualifying caused Joey to log the slowest time. He started last (21st) in the second qualifying race and dropped out early.

PRINTED PROGRAM: The TNGP 26-page (slick paper) color program sold for $5.00. The cover was reminiscent of printed racing programs from the 1930s. The starter, wearing baggy pants, checkered cap and socks, was depicted waving the checkered flag at track-level. That cover was borrowed from a Sunday, May 28, 1933 Silvergate Speedway program that sold for ten cents. Racing there started at 2:30. Sea World now sits on the site of that long-gone San Diego track. That program artwork was used to salute the TNGP return to a dirt track. The program guys—Harold Osmer and Neil Nissing—did the TNGP program for the 12th consecutive year. They printed only 1,000 programs and some were held for later sale to persons unable to attend the TNGP in person. To buy one via mail send $11 (including postage/handling) to Osmer. See details at www.hopublishing.com for payment by PayPal. Other back TNGP programs are available from 2004-12.

Rico Abreu, of Rutherford (Napa Valley) is a member of the Abreu Vineyards family. The 20-year old small person said, “I'm 4'5”. He raced winged 410 cu. in. sprint cars in California before racing successfully nationwide this season in the Keith Kunz No. 67K Bullet/Toyota. He said he uses blocks under the throttle so he can reach it. He earned both the USAC Mopar National Midget Rookie of the Year title and the same honor in the National Midget Driver of the Year (NMDOTY) rookie point rankings for all sanctioning bodies. Rico won four features. ... Sponsor: Gordy Edwards put the name of his firm--Safehouse Security Anti-Terrorism & Force Protection—on his No. 39K midget. Gordy trains corporate, military and civilian staff in anti-terrorism techniques. He was highly critical of the U. S Embassy security during the recent Benghazi, Libya attack.

SLEEPY TRIPP: Two-time (1975-76) USAC National Midget and seven-time USAC Western Midget Series champion Ron “Sleepy” Tripp was severely injured in a highway motorcycle crash several months ago. His wife Erin has been at his hospital bedside for six weeks. With Sleepy and their daughter Shay watching NFL football on TV Thanksgiving, she decided to come to Perris for the TNGP. Erin was interviewed on the track PA and gave Sleepy's medical update to his many fans. On Nov. 19 he had his final surgery on his right elbow that took the brunt of the crash. Then they started rehabilitation On Nov. 21 Sleepy was removed from a ventilator and moved out of ICU to his own room. Erin received a huge get well card that circulated in the pits. She thanked everyone for all the well wishes extended to Sleepy since his crash. Erin said she stayed late but enjoyed visiting racers again. The next day Sleepy called early and asked her to come and tell him all about Turkey Night racing. On Nov. 25 Sleepy had his tracheotomy capped and is breathing on his own. They have no idea how long he will be hospitalized. It all depends upon how rehabilitation progresses.

Mike Truex (Loud Pedal Video Productions in Oxnard) was in the pits and his TNGP video should be outstanding. He did a pre-race interview with phenom Kyle Larson, who revealed he had been visiting Disneyland in Anaheim on a three-day pass before heading to Perris where he notched another major short-track victory in his illustrious career. Kyle, 20, has the nickname “Young Money”, but he also could be called “the 21st Century Jeff Gordon”. The two talented racers called northern California cities their hometown, moved east to race as teenagers, and found early success against veteran drivers in a variety of racing cars. Just as USAC open-wheel drivers Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Josh Wise and others moved their careers to NASCAR for financial reasons, so too open-wheel fans will lose Larson to NASCAR. He is the NASCAR K & N East stock car 2012 rookie of the year AND series champion. Larson raced in three late season NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in the No. 4 truck. He almost won the Nov. 2 truck race on the Phoenix mile, but he finished second after a caution flag resulted in a green, white, checkered flag finish with a double-file restart. He also had a third place finish. In the NCWT season finale at Homestead, Fla., Kyle had a two-truck crash with Ty Dillon while trying to take third place in closing laps.

THE WINNER: Larson's parents and 24-year old sister were present at Perris to see his TNGP triumph that places his name on the list of racing greats who have won a TNGP. His family also attended the Irwindale TNGP last year to see him finish fourth and earn TNGP rookie of the race. They said he likes to stay busy racing and he plans to race in Australia during December. His versatility in midgets, 360 and 410 winged sprints and non-wing sprints plus USAC Silver Crown cars has been joined by immediate success in NASCAR stock cars and trucks. Unofficially, during his breakout year (2011) Larson had 25 main event victories, including a World of Outlaws winged sprint feature victory at Chico. SPEED-TV Wind Tunnel host Dave DeSpain revealed his guest Larson had 27 feature victories in 115 races in 2012 prior to the TNGP. Now make that an amazing 28 triumphs in 116 feature starts. Kyle is a quiet, unassuming person who is personable and deserving of all the success he has had so far in racing. His racing future is limitless.

ESSLINGER ENGINEERING: New Zealand resident Bill Bradley bought midget engine manufacturer Esslinger, of South El Monte, Calif., several months ago. Malcolm Bradley, Bill's brother has relocated to Monrovia, near the plant, to oversee operations. He said all 17 Esslinger employees will continue to work at the present site. Malcolm was in the TNGP pits watching preparation of the No. 68 midget driven by Ronnie Gardner, the lead Esslinger engine builder/rebuilder who does engine dyno work. Malcolm said there are 23 race tracks—all dirt—in New Zealand. He added that midgets race at 12-14 of the tracks and average 30 cars a night. Most midgets in NZ use Esslinger engines, so Bill's purchase of the company will keep NZ midget owners supplied with fresh engines.

The No. 68 midget is owned by first year owner Mitchell Johnson, the son of driver Walt Johnson, Jr. and grandson of USAC Western Series officials Pat Johnson (timer/scorer) and her late husband Walt (pit steward). Mitchell, 24, graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from California State University—Northridge and now uses his education with Mini Med, a bio-med firm in the San Fernando Valley. He bought the No. 72 Arizona Rick Stewart chassis, Esslinger powered midget from Walt Wadsworth. He put No. 68 on it because that was his roller hockey number. Mitchell hired fourth generation racer/USAC-CRA sprint car veteran Ronnie Gardner, son of Jeff Gardner, as his driver; they won two features at Ventura in VRA point events on June 16 and August 1. Ronnie made the TNGP feature field in his first attempt.

Midget engine builder Joe Fontana sold his So. Calif.-based firm several years ago and moved to Indiana. He now does midget engine rebuilds there according to one team. ... USAC 2012 Western Midget Dirt Series champion David Prickett, of Fresno, said he recently bought the Western Speed Equipment firm from the Gerhardt family. ... Davey Ray, 34-year old Davenport, Iowa resident, raced his No. 33 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. and other POWRI dirt tracks in the Midwest. He towed it to the TNGP for the first time because the race was on dirt. Davey said he raced one time at PAS in the 2006 Oval Nationals sprint car event. ... Driver Danny Stratton, a former Riverside resident, moved in 2005 to Brownsburg, Indiana. He said he last raced at PAS in 2005 but had to return to his home track for the TNGP. ... Norco's Cody Swanson, 22, is an ex-Legends Car racer at Irwindale who won the 2012 Ventura Racing Association midget driving championship.

TURKEY DINNER: As in 1996, the PAS concessionaire prepared 200 Thanksgiving turkey dinner plates, plus trimmings, that sold for $13. Only one concession window near turn four sold the turkey dinners from 2:00 until they were gone. The sold 50 before 4:00 pm. Turkey drumsticks also were available at the BBQ stand. ... Eric Malies, of Rio Linda on the California delta, is the son of Art and Carol Malies, the Work N' Woody push truck long-time push vehicle operators on the World of Outlaws circuit. They retired in 2008 to Deming, N.M. They currently enjoy traveling, not just to racing events. Eric pushed TNGP midgets both Wednesday and Thursday and even gave persons, including me, rides in the passenger seat. ... USAC midget car owner Calvin Martens entered the new TCR No. 11R for Troy Rutherford and the older TCR No. 86 for Casey Shuman. Martens said he purchased Bakersfield's TCR chassis firm from the original owner, USAC midget and sprint car driver Larry Brown, years ago. Martens said he resold TCR (Team Caveman Racing).

The WRA Vintage Racing car group had 11 vintage and pre-1970 midgets on display inside the main entrance gate. Old and new fans could see up-close fore-runners of current midgets racing at the TNGP. The vintage midgets were: Nos. 6R, 8, 14, 19, 22, 30, 36, 55jr, 68, 74 and 86. The Kazarian No. 1 Gas Chem Chevy sprint car also was on display. ... Four NMRA-TQ Midget drivers—West Evans, Chuck West, Kenny Wiley and Scott Dobson—will be flying on January 14 from Los Angeles to New Zealand. They will drive N.Z-based TQ Midgets in a “Tri-Nation TQ Tour”. Drivers from N.Z, Australia and the USA will complete in seven races over 12 days from January 16-28. Their N.Z hosts are providing airfare, car rental and help in living expenses. The NMRA-TQ 2012 awards dinner in Moorpark has been postponed a month to Saturday, February 16.

FRED ERCSE CLASSIC: Tues. Nov. 20 at Go-Kart World in Carson: The 14th annual slick track event again honored the late Fred Ercse and donated funds to the American Heart Association. Racer J. J. Ercse and his wife Lisa opened the 60 driver cutoff to 70. They still had to turn away 15-20 would be racers because of time constraints and limited number of karts. Heats, semi-mains and a 50-lap feature were run. Greg Alexander (No. 72 USAC-CRA driver) led all 50 laps and repeated his 2006 victory in the event. Rocky Bowen (from Esslinger) finished second as an Ercse Classic rookie. Ken Gore was third. J.J and Lisa reported that it was the largest Ercse Classic ever and they donated $1,800 to the AHA in memory of his dad Fred. Competitors reportedly included Kyle Larson, Brady Bacon, Michael Lewis, Ronnie Gardner, Robby Josett, Nick Carlson, Blake Miller, Alex Grigoreas, Tom Downing, plus promoter Chris Kearns, Jason Blue, Jeremy Queener, and Mitchell Johnson.

FINAL 2012 NMDOTY POINTS: Since 1999 National Midget Driver of the Year founder/director Bryan Gapinski, of Milwaukee, Wis., has tracked midget races each year across the USA on dirt and paved tracks. The Badger Midget Racing media director and track announcer at various midget tracks developed a unique point system that awards points based upon various factors (car count, race purse, and event prestige). There are five point ranks(1 through 5) that award feature winners 30, 50, 80, 90 and 150 points from a rank 1 to rank 5 event. Rank 5 events include the Tulsa Chili Bowl, Night Before the Indy 500, Belleville (Kan.) Midget Nationals, Hut Hundred, Fireman's Pepsi Nationals at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., and the USAC Turkey Night GP. Only the best 30 results count towards the NMDOTY championships.

Bryan tracks results in the following midget associations—AMS, ARDC, BMARA, BCRA, NEMA, POWRI, RMMRA, STARS, USAC, VRA and WMRA plus open-competition races. Last year there were 179 races and 493 drivers earned points. In 2012 there were 184 races and 517 drivers earned NMDOTY points. Last year NMDOTY champion Bryan Clauson outpointed Brad Kuhn by three points, 1,306-1,303, for his third consecutive NMDOTY championship. This year Jerry Coons, Jr. won by 130 points over Brad Kuhn. NMDOTY champions in order since 1999 have been: Jason Leffler, Kasey Kahne, Tracy Hines, Aaron Fike (2002-03), Bobby East, Brad Kuhn (2005-06), Jerry Coons, Jr., Hines, Bryan Clauson (2009-10-11). The NMDOTY Rookie of the Year award winners from 2008 forward have been Nic Faas, Alex Bowman, Dalton Armstrong, Jake Blackhurst and Abreu this year. There were 226 NMDOTY races in 2008, 201, 188, 179 and 184 in the following four years.

2012 NMDOTY FINAL POINT STANDINGS:

Drivers Points Races Wins Car Owners Car No. Points

1 J. Coons, Jr. 1,182 28 4 1 Kunz-Curb-Agajanian 67 1,080

2 B. Kuhn 1,052 39 3 2 Kunz-Curb-Agajanian 71 1,048

3 D. Hagen 1,045 31 4 3 RFMS (Don Fike) 3 923

4 K. Larson 988 17 8 4 Hans Lein 2 887

5 B. Clauson 912 28 6 5 Wilke-PAK 11 868

6 R. Abreu 897 39 4 6 Joe Dooling 63 865

7 C. Armstrong 825 30 2 7 RW Motorsports 17 807

8 T. Hines 802 25 5 8 Tucker-BCI-Curb-Agajanian 39 792

9 D. Stratton 772 19 3 9 C & A Motorsports 7c 678

10 A. Felker 756 32 4 10 Bob Parker 24 678

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