7/4/2017
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
36th Annual Pepsi Nationals Sunday at Angell Park Speedway
Sun Prairie, WI, July 5--- Midget auto racing's fourth oldest continuous running event highlights the Sunday Night July 9 racing program at Angell Park Speedway.
"The 36th annual Pepsi Midget Nationals" will be co-sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League, and the Mid-State Equipment /Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie Badger Midget Racing Series. A large field of cars will compete in the event, which pays $3000 to win, $500 to start for the 30-lap event, with $200 to non-qualifiers. Also complete program of racing for the Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series and Wisconsin Dirt Racing Legends is also scheduled.
At the conclusion of the racing events will be the famous Angell Park Budweiser fireworks show. The race will also be broadcasted on MAVTV, tape delayed and aired at a later date.
Current series points leaders Zach Daum (POWRi), and.Scott Hatton (Badger) are among previous event winners excepted to compete in the event. Daum won the 2013 event, and placed third in last year's race. Hatton claimed back-to-back Nationals victories in the 2004, and '05, and has two series feature victories this year. Five-time Badger Midget and Pepsi Midget Nationals Champion Kevin Olson has also entered in the event.
Pepsi Nationals Notes:
---Tanner Thorson has finished in second place the past three Pepsi Midget Nationals.
---Car Owner Keith Kunz has won three straight Pepsi Midget Nationals and fifth overall. Wilke Racing has won the event ten times, with seven different drivers.
--- Only once has a driver led the opening lap and won the event, Davey Ray in 2003.
--- Toyota has won seven straight Pepsi Midget Nationals events dating back to 2009.
---The event is the fourth oldest continuous running midget race trailing the Turkey Night Grand Prix (1934), Belleville Midget Nationals (1978), and the 4 Crown Nationals (1981).
Previous Pepsi Nationals Champions: 2016: Carson Macedo, 2015: Rico Abreu, 2014: Christopher Bell, 2013: Zach Daum, 2012: Caleb Armstrong, 2011: Rained Out, 2010: Tracy Hines, 2009: Josh Wise, 2008: Brady Bacon, 2007: Jerry Coons Jr., 2006: Rained Out, 2005: Scott Hatton, 2004: Scott Hatton, 2003: Davey Ray, 2002: Tracy Hines, 2001: Tracy Hines, 2000: Jay Drake, 1999: Dan Boorse, 1998: Kevin Olson, 1997: Kevin Olson, 1996: Kevin Koch, 1995: Kevin Doty, 1994: Kevin Doty, 1993: Page Jones, 1992: Marty Davis, 1991: Stevie Reeves, 1990: Kevin Doty, 1989: Kevin Doty, 1988: Kevin Doty, 1987: Kevin Olson, 1986: Kevin Olson, 1985: Rich Volger, 1984: Dan Boorse, 1983: Kevin Olson, 1982: Bill Engelhart.
Photo caption--June 30, 2013 Angell Park Speedway: Zach Daum (5) edged Scott Hatton (1) at the start/finish line in a photo finish for the feature victory. Daum (POWRi), and. Hatton (Badger) are current series points leaders and past Pepsi Midget Nationals Champions. Former POWRi & Badger champ Brad Kuhn (57) was a close third in the event.(Serena Dalhamer photo)
Article Credit: Bryan Gapinski