TURKEY NIGHT NOV. 22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                       NOVEMBER 12, 2007

Contact: DICK JORDAN                                                                                                                                     07-267

 

 

MIDGETS WRAP UP 2007 "TURKEY NIGHT" AT IRWINDALE;

STEELE VICTORIOUS IN USAC RETURN AT P.I.R.

 

 

            Jerry Coons Jr. and Johnny Rodriguez are headed for second USAC driving championships Nov. 22 when the National and Western USAC Midget Series conclude their respective 2007 seasons in the 67th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

 

            Rodriguez was 20th and Coons 36th in Thursday night's 25-mile "Copper World Classic" Midget feature at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway behind winner Dave Steele.

 

            Steele, of Tampa, Fla., ended his five-month USAC hiatus with a stunning victory in Thursday's Phoenix race. Driving the Toyota Oakley/Performance Racing Industry Beast/Pink Toyota, Steele caught Billy Wease on lap 20 and led the final six circuits of the one-mile paved oval to beat Bobby Santos III, Kody Swanson, Bobby East and Wease. Santos led the first two laps and Wease led the next 17.

 

            Josh Wise was Thursday's fastest qualifier in the 47-car field and finished seventh in the 25-mile feature.

 

 

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Jerry Coons Jr.
     1,212
      
     6.
     Kevin Swindell
     902
     
      2.
     Darren Hagen
     1,129
      
     7.
     Levi Jones
     862
     
      3.
     Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
     1,070
      
     8.
     Brady Bacon
     756
     
      4.
     Brad Kuhn
     1,003
      
     9.
     Brad Loyet
     680
     
      5.
     Dave Darland
     992
      
     10.
     Danny Stratton
     633
     

 

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Johnny Rodriguez
     937
      
     6.
     Robby Flock
     470
     
      2.
     Scott Pierovich
     851
      
     7.
     C.J. Sarna
     430
     
      3.
     Matt Mitchell
     703
      
     8.
     Quintin Crye
     417
     
      4.
     Shannon McQueen
     591
      
     9.
     Jerome Rodela
     394
     
      5.
     Chris Rahe
     515
      
     10.
     Randi Pankratz
     368