Montpelier offers drivers a new challenge
By Ken de la Bastide
When the Kenyon Midget Series visits the quarter-mile dirt oval Montpelier Motor Speedway it will be a new venue for veterans and rookies alike. The Kenyon Midget Series is part of track's Springtacular with four divisions of open wheel racing.
The entry list for the second race of the season is again a healthy 16 competitors which includes Germany's Marcel Berndt making his first start along with Matt Lux. Since none of the current drivers with the Kenyon Midget Series have competed at the track in the past it will be a learning experience.
Coming off his victory in the Dick Jordan Classic, Dameron Taylor said he hasn't raced on a dirt oval in several years. “The biggest challenge will be learning the track,” he said. “Everyone will be learning a new track.” Taylor said in the past he has done well when the series has competed at a new track and is hoping for a top three finish.
Runner-up in the Dick Jordan Classic Jack Macenko scored a victory at the dirt Circle City Speedway in 2021. “I can't wait,” he said of traveling to Montpelier. “There are a lot of new drivers with the series and this is a new track. I'm entering the weekend with some confidence after winning at Circle City last year,” Macenko said. “My experience in knowing the limits of the car should help.”
Rookie contender Thomas Schrage said he has never raced on a dirt oval in his career. “I'll try to figure it out,” he said. “I assume the faster line will be on the bottom. I'm going to try some things out. It should be fun.”
Schrage said it was a good opening race at Anderson. “I worked on just getting comfortable in car,” he said. “I just need to get more seat time.”
Veteran driver Dave Osborn is also racing on dirt for the first time in many years. “I ran a mini-sprint on dirt when I was 21 so it has been a lot of years ago. I'm a little excited, a little nervous. “It's just dirt,” Osborn laughed. “I hope to beat at least one other driver. I won't be the only one that hasn't raced on dirt a lot.”