INDIANAPOLIS – Recently-crowned AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series champion C.J. Leary has been tabbed by Gene Gile to drive Gile’s midget in the two remaining NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series races this year in California.
Leary will drive Gile’s No. 13 first at Bakersfield Speedway on Nov. 23, and then at Ventura Raceway on Nov. 28 for the 79th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix.
Leary missed the show in his Bakersfield debut in 2018, but did make his rookie appearance at Turkey Night a year ago, finishing 20th driving for Alex Bowman.
This year, Leary has made 11 NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series starts, finishing a best of fourth twice in the season’s first two races at Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park for FMR Racing.
Leary also took down a fifth-place result at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway in April for FMR and also made three starts in the Steve Reynolds No. 21KS.
The Gile No. 13, meanwhile, made its first two appearances last weekend during the Western World Championships at Arizona Speedway with Thomas Meseraull as the driver, finishing 23rd and 14th.
The 23-year-old Leary won twice en route to the USAC National Sprint Car title this year, his first with the series.