“KOKOMO MIDGET GRAND PRIX” FRIDAY-SATURDAY

This weekend’s “Kokomo Midget Grand Prix” at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway debuts a new motorsports tradition at the quarter-mile dirt oval and opens the 2014 USAC National Midget Dirt campaign. The event is co-sanctioned by Powri.

Defending series champion Christopher Bell, who captured last year’s “Indiana Midget Week” title in a thrilling Kokomo finale, will open defense of his championship and will face a top-flight field of drivers in the two-night spectacular.

Bell, of Norman, Okla., scored prestigious Midget wins last year in the Belleville Midget Nationals, Gold Crown Midget Nationals and Indiana Midget Week on his way to the crown.

Other top drivers expected to compete at Kokomo include 2014 Powri Midget Champion Zach Daum, plus former USAC Kokomo Midget winners Bryan Clauson, winner of the this year’s “Chili Bowl Nationals” in Tulsa, Okla., Tracy Hines, Dave Darland, Michael Pickens and Brady Bacon.

Racing opens at Kokomo Friday, with complete racing programs slated Friday and Saturday nights.

Rico Abreu, winner of last year’s “4-Crown Nationals” at Rossburg, Ohio, is the track record holder for USAC Midgets at 13.009 seconds.