KOKOMO MIDGET “GRAND PRIX” THIS WEEKEND

Rico Abreu captivated race fans and participants alike with his 2014 Honda USAC National Midget championship. He swept last year’s “Kokomo Midget Grand Prix” at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. This year’s series openers at the Kokomo oval unfold this Friday and Saturday.

The 18-slate National campaign kicks off with what promises to be a spectacular two-night program of races at one of America’s premier short-track dirt ovals.

Bryan Clauson also scored a 2014 Midget win at Kokomo and this year’s competition is again expected to start an extremely competitive title chase.

Kokomo’s rich USAC Midget history spans 76 races dating back to USAC’s initial year of operation in 1956. Mel Kenyon won seven times there and Rich Vogler won six. Active drivers with Kokomo Midget wins include Tracy Hines, Brady Bacon, Clauson, Michael Pickens, Dave Darland, Christopher Bell and Abreu.

Abreu set the one-lap Kokomo Midget track record of 13.009 seconds in 2013.