USAC’s HPD IGNITE, HONDA .25 CHAMPIONS CELEBRATED IN INDY

Saturday night’s USAC “Showcase of Champions” at the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, Ind. honored 2013 USAC drivers and participants who excelled in the HPD Ignite Midget and Honda .25 Midget series.

Offering pre and post-banquet amusement with its array of sports-related games and displays, the NCAA Hall of Champions served as a fitting venue for USAC’s developmental racing series participants. Serving as the night’s emcee was Butch Lamb.

A dozen events comprised the Honda .25 Midget “Generation Next” National Championships. The National champions enjoyed their second consecutive night of recognition after being saluted during Friday night’s USAC “Night of Champions” National banquet, also held in downtown Indianapolis.

Champions of HPD Ignite Midget racing during 2013 included Gage Walker of Fairland, Ind. (Midwest Dirt), Cooper Clouse of Ohio City, Ohio (Midwest Pavement), Jarid Blondel of Orange, Calif. (Western), Bryant Dawson of Phoenix, Ariz. (Western Pavement), Cory Elliott of Bakersfield, Calif. (Western Dirt), Chris Lamb of Colfax, N.C. (Eastern) and Chase Goetz of Snohomish, Wash. (Washington).

Honored as USAC Honda .25 Midget National Champions as a result of their “Generation Next Tour” titles were pavement drivers Tyler Ankrum of Colton, Calif. (Heavy 160, Senior Animal, Light World Formula and Heavy AA), Todd Gilliland of Sherrills Ford, N.C. (Heavy World Formula), Brandon Grosso of Belle Mead, N.J. (Heavy Honda), Light 160 and Light AA), Andrew Molleur of Shelton, Conn. (Light Mod), Jake Nelke of Manahawkin, N.J. (Unrestricted Animal), Justin Oplinger of Mt. Holly, N.C. (Junior Honda), Chase Randall of Waco, Tex. (Junior Animal) and Famous Rhodes of Parkland, Fla. (Senior Honda). Dirt champions honored were Calvin Carroll of Andover, N.J. (Light Mod), Briggs Danner of Allentown, Pa. (Senior Honda and light World Formula), Brittany Erlsten of Pocono Pines, Pa (Heavy Honda and Heavy World Formula), Hanna Flood of Limerick, Pa. (Heavy 160), Andrew Layser of Collegeville, Pa. (Light 160), Kenny Miller of Birdsboro, Pa. (Senior Animal) and Steven Snyder Jr. of Rising Sun, Md. (Junior Honda and Junior Animal).

Champions of the Eastern, Western, Northeast and East Coast sub-series were also recognized and presented distinctive awards.

Debi Supan of Colorado. whose Coast 2 Coast Racing News website and publication continue to chronicle the activities of USAC’s Honda .25 Midget competitors, was the surprise recipient of USAC’s “Spirit of Youth Award” in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication to youth in motorsports.

All of the USAC champions received distinctive championship jackets compliments of Hoosier Racing Tire of Lakeville, Ind.