Darland Takes Turkey Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                       NOVEMBER 26, 2007

Contact: DICK JORDAN                                                                                                                                     07-272

 

 

DARLAND TAKES 67TH "TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX;"

COONS, RODRIGUEZ CLOSE OUT 2007 CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

 

            "The car was absolutely perfect from start to finish," said Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. in victory lane Thursday night after winning the 67th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Irwindale Speedway.

 

            Darland passed pole starter Kody Swanson on lap three and led the final 96 laps of the 98-lap USAC National/Western Midget race in his Nine Racing Toyota/Oakley - Performance Racing Industry Beast/Pink Toyota. NASCAR vet Kasey Kahne finished second ahead of Bobby East, Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" winner Mike Murgoitio and Garrett Hansen.

 

            "This is a tough race," added Darland. "It's a great feeling to beat the best competition anywhere. The only nervous point came when some cars crashed right in front of me. We might have won this race before if it had been 98 laps a few years back." Darland finished third in 1999 and fourth in 1998.

 

            Swanson was the fastest qualifier in a 66-car field, while Ricky Ehrgott and Brad Kuhn won the "qualifying races." Jerry Coons Jr. and Wilke/Pak Motorsports emerged as National Midget Champion driver and car owner, while Johnny Rodriguez and Mitchell Motorsports grabbed the Western Midget driver and owner titles.

 

            The USAC National and Western Midget campaign concluded at Irwindale, but the USAC Midgets will compete in special non-points "Rumble in Fort Wayne" events Dec. 28-29 at Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

 

FINAL USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Jerry Coons Jr.
     1,225
      
     6.
     Kevin Swindell
     902
     
      2.
     Darren Hagen
     1,154
      
     7.
     Levi Jones
     875
     
      3.
     Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
     1,083
      
     8.
     Brady Bacon
     756
     
      4.
     Dave Darland
     1,056
      
     9.
     Brad Loyet
     693
     
      5.
     Brad Kuhn
     1,020
      
     10.
     Danny Stratton
     633
     

 

FINAL USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Johnny Rodriguez
     950
      
     6.
     Robby Flock
     470
     
      2.
     Scott Pierovich
     851
      
     7.
     C.J. Sarna
     430
     
      3.
     Matt Mitchell
     716
      
     8.
     Quintin Crye
     417
     
      4.
     Shannon McQueen
     591
      
     9.
     Jerome Rodela
     394
     
      5.
     Chris Rahe
     515
      
     10.
     Randi Pankratz
     368