THE LONGEST WINNING STREAKS IN USAC NATIONAL MIDGET HISTORY
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media
Putnamville, Indiana (June 19, 2020)………With all the talk and hubbub of Kyle Larson’s ongoing miraculous winning ways this week during Indiana Midget Week, we dug out the history book and checked to see where Larson’s current streak stands in the realm of history in USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget racing and just how far he has to go to make ultimate history.
The Elk Grove, Calif. native’s Indiana Midget Week has included three consecutive feature victories already entering Friday’s round 4 at Lincoln Park Speedway. He’s already picked up wins on Tuesday at Paragon Speedway, Wednesday at Gas City I-69 Speedway and Thursday at Lincoln Park Speedway.
Several drivers have previously achieved the feat of three-in-a-row with the series, including Jack Turner (1958), Bobby Olivero (1973-74), Sleepy Tripp (1975 Twice & 1977), Johnny Parsons (1977), Rich Vogler (1981-82-85-88), Jeff Gordon (1990), Tony Stewart (1995), Jason Leffler (1997), Dave Steele (2001-02), Darren Hagen (2010), Bryan Clauson (2010-11) and Tanner Thorson (2016).
However, the most recent driver to achieve the feat of three-in-a-row with the series was none other than Larson himself during the final three races of the 2019 season at California venues Placerville Speedway, Bakersfield Speedway and Ventura Raceway. In fact, Larson has won his six most recent USAC National Midget starts, although they obviously weren’t in succession with his absence from the first five races of the 2020 season.
Seven different drivers have won four USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget features in their career, but again, who was the most recent to do it? Yeah, you guessed correctly. It was Kyle Larson, who won three-straight to conclude the 2012 season at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., then Arizona’s Canyon Speedway Park and Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, then proceeded to win the 2013 season opener at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.
Also in the four-straight USAC Midget win club are Shorty Templeman (1956), Mel Kenyon (1969), Rich Vogler (1979 & 88), Kevin Olson (1987), Billy Boat (1996-97) and Dave Darland (2003).
One man stands at the top of the heap with five consecutive USAC National Midget victories in 1978, Rich Vogler, who won during the streak at Indianapolis Raceway Park, twice in one afternoon at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, and once each at Rockford (Ill.) Motor Speedway and Ohio’s Columbus Motor Speedway in late May/early June of that year en route to the first of his five career USAC National Midget driving titles.
An Indiana Midget Week sweep for Larson would set a new record of six consecutive USAC National Midget wins. What once seemed incomprehensible is now something to keep an eye on over the weekend as Larson attempts to rewrite history. Judging by what we’ve witnessed thus far this week, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Friday at Lincoln Park for round 3 of IMW, the pits open at 3pm Eastern, grandstands at 4:30pm and hot laps at 6:30pm.
All USAC National events can be seen LIVE exclusively on FloRacing at https://bit.ly/2WQubNH.
ALL-TIME USAC NATIONAL MIDGET WINNING STREAKS:
5 IN A ROW
Rich Vogler (1978)
4 IN A ROW
Shorty Templeman (1956)
Mel Kenyon (1969)
Rich Vogler (1979)
Kevin Olson (1987)
Rich Vogler (1988)
Billy Boat (1996-97)
Dave Darland (2003)
Kyle Larson (2012-13)
3 IN A ROW
Jack Turner (1958)
Bobby Olivero (1973)
Bobby Olivero (1974)
Sleepy Tripp (1975 Twice)
Sleepy Tripp (1977)
Johnny Parsons (1977)
Rich Vogler (1981)
Rich Vogler (1982)
Rich Vogler (1985)
Rich Vogler (1988)
Jeff Gordon (1990)
Tony Stewart (1995)
Jason Leffler (1997)
Dave Steele (2001-02)
Darren Hagen (2010)
Bryan Clauson (2010-11)
Tanner Thorson (2016)
Kyle Larson (2019)
Kyle Larson (2020)
2020 INDIANA MIDGET WEEK SCHEDULE
Tue., June 16: Paragon Speedway – Paragon, Indiana
WINNER: Kyle Larson (Tucker-Boat Motorsports #86)
Wed., June 17: Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Indiana
WINNER: Kyle Larson (Tucker-Boat Motorsports #86)
Thu., June 18: Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Indiana
WINNER: Kyle Larson (Tucker-Boat Motorsports #86)
Fri., June 19: Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Indiana
Pits open at 3pm Eastern, grandstands at 4:30pm and hot laps at 6:30pm
Sat., June 20: Lawrenceburg Speedway – Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Pits open at 3pm Eastern, grandstands at 5pm and hot laps at 6pm
Sun., June 21: Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana
Pits open at 3pm Eastern, grandstands at 5pm and hot laps at 6pm