Former New Zealand Sprintcar Champion and Californian teenage speedway sensation Michael ‘Buddy’ Kofoid claimed his first USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series win after starting 7th.
Night 2 at Sweet Springs Raceway, Sweet Springs, Missouri saw 18 year old Kaylee Bryson best 28 other drivers in a Keith Kunz Bullet/Toyota in a time of 12.159 seconds. The 1/6 mile dirt oval similar in condition, if not slightly tamer than the previous night.
The 3 heat races were won by Hoosier, Spencer Bayston and Californian’s Kofoid, and Chase Johnson. The top 5 in each 10 lap heat advancing to the front 15 grids of the 40 Lap Feature.
The balance of the field were consigned to a 12-Lap Semi Main. Much like the night before with Courtney, fast time setter for the evening Bryson found herself on the pole of the Semi-Main after finishing 7th in heat one.
Bryson ripped the lip to take the win with Cole Bodine close behind. Robert Dalby, Andrew Felker, Tanner Carrick, Ace McCarthy and Trey Gropp in the top 7 all transferring to the 40-Lap Feature.
After flipping hard on lap one of the Feature 24 hours earlier Justin Grant in the RAMS Bullet/Stanton SR-11 was on pole with 3rd place Tyler Courtney alongside. Clinton Boyles, Daison Pursley, last night’s winner Cannon McIntosh, Chris Windom, Kofoid and Bayston in the front 4 rows. Bryson starting 10th.
Courtney won the start and Grant pursued. Boyles got his nose into 2nd and took the spot from Grant with cars using all the track in search of speed in the early stages. Felker, Meseraull and Dalby were all involved in a stoppage with Felker going up and over onto his side and out of the race with Dalby joining him pit side and Meseraull to the rear.
With 5 laps in the book the race resumed with Kofoid in 5th and making bold moves and up into 3rd in short order, dispatching Grant to sit behind teammate McIntosh in second as Courtney enjoyed a comfortable lead.
On Lap-14 Bryson upended her car in turn 2 bringing out the red flag. On the first lap of the restart McIntosh ceased the moment and the lower line off of turn two to slip under Courtney and into the lead.
By the half way mark Windom had joined the podium hunt, harassing Kofoid. McIntosh then found the back of the field and began to pick his way through which eroded his lead. Kofoid then used the middle of turns 1 & 2 and traffic to pass Courtney to take 2nd with Thorson spinning soon after and bringing all cars together for a 12 to go single file restart.
Kofoid slid McIntosh and McIntosh cut back under as another caution flag waved. The same happened at the next restart, this time McIntosh unable to keep his speed and challenge Kofoid back. The next few laps McIntosh reeled Kofoid in and threw a slide job attempt in turns 3 & 4 but climbed the inside berm with his front end, slowing the cars and forcing him to grab enough brake to stall the engine, requiring a restart and joining the rear of the field.
With 7 laps reaming Kofoid led the way with Windom, Courtney and Carrick 3 wide for 2nd place. Courtney eventually claiming the spot when the yellow flags waved with 3 laps to go.
Courtney threw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink ant Kofoid but he was not to be denied his first USAC National Midget Cars Series win.
Windom just edging out Carrick out for 3rd and Bayston 5th. Pursley, hard charger Andrew Layser from 19th to 7th, Boyles, Meseraull and Thorson who started 23rd all finished in the top ten.
Unable to fight back the tears Kofoid exclaimed “I’ve been really good with POWRi, and that’s one thing, but to finally beat [the competition] in USAC is pretty humbling.”
USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series Points
1-Chris Windom-1,268
2-Tyler Courtney-1,234
3-Buddy Kofoid-1,167
4-Tanner Thorson-1,163
5-Cannon McIntosh-1,069
6-Tanner Carrick-956
7-Daison Pursley-901
8-Cole Bodine-779
9-Andrew Layser-764
10-Justin Grant-680
The next USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series race is on 9th October at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Illinois.
For live and on demand footage visit https://www.floracing.com/
