Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.…
Bell back to winning form at” Cornfest” Angell Park
Christopher Bell and the Keith Kunz Toyota teams are never too far away from the checker and Sunday night at Angell Park Bell and Kunz returned to the winner circle in a dominating show of speed. The Angell Park win was Bells 5th for the season and 14th career USAC Midget win.
Bell wins the Cornfesat Angell Park
Heading the Feature Race from Pole at Angell Park was a gift for the USAC Champion and from the green he dominated the race completely. The early challenge offered by Bryan Clauson went west when Clauson’s move on Robinson resulted in the two coming together. After contact the two cars went spinning up the track and collecting series point-leader Rico Abreu. All three cars were able to restart.
The only serious challenge to Bell superiority was former USAC Champ Hagen but the Great Clips – Fatheadz Eyewear #56 Beast/Esslinger already suffering from tyre and water loss problems had little to attack with.
Tyler Thomas running out position 10 gradually move through the field and with late passes managed to find his way onto the podium behind Hagen and Bell.
After setting a new USAC track record during his qualifying Tracey Hines brought his Parker Machinery – Turbines, Inc. #24 Spike/Stanton Toyota 4th ahead of a recovering Bryan Clauson.
Angell Park and Bell , just seem to click as they appear to have the track worked out each time they roll the Kunz Beast Toyota out .The win enable Bell to close the points gap on team mate Abreu in the race to defend his USAC Championship .
After failing to get his 3F, RFMS to set a qualifying time due to continuing issues but the New Zealander Michael Pickens would have been encouraged by his heat win and his 9th place finish. Pickens charge from position 24 in the 24 car Feature. After all his problems of recent time a most rewarding effort and a reminder of his special talents.
Driver comments
: Christopher Bell “It seems like 30 laps takes forever at this place. Running by you and seeing those laps on the board, it seems like they click off so slowly. All those yellows and being out front is just agonizing. It’s special to be so good here, especially after having so much trouble here last year. We’ve had a great stretch this season up here at the Prairie,” Bell said.
Daren Hagen ““This is one of the great tracks in the country, so I’m happy just to be back here and definitely to get a good finish. We had our challenges. Both rear tires were losing air and I had some problems with my helmet, along with us spewing water too. We never could get anything together to challenge for the lead, but it was good to come out in front of a good crowd and run second,” Hagen said.
Tyler Thomas ““The open red gave us a chance to make some changes and take a shot at running the bottom. We ran right up through there to fifth before leveling off some. Those two were racing hard for third on the last couple laps and gave us a chance to hit the bottom and get to third. It was really tricky down there. If I could stay right against the tires, it was pretty good down there,” Thomas said.
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Christopher Bell, 2. Darren Hagen, 3. Tyler Thomas, 4. Tracy Hines, 5. Bryan Claus on, 6. Zach Daum, 7. Jerry Coons, Jr., 8. Andrew Felker, 9. Michael Pickens, 10. Jake Blackhurst, 11. Seth Motsinger, 12. Daniel Robinson, 13. Rico Abreu, 14. Tanner Thorson, 15. Austin Brown, 16. Terry Babb, 17. Kevin Olson, 18. Isaac Chapple, 19. Brady Bacon, 20. Spencer Bayston, 21. Chris Windom, 22. Parker Price-Miller, 23. Robbie Ray, 24. Brandon Waelti. NT
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Price-Miller flipped in Heat 1. Windom flipped on Lap 4 of the Feature. Clauson flipped on Lap 10 of the Feature. Bacon flipped on Lap 29 of the Feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Bell.
The Angell Park event was co sanctioned by USAC-POWRi and BMARA
NEW HONDA USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-Abreu-822; 2-Hines-740; 3-Bell-719; 4-Clauson-675; 5-Daum-606; 6-Windom-559; 7-Thorson-531; 8-Pickens-499; 9-Dave Darland-418; 10-Felker-378.
NEXT HONDA NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: September 20 – Rossburg, Ohio – Eldora Speedway – “4-Crown Nationals”
