Title contenders bring battle to Anderson

Dameron Taylor races at Anderson Speedway (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

With the penultimate race of the 2022 season at Anderson Speedway, the two drivers contending for the championship are expecting a competitive race. Point leader Dameron Taylor has been in a close title battle in the past and leading contender Jack Macenko is seeking that first championship. After Macenko, who led the point standings for most of the year, failed to finish the past two Kenyon Midget Series events it has propelled Taylor to an 8-point lead. The Anderson Speedway race is the final pavement race of the year with the championship expected to be decided at the US24 dirt oval on Oct. 15.

Taylor was the 2012 rookie of the year and has won two Kenyon Midget championships. “We needed a few things to go our way,” Taylor said of the title fight. “He (Macenko) has had a few problems lately. I expect the point chase to remain a close race until the end of the season.”

Taylor said in previous Anderson races there is normally a lot of back and forth movement in the field of drivers as they battle for position. “The final dirt race will decide the championship,” he said. “It's not just one race, it's a year long battle. You need to qualify good and be consistent with top five finishes.”

Jackson Macenko (Aaron Skillman photo)

Macenko said at the Mt. Lawn race he twice drove from the back of the field to challenge for a victory when he misjudged passing a lapped car and made contact with the retaining wall. “I hope to get things back to where I was earlier in the season,” he said. “Right now I'm in a completely different position than I was just a few races ago. You could feel the momentum shift,” Macenko said. “It's going to be a battle, but that's racing.” Macenko said he remains optimistic and looks forward to a tight race with Taylor at Anderson. “We raced so even at Anderson all year,” he said of the high banked quarter-mile oval.

Kyle Ford has built up a significant point lead in the rookie of the year battle over Dave Osborn, who missed the Mt. Lawn race. “We've had a few good races lately,” Ford said of the late season surge. “I've worked hard in the gym and we've worked hard on the car. Right now I'm showing my true potential as a result of figuring out the car,” he said. Ford believes that victory in one of the two final races is within his grasp. “I know I can get a win,” he said.