Story lines entering 2024 season
Kenyon Midgets on the high-banked Anderson Speedway. (Aaron Skillman photo)
By Ken de la Bastide
In the long standing tradition for the Kenyon Midget Series the season kicks off on the lightning fast Anderson Speedway. The 2024 season starts with the 6th running of the Dick Jordan Classic with wide open competition for the championship and rookie of the year titles.
Three-time champion Dameron Taylor will be seeking his third victory in the Dick Joran Classic. Taylor won the race in 2023 and followed that up at Anderson with a 12th place run in the Mel Kenyon Classic and a fifth in the final race of the year.
Two contenders for last year’s Redline Ace Rookie of the Year honors Evan Hammond and Kyle Sheard will be looking to contend for championship honors and that first career win. Hammond earned the 2023 rookie of the year honors and has a career best finish of fourth at Anderson. Sheard scored two top-ten finishes on the high-banked oval last year.
Clayton Gaines, a former winner at Anderson, is planning to run a limited schedule in 2024 but recorded two third place finishes at the track last year.
Buddy Hollmeyer is returning for a second year of competition and placing eighth in the point standings a year ago. The Ohio driver recorded an eighth place showing at Anderson in two starts.
Veteran Ryan Huggler is returning after an impressive showing a year ago in the “Dirty August” races and had two top ten finishes at Anderson last year.
Six drivers will be competing for the Redline Ace Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. BJ Shaw finished 12th at Anderson last year and Jase Petty came home in 11th. Landon Brown made two Anderson starts in 2023 recording top ten showings in both outings. Trisdon Brown, Ryan Shikuski and Jett Neal will all be making their first starts in the Kenyon Midget Series at Anderson. Following the tight three-way battle a year ago for the rookie honors this season promises to produce more of the same excitement. Lee Pierce and Jeff Hill are also making their first appearances at Anderson Speedway.
The season get started on Sunday April 14, 2024 at Anderson Speedway. Pit gates open at noon, spectator gates open at 2:00, and racing begins at 4:30. If you can’t make it to the track, check out the live stream on DIRTVision.