■ Kevin Swindell winning a Driller for the fifth time was highly emotional. It is doubtful that this provides quite the same rush as winning as a driver, but his face said it all. Kudos also to Swindell’s partner Bertrand Motorsports.
They have been a dominant force in the all-pavement Northeastern Midget Ass’n for several years and have been a key force in the revival of midget racing at historic Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Tim Bertrand said he always wanted to be a part of a dirt midget team and when Kevin Swindell called suggesting a partnership last February, he was game. It must be a surreal moment for both men.
■ The Fuzzy Hahn award for the best performance by a female driver was introduced this year and not only did Jade Avedisian become the inaugural winner of this award, she also collected the rookie-of-the-year award. Kaylee Bryson, the first woman to make the Saturday night feature last year, did so again this year. The number of young women coming through the ranks will only grow stronger.
■ It is difficult to understand why midget racing languishes more than flourishes. Yes, there are new groups on the horizon. It is noteworthy that the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series has vastly expanded its slate of races. Here’s the rub. How many teams are prepared to sign in for every race with Xtreme, USAC or POWRi? How can they afford it?
In midget racing, like all things in our nation the law of supply and demand is powerful. For purses to elevate requires promoters who are willing to take the risk. That entails banking on external fiscal support or the belief that a sufficient number of fans will attend. The truth is that no matter how passionate some are about the discipline, it is still a difficult sell. When you are at the Chili Bowl midget racing seems incredibly strong. In August, car counts and attendance at midget events is often very disappointing.
■ The Chili Bowl once again served as a gathering of clans in a celebration of short-track, open-wheel racing. People come to escape the winter, have fun and see some racing. On that count, the Chili Bowl always delivers. It is why people come back to Tulsa year after year.
This story appeared in the Jan. 18 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
