Tight racing marks first 6 events

Aaron Skillman photo

By Ken de la Bastide

Not quite halfway through the 2022 season there have been five different drivers claiming the winner's accolades. The only repeat winner has been Jack Macenko with victories at Mt. Lawn Speedway and at Gas City.

Thomas Schrage became a first-time series winner at Anderson Speedway with former champions Dameron Taylor and Colin Grissom both winning at the high banked quarter-mile oval. Trey Osborne is the fifth winner in 2022 with the victory on the Montpelier Motor Speedway dirt oval.

The Kenyon Midgets return to Anderson Speedway for the inaugural Gene Nolen Classic and Macenko is still looking for a victory at the track. This year Macenko has recorded a fast time at Anderson, two heat wins, a second and two thirds in the feature event. The second place finish matches his best performance at Anderson which took place in 2020.

Taylor turned in an impressive performance in the Don and Mel Kenyon Classic starting from the tail of the field after spinning on the opening lap and driving to a second place finish.

Entering the race at Anderson, Macenko has a 94 point lead over Taylor with rookie of the year contender Dave Osborn in third. Osborn has a 40 point margin over Clayton Gaines with fellow rookie Kyle Ford in fifth only 53 points behind Osborn.

Through the first six races there have been 25 drivers that have earned points with the series.

Schrage is returning to Kenyon Midget Series action for the next two races at Anderson and at the Shadybowl. “I think I figured something out at Anderson,” he said. “The rain delay helped me, I returned with a different mind set.” Schrage said Anderson is a track where maintaining momentum is crucial and having race karts has helped him on the quarter-mile oval. “The series is helping me development by abilities in a race car,” he said.