LEFFEL WINS SPEED2 WINTER NATIONALS OPENER AT Du QUOIN

Du Quoin, Illinois (February 28, 2020)………Springfield, Ohio’s Aaron Lefflel captured Friday night’s USAC Midwest Thunder/Engler IMRA SpeeD2 Midwest Winter Nationals opener at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin.

The three-time Midwest Thunder champion, led from start to finish in the non-points special event feature that was shortened from 20 laps to 14 due to a 20-minute time limit.  Leffel was followed to the line by Sean Murphy, Andy Baugh, Brandon Smith and Alex Watson, who rounded out the top-five.

The second and final night of the Midwest Winter Nationals at the Southern Illinois Center continues tonight, Saturday February 29, with a full program of SpeeD2 Midget racing on tap.

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USAC MIDWEST THUNDER & USAC ENGLER IMRA SPEED2 MIDGET SPECIAL EVENT RACE RESULTS: February 28, 2020 – Southern Illinois Center – Du Quoin, Illinois – Midwest Winter Nationals

FIRST HEAT: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Anthony Haas (#81H Haas), 2. Ryan Thomas (#17 Thomas), 3. Andy Baugh (#37 Baugh), 4. Jeff Schindler (#88H Schindler), 5. Jason Allen (#28 Allen), 6. Jacob Carnel (#11c Martin). NT

SECOND HEAT: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Brandon Smith (#11 Smith), 2. Russell Johnston (#0 Johnston), 3. Sean Murphy (#5m Murphy), 4. Jonathan Watson (#20 Watson), 5. R.J. Corson (#15 Corson), 6. Matt Durbin (#12D Durbin). NT

THIRD HEAT: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Aaron Leffel (#11L Taylor), 2. Alex Watson (#3 Watson), 3. Kendall Ruble (#11R Martin), 4. Raymond Holden (#28 Holden), 5. John Heitzman (#43 Heitzman), 6. Brett Waggoner (#89 Waggoner). NT

FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps, passing points) 1. Jake Hesson (#81JH Hesson), 2. Ethan Rutherford (#8E8 Rutherford), 3. Will Armitage (#51R Johnson), 4. Logan Anderson (#93 Anderson), 5. Dean Parker (#99 Parker). NT

FIRST SEMI: (6 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Logan Anderson, 2. R.J. Corson, 3. Brett Waggoner. NT

SECOND SEMI: (6 laps, top-2 transfer to the feature) 1. Jason Allen, 2. Dean Parker, 3. Jacob Carnel. 1:54.296

FEATURE: (14 laps, shortened from 20 laps due to time limit) 1. Aaron Leffel, 2. Sean Murphy, 3. Andy Baugh, 4. Brandon Smith, 5. Alex Watson, 6. Jonathan Watson, 7. Anthony Haas, 8. Jake Hesson, 9. John Heitzman, 10. Jeff Schindler, 11. Dean Parker, 12. Logan Anderson, 13. Will Armitage, 14. Ethan Rutherford, 15. Kendall Ruble, 16. Raymond Holden, 17. Ryan Thomas, 18. Russell Johnston, 19. Jason Allen, 20. R.J. Corson. NT

**Ryan Thomas and Russell Johnston flipped on the first lap of the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-14 Aaron Leffel.

NEXT USAC MIDWEST THUNDER & ENGLER IMRA SPEED2 MIDGET RACE: February 29, 2020 – Southern Illinois Center – Du Quoin, Illinois – Midwest Winter Nationals