[Andrew S. Quinn]

Felker, Daum bring POWRi Midget championship fight to Belle-Clair for Arnie Knepper Memorial

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2013)—Andrew Felker and Zach Daum are locked in a two-driver battle for the championship at midseason in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series going into the 22nd annual Arnie Knepper Memorial on Sunday (Aug. 11) at Belle-Clair Speedway.

Felker owns an 80-point lead over Daum, 2,310-2,230, with 14 of 30 events remaining on the schedule. Jake Blackhurst and Tyler Thomas are tied for third with 1,625. Under the POWRi points structure, which awards 200 points for winning the feature down to 10 for 20th through last and five points to drivers that run the semi-feature and don’t advance, Felker and Daum could miss the next three features and still be ahead of Blackhurst and Thomas.

Felker has advanced to the feature in 48 straight POWRi National Midget events over the past three seasons. The 20-year-old from Carl Junction, Mo., has eight top-fives including one win and six more top-10s this year. Daum drove a partial POWRi season in 2012, running 13 features, and in 16 this year has two wins, six additional top-fives and three more top-10s.

They’re not taking anything for granted, but the champion for 2013 seems likely to be Felker or Daum.

“When Zach made his deal with Toyota to run for the POWRi championship, we know it would be a dog fight with him,” Felker said. “There are a lot of guys who can win races, but Zach and I are pretty consistent and that’s what wins championships.”

Felker had two victories, nine top-fives and 17 top-10s in 29 races in taking his first POWRi championship in 2012. He’s on a pace to better those numbers this season in his Fontana-powered Spike.

Daum took his first POWRi triumph a year ago. The 22-year-old from Pocahontas, Ill., had seven top-fives and nine top-10s in 13 features. If he maintains the same level of consistency in the second half of the season, he’d double those numbers. Daum drives a Toyota-powered Eagle.

“That’s fun, what the championship needs to be about,” Daum said. “Andrew has been very consistent. He’s been running good and we’ve been running good. I hope all the bad luck is out of the way for both of us and it comes down to who can win the most races and have the best finishes.”

Daum chopped 260 points off Felker’s lead in the last three events. Felker had rear end problems in two and didn’t start either feature, but bounced back to finish second at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., on July 27. Daum won at Valley, finished second at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., on July 25 and was ninth at US 36 in Cameron, Mo., on July 26.

The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micros Series are also part of the Arnie Knepper Memorial.

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings (after 16 of 30 events): 1. Andrew Felker 2,310, 2. Zach Daum 2,230, 3. (tie) Jake Blackhurst 1,625, Tyler Thomas 1,625, 5. Austin Brown 1,515, 6. Brad Kuhn 1,430, 7. Parker Price-Miller 1,125, 8. Garrett Aitken 1,110, 9. Terry Babb 830, 10. Colten Cottle 735.

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Shane Cockrum; Belleville, Ill.—Chris Bell; Macon, Ill.—Brady Bacon; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Michael Pickens; Jacksonville, Ill.—Kyle Larson; Lincoln, Ill.—Michael Pickens; Macon, Ill.—Andrew Felker; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Rico Abreu; Bloomington, Ind.—Zach Daum; Belleville, Ill.—Darren Hagen; Belleville, Ill.—Bryan Clauson; Wilmot, Wis.—Brad Kuhn; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Darren Hagen; Pontoon Beach Ill.—Terry Babb; Cameron, Mo.—Austin Brown; Grain Valley, Mo.—Zach Daum.

For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.

[Andrew S. Quinn]

One of my favorite races every year.

[bmemmer]

How much does this race pay. Think we will see a good car count. Even if we only have 20 I wont mind. Heard all kinds of good stuff about this track so making my first ever trip over there sunday

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[red70racer]

I predict 30+ midgets
40+ micro's
bmemmer, I don't know where your coming from, I'll bet you'll be back
Best true bullring racing around, oh you will get out at a decent time too

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[Andrew S. Quinn]

Originally Posted by bmemmer How much does this race pay. Think we will see a good car count. Even if we only have 20 I wont mind. Heard all kinds of good stuff about this track so making my first ever trip over there sunday

I have no idea what it pays,I just try and help get the word out for some great midget racing!

I dont think I have been to an Arnie Knepper race since my first one in 2007 that didnt have 30 + midgets and Micro's.

I usually drag myself into work with just a couple hours sleep,but this year I am taking Monday off.

[bmemmer]

3 more days!!!!!

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[Andrew S. Quinn]

One more day before I make the 250 mile drive over to Belleville Illinois for the Arnie Knepper memorial.

I always like it when the sun goes down,and the carnival lights,and the lighted signs from stores can be seen in the background. Little Belleville is very 1950s in appearance,and I always envision Fonzie,Potsey,Ralph Malph,and Richie Cunningham pulling in at any moment to watch the races.

[miledirt]

Is USAC running anywhere tomorrow night? Might we see any of them too?

Either way, should be a great show

[Andrew S. Quinn]

There is not a lot going on tomorrow night.Last years race was a real thriller with Rico Abreau taking off to an early lead,then spinning out early in the race. I thought to myself at the time,it is early,and he could make his way back to the front,he has time. He did restart at the rear,and he DID thrill us with his drive from the back to victory lane! One of my top 5 races of last year.

I wondered the same thing last night. I wonder if Bryan Clauson liked victory lane there last month that he will show up? Coons,Hines,Abreau,Larson to name a few?? I hope so.

[bmemmer]

I talked to bc earlier in the week on twitter. He said the plan was to run this show on way home from knoxville of course this was on monday and things could of changed. Cant wait to be there playing golf over there at clinton hills then heading to the track everyone have a safe trip over!

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