ON THE VERGE: KUNZ CLOSING IN ON ALL-TIME USAC MIDGET RECORD
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media
Speedway, Indiana (August 31, 2022)………Keith Kunz is closing in on one of the sport’s all-time greatest records as the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship takes on Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’ Angell Park Speedway this Sunday night, September 4.
The Columbus, Ind. car owner stands two wins away from tying and three wins from surpassing Steve Lewis for number one on the all-time USAC National Midget entrant win list.
Kunz midgets have now won 131 series feature events since 1992 with nine more added this season alone between drivers Buddy Kofoid (8) and Ryan Timms (1).
Lewis had stood atop the all-time USAC National Midget entrant wins list since 2002 when Dave Darland raced to victory at Salem (Ind.) Speedway. At the time, it was Lewis’ record 98th series win, surpassing the longstanding record of 97 held by Doug Caruthers.
Kunz’s first win in USAC National Midget competition came in August of 1992 with driver Page Jones, who scored a last-lap victory over Tony Elliott at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. Jones had spun twice earlier in the race before coming from the back of the pack both times to garner the eventual initial triumph.
Kunz’s 11th series entrant title in 2021 broke Lewis’ former record of 10 with Kunz achieving USAC National Midget entrant championships in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.
The Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports team has fielded 12 drivers with the series this year: Kaidon Brown, Kaylee Bryson, Brenham Crouch, Mariah Ede, Dominic Gorden, Buddy Kofoid, Cade Lewis, Gavin Miller, Taylor Reimer, Ben Rhodes, Ryan Timms and Bryant Wiedeman.
This Sunday night’s Firemen’s Nationals at Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway features the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship, Badger Midget Racing Association and an after-race dance in the pavilion.
On Sunday, the pits open at 1:30pm Central, stands open at 4pm and cars on track at 5pm followed by qualifying and racing.
Advance tickets for Sunday’s race are on sale at www.angelpark.racing. Advance ticket prices are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for students age 12-17, $5 for kids age 6-11 & free for children age 5 and under. Race day ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $12 for students age 12-17, $5 for kids age 6-11 & free for children age 5 and under. Pit passes are $25 for members & $30 for non-members.
Sunday’s event can be watched LIVE on FloRacing at https://bit.ly/3frPoW6.
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TOP-10 WINNINGEST ENTRANTS IN USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACING HISTORY:
1. 133-Steve Lewis/Nine Racing
2. 131-Keith Kunz Motorsports
3. 130-Mike Curb
4. 116-Cary Agajanian
5. 97-Doug Caruthers
6. 93-Don & Mel Kenyon/3-K Racing
7. 84-Wilke Racers
8. 69-Howard Linne
9. 45-Shannon Brothers
10. 38-Corey Tucker