[JessicaJ]

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Coming into 2018's race season, Robby McQuinn had his sights set on being part of the USAC IMRA championship battle. Alongside accomplishing that goal he also participated in USAC's Midwest Thunder midget series, a POWRi/BMARA race and took part in MOWA and POWRi War sprint events.

Finally moving past a couple rainouts in mid-April, McQuinn kicked off the speed2 midget season at the Lincoln and Spoon River Speedways during April's final weekend. Taking home a pair of IMRA top five results and a heat win, McQuinn was in good shape heading into May. His debut at Kokomo Speedway in a mix of USAC's Illinois and Indiana speed2 divisions sped off into four races over the following three weekends. Netting three second place finishes in four races between Lincoln and Spoon River, rain washed out just one event at Lincoln following the heat races. June began with a total washout but turned into a strong run at Spoon River one week later where he led two laps before being handed a ninth place result. Father's Day weekend brought a runner-up finish at Lincoln Speedway followed immediately the next night in Spoon River by his sole USAC win of the season, after leading the final seven circuits.

June closed with the opportunity to hop in a 305 winged sprint for the first time. Wheeling George Crawford's #57 around Jacksonville Speedway, McQuinn picked up a fourth place finish. Returning to his family-owned #09 Spike Ecotech midget the next night, the 19 year old earned another fourth place. Continuing onto another USAC IMRA/Midwest Thunder show at Indiana's Lincoln Park Speedway, he took to the new track quickly and grabbed another fourth place result. Now sitting second in IMRA points, he made the swing up to Wisconsin's Angell Park Speedway that same weekend for the Pepsi Nationals before returning to Illinois. McQuinn was on his way to making the feature against a stacked field of POWRi national and BMARA midgets when the motor let go.

Forced to sit out the D2 portion of Lincoln Speedway's show the second weekend of July, McQuinn instead found himself back in the #57 sprint for MOWA's show inside the Logan County Fairgrounds. A fifth place finish in the semi left him as the first alternate to make the feature, but all cars made the call and ultimately left him one spot out of the competitive field. Attempting to keep himself up in IMRA points, McQuinn hopped in Kent Johnson's #51R midget for Spoon River and Lincoln a week later. Receiving third and second place awards respectively, he returned to MOWA action for back-to-back nights at Jacksonville and Macon. Macon highlighted the final weekend of July when he finished second in his heat and won the draw to start first in the feature during just his third MOWA show.

Back in his Robby McQuinn Racing D2 midget, August attempted to fire off at Spoon River, but power issues continued and forced him to sit on the sidelines. He spent September wheeling George Crawford's sprint car around Jacksonville Speedway with a pair of runner-up results and near win to show for it. October revved up with McQuinn's first POWRi WAR and non-wing sprint appearance where he started and finished fourth in his heat and semi, just missing the transfer to the feature on a night where 42 cars signed in. 2018 then wrapped up on a high note at Spoon River when he claimed third in the 50 lap feature.

Speaking to what he learned over the year, McQuinn shared, "I never thought it was true what everyone said about running a winged sprint car helping you in the midget. But it definitely did teach you to keep your foot in it more and drive the car straighter. So I'd say one thing I'd take away from this year is everything I learned in the sprint car." The 2017 high school graduate is thankful for Mills Pallet Inc, Storage Box, Storage Units, JRI Shocks, Canham Graphics, Bank of Springfield, Jonini Racing, Multi Fire Plug Wires and everyone who invests in him, including his parents and sister, Papa Frito and Denise, his grandma and grandpa, Uncle Dennis and Brad Campbell.

McQuinn plans to be back in his D2 midget in 2019 and is looking forward to climbing back into a 305 sprint car while also seeking opportunities in a 410 sprint. Stay tuned to his Robby McQuinn Racing Facebook page to discover how 2019 unwinds.

2018 stats
26 races – 18 Speed2 and 8 sprint, 22 features, 1 win, 7 second places, 15 top fives, 18 top tens, 8 heat wins, 2 feature poles



About Robby McQuinn
Robby McQuinn is a 19 year old racer from Central Illinois who has risen through the ranks of karting and lightning sprints to now find success racing full time in D2 midgets. He has recently been gaining experience in sprint cars and showcasing how he can easily adapt to any car and situation. McQuinn is seeking additional sponsors to partner with as he continues to build his racing career.

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JessicaJ Media serves upcoming and experienced racers through press releases, photos, hero cards and more. Growing up in Illinois before moving to Indianapolis, Jessica is passionate about motorsports and giving those in the short track community a way to have their story told. She also has multiple articles published in Flat Out Magazine and can be found at a track most weekends.