Hayes looks to build on 2022 successes
By Ken de la Bastide
With a successful first season under his belt, Brad Hayes is looking to continue making progress with the Kenyon Midget Series. Hayes and his wife, Nan, took over ownership of the series in late 2021 and in the past year brought together a tight knit family of officials, sponsors and competitors.
Hayes said the biggest surprise in owning a touring series was the behind the scenes work that was required before the start of the season and each race. “We had to find sponsors, put together a schedule before the season started and then during the year had to post results and points and make out checks. Nothing was a real surprise, just a lot of behind the scenes work that nobody sees” Hayes said.
He said a disappointment in 2022 was that there were a couple of races where the car count was lower than he anticipated.
With the 2023 season taking shape, the Kenyon Midget Series will be on the same racing program as the 500 Sprint Car Tour for six events. “The challenge this year will be keeping the car count up,” Hayes said. “We're traveling a little farther and need people to show up.”
The series will be at Anderson Speedway three times, twice at Berlin Raceway in Michigan and Lorain Speedway in Ohio with the sprint car tour. All six races will be broadcast on Flo Racing, which will bring added exposure to the series and competitors.
“Racing with the 500 Sprint Car Tour is a huge step forward,” Hayes said. “We want to become a feeder series to the Sprint Car Tour. That will make our series more attractive.”
“We have a good mix of young drivers competing with veterans,” he said. “The competition should remain intense.”
The 2023 schedule, which is still a work in progress, will have a good mix of dirt and pavement ovals, he said.
“I hope to increase the prize money and provide some bonuses,” Hayes said. “We're grateful that the 2022 sponsors are all coming back and are working to add a few more for the new season.”
Looking back on the first season as owners, Hayes said the family was thrilled. “We didn't know everything we were getting into,” he said. “The Kenyon's staying involved was a big help. We wanted to grow the series while maintaining the family atmosphere, which we were able to do.”