4/16/2013
Andrew Felker
Star Studded Cast on Showcase this Saturday at I44 Riverside!
April 16th, 2013 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - One week after the successful debut of the new Midget division, I44 Riverside Speedway doubles down this Saturday, April 20th for the sophmore outing of Oklahoma City’s fastest race cars.
A 1/5th mile, high banked oval located in the southwest corner of Oklahoma County, I44 Riverside Speedway promoter Mark Banister drew the attention of thousands upon announcing plans to feature full Midget racing on the red clay oval. Drawing even more attention was the payout, one of the best in the state for weekly open wheel racing.
The loot grows even larger for the second Midget serving of the 2013 campaign, featuring $750 to the winner and $150 to all main event competitors. The best weekly open wheel purse in the state has prompted a serious response from regional stars.
Leading the deeply talented crop that will point their rigs south come Saturday is, without question, reigning Lucas Oil POWRi National Midget Champion Andrew Felker. A 20 year old native of Carl’s Junction, Missouri, the young sensation began his rise with a 2008 Non Wing mini sprint crown.
Peppering victory lane across the region in ensuing seasons, Felker became a national name last season with impressive scores in POWRi Midget action at Peoria, Illinois and Wilmot, Wisconsin en route to his first Lucas Oil POWRi National Midget title. Felker also swept a two day POWRi West division showcase at I44 Riverside Speedway in their only 2012 trip to the Oklahoma City oval over the Memorial Holiday weekend. Felker made his first Chili Bowl main event in January, outperforming well over 200 competitors in dirt track racing’s biggest annual event.
The accolades of the invaders grows deeper still as Collinsville, Oklahoma native and the pride of Factor One Racing Tyler Thomas will arrive hungry for his first Midget success of the 2013 season.
The rim riding racer struck pay dirt in his first career outing with the POWRi National Midget series at West Plains, Missouri in 2011, before adding to POWRi conquest in DuQoin, Illinois the following season (denied a weekend sweep by mere inches at the hands of Indiana’s Bryan Clauson), before another POWRi National Midget triumph at Macon, Illinois. The sensation rim riding 17 year old also won the inaugural (now defunct) ASCS EcoTec Midget event held in 2011 at Creek County Speedway (Felker won in Outlaw mini sprint action that night, for good measure).
Jenks, Oklahoma’s Eric Fenton will debut his Southside Mowers/Fenton Graphics no. 72 for the first time this season. A recent sprint car winner in Meeker, Oklahoma; Tulsa standout Alex Sewell will make his first Midget outing since a couple main event starts at Peoria, Arizona’s Copper On Dirt in early March. Fellow Tulsa native Evan Sewell will also join the 918 contingent.
Arkansas natives Nick Bailey and Bobby Brewer return following third and fourth place finishes (respectively) in I44 Riverside’s Midget opener. Possibilities remain for several regional Midget teams to grace I44 Riverside pits on race day.
Saturday gates open at 4pm, followed by hot laps at 6pm and heat races at 7pm.
General admission is $10. All Access passes (pit passes) are $20.
For more information, visit www.i44riversidespeedway.com or Like and Follow I44 Riverside Speedway on Facebook for official event news and updates. For detailed information, please contact promoter Mark Banister at 405.633.1583.
Article Credit: Cody Morris
Submitted By: Andrew Felker
