Turkey Night

November 29, 1999 - This past Thanksgiving, Irwindale Speedway hosted the 59th running of the classic "Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix" presented by Home Depot. The most celebrated race for the USAC MCI WorldCom Midget Car season attracted both Tony Stewart (1999 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year) and Kenny Irwin Jr. (1998 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year) The event also included all three 1999 national USAC champions; Dave Darland from Sprints, Ryan Newman from Silver Crown, and of course, Jason Leffler from Midgets.

Those fans willing to forgo spending Thanksgiving night indoors were treated to a spectacular night of racing. The MCI WorldCom TQ Midgets were also on hand with a 20-lap feature. However "Turkey Night" means the 100-lap Midget Car season finale. Stewart was the fastest qualifier for the event, despite the fact he has only competed in three other "Turkey Nights" and has "retired" from the open wheel ranks. Stewart has 23-career USAC national event wins, but has yet to win "Turkey Night." Although between breaking records in both Winston Cup and USAC national divisions, Stewart does not lack much.

Jason Leffler and Stewart swapped the lead throughout the race with Stewart leading lap 99, however Leffler passed Stewart going into Turn One and won the race. Dave Darland finished third, followed by Clay Klepper, Dave Steele, Marc DeBeaumont, Tracy Hines, Ryan Newman, Travis Welpott, and Jay Drake (1998's winner) rounded out the top ten. Leffler will be leaving USAC to compete full time next season on the Busch Grand National circuit.

Kenny Irwin Jr., entered his father's number 70 K&R Racing Ford/Predator in the event but was not a threat for the win, bringing out the third caution on lap 49 and finishing 23rd overall. Kenny has not ran in a USAC midget car race in about eight months. Irwin Jr., who currently competes full time on the Winston Cup circuit, has eight career wins in the USAC Midget Car division, along with the 1996 championship, not to mention 13 victories between Sprint Cars and Silver Crown. He has competed in four other "Turkey Nights," with a best finish of second in 1995, to Billy Boat.

The MCI WorldCom TQ Midget Car season's finale saw J.J. Ercse win the 20-lap event. Ercse was pursued by Josh Wise, Randi Pankrakz, Gene Godepski, and Scott Hansen. Ercse led all 20 laps and saw only one caution on the first lap. Wise's runner up finish secured him the season championship. Wise has four wins, with eight top fives and 12 top tens out of 15 starts.

Parnelli Jones was on hand to dispense the winner's trophies. His son PJ Jones was also on hand but, due to an accident during the day, was unable to compete in the night's festivities. The event marked the final race of Irwindale Speedway's first season.

During driver introductions, Stewart said that Irwindale Speedway will soon become the "benchmark for short track racing" and that he will have a hard time staying away. Irwindale Speedway is a 1/2 mile paved oval, with a 1/3 mile paved oval inside. The Speedway has hosted various events in its first season, including two Winston West events and a handful of USAC events.

Well that's it for this report race fans. Until next time, enjoy the off-season. Remember Safety First!

Nikki

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