USAC National Midgets Making Return To Macon Speedway Saturday
USAC's Last Visit To Macon Came In 2007
(Macon, IL) After a bustling stretch of June that included 14 USAC National races in a 17-day span, including six-consecutive precipitation-free nights of Indiana Midget Week, teams had a chance to take a deep breath, regroup and prepare for the kickoff to a tantalizing summer stretch that begins this Saturday night at Macon Speedway before heading over to Lincoln Speedway Sunday. The July 1 show at Macon will mark the series first appearance since 2007 at the 1/5-mile speedplant.
Illinois is a hotbed for midget racing, but this coming weekend's venues have been absent from the USAC schedule for at least a decade and, in some cases, forever. The first of the welcomed additions is this Saturday’s return to Macon Speedway for the first time since 2007. Among the notable past visits by the series was Jack Hewitt’s famed, ahem, critique of the night’s proceedings back in 1996, which is fine. But, it’s also featured a number of USAC National champions who’ve been Macon masters: Don Branson (1959), Jimmy Davies (1960), Bob Tattersall (1965), Tony Elliott (1992) and Brad Kuhn (2007).
Leading the list into Macon will be series point leader Brady Bacon, from Broken Arrow, OK. Bacon won back-to-back early season events at Kokomo Speedway which has helped boost him on top of the point list. Spencer Bayston, who is second in points, has plenty of Macon experience, running there several times over the last few years. Shane Golobic, USAC National Sprint point leader Justin Grant, and Tyler Courtney complete the top five in standings. Tanner Thorson, Chad Boat, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Tyler Thomas are other top ten point contenders that will be on hand. Add in Zach Daum and veteran Dave Darland, who is the all-time wins leader in USAC sprints and you have an outstanding start to what will be a great field of entries.
The UMP Pro Late Models, coming off of a great night of racing last week, are back on schedule for this Saturday night as well. The Pro Lates will be racing for $600 to win and $100 to start, guaranteed. Last week's 40-lapper saw Ryan Little take a photo finish victory over Jake Little as they worked lap traffic. Blue Mound, IL driver, Jeff Reed, Jr. is currently leading the points and had a showings of a real strong run throughout the night last weekend. Tommy Sheppard, Jr. is just two points behind, while Cody Maguire, Jake Little, and Roben Huffman round out the top five.
A strong field of Midwest Big Ten UMP Street Stocks is expected this Saturday night as well. Lovington, IL's Jeremy Nichols leads the way with a win and a pair of runner up finishes so far this season. Decatur, IL's Dave Crawley, Jr. is second in the standings, while Wes Biesenthal, Darrell Dick, and Nick Justice complete the top five. In upwards of 20 Street Stocks were at the most recent Big Ten event at Jacksonville Speedway. The Street Stocks will racing for $500 to win and $75 to start Saturday night.
Rounding out Macon Speedway's classes will be the 600cc Winged Beach House Micros. The class has 10 events scheduled for 2017 at the track, including a few POWRi nationally sanctioned races. This Saturday's race will pay $700 to win and $50 to start. The division has drawn great fields of cars to Macon so far in 2017.
Pit gates open 3:00, grandstands at 4:00, hotlaps will begin at 6:00, and racing will take the green at 7:00. Grandstand admission is $25 while kids 11 and under are free. Those who have their paid ticket stubs from the June 24 show can receive $10 off general admission by turning them in at the gate on Saturday night.
About Macon Speedway:
For more information, follow Macon Speedway online at
www.maconracing.com, on Facebook (
www.facebook.com/maconracing) and Twitter (@maconspeedway). It’s easy to join the Macon Speedway text service. Fans can text MSFANS to 74574 to receive fan information. Drivers text MSDRIVERS to 74574 to receive driver information. Message and date rates apply. Updates are also available by calling Macon Speedway at 217-764-3000.
Macon Speedway is located nine miles south of Decatur on U.S. 51, then 0.6 miles west on Andrews Street and south to 205 N. Wiles. Macon Speedway hosts racing every Saturday night, plus many weeknight specials. Macon Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection's $100,000 Racer Rewards Program.
