Championship night at Anderson
By Ken de la Bastide
With the end of the 2023 season at Anderson Speedway the Kenyon Midget Series is likely to crown a new champion and rookie of the year honors. There are 16 expected entries for the Saturday event with three new competitors hoping to conquer the high banked quarter-mile oval.
During the second year of series ownership by Brad Hayes there have been 30 competitors, which matches the number from 2022. There were 17 teams competing in 2021.
In his second season of competition Kyle Ford is poised to claim the championship just by starting at Anderson. Ford leads defending champion Dameron Taylor by 237 points with second year competitor Tanner Tecco holding down the third spot.
Ford has never won on the Anderson oval, but in two starts this year has recorded a second and third place showing. He's looking for a fourth victory this year and a win at Anderson would cap off an impressive sophomore season. In six races at Anderson last year Ford always finished in the top ten and recorded two podium showings.
Taylor won the opening race this year at Anderson and had four victories in 2021 and 2022.
All eyes will be watching the Redline Ace Rookie of the Year battle which is a three-way tussle. Cash Wyke has been the leading rookie most of the year and has a 27-point lead over Evan Hammond. Kyle Sheard is third only 55 points back. Wyke has scored an eighth and fourth place finish at Anderson. Hammond finished sixth the last time the series was at the track and placed 14th on opening night. Sheard missed the opening race and came home fifth in July.
Indianapolis driver BJ Shaw will be making his second start of the year after competing at the Indianapolis Speedrome.
Jase Petty, 14-years-old from Illinois, will be making his first appearance in his first oval race. He has been competing in karts and SCCA road racing. Petty finished 5th at the SCCA Runoffs last weekend at Virginia International Raceway in the highly competitive Spec Racer Ford class.
Colorado's Macy Williams will be at Anderson as part of the AP Driver Development program. Williams has 2 national titles, and multiple national event wins in karting.
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The championship finale for the Kenyon Midget Series is Saturday Oct 7, 2023 at Anderson Speedway. Heat races begin at 2:30. This race will be live streamed as part of the 500 Sprint Car Tour - Tony Elliott Classic by MAVTV on FloRacing.