Macenko dominates Kenyon Midgets at Mt. Lawn

By Ken de la Bastide

Kenyon Midget Series point leader Jackson Macenko turned in a dominating performance last Sunday on the tricky Mt. Lawn Speedway. Macenko set fast time, captured one of the KRJ Race Products heat races, won the feature and took home the Advanced Racing Suspensions hard charger award.

After the invert Macenko started sixth in the field for the feature with Kyle Ford and Thomas Schrage on the front front. Schrage jumped into the lead at the start, but the driver on the move early in the race was Dameron Taylor who shot from fourth to second on the second lap.

Macenko moved into the fourth position on lap five with an inside pass of Clayton Gaines coming off the tricky “home plate” corner.

Taylor took the top position from Schrage on lap 11 with an inside pass coming off the sweeping second corner.

Macenko moved into the second spot two laps later and the spirited battle for the top spot began with Taylor. Several times Macenko looked to the inside entering the short chute, but Taylor was able to hold the position. On lap 22 Macenko was able to get inside of Taylor and take the top spot on the front straight.

The caution flag waved on lap 25 when Gaines and Houk tangled in turn four, collecting the cars of Kyle Ford and Dave Osborn. Everyone was able to continue.

Macenko held off Taylor on the restart to win by .714-seconds with Houk recovering to finish third followed by Schrage and Ford. It was Macenko's second victory of the 2022 campaign having won earlier at Gas City Speedway.

“What a weekend,” Macenko said after the victory. “We struggled a little bit in hot laps and the next run was quick time in qualifying.”

He said it was clean racing with Taylor battling for a championship. “It's going to be a dog fight each and every week,” Macenko said. “But I know that he'll race me clean.” He explained regarding the pass for the win the ability to maintain momentum off the tricky fourth corner and gain the inside line.

“It was definitely a good battle,” Taylor said of the close racing with Macenko. “I know I pinched him off a lot, but I didn't want him to pass while I was passing lapped cars.” Taylor said during the battle with Macenko he was not going to back off the throttle. “I was committed,” he said. “I was ready to lock the wheels up.”

Houk, the defending series champion running a limited 2022 schedule, was pleased with the third place finish. “Can't be disappointed with a podium finish,” he said. “It was tight racing, everyone was up on the wheel.”