Tanner Thorson was dominant on Night 6 of USAC Indiana Midget Week leading from green to chequered while the 3 New Zealanders missed the mark.
The Putnamville, Indiana quarter mile bullring played host to a 36-Car field of Midgets, bested in qualifications by Logan Seavey in the Tom Malloy owned King Chassis, Ed Pink tuned Toyota in a time of 12.940 seconds. Youngsters Brenham Crouch, Daison Pursley, and last night’s winner Corey Day joined veteran Justin Grant in the top five. Thorson 10th quickest.
Chase Randall, Jason McDougal, Thomas Meseraull and Ryan Timms all had heat race wins with Thorson starting and finishing in 4th position in heat two.
With 16 cars locked into the Feature via heat race finishes, the top 6 from the Semi-main were slated to join the rear grids of the main race.
Aucklanders Hayden Williams, Travis Buckley and Max Guilford qualifying times were off the pace, resulting in heat race grids towards the rear. On a night where only 1 of the top 5 qualifiers were able to transfer from their heat, the tourists suffered the same fate and found themselves 13th, 14th and 19th in the 12 lap race.
Much like in the heats it was hard going. NZ national Champ Williams progressing up as far as 8th, two positions away from making the show. Teenagers Guilford starting where he finished in 13th and Buckley credited with 15th.
Grant, Day, Brenham Crouch, Jerry Coons Jnr., Chase Crum and Seavey all starting in the front 4 rows of the last chance qualifier and earning spots in the 30-Lap Feature.
Thorson was on 1st on the grid with Reinbold/Underwood Motorsports teammate, Waco, Texas native Randall alongside. Emerson Axsom, Kevin Thomas Jr., Buddy Kofoid and Pursley in rows two and three.
Thorson won the start and led the first 4 laps until Grant half spun and stalled after tagging another car. This left Kaylee Bryson nowhere to go and she rolled gently bringing out the red flag and a stoppage to the race.
Thorson led away for another 4 laps with Thomas Jr. stalling his car after avoiding an infield tyre slowing the race. One lap later and Midget Week point leader Chris Windom visited the work area with a flat left rear tyre. His Tucker-Boat Motorsport team able to replace the wheel within the allotted time and re-join at the rear to salvage series points.
When the race reached the halfway point Thorson had a healthy lead on teammate Randall. Pursley, Axsom and Kofoid top 5 and a hard charging Brady Bacon now 6th after starting 17th.
Crouch might have used up all his luck last night. This time round the high line, while tame in comparison to Circle City Raceway’s killer cushion bit him as he rolled bringing on the red with 9 laps to go.
When the race resumed Pursley, Axsom and Kofoid looked to challenge for the lead having passed Randall prior to the stoppage. However it was Thorson’s night, winning by over a second ahead of podium place getters Pursley and Axsom. Kofoid and Day, Thomas Jr., McDougal, Randall, Timms and Seavey inside the top ten.
“I’m still not very…. Happy, but we’re getting there!
“It defiantly is a little bit of a relief” Said Thorson after pleased to be on the top step after making massive changes to his ride, unhappy with his package the previous night.
Windom salvaged a 13th place finish from restarting at the rear, relinquishing the Midget Week points lead to Pursley’s consistent two top 5 and four top 10 finishes so far.
Indiana Midget Week Points (After Round 6 of 8)
1-Daison Pursley-374
2-Chris Windom-373
3-Buddy Kofoid-371
4-Logan Seavey-363
5-Kevin Thomas Jr.-335
6-Emerson Axsom-327
7-Corey Day-319
8-Justin Grant-307
9-Thomas Meseraull-299
10-Tanner Thorson-294
The next round is at Gas City – I69 Speedway in Gas City, 11th June.
For live and on demand footage visit https://www.floracing.com/