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Chillicothe, Ohio (June 22, 2024)………Zach Wigal was the last man standing in a race in which two other leaders experienced heartache during Saturday night’s USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midget round at Chillicothe, Ohio’s Atomic Speedway.

Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) started sixth as he watched two other drivers control the pace throughout the majority of the 25-lap main event.  Stratton Briggs (Anna, Ohio) led the opening lap from the pole position before giving way to VMS Motorsports Fast Qualifier Jakeb Boxell (Zanesville, Ind.) on lap two.

Boxell remained in charge until he flipped between turns three and four while leading on lap 10, knocking him back to a 13th place result.  Briggs inherited the lead for the lap 10 restart, then proceeded to pace the field the next five laps.

Nearing the completion of lap 14, Briggs suddenly slowed at the exit of turn four with an engine issue.  Wigal nearly collided with Briggs on the front straightaway before diving low in turn one to avoid contact.  Briggs ultimately bowed out with a 12th place finish.

From there, Wigal went untouched for the remaining 11 laps en route to his second consecutive series victory at Atomic after winning at the 3/8-mile dirt oval in August of 2023.

The win also marked Wigal’s third of the series season and his second-straight after winning a week earlier at Ohio’s Millstream Speedway.

Luke Lemons (Moraine, Ohio) was initially credited with a runner-up finish.  However, in post-race tech inspection, Lemons’ car was found to be light at the scales.  As a result, he was repositioned to the 16th position in the final rundown.

LUX REPEATS AT ELDORA WITH USAC MIDWEST THUNDER

Rossburg, Ohio (May 18, 2024)………For the second year in a row, Matt Lux displayed his prowess in USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midget competition at Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.

On Saturday night, Lux (Manilla, Ind.) wired all 20 laps from the pole position to score his second consecutive victory around the 1/2-mile, high banked dirt oval.

Lux was simply dominant throughout the contest, prevailing by a 5.741 second margin over fast qualifier Stratton Briggs (Anna, Ohio), Michael Magic (Winder, Ga.) and Ian Creager (Covington, Ohio) while Jakeb Boxell (Zanesville, Ind.) rounded out the top-five.

WIGAL WINS WAYNESFIELD SPECIAL EVENT

Waynesfield, Ohio (May 11, 2024)………Reigning series champion Zach Wigal returned to USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midget victory lane on Saturday night during a non-points special event at Ohio’s Waynesfield Raceway Park.

Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) controlled the pace for all 25 laps from his outside front row starting position to earn his first series win of the season and the ninth of his career.

The current high school junior raced across the line ahead of Cale Coons (Greencastle, Ind.), Alex Watson (Columbus, Ohio) and Luke Hall (Ludlow Falls, Ohio) while Josh Yenser (Columbus, Ohio) rounded out the top-five.

With identical times of 14.029 seconds, Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, Okla.) and Tyler Nelson (Olathe, Kan.) shared VMS Motorsports Fast Qualifier honors.

Wigal, Gunnar Lucius (Delphos, Ohio) and Coons each earned heat race victories presented by Performance Electronics, Stiefel’s Home & Auto and the Hoosier Auto Racing Fans.  Stratton Briggs (Anna, Ohio), the 2022 series champion, collected the Performance Powder Coating Hard Charger award after starting 19th and finishing 11th.

Montpelier, Indiana (April 18, 2019)………Rain has claimed this Saturday’s USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 Midget season opener at Montpelier Motor Speedway.  The opener now moves to Saturday, May 11, at Montpelier.

20 DATES, 20 RACES MARK 2019 USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER SLATE

USAC’s Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midgets take on a 20-race schedule for 2019 at three different quarter-mile dirt tracks located in the state of Indiana.

The season begins on April 20 at Montpelier Motor Speedway, marking the first of ten races on the docket there with additional stops on May 11 & 18, June 22 & 29, July 13 & 20, August 10 and September 14 & 21.

Seven dates are slated for the series at Gas City I-69 Speedway, starting on May 17.  MTM returns for races on June 14, July 18, August 2 & 16, September 13 and October 5.

The red clay of Bloomington Speedway hosts the series three times, on May 24, July 5 and August 9.

Springfield, Ohio’s Aaron Leffel collected his second consecutive Midwest Thunder Midget title in 2018 on the strength of three victories.  Stratton Briggs and Chett Gehrke also won three, while  Gedd Ross and Alex Watson found victory lane once apiece.

2019 USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET SCHEDULE

Apr 20: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

May 11: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

May 17: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

May 18: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

May 24: Bloomington Speedway (Bloomington, IN)

Jun 14: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Jun 22: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Jun 29: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Jul 5: Bloomington Speedway (Bloomington, IN)

Jul 13: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Jul 18: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Jul 20: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Aug 2: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Aug 9: Bloomington Speedway (Bloomington, IN)

Aug 10: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Aug 16: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Sep 13: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Sep 14: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Sep 21: Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN)

Oct 5: Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)

Download the Tech Rule Update Effective August 6, 2018

Our 2017 Champion! Congrats to Aaron, car owner and crew chief Chuck Taylor, and the whole Team Taylor Racing on an outstanding year. As champion Aaron will represent USAC MTM at the Night of Champions banquet in Indy during the PRI show.

9/3/2017

DAVIS SURPRISES MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGETS AT KOKOMO

Kokomo, IN……..Mitchell Davis of Auburn, Ill. led all 20 laps to win Sunday night’s USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget race at Kokomo Speedway. Series point leader Aaron Leffel finished second ahead of Alex Watson, Corey Bedwell and Gary Loney.

USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER “MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 3, 2017 – Kokomo, Indiana – Kokomo Speedway

ALSO AT THE TRACK: John Heydenreich (#29 Sexton).

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1. Mitchell Davis (#38 Dori), 2. Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 3. Alex Watson (#3 Watson), 4. Corey Bedwell (#11 Bedwell), 5. Gary Loney (#11T Taylor), 6. Jesse Vermllion (#5 Vermillion), 7. Stratton Briggs (#71 Briggs), 8. Gunnar Lucius (#22 Lucius), 9. Cory Guingrich (#11G Guingrich), 10. Blake Vermillion (#73 Vermillion). NT

7/15/2017

HAYSLETT WIRE-TO-WIRE AT MONTPELIER

Montpelier, IN……..Korbyn Hayslett of Troy, Ohio led all 25 laps of Saturday night’s USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget race at Montpelier Motor Speedway. Stratton Briggs, Alex Watson, Aaron Leffel and Mike Hessel rounded out the “top-five.”

USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 15, 2017 – Montpelier, Indiana – Montpelier Motor Speedway

ALSO AT THE TRACK: Chuck Taylor (11T Taylor) and Jim Jones (Jones #97).

FEATURE: (25 laps) 1 Korbyn Hayslett (#1H Hayslett), 2. Stratton Briggs (#71 Briggs), 3. Alex Watson (#3 Watson), 4. Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 5. Mike Hessel (#7M Hessel), 6. Jon Watson (#25 Watson), 7. Chris Whipple (#44w Whipple). 8. Corey Bedwell (#97 Jones),9. Nick Corea (#38 Dori). NT

6/24/2017

LEFFEL TOPS IN MONTPELIER MIDWEST THUNDER

Montpelier, IN……..Aaron Leffel of Springfield, Ohio won Saturday night’s 20-lap USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget race at Montpelier Motor Speedway. He led the final six laps after passing Korbyn Hayslett to beat Gunnar Lucius, Stratton Briggs, Chris Whipple and Kurt Mayhew.

USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 24, 2017 – Montpelier, Indiana – Montpelier Motor Speedway

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1 Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 2.  Gunnar Lucius (#22 Lucius), 3. Stratton Briggs (#71 Briggs), 4. Chris Whipple (#44w Whipple). 5. Kurt Mayhew (#21M Mayhew), 6. Ryan Barr (#21B Barr), 7. Corey Bedwell (#11 Bedwell), 8. Korbyn Hayslett (#1H Hayslett), 9. Alex Watson (#11T Taylor), 10. Bill Dunham (#84 Dunham), 11. Rod Henning (#10H Henning), 12. Anthony       Haas (#81H Haas), 13. Chris Baue (#2 Baue), 14. Jim Jones (#97 Jones), 15. Brett Johnson (#7J Johnson), 16. Bob Allison (#22A Allison), 17. Tom Hessel (#7T Hessel), 18. Mike Hessel (#7M Hessel), 19. Nick Corea (#38 Dori), 20. Cory Guingrich (#11G Guingrich). NT

5/19/2017

KOKOMO MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGETS RAINED OUT

Kokomo, IN……..Friday night’s USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget race at the Kokomo Speedway was cancelled due to continued rainfall and extremely wet grounds.

Race has been rescheduled 6/30/2017

5/13/2017

KORBYN HAYSLETT MASTERS MONTPELIER MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGETS

Montpelier, IN……..Korbyn Hayslett of Troy, Ohio won Saturday night’s 20-lap USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget race at Montpelier Motor Speedway. He was trailed by Stratton Briggs, Aaron Leffel, Cory Guingrich and Corey Bedwell. Bedwell led the first two laps and Briggs the next two before Hayslett led the remaining 16 circuits.

USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 13, 2017 – Montpelier, Indiana – Montpelier Motor Speedway

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1 Korbyn Hayslett (#1H Hayslett), 2. Stratton Briggs (#71 Briggs), 3. Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 4. Cory Guingrich, (#11G Guingrich), 5. Corey Bedwell (#11 Bedwell), 6. Ryan Fleming (#11T Taylor), 7. Tommy Bigelow (#2B Bigelow), 8. Don Bigelow (#04 Bigelow), 9. Jim Jones (#97 Jones), 10. Nick Corea (#38 Dori), 11. Bill Dunham (#84 Dunham), 12. Chett Gehrke (#11c Matteson). NT

5/7/2017

Kokomo, IN……..Aaron Leffel of Springfield, Ohio captured Sunday night’s 20-lap “King of Kokomo” USAC Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget feature at Kokomo Speedway. He passed Gunnar Lucius on lap 16 and led the final five laps to beat Nick Corea, Lucius, Tom Hessel and Chris Baue. Corea emerged as the new series point leader entering next Saturday’s race at Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway.

USAC SPEED2 MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 7, 2017 – Kokomo, Indiana – Kokomo Speedway – “King of Kokomo”

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1 Aaron Leffel (#11T Taylor), 2. Nick Corea (#38 Dori), 3. Gunnar Lucius (#22 Lucius), 4. Tom Hessel (#7T Hessel), 5. Chris Baue (#2 Baue), 6. Alex Watson (#3 Watson), 7. Corey Bedwell (#11 Bedwell), 8. Tommy Bigelow (#2b Bigelow), 9. Stratton Briggs (#71 Briggs), 10. Brett Johnson (#7J Johnson), 11. Mike Hessel (#7m Hessel), 12. Jon Watson (#25 Watson), 13. Jim Jones (#97 Jones), 14. Tayte Williamson (#88 Williamson). NT

2017 Schedule has been updated again adding 4 Kokomo races as well as 2 TBA dates!!!

2017 Rules have also been updated. Please review the rules. (3/14/17)

Make your plans now for February 18th 2017! USAC racing will be promoting a race at the duqoiun fairgrounds “mini magic mile” that will include the USAC IMRA midget series and the usac Midwest thunder midgets series d2 cars. They are working on the flyers and details for this event so stay tuned for all of the event info. Duqoiun fairgrounds Feb 18th. Who will be the king of the d2 midgets on the first ever indoor d2 event? Could it be you? You have to be in it to win it!

Final results from 2017 Shootout for D2/Ecotec Midgets

A Feature (20 Laps): 1. 21-Ty Hulsey[1]; 2. 76M-Adam Pierson[5]; 3. 69X-Kyle Jones[2]; 4. 30T-Tyler Vantoll[9]; 5. 69-Bryan Debrick[6]; 6. 52-Blak…e Hahn[4]; 7. 5N-Scott Hunter[13]; 8. 0B-Andy Baugh[8]; 9. D6-Dakota Gaines[15]; 10. 15D-Andrew Deal[17]; 11. 73-Broc Hunnell[10]; 12. 10A-Jack Routson[12]; 13. 9T-Tristin Thomas[18]; 14. 10C-Tyler Miller[19]; 15. 4H-Howard Moore[11]; 16. (DNF) 10B-Patrick Bruns[3]; 17. (DNF) 22-John Heydenreich[7]; 18. (DNF) 01J-Jeb Sessums[14]; 19. (DNF) 2-Tyler Rivard[16]; 20. (DNF) 51-Dalton Seigler[20]

Just returned from the USAC Knepper 55 midget race in Du Quoin. USAC MTM members Team Taylor Racing entered two cars in the race, with Ryan Fleming falling two spots short of an A main transfer in the team’s new Ecotech powered Beast with a engine purchased from Johnny Murdock. It was Ryan’s first time in the car and in a midget on dirt, having focused on asphalt late models and modifieds previously. Aaron Leffel had a strong run in the Honda powered Beast with a 10th place finish in the B-Main. While no D2 cars made the 20 car A-Main, POWRI D2 competitor Tyler Van Toll was consistently fast and in a A-Main transfer position until tangling with another competitor. Likewise, Missouri racer Broc Hunnell competed with a stock EFI Ecotech, working up to the final transfer in the B and holding off WoO competitor Joey Saldana and others until a spin on the final corner. Despite challenging weather throughout the Midwest, the race drew 45 cars and a decent crowd of fans to see Tyler Courtney take a dominating win. Check back to this site regularly for exciting news of a indoor D2 race to be held in February.

USAC MIDWEST THUNDER MIDGETS CROWN 2016 CHAMPION

The USAC Midwest Thunder Midget Championship has completed its inaugural season and Celina, Ohio driver Gage Etgen has been crowned its first champion.

A division of United States Auto Club’s (USAC) ‘Speed2 Midget’ series, the club presented a 14-race schedule, held at Indiana’s Montpelier Speedway and Ohio’s Waynesfield Raceway Park.

The Midwest Thunder Midget series and its sister association – the Illinois Midget Racing Association – support USAC’s efforts to grow midget racing in the Midwest by offering a rules package limited to production-based automotive and motorcycle powered midgets.

Competitors utilized Ford Focus, Chevy Ecotech, Honda K24 and a variety of 1000cc motorcycle engines throughout the season. Forty competitors participated in 2016. Five races were lost to rain, but of the nine races that were held, Etgen was victorious in five, with Alex Watson, John Heydenreich, Kobe Allison and Brad Racer winning one each.