Kangaroos and Kiwis Share the Dirt in Indiana.
This weeks in the US down Indiana way Australian and New Zealand Midget Speedcar drivers take up the challenge to beat the Americans during the POWRi Illinois Speed Week and then the USAC Midget Week.
Michael Pickens and Brad Mosen headed the Kiwi challenge while Jamie McKinlay and Damion Ramsay carried the hopes of the Aussies fans .The New Zealanders will be further strengthen by the arrival of Brock Maskovic driving for the Bryan Clauson’s Driven Development Team . Leyton Kendall will be with the Kenny Brown Racings entry when they tackle the USAC based teams at the USAC Midget Speed Week.
Kenny Brown Racing
Seth Motsinger #2 Leyton Kendall #7 and Austin brown #7
The first show at Quincy Raceway after the heats looked like the New Zealand pair of Pickens and Mosen might show the way but a couple of mishaps during the early part of the feature and he pattern was set for am unhappy night for both Kiwi Champions. For the opening six laps of the A main Pickens was in command followed by Mosen and the night offered plenty.
Following a restart Mosen trying for an early pass, possibly before the cone caused a banging of wheels with Pickens or possibly due to hitting an inside tyre marker and over Mosen went. The good news was that Brad Mosen emerged from the race car unhurt but the incident caused plenty of comment from fans of both drivers back in New Zealand. The following comment was posted on a Western Springs social media page “Some typical ‘Sportsmanship from Pickens flipping Mosen on restart. Brad is out of car and fine “. The post was later withdrawn but not before an avalanche of unfavorable comments from Pickens fans!
Hagen in his Shane Himel Great Clips powered Esslinger soon rounded up and passed Pickens with Daum, Thorson and Felker offering the challenges. Not long after Pickens’s night went to rubbish when he tangled with lapped traffic, spun and forced out of the race when the engine of his RFM DRC race car stopped and caught fire . Pickens was not hurt.
Hagen continued to control and dominates the race heading Daum with Thorson and Felker chasing. Thorson having his first drive in the Fike # 3 gathered in Daum and chased Hagen to the flag.
Darren Hagen and Great Clips
After the Quincy Show and the teams will head for overnight to Lincoln Speedway for night two of the POWRi Lucas Oils Illinois Speed Week
