From Jason Leffler to Buddy Kofoid, No. 71 has had its share of monumental moments over the years in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship racing.

Tuesday night’s Jason Leffler Memorial at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in California was no exception.

In 1997, Leffler was in the midst of achieving his first career USAC National Midget driving title while wheeling the No. 71 owned by Pete Willoughby and wrenched by crew chief Keith Kunz.

On Tuesday night, the very same stable’s No. 71 was once again in victory lane with driver Buddy Kofoid. In a full circle moment, Kofoid won the event in a car owned by Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, where Willoughby currently serves as CEO. Fittingly, Kofoid’s triumph came in the 11th running of the Leffler Memorial, and none other than Charlie Leffler, Jason’s son, was there to present Kofoid the winner’s trophy.

Stunningly, it was KKM’s first win at the Jason Leffler Memorial after 10 previous tries, finishing as the runner-up on three occasions in 2014-15-16 with Christopher Bell, Rico Abreu and Tanner Thorson, respectively.

For Kofoid, it was his third career USAC National Midget win in Bakersfield, with the previous two coming at the former Bakersfield Speedway back in 2020-2021. Furthermore, in September, Kofoid grabbed a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car score at new Bakersfield 1/3-mile.

It was also Kofoid’s first USAC win since June 2023 at Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway and the 25th overall of his career, tying him with Darren Hagen, Dave Strickland and Parnelli Jones for 18th place all-time.

Kofoid also achieved his latest victory while on the mend. In his most recent turn behind the wheel on Saturday at Merced Speedway, Kofoid endured a massive series of flips during a heat race that left him dazed but not fazed, although his status was uncertain.

“I didn’t even know if I’d be okay enough to come race today,” Kofoid admitted. “I was kind of on the fence a little, even yesterday. After Merced, I wasn’t really seeing straight and I’m still kind of hurting to be honest with you. But this definitely makes up for it.”

Kofoid’s last visit to victory lane during USAC’s Golden State Invasion came during the western swing in November 2022 at Merced. After opening this month with a 16th at Placerville followed by a runner-up result at Merced and a DNF on the second night at Merced, Kofoid began to wonder if he could get back to the top.

Never fear, the sixth place starting Kofoid adamantly declared on Tuesday night as he charged around racelong leader Kevin Thomas Jr. on the 13th lap, then led the remaining 18 circuits of the 30-lapper in his Mobil 1 – TRD – Curb Records/Lynk/Speedway Toyota to earn a $12,500 prize.

“I haven’t won on the west coast swing in a couple of years, so I’ve just been wondering like, ‘man, does it hurt me being away for so long and coming back?,’” Kofoid pondered. “But I feel good. I feel better than ever, better than I’ve been in a couple of years, honestly.”

USAC National Midget Results: Jason Leffler Memorial At Kern Raceway

1. Buddy Kofoid (6)

2. Jacob Denney (4)

3. Kevin Thomas Jr. (1)

4. Jake Andreotti (3)

5. Steven Snyder Jr. (14)

 6. Daison Pursley (2)

 7. Kale Drake (20)

8. Justin Grant (12)

9. Jett Yantis (19)

10. Brecken Reese (18)

11. Logan Seavey (13)

12. Jakeb Boxell (15)

 13. Gunnar Setser (21)

14. Cannon McIntosh (17)

15. Gavin Miller (5)

16. Carson Macedo (10)

17. Karter Sarff (7)

 18. Ty Gibbs (25-P)

19. Michael Pickens (22)

20. Ronnie Gardner (23)

21. Hayden Reinbold (24)

22. Corey Day (9)

23. Drake Edwards (8)

24. Cale Coons (16)

 25. Michael Faccinto (11). NT