USAC Western Midgets Clash At Ventura

USAC Western States Midgets battle at Ventura Raceway this Saturday night, October 26, on the seaside oval in southern California.

Oct 24, 2019 by Richie Murray

This Saturday, October 26th, the stars and cars of the USAC Western States Midget Series will battle at Ventura Raceway. Promoted by Jim Naylor, the ninth point race is a tune-up for the upcoming “79th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix.”

Watch Western Midgets At Ventura Raceway

Oct. 26 | 7:30pm ET

Since May 24, 1986, 147 USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. On that night, Sleepy Tripp claimed the first of his series leading eighteen Ventura wins and Johnny Cofer set the 1-lap qualifying record (11.675) on November 18, 1995. This season, Robby Josett claimed the June 22nd feature and Robert Dalby earned his third consecutive victory on September 14th. A complete series win list at Ventura is at the bottom of this release.

To date, there have been five different winners with four earning their first triumph in 2019. Making his first career start, Ben Worth won the April 6th Bakersfield season opener with Austin Liggett topping the April 20th Merced and April 27th Santa Maria features. Robby Josett claimed the June 22nd Ventura win and Maria Cofer earned her first victory at Petaluma on July 20th. Robert Dalby joined the winner’s list at Merced on June 27th and topped the last two point races (Santa Maria on August 10th and Ventura on September 14th.)

Heading to Ventura, Robert Dalby (Anaheim, CA) has a 58-point lead over the competition. Racing the family owned #4D R-D Spring & Stamping / Lucas Oil Spike, Dalby has three feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 46 feature laps led on the year. This Saturday night, Robert will be looking for his fourth win in a row.

After running second to Dalby on September 14th at Ventura, Cory Elliott (Bakersfield, CA) has climbed to second in the point chase. Driving the family owned #11E Capital E Trucking / Nagel Earthworks Spike, Elliott has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, seven top-10 finishes, and 30 feature laps led to his credit. The 2015 Rookie of the Year has two career wins and will have his sights on his first triumph at Ventura Raceway.

Watch Western Midgets At Ventura Raceway

Oct. 26 | 7:30pm ET

Austin Liggett (Tracy, CA) ranks third in the chase for the championship. The pilot of the family owned Liggett’s #83 Excel Environmental Services / Liggett Trucking Spike skipped the last race but has two feature wins, one heat race victory, one Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Award, six top-10 finishes, and 21 feature laps led on the season. The leading rookie contender will be looking to gain valuable points with a win at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

David Prickett (Fresno, CA) sits fourth in the Western States Midget point standings. Driving the Neverlift Motorsports’ #15DJ Monster Seal Tire Sealant / Western Performance Spike, Prickett finished 18th at Ventura after an early exit. At press time, the 2012 Dirt Series Champion has two heat race victories, two Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, and five top-10 finishes on the year. This Saturday night, David will have his sights on his first win of the season.

Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) is fifth in the championship point standings. Piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Simpson Race Products / Lucas Oil Bullet, McQueen was Ventura’s fast qualifier and scored twentieth in the September 14th main event. To date, the 2012 Champion has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, and six top-10 finishes in the campaign. Shannon will have her sights on her first win of the season at Ventura.

While Liggett leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors, Ben Worth (Coalinga, CA), Gage Rucker (Truxton, MO), Troy Morris III (Bakersfield, CA), Mike Leach Jr. (Orange, CA), Anthony Lopiccolo (Yorba Linda), Robert Carson (Concord, CA), Jackson Dukes (Clovis, CA), Beau Lemire (Placerville, CA), and Ricky Lewis (Oxnard, CA) are also in contention.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are C.J. Sarna, Jake Swanson, Kyle Beilman, Marvin Mitchell, Cody Swanson, Randi Pankratz, Alex Schutte, Dylan Ito, “Fireball” Maria Cofer, Ron Hazelton, Robby Josett, Bryan Drollinger, Alex Grigoreas, and more.

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2019 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE-TRACK-LOCATION

April 6: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Ben Worth)

April 20: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Austin Liggett)

April 27: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (Winner: Austin Liggett)

June 22: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Robby Josett)

July 20: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Winner: Maria Cofer)

July 27: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Robert Dalby)

August 10: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (Winner: Robert Dalby)

September 14: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Robert Dalby)

October 26: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA