Dirty August will impact point's chase
By Ken de la Bastide
For the first time in the history of the Kenyon Midget Series a string of four races will be contested on dirt tracks. “Dirty August” will see the Kenyon Midget teams competing twice at Paragon Speedway and twice at Circle City. Paragon has long straights and sweeping corners while Circle City is more of a traditional “bullring”. Following the month of August the 2023 season closes out with events at the new Lorain Speedway venue and return visits to the Indianapolis Speedrome and Anderson Speedway.
None of the drivers competing on a full-time basis this year has scored a victory in the past two seasons on a dirt oval. For many of the rookie drivers it will be their first time racing on a dirt track.
Going into the month Kyle Ford is leading the point chase over Dameron Taylor by a margin of 38. Leading rookie Cash Wyke is third in points with Tanner Tecco 20 points back followed by rookie Evan Hammond.
Point leader Ford prepared for the stretch of races on dirt by driving a USAC midget on dirt. “I'm getting more confident,” he said of the season to date. “I think running the dirt races will help me.” Last year in three races on dirt Ford recorded a best of fifth at US 24 Speedway. “I'm feeling confident,” he said of the four-race stretch. “The racing on dirt will be tight, but no one has really dominated the races in the past.”
Ford said he did race at Circle City Speedway this year so has experience on the track. “It will be challenging,” he said. “Racing on dirt has been new to me.” Ford said he hopes to continue to run consistently for the remainder of the season looking for the championship. He did score his first career feature win at Berlin Raceway earlier this year.
Rookie driver Evan Hammond said he is excited about racing on dirt for the first time. “It will be a new thing for me,” he said. “The only dirt experience I have is on iRacing. Just trying to get the feel of the midget on dirt.”
Hammond said he went to a race earlier this year at Paragon, but has never been to Circle City. “Paragon looks like a lot of fun,” he said.
Hammond said he is starting to find consistency in the Kenyon Midget Series. “This week we will work on the car and make sure everything is ready to go,” he said.
Fellow rookie competitor Buddy Hollmeyer after a slow start at the season opener at Anderson Speedway is looking forward to the dirt races. “I'm trying to get better,” he said. “The goal is to get better every race. After I hit the wall at Anderson that set me back, but I'm getting more confident.”
Hollmeyer said he has experience racing go-karts on dirt. “Growing up I was more of a dirt racing fan,” he said. “I'm excited about Circle City because I have watched USAC race there. I think my previous experience and driving style will fit the dirt racing,” Hollmeyer said. “But it will be a huge transition with the midget suspension this time around. I'm hoping my dirt experience will help.”
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The Kenyon Midget Series Dirt August schedule:
Saturday August 5 - Paragon Speedway
Friday August 11 - Circle City Raceway
Saturday August 19 - Paragon Speedway
Friday August 25 - Circle City Raceway