Gage Walker Eager for 2nd Shamrock Classic Start
By Jessica Jenkins

With the start of the USAC National Midget season upon us, Gage Walker is more than ready to get back to the track. His most successful run to date at the Chili Bowl has the 19 year old carrying a ton of momentum to the second Shamrock Classic.

When he takes to the Du Quoin, IL track, Walker will be chasing his first top ten in the Southern Illinois Center. Expectations are realistically high heading into Saturday's race and so is the young driver's optimism. Hours and hours have been spent preparing the car and he is eager to get on track again after two months without racing.

Along with working on his #7 midget the past couple months, the Indianapolis-based driver has been traveling the country. A couple weeks ago he was out West for a trip that also included taking in The Mint 400, a huge off-road truck race. Now, though, it is once again time to go racing and kick off a brand new National Midget season.

To keep up with this rising star and find out what he's up to, 'like' him on Facebook @GageWalkerRacing, follow him on Twitter @GageWalker7 or visit his website, GageWalkerRacing.com. Updates and pictures will be posted on Facebook throughout Saturday, so stop by to read up on how he is doing.

In His Own Words
On his offseason adventures:
"I've been doing a little bit of traveling for Impact. I got to go to my first off-road truck race, The Mint 400, so that was cool to see that side of racing. With my motocross background, that type of racing is really cool to me."

On the start of USAC season:
"We've been building two cars for the 2017 season. We've really spent a lot of time working on every detail on them trying to make them as best as we can to give us the best shot possible at winning some races this year. I can't wait to get back in the car, especially after being out of the seat for 2 months. Excited to see what this year holds and hopefully have some good luck."

What You Need to Know
LOCATION: Southern Illinois Center - Du Quoin, IL
TRACK LENGTH: 1/6th mile dirt
FEATURE: 50 laps
PRIZE MONEY: $3900 to win (in honor of Bryan Clauson, promoter of the first Shamrock Classic)
TIMES: Pits open at 8am (all times Central). Gates open at 1:00pm with a public drivers meeting at 3pm. Hot laps start at 4pm followed by racing at 5:30pm.
TICKETS: Reserved seats with a pit pass (until 3/16) are $25. General Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for kids 6-12 and free for 5 and under. Pit passes (without reserved seat) are $35. Tickets can be purchased now at www.usactickets.com.
ONLINE VIEWING: www.SpeedShiftTV.com will have a live PPV of the night's action.