Bryan Clauson celebrates with JC Agajanian Jr and "The Aggie". Photo by Anne Cypress.
(Irwindale, Ca) – With an estimated 5,000 fans in attendance at the 69th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix were treated to some open-wheel racing.
The night got to a great start as Kody Swanson and Chad Boat were dominant in the last chance qualifying.
Garrett Peterson and Cole Whitt won the undercard races quite impressively as they went wire-to-wire.
The winner of “The Aggie” award that goes to the winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix was Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, IN.
FORD FOCUS MIDGETS “HOOSIER TIRES 40” – 40 LAPS
Garrett Peterson from West Sacramento, Ca took the “Hoosier Tires 40” to open the main racing of the night. Peterson’s margin of victory was 1.778 seconds.
Peterson was fast all night during the 40 lap feature that saw two cautions thrown during the night.
The complexion of the race changed in the 15th lap when Cody Gerhardt and Austin Luttmer spun into each other when Gerhardt was in third. The spin meant Gerhardt and Luttmer were sent to the back of the pack.
Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, MI was impressive passing four drivers in the last 20 laps and finished second. Ferns made a pass of California State Pavement Champion Nik Romano for second on the 26th lap.
Chad Boat raced his way in to the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Photo by Anne Cypress.
Michael J Lewis was able to get by Romano for the third spot.
WESTERN STATES SPRINT CARS – 40 LAPS
Cole Whitt took advantage of starting in the front row and took “Team Red Bull” to the win of the second feature of the night.
Whitt was never really challenged as he went wire-to-wire. The margin of victory was 0.816 seconds.
Kody Swanson was able to get the second spot on the 26th lap and made one attempt to challenge Whitt on the 39th lap but could never get to the winner.
Swanson had to battle from the fifth position much of the night to get up to the second position.
Scott Pierovich was able to finish third. Pierovich was able to hold off the USAC Western States Sprint Cars Champion Tanner Swanson for the position.
TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX – 98 LAPS
In the 69th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix, Bryan Clauson took the lead on the 41st lap to win the prestigious race.
Josh Wise led early in the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Photo by Anne Cypress.
“We had run here three times before and had some good cars,” said Clauson. “We fought some mechanical issues early tonight. The crew fought hard and was able to get this car fast for the main event.”
It was Clauson’s seventh win in the Mopar National Midget series. Clauson won on asphalt twice this season with his win at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and O’Reilly Raceway Park.
It was also an incredible night for car owner Mark DeBeaumont who had his cars finish first and second.
“Mark was talking to us about battling each other for a Turkey night win,” said Clauson. “. “Fortunately for me I was able to get clear and not have to battle.”
Clauson was able to get by Josh Wise on the low side of turn four as both were passing the lapped-car of Dave Darland.
Wise had the best car early as he was out to a two-second lead until Scott Pierovich and USAC Midget leader Brad Kuhn collected each other on the 11th lap of the race.
Kuhn (finished 28th) had to sweat out the remainder of the night as Brad Sweet had to finish third or better to win the Championship. Sweet would finish sixth and lost by eight points.
The Rookie-of-the-year Levi Roberts of Broomfield, CO came from as far back as fifth to get second. Roberts made an impressive pass on Wise to get into second.
Wise would end up finishing third after having to hold off Jesse Rodela.
Last season’s winner Bobby Santos had his evening ended on the 52nd lap when his car failed to fire at the end of the backstretch entering turn three.
The race had to be re-started as Darren Hagen and Jason Leffler were involved in crash that saw Leffler go over the top of Hagen’s right rear wheel.
More photos from this event can be found at cypresstreephotos.printroom.com
HOOSIER TIRES 40 –
1. Garrett Peterson
2. Taylor Ferns
3. Michael Lewis
WESTERN STATES SPRINT CARS – 40 LAPS
1. Cole Whitt
2. Kody Swanson
3. Scott Pierovich
TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX – 98 LAPS
1. Bryan Clauson
2. Levi Roberts
3. Josh Wise
4. Jerome Rodela
5. Tanner Swanson
6. Brad Sweet
7. Garrett Hansen
8. Alex Bowman
9. Davey Hamilton
10. Dakoda Armstrong
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