8 PREVIOUS WINNERS AMONG 18th ANNUAL RUMBLE IN FT. WAYNE HOPEFULS

FORT WAYNE, IN (Dec. 12) – Eight previous winners are included on the most recent entry list for the Midget portion of the 18th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne (December 26, 27), including a pair of 2014 victors – Justin Peck and Brandon Knupp. While the ‘previous winner’ tag is impressive it really offers no guarantee as the tight confines of the 1/7 mile concrete oval constructed inside the War Memorial Coliseum presents a unique and equal challenge to every entrant.

With the total length of the oval measuring out at just over 750’ and at only 35’ wide, the Rumble is unarguably the toughest test a driver faces all year long. Many times, previous achievements are outweighed by luck and circumstances.

Peck, who hails from Monrovia, IN, comes into the annual holiday weekend skirmish seeking a ‘three-peat’ of wins to back up his 2013 and 2014 triumphs, while Knupp (Mooresville, NC), who won on the final night of last year’s chase arrives as the most recent winner.

However, both will readily admit that those credentials carry little assurance. Peck went through the best of both worlds in 2013 when he finished last on the first night of racing and then came back the second night to pick up his initial win. Meanwhile, Knupp, who sits fourth on the list of all-time Rumble starters, chased through 18 features dating back to 2002 before last December’s conquest.

Joining Peck and Knupp will be multi-time winners Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN - 4) and Dave Darland (Atlanta, IN - 2) along with single winners Mike Fedorcak (Roanoke, IN), Derek Bischak (Indianapolis, IN), Jim Anderson (Joliet, IL) and Russ Gamester (Peru, IN).

Wease has seen the highs and lows of Rumble racing as well. The ‘high’ of sweeping the feature action wins in 2009 was replaced with the ‘low’ of 16th and 14th place finishes last year, while Darland has been vacant from the Rumble’s victory lane since January of 2011.

Second generation driver Bryan Nuckles (Canal Winchester, OH) captured last year’s bonus of earning the most points when three nights of racing were included on the card, but has yet to capture a feature win. With five feature starts on his resume, Nuckles has come close twice with runner-up runs in 2009 and again in last year’s opening night.

Challenging the former winners will be balanced field of seasoned indoor veterans and young upstarts such as Quarter Midget graduates Austin Nemire (Sylvania, OH) and Austin Prock (Avon, IN); Go-Kart alumni Stratton Briggs (Anna, OH) and Cory Guingrich (Celina, OH); and outlaw Super Late Model & Pavement Sprint standout Tyler Roahrig (Plymouth, IN).

The Midget, Go-Kart and Quarter Midget divisions will be joined over the December 26 and 27 weekend with a pair of 600cc Midget divisions; winged and non-winged.

Complete event information and time schedules for the busy slate of racing action will be made available on the event’s website www.rumbleseries.com.