Christopher Bell celebrates his victory in Thursday night's 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Ventura, California.........Thanksgiving is the day each year when we take a little extra time to realize how fortunate we are.

For those in attendance at Thursday's "Turkey Night Grand Prix," the realization quickly came to how thankful we are to have witnessed Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson duking it out against each other for 98 laps in USAC Midgets at Ventura Raceway.

The three official lead changes listed in the box score aren't indicative of the back-and-forth battle these two titans waged with sliders being exchanged like currency on both ends of the racetrack.

On the 54th lap, Bell ultimately made the winning pass on Larson with a daring outside move on the front straightaway, but would have to endure the relentless persistence of Larson all the way down to turn one of the final lap when he stifled Larson's slider before it even had time to develop.

Bell, of Norman, Oklahoma, joined the ranks of two-time "Turkey Night" winners just six days after wrapping up his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title at Homestead (Fla.) Speedway. Though he and Larson have reached success in the NASCAR ranks in recent years, their home lies in the dirt tracks, just like old times when they were regulars on the USAC trail.

"Oh my god, it's so much fun," Bell exclaimed. "I just told Kyle that if he would've beat me, I would've been, maybe not just as happy, but still happy because it was just that much fun. That race was one of the most fun races I've run in a long time."

Straight from the outset, polesitter Larson had the upper hand as inside second row starter Bell followed in his wake on the bottom.

As Larson ringed around the berm lining the bottom of the racing surface, Bell became the first in line to venture to the top on the 12thlap, using a big bite off turn four to pull to a dead-heat at the line alongside Larson before nudging into the lead by a sliver into the first turn.

Bell never wavered in his decision to go top-shelf and it would pay off one lap later when he slipped by Larson off turn four to secure the lead.

"I could tell that the top was going to be good," Bell theorized. "Watching the sprint car feature, we saw that it got pretty good. They tilled the bottom and I could tell it was going to be really good at the beginning. Once it started going away, I tried the top and it was right there."

On lap 40, Brayton Lynch got sideways in a shuffle for position at the exit of turn four. Facing oncoming traffic, Chad Boat met front-bumper to front-bumper with Lynch, melding the noses of each car together as Boat attempted to peel away to no avail. Courtney Crone and newly-crowned five-time USAC Light Up the World Beverages Western States Midget champ Ronnie Gardner were also involved, but would restart.

When racing resumed on lap 52, Larson went to the bottom and slid his teammate Bell to snare the lead. One lap later, Bell returned the favor and slithered by Larson with just inches to spare as he tunneled between Larson's right-side wheels and the front straightaway wall. Larson attacked again into turn one with a slider, but the motion was denied, and Bell cleared away the Tryptophan after the wake-up call and sprinted back into the lead.

Following a lap 57 tangle between the two most recent USAC National Midget feature winners - Brady Bacon and series champion Spencer Bayston - Larson harassed Bell, putting it all on the line in the prestigious race in an attempt to become just the third driver to win the event three times. On lap 66, Larson got on the bike, lifting the left side wheels as he ripped the edge of the turn three cushion in his tireless pursuit.

With three-quarters of the race in the rearview mirror, it was time to turn up the wick. The bottom became just a distant memory as the two were now inside the barrel, riding the wave in turns three and four above the cushion. On lap 80, Larson slid Bell into turn one momentarily. Bell retaliated by crossing underneath Larson off the second turn to recapture the point. In turn three, the second verse played out the same as the first as Larson slid to the lead and Bell, so Allen Iverson-esque, used a killer crossover to bolt back to the front.

"The majority of drivers understand you have to be good at the end of the race to win the race," Bell said. "At the beginning, you're just cruising and making sure you make It to the end of the race. That's the biggest thing. Kyle and I were both rolling around there about quarter-throttle at the beginning, trying to save our tires and kill some laps. It worked out and we were racing our butts off at the end."

Larson, the five-time NASCAR Monster Energy Cup winner, set up another Hail Mary that was denied as Bell wheelied away off the top of turn two to remain in front. Tyler Courtney, the USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car feature winner earlier in the night, slowed to a stop in turn one to bring out the yellow and provide a breather for both the drivers and fans alike.

On the ensuing restart, Bell jetted away from Larson and, with ten to go, held a lead of over one second with a full nest of lappers resting in the distance. Just prior to lapped traffic possibly becoming a factor with a mere four laps to go, Holly Shelton and Bacon performed a synchronized spin between turns one and two that brought out the final yellow and one more stanza that Bell had to deal with Larson.

"The track was so technical," Bell explained. "It was all about hitting your marks and minimizing mistakes because you weren't going to make a mistake-free lap tonight. You just had to make sure when you made a mistake that you could recover from it. Once I got going on those green flag runs, I could get my momentum built up and make good, competitive laps. But after the yellow flags, it was tough to pick your rhythm back up. I knew I was a sitting duck their leading on the restarts. On the final one, Kyle got one last bomb on me and I was able to get him back."

Larson's first lob of a bomb was a success in turn one on the lap 95 restart as he scraped across the surface to snag the race lead from Bell. Bell counter-punched and ripped away the lead back away from Larson with a slider into turn three. Entering turn one with two laps remaining, wheels banged and nerf bars clanged as Larson shot to the lead past Bell once again.

As a uncertain as a game of tug-of-war teetering on a see-saw, Bell launched like a missile on a hellbound train to slide across the nose of Larson and into the lead between turns three and four to capture the lead for good. Larson threw a haymaker entering turn three coming to the white flag, pulling side-by-side with Bell at the exit of four where it momentarily became three-wide with Shane Golobic arriving seemingly out of the clear blue sky to mount a challenge for the lead.

Larson tried once more on the final lap, but Bell savagely, and wisely, took a lower entrance into turn one, thus preventing a final pull of the pin from Larson. Bell carried on with a 0.193 second lead across the finish line as Larson blasted off the top of the final corner to nip Golobic by a wheel at the line for the runner-up spot. Past "Turkey Night" winner Tanner Thorson was fourth and Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" Zeb Wise was fifth in his second-career USAC National Midget start.

Bell was 4 for 7 in USAC National Midget feature appearances in 2017 for a .571 batting average. His 21st career series victory tied him with Steve Cannon, Jimmy Caruthers, Rex Easton and Ken Schrader for 27th all-time.

The fourth-straight "Turkey Night" win for the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports team began with Bell's victory in 2014. Firsts are always special in any circumstance, but this one has even more meaning for the 22-year-old, 2013 USAC National Midget titlist.

"I definitely had to work harder for this one. This one was even more fun and more special."

Contingency award winners Thursday night at Ventura Raceway were Kyle Larson (ProSource/Woodland Auto Display Fast Qualifier), Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Simpson Race Products/Extreme Mufflers 1st Qualifier Winner & Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher), Chad Boat (Competition Suspension, Inc./Brown & Miller Racing Solutions 2nd Qualifier Winner), Zeb Wise (Chalk Stix/Keizer Aluminum Wheels/Saldana Racing Products/Indy Race Parts Last Chance Winner) and Ryan Robinson (KSE Racing Products/Esslinger Engineering Hard Charger).

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USAC NATIONAL & LIGHT UP THE WORLD BEVERAGES WESTERN STATES MIDGET RACE RESULTS: November 23, 2017 - Ventura Raceway - Ventura, California - 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix"

PROSOURCE/WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFYING: (Top-12 locked into the Feature) 1. Kyle Larson, 1, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.888; 2. Jake Swanson, 73, Ford-11.909; 3. Christopher Bell, 21, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-11.933; 4. Shane Golobic, 17w, Clauson-Marshall/Wood-12.060; 5. Justin Grant, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.081; 6. Brayton Lynch, 1K, RKR-12.119; 7. Logan Seavey, 4A, RAMS-12.200; 8. Spencer Bayston, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.210; 9. Tanner Thorson, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.238; 10. Michael Faccinto, 9D, Dodenhoff-12.249; 11. Brady Bacon, 76m, FMR-12.266; 12. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 27, Klaasmeyer-12.269; 13. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 25, Petry/Goff-12.274; 14. Chad Boat, 84, Tucker/Boat-12.276; 15. Brad Sweet, 63x, Dooling/Hayward-12.282; 16. Michael Pickens, 25x, Rodela-12.290; 17. Holly Shelton, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.326; 18. Courtney Crone, 25, Rodela-12.342; 19. Zeb Wise, 39, Clauson/Marshall-12.391; 20. Chase Briscoe, 5, Briscoe-12.393; 21. Carson Macedo, 73x, Ford-12.460; 22. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Six8-12.471; 23. Frankie Guerrini, 63, Guerrini-12.490; 24. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-12.505; 25. Clayton Ruston, 7R, CR-12.512; 26. Maria Cofer, 57, Cofer-12.520; 27. Tyler Nelson, 47, Mason-12.535; 28. Dustin Golobic, 17G, Wood-12.593; 29. Danny Stratton, 98, Blondel-12.605; 30. David Prickett, 22Q, Neverlift-12.608; 31. Cody Swanson, 17, Swanson-12.680; 32. Ryan Robinson, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.696; 33. Robert Dalby, 4D, Dalby-12.702; 34. Dave Darland, 73T, Ford-12.729; 35. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.745; 36. Colton Heath, 99, Heath-12.802; 37. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.820; 38. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-12.847; 39. Daniel Robinson, 56, Fifty6x-12.872; 40. Terry Nichols, 1p, Nichols-12.878; 41. Carson Garrett, 15G, Garrett-12.882; 42. Tyler Edwards, 2JD, Shenanigans/Neverlift-12.894; 43. Mack DeMan, 9E, Dodenhoff-12.924; 44. Jake Vermeer, 87JR, Vermeer-12.938; 45. Ron Hazelton, 15, Hazelton-12.972; 46. Kyle Beilman, 31, Beilman-13.020; 47. Kyle Smith, 55, Smith-13.113; 48. Bryan Drollinger, 71x, Drollinger-13.385; 49. Matt Mitchell, 75, Miller-15.658; 50. Robby Josett, 2, Josett-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS/EXTREME MUFFLERS FIRST QUALIFIER: (12 laps, top-4 transfer to the Feature, 5-12 transfer to Last Chance Race) 1. Thomas, 2. Wise, 3. Macedo, 4. Sweet, 5. Shelton, 6. C. Swanson, 7. Stratton, 8. Courtney, 9. Ruston, 10. Dalby, 11. Carrick, 12. Nelson, 13. D. Robinson, 14. Smith, 15. DeMan, 16. Garrett, 17. Hazelton, 18. Guerrini. NT

COMPETITION SUSPENSION, INC. (CSI)/BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS SECOND QUALIFIER: (12 laps, top-4 transfer to the Feature, 5-12 transfer to Last Chance) 1. Boat, 2. Pickens, 3. Crone, 4. Elliott, 5. Gardner, 6. Briscoe, 7. Cofer, 8. D. Golobic, 9. R. Robinson, 10. Edwards, 11. Pankratz, 12. Heath, 13. Nichols, 14. Prickett, 15. Darland, 16. Beilman, 17. Vermeer, 18. Drollinger. NT

CHALK STIX/KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS/SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS/INDY RACE PARTS LAST CHANCE RACE: (12 laps, top-6 transfer) 1. Shelton, 2. Gardner, 3. Courtney, 4. Briscoe, 5. R. Robinson, 6. Edwards, 7. Heath, 8. Ruston, 9. Dalby, 10. Carrick, 11. Cofer, 12. Pankratz, 13. Stratton, 14. Nelson, 15. D. Golobic, 16. C. Swanson. NT

FEATURE: (98 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Christopher Bell (3), 2. Kyle Larson (1), 3. Shane Golobic (4), 4. Tanner Thorson (9), 5. Zeb Wise (15), 6. Carson Macedo (17), 7. Justin Grant (5), 8. Ryan Robinson (25), 9. Brad Sweet (19), 10. Michael Faccinto (10), 11. Tanner Carrick (27), 12. Brady Bacon (11), 13. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (13), 14. Holly Shelton (21), 15. Logan Seavey (7), 16. Spencer Bayston (8), 17. David Prickett (29), 18. Ronnie Gardner (22), 19. Jake Swanson (2), 20. Courtney Crone (18), 21. Chase Briscoe (24), 22. Tyler Courtney (23), 23. Chad Boat (14), 24. Brayton Lynch (6), 25. Tucker Klaasmeyer (12), 26. Tyler Edwards (26), 27. Cory Elliott (20), 28. Frankie Guerrini (28), 29. Michael Pickens (16). NT
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**C. Swanson flipped during the Last Chance Race.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-12 Larson, Laps 13-52 Bell, Lap 53 Larson, Lap 54-98 Bell.

DON BASILE ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Zeb Wise

KSE RACING PRODUCTS/ESSLINGER ENGINEERING HARD CHARGER: Ryan Robinson (25th to 8th)

WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Kevin Thomas, Jr.

FINAL USAC MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Bayston-1472, 2-S. Golobic-1416, 3-Bacon-1413, 4-Thorson-1392, 5-Grant-1316, 6-Courtney-1290, 7-Boat-1154, 8-Shelton-1055, 9-Carrick-995, 10-Jerry Coons, Jr.-849.

FINAL USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINTS: 1-Gardner-810, 2-Guerrini-693, 3-Prickett-665, 4-Elliott-632, 5-Dalby-580, 6-Crone-562, 7-Faccinto-547. 8-Pankratz-427, 9-Shannon McQueen-424, 10-S. Golobic-416.

"Sunshine" Tyler Courtney captured the victory in Thursday's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" USAC West Coast/ VRA Sprint Car feature at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

Ventura, California.........Tyler Courtney worked his way around previous night's winner Brady Bacon with 11 laps remaining to score Thursday's 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" USAC West Coast Sprint Car "Special Event" victory at Ventura Raceway co-sanctioned by VRA.

Courtney has now notched wins in five different USAC divisions in 2017 with triumphs in the Silver Crown, AMSOIL National Sprint, National Midget, CRA Sprint and West Coast Sprint divisions.

Behind Courtney at the checkered of the 30-lap feature were Bacon, who led 16 laps before Courtney got by. Chase Briscoe was third ahead of early leader Klint Simpson with Brody Roa rounding out the top-five.

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USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SPECIAL EVENT RESULTS: November 23, 2017 - Ventura, California - Ventura Raceway - "77th Turkey Night Grand Prix" / "Battle of the Beach Race #4" - co-sanctioned with VRA

EXTREME MUFFLERS FIRST SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Carson Macedo (#73 Ford), 2. Jake Swanson (#92 Sertich), 3. Shawn Arriaga (#56J Arriaga), 4. Matt Mitchell (#12 Dale), 5. Brandon Wiley (#33B Team 33), 6. Dave Darland #21K Kruseman), 7. Koen Shaw (#88K Shaw), 8. Albert Pombo (#35 Pombo), 9. Guy Woodward (#24 Woodward) 10. Tyler Wiliams (#5K Kruseman), 11. Austin Ervine (#51 AJ), 12. Dalton Hill (#81D Double D). NT

BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS SECOND SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Chase Johnson (#24X Johnson) , 2. Michael Pickens (#81 Watt), 3. Justyn Cox (#31X Cox), 4. Slater Helt (#14 Watt), 5. Kaleb Montgomery (#3K Montgomery), 6. Jeremy Ellertson (#98 Ellertson), 7. Stewart Friesen (#81X Watt), 8. Brent Owens (#71 Martin), 9. Tom Hendricks (#14X Hendricks), 10. Reed Broschart (#93 B&B), 11. Ryan Timmons (#29T Timmons), 12. Sterling Cling (#2K Kruseman), 13. Charlie Butcher (#96 B&B). NT

PYROTECT RACING CELLS THIRD SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Brody Roa (#91BR), 2. Max Adams (#5M Adams), 3. Cory Elliott (#11E Elliott), 4. Tanner Carrick (#83T Carrick), 5. Rick Hendrix (#15 Hendrix), 6. Bruce Douglass (#13 Davis), 7. Steve Hix (#57 Hix), 8. Damian Lopez (#4K Kruseman), 9. Cody Majors (#29 Steele), 10. Geoffrey Strole (#09S Strole), 11. Geoff Ensign (#3F), 12. Kyle Smith (#55 Smith), 13. Matt Rossi (#02 Rossi). NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Tyler Courtney (#81m Watt), 2. Brady Bacon (#63 Dooling/Hayward), 3. Chase Briscoe (#5 Briscoe), 4. Klint Simpson (#101 Edison), 5. Brody Roa, 6. Carson Macedo, 7. Colby Copeland (#24c Copeland), 8. Jake Swanson, 9. Michael Pickens, 10. Stevie Sussex (#34 Grau), 11. Tristan Guardino (#15T Guardino), 12. Max Adams, 13. Shawn Arriaga, 14. Cory Elliott, 15. Matt Mitchell, 16. Chase Johnson, 17. Tanner Carrick, 18. Slater Helt, 19. Troy Rutherford (#11 Rutherford), 20. Justyn Cox. NT
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**Rutherford flipped on lap 23 of the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-3 Simpson, Laps 4-19 Bacon, Laps 20-30 Courtney.

SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Brody Roa (11th to 5th)

Brady Bacon was the victor at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway in Wednesday's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car feature (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

Ventura, California.........Brady Bacon captured Wednesday's USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car feature on night one of the 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Ventura Raceway.

The two-time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car champ from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma zipped around Troy Rutherford on the fifth lap of the 20-lap points-free "Special Event" feature and cruised to a commanding two-and-a-half second victory ahead of Rutherford, Carson Macedo, Tyler Courtney and Max Adams.

Also timing in second during midget practice Wednesday night, Bacon appears to be the frontrunner to capture Automotive Racing Products' $50,000 bonus that will go to a driver who can win both the midget and sprint car feature on Thanksgiving night. Four other drivers possessing rides in both races for Thursday night finished in the top-ten Wednesday: Tyler Courtney (4th), Chase Briscoe (7th), Jake Swanson (9th) and Michael Pickens (10th).

On Thursday, Nov. 23, the event card includes a full program for the midgets, concluding with a 98-lap feature, plus USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car semi-features and A-Main. Pits open at 11am with the drivers meeting taking place at 2:45pm. Cars hit the track at 3:30pm.

"Turkey Night" is LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ on Thursday. As always, you can watch every USAC race on demand, a day following the event, at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

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USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SPECIAL EVENT RESULTS: November 22, 2017 - Ventura, California - Ventura Raceway "77th Turkey Night Grand Prix" - co-sanctioned with VRA

WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Tyler Courtney, 81M, Watt-12.289; 2. Kaleb Montgomery, 3K, Montgomery-12.307; 3. Brady Bacon, 63, Dooling/Hayward-12.388; 4. Colby Copeland, 24C, Copeland-12.444; 5. Matt Mitchell, 12, Dale-12.523; 6. Stevie Sussex, 34 Grau-12.567; 7. Brody Roa, 91R, BR-12.12.570; 8. Troy Rutherford, 11, Rutherford-12.588; 9. Max Adams, 5M, Adams-12.635; 10. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Finkenbinder-12.652; 11. Tristan Guardino, 15T, Guardino-12.656; 12. Klint Simpson, 101, Edison-12.672; 13. Jeremy Ellertson, 98, Ellertson-12.680; 14. Chase Briscoe, 5, Briscoe-12.724; 15. Dalton Hill, 81D, Double D-12.785; 16. Jake Swanson, 92, Sertich-12.786; 17. Matt Rossi, 02, Rossi-12.796; 18. Brandon Wiley, 33B, Team 33-12.806; 19. Shon Deskins, 20, Deskins-12.832; 20. Michael Pickens, 81, Watt-12.871; 21. Rick Hendrix, 15, Hendrix-12.872; 22. Chase Johnson, 24X, Johnson-12.878; 23. Slater Helt, 14, Watt-12.905; 24. Tanner Carrick, 83T, Carrick-12.914; 25. Shawn Arriaga, 56J, Arriaga-12.917; 26. Justyn Cox, 31C, Cox-12.963; 27. Guy Woodward, 24, Woodward-12.988; 28. Carson Macedo, 73, Ford-13.028; 29. Charlie Butcher, 96, B&B-13.062; 30. Kyle Smith, 55, Smith-13.108; 31. Dave Darland, 21K, Kruseman-13.115; 32. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-13.169; 33. Sterling Cling, 2K, Kruseman-13.186; 34. Tyler Williams, 5K, Kruseman-13.261; 35. Tom Hendricks, 14X, Hendricks-13.261; 36. Bruce Douglass, 13, Davis-13.345; 37. Ryan Timmons, 29T, Timmons-13.357; 38. Koen Shaw, 88K, Shaw-13.406; 39. Bruce St. James, 7K, St. James-13.471; 40. Steve Hix, 57, Hix-13.481; 41. Geoffrey Strole, 09S, Strole-13.512; 42. Brent Owens, 71, Martin-13.525; 43. Damian Lopez, 5X, Perkins-13.962; 44. Albert Pombo, 35, Pombo-13.996; 45. Reed Broschart, 93, B&B-14.219; 46. Austin Ervine, 51, AJ-14.527; 47. Cody Majors, 29, Steele-14.765; 48. Stewart Friesen, 81X, Watt-NT; 49. Kyle Edwards, 39E, Edwards-NT.

EXTREME MUFFLERS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Simpson, 2. Courtney, 3. Arriaga, 4. Hix, 5. Elliott, 6. Ervine, 7. Hendrix, 8. Mitchell. NT

BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Briscoe, 2. Rutherford, 3. Helt, 4. Butcher, 5. Owens, 6. Hendricks, 7. Majors, 8. Montgomery. NT

KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Guardino, 2. Carrick, 3. Bacon, 4. Darland, 5. Friesen, 6. Shaw, 7. Deskins, 8. Lopez. NT

SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Adams, 2. Copeland, 3. Wiley, 4. Smith, 5. Cox, 6. Douglass, 7. Hill, 8. Strole. NT

PYROTECT RACING CELLS FIFTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Pickens, 2. Swanson, 3. Sussex, 4. Woodward, 5. Timmons, 6. Ensign, 7. Pombo, 8. Cling. NT

COMPETITION SUSPENSION INCORPORATED SIXTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Macedo, 2. Roa, 3. Johnson, 4. Williams, 5. Broschart, 6. Ellertson, 7. Rossi, 8. St. James. NT

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1. Brady Bacon, 2. Troy Rutherford, 3. Klint Simpson, 4. Tyler Courtney, 5. Colby Copeland, 6. Stevie Sussex, 7. Chase Briscoe, 8. Tristan Guardino, 9. Jake Swanson, 10. Michael Pickens, 11. Max Adams, 12. Carson Macedo, 13. Chase Johnson, 14. Geoff Ensign, 15. Brandon Wiley, 16. Kaleb Montgomery, 17. Tanner Carrick, 18. Shawn Arriaga, 19. Slater Helt, 20. Brody Roa, NT
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**Friesen flipped during qualifications. Deskins flipped during third heat.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1-4 Rutherford, Laps 5-30 Bacon.

BR MOTORSPORTS / KING RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Klint Simpson (9th to 3rd)

NEXT USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SPECIAL EVENT: November 23 - Ventura (CA) Raceway - "77th Turkey Night Grand Prix" - co-sanctioned with VRA

Shane Golobic recorded the fastest lap during Wednesday's practice session at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway in preperation for Thursday's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Ventura, California.........Shane Golobic led a field of 52 drivers by recording the fastest lap in Wednesday's open practice for the 77th running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Ventura Raceway.

Four different teams represented the top-four in practice, which all came in the second of the four sessions held with Fremont, California's Golobic taking the top time for Clauson-Marshall/Wood Racing. The second through fourth positions were held by Brady Bacon (FMR Racing), Spencer Bayston (Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports) and Brad Sweet (Dooling/Hayward Motorsports).

The fastest past winner of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" was 2015 winner Tanner Thorson (5th). Christopher Bell, the 2014 winner, was 10th. Kyle Larson, 2012 and 2016 winner, was 13th. Dave Darland, 2007 and 2013 winner, was 33rd.

The fastest Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" contender was Zeb Wise, who timed in sixth quickest for Clauson/Marshall Racing.

Only one incident with contact took place during practice when Kyle Beilman spun sideways in turn two. Tucker Klaasmeyer clipped Beilman's car with his right rear tire, sending him flipping over. He was uninjured and returned to practice where he timed in 18th fastest.

On Thursday, Nov. 23, the event card includes a full program for the midgets, concluding with a 98-lap feature, plus USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car semi-features and A-Main. Pits open at 11am with the drivers meeting taking place at 2:45pm. Cars hit the track at 3:30pm.

"Turkey Night" is LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ on Thursday. As always, you can watch every USAC race on demand, a day following the event, at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

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USAC NATIONAL & LIGHT UP THE WORLD BEVERAGES WESTERN STATES MIDGET PRACTICE RESULTS: November 22, 2017 - Ventura Raceway - Ventura, California - 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix"

1. Shane Golobic, 17w, Clauson-Marshall/Wood-12.038; 2. Brady Bacon, 76m, FMR-12.059; 3. Spencer Bayston, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.088; 4. Brad Sweet, 63, Dooling/Hayward-12.095; 5. Tanner Thorson, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.103; 6. Zeb Wise, 39, Clauson/Marshall-12.120; 7. Michael Pickens, 25x, Rodela-12.121; 8. Justin Grant, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.157; 9. Chad Boat, 84, Tucker/Boat-12.167; 10. Christopher Bell, 21, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.169; 11. Logan Seavey, 4A, RAMS-12.189; 12. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall-12.205; 13. Kyle Larson, 1, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.225; 14. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-12.260; 15. Ryan Robinson, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.406; 16. Matt Mitchell, 75, Miller-12.411; 17. Holly Shelton, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.425; 18. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 27, Klaasmeyer-12.445; 19. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 25, Petry/Goff-12.446; 20. Chase Briscoe, 5, Briscoe-12.449; 21. Dustin Golobic, 17G, Wood-12.452; 22. Michael Faccinto, 9D, Dodenhoff-12.462; 23. Maria Cofer, 57, Cofer-12.484; 24. Carson Macedo, 73x, Ford-12.529; 25. Danny Stratton, 98, Blondel-12.536; 26. Frankie Guerrini, 63, Guerrini-12.543; 27. Courtney Crone, 25, Rodela-12.613; 28. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.629; 29. Terry Nichols, 1p, Nichols-12.641; 30. Robby Josett, 2, Josett-12.702; 31. Daniel Robinson, 56, Fifty6x-12.740; 32. Tyler Nelson, 47, Mason-12.743; 33. Dave Darland, 73T, Ford-12.745; 34. Cody Swanson, 17, Swanson-12.768; 35. Clayton Ruston, 7R, CR-12.780; 36. Tyler Edwards, 2JD, Shenanigans/Neverlift-12.813; 37. Brayton Lynch, 1K, RKR-12.814; 38. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Six8-12.877; 39. Robert Dalby, 4D, Dalby-12.882; 40. Colton Heath, 99, Heath-12.916; 41. Carson Garrett, 15G, Garrett-12.932; 42. Jake Swanson, 73, Ford-12.941; 43. Kyle Beilman, 31, Beilman- 13.039; 44. Kyle Smith, 55, Smith-13.052; 45. Bryan Drollinger, 71x, Drollinger-13.072; 46. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Finkenbinder-13.117; 47. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-13.129; 48. Mark Chisholm, 56x, Fifty6x-13.181; 49. Max Adams, 68, Six8-13.209; 50. Mack DeMan, 9E, Dodenhoff-13.228; 51. Ron Hazelton, 15, Hazelton-13.466; 52. Jake Vermeer, 87JR, Vermeer-13.512; 53. David Prickett, 22Q, Neverlift-NT; 54. Mason Daniel, 33m, Daniel-NT.

2016 "Turkey Night Grand Prix" winner Kyle Larson (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Ventura, California.........Have you heard the one about when Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Brad Sweet and Chase Briscoe walk into a racetrack? Well, when that happens, it's definitely no joke.

These four may not be series regulars, but when they strap into a USAC Midget this Thursday night, Nov. 23 at Ventura Raceway for the 77th running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix," this "vacation" away from their regular duties becomes strictly business.

All have earned a reputation for success in a diverse set of disciplines outside wingless sprint car and midget racing, yet still dabble when their schedules allow. But, "dabble" is most certainly an understatement.

Elk Grove, California's Larson has five career wins on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit and was a championship contender for much of his 2017 campaign. In his two USAC Midget appearances this season, he was fast qualifier in both and comes in as a two-time "Turkey Night" winner (2012 & 2016).

Less than a week ago, Christopher Bell was celebrating a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title. This week, the Norman, Oklahoma native's focus is set on becoming a two-time "Turkey Night" winner, duplicating his 2014 triumph.

Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, California was the runner-up behind Donny Schatz in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car standings this season with five victories. However, he's no outsider when it comes to midget racing as evidenced by his 11 career USAC National wins between 2008 and 2010.

Chase Briscoe was a regular on Indiana's tough local sprint car scene in recent years, but over the past two years has made a spectacular rise through the stock car/NASCAR ranks with a 2016 ARCA title and a 2017 NASCAR Truck Series Rookie of the Year award to his name.

For some of these guys who've seemingly been out of the loop in midget racing, it may seem like a tall order to jump right in and be a contender, but, think again. Over the past three decades, drivers who have achieved success in a wide array of series have consistently risen to the occasion on Thanksgiving night.

Sure, Leffler was one of the most accomplished USAC Midget drivers ever with three consecutive titles between 1997 and 1999. However, by 2005, he was firmly entrenched as a regular in NASCAR's Cup and Busch series. Yet, the Long Beach, California driver's only USAC Midget feature start of 2005 resulted in a "Turkey Night" victory.

Same thing with Tony Stewart in 2000, who had already conquered USAC as a four-time National champ, but came back to collect one of the most-prized victories of his career at Irwindale Speedway after already establishing himself as an IndyCar champ and a NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year.

Billy Boat was a dominant force on the midget racing scene in the mid-1990s where he scored "Turkey Night" victories in 1995 and 1996. By the time of his third-straight "Turkey Night" crown in 1997, the Phoenix, Arizona driver was a veteran of the Indianapolis 500 and had a full-time ride with A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the Indy Racing League where he quickly became a pole winner and a regular front runner.

Speaking of dominance, no one has been more dominant at "Turkey Night" than Tempe, Arizona's Ron Shuman. With eight victories in a 15-year span between 1979 and 1993, Shuman may have seemed like a "regular." Yet, Shuman was a true outlaw and was able to adapt to any racecar he set foot into whether it was a Silver Crown car, midget, sprint car, wing or non-wing. Shuman was simply magical on Thanksgiving and his success in the race stands head and shoulders above all others.

Like Shuman, Chuck Gurney could drive the wheels off anything. But, by the late 1980s, he only made sporadic appearances in the midget, but each time, you could count on him to rise to the occasion. On the half-mile and the mile tracks, the Livermore, California driver was an untouchable force. It was the Ascot Park half where Gurney reached the pinnacle of the sport with back-to-back wins in 1988-89.

The first images of Brent Kaeding that come to mind are in a wing spring car. As the owner of 13 driving championships in both the King of the West and Northern Auto Racing Club Series, it's easy to see why. The Campbell, California driver possesses a lengthy resume that also includes Silver Crown racing and even a brief foray into NASCAR Winston Cup. But, Kaeding will forever be known as a "Turkey Night" winner as well with his lone USAC National Midget victory coming at Ascot in 1985.

Like an all-star race or sorts, "Turkey Night" brings out the best of the best: the regulars vs. the one-offs - the guys who have no worries about points or championship races. "Turkey Night" stands as a chance for these daredevils to buckle into their seats and simply go racing, back to their roots with just a steering wheel, a gas and brake pedal and 98 laps separating them from one of racing's greatest prizes.

"Turkey Night" begins Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a full program featuring the USAC West Coast and VRA Sprint Cars, plus an open practice for midgets. The following night, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 23, will once again include the sprint cars as well as the prestigious, 98-lap midget race.

Cars are set to hit the track at 3:30pm Pacific at Ventura Raceway both nights. "Turkey Night" is LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ on both Wednesday and Thursday. As always, you can watch every USAC race, including "Turkey Night," on demand, a day following the event, at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

"Turkey Night Grand Prix" rookie Justin Grant owns two USAC National Midget victories in 2017 (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Ventura, California.........One of the deepest "Turkey Night Grand Prix" fields in years brings with it one of the most talented rookie classes for the race as well.

At press time, 23 of the 52 entries will be contenders for Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" honors for the 77th annual race on Thursday night, Nov. 23, including three drivers currently in the top-ten of the USAC National Midget point standings: Tyler Courtney (5th), Justin Grant (6th) and Tanner Carrick (9th). While Carrick is a true midget racing rookie and is the leader in the series' rookie standings, Courtney and Grant are veterans who just happen to be making their "Turkey Night" debut.

The Clauson/Marshall team brings along three race rookies in Ione, California's Grant, Indianapolis, Indiana's Courtney and Angola, Indiana's Zeb Wise, who made his USAC debut last Saturday night at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway, just days after celebrating his 15thbirthday. Grant and Courtney have teamed up for five total USAC National Midget victories this season with Grant, the 2007 BCRA Midget champ, taking the checkered in the season opener at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin and a spectacular last lap, final corner pass to win at Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Speedway in August. Meanwhile, Courtney, who got his start in USAC National racing in the seat of a midget, is one of five drivers to pick off three wins this season, which he did at Montpelier, Ind., Bloomington, Ind. and the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena in Springfield.

The top-rookie for USAC's National Midget division in 2017 is Lincoln, California's Carrick, one of seven pieces of the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian powerhouse that has won the past three "Turkey Night" races in a row. Carrick leads all Rookies in top-tens (9), heat race wins (5) and feature starts (21) and is the lone Rookie to record a ProSource Fast Qualifying time this season in June at Lawrenceburg Speedway during "Indiana Midget Week."

Mitchell, Indiana's Chase Briscoe already has a Rookie of the Year award under his belt in 2016 from a vastly different racing discipline - the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Fresh off his win in the trucks at the season finale in Homestead, Florida last Friday night, the sprint car racing veteran makes a return to his racing roots in a bid for his first career USAC National Midget feature start in a points-paying race. Additionally, he will be competing in the USAC West Coast/VRA Sprint Car portion of the program with hopes of capturing Automotive Racing Products' $50,000 bonus paid out to the driver who can win both the midget and sprint car feature on Thursday night.

The National Midget division's second-leading Rookie, Brayton Lynch of Springfield, Illinois, has his grandfather and, famed crew chief, Rusty Kunz turning the wrenches on his first foray to Ventura. Also making the long tow to the beach are Tyler Nelson (Kansas City, Kansas), Daniel Robinson (Wayne City, Illinois), Mark Chisholm (Cheyenne, Wyoming), Tyler Edwards (Salina, Oklahoma), Rocky Mountain's Carson Garrett (Littleton, Colorado) and Mack DeMan (Mississauga, Ontario), one of two drivers arriving from outside of the United States.

Sutter, California's Logan Seavey has already made his mark on the midget racing scene in his first season, capturing not only POWRi's Rookie of the Year award, but also the season championship with two victories while Mason Daniel of Visalia, Calif. is the USAC Light Up the World Beverages top Rookie in 2017.

Additional "Turkey Night" Rookies from the west include Delano, California's Terry Nichols (14th in Western States points), Upland, California's Clayton Ruston (18th), Santa Monica, California's Kyle Beilman (24th), Lomita, California's Bryan Drollinger (26th), 2016 "Turkey Night" Sprint Car winner Geoff Ensign of Sebastopol, California (28th), Fremont, California's Dustin Golobic (36th) as well as Tony Everhart (El Cajon, California), Jake Vermeer (El Cajon, California) and Waddell, Arizona's Shon Deskins.

"Turkey Night" from the seaside oval begins Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a full program featuring the USAC West Coast and VRA Sprint Cars, plus an open practice for midgets. The following night, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 23, will once again include the sprint cars as well as the prestigious, 98-lap midget race.

This Rookie class will have a tough hill to climb with a star-studded field prepared to do battle on the one-fifth mile dirt oval in Ventura. Past "Turkey Night" winners Dave Darland (2007 & 2013), Kyle Larson (2012 & 2016), Christopher Bell (2014) and Tanner Thorson (2015) are entered, plus 2017 USAC National Midget winners Brady Bacon, Michael Pickens, series point leader Spencer Bayston and Chad Boat as well diverse racing standout Brad Sweet.

"Turkey Night" begins Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a full program featuring the USAC West Coast and VRA Sprint Cars, plus an open practice for midgets. The following night, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 23, will once again include the sprint cars as well as the prestigious, 98-lap midget race.

Cars are set to hit the track at 3:30pm Pacific at Ventura Raceway both nights. "Turkey Night" is LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ on both Wednesday and Thursday. As always, you can watch every USAC race, including "Turkey Night," on demand, a day following the event, at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

Ventura, California.........Both nights of the 77th running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" from Ventura Raceway will be LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/.

"Turkey Night" from the seaside oval begins Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a full program featuring the USAC West Coast and VRA Sprint Cars, plus an open practice for midgets. The following night, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 23, will once again include the sprint cars as well as the prestigious, 98-lap midget race.

At press time, a hefty field of 52 drivers have entered for the famed midget race, which includes heavy hitters such as past "Turkey Night" winners Dave Darland (2007 & 2013), Kyle Larson (2012 & 2016), Christopher Bell (2014) and Tanner Thorson (2015), plus 2017 USAC National Midget winners Justin Grant, Brady Bacon, Tyler Courtney, Michael Pickens, series point leader Spencer Bayston and Chad Boat as well diverse racing standouts Brad Sweet and Chase Briscoe among many others.

The Sprint Car field is stacked as well with two handfuls of drivers preparing for double-duty by competing in both divisions. Those drivers are eligible for the Automotive Racing Products' $50,000 bonus that goes to the driver who can win both the midget and sprint feature on Thursday night.

Cars are set to hit the track around 3:30pm Pacific at Ventura Raceway both nights. As always, you can watch every USAC race, including "Turkey Night," on demand, a day following the event, at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

Chad Boat, a winner at Ventura in September, is among the 52 drivers entered so far for the Nov. 23rd "Turkey Night Grand Prix" (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

Ventura, California.........The midget entry list for the 77th running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" continues to grow, currently sitting at 52 confirmed midget entries thus far for the Nov. 23rd race at Ventura Raceway. Two more race rookies, Carson Garrett of Colorado and Dustin Golobic of California have announced their intentions of competing in the famed race featuring the USAC National & Light Up the World Beverages Western States Midgets.

Among the 52 entries, four past winners have signed up: Dave Darland (2007 & 2013), Kyle Larson (2012 & 2016), Christopher Bell (2014) and Tanner Thorson (2015) as well as 23 contenders for the Don Basile "Rookie of the Race," including Tyler Courtney, Justin Grant and Chase Briscoe.

"Turkey Night" begins Wednesday, Nov. 22 with a full program featuring the USAC West Coast and VRA Sprint Cars, plus an open practice for midgets. The following night, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 23, will once again include the sprint cars as well as the prestigious, 98-lap midget race.

Watch both nights of "Turkey Night" LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/!


CAR# / DRIVER / HOMETOWN / ENTRANT / SPONSOR / CHASSIS / ENGINE

1 KYLE LARSON/Elk Grove, CA
Keith Kunz Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Walker Filtration Systems/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

® 1K BRAYTON LYNCH/Springfield, IL
Rusty Kunz Racing/Adam Lopez Country Financial - Snap Fitness/Spike/Stanton SR-11

® 1p TERRY NICHOLS/Delano, CA
Terry Nichols/BSC - Masters Design & Construction/Spike/Chevy

2 ROBBY JOSETT/Santa Clarita, CA
Robby Josett/RL & Sons Construction - JHC Heating & Air/Spike/Esslinger

® 2JD TYLER EDWARDS/Salina, OK
Shenanigans-Neverlift Motorsports/Shenanigans Bar & Grill - Western Performance Parts/Spike/AMS Chevy

® 3F GEOFF ENSIGN/Sebastopol, CA
Ted Finkenbinder/Western Industrial X-Ray/ Bullet/Warrior

® 4A LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA
RAMS Racing/Rockwell Security/BOSS/Speedway Toyota

4D ROBERT DALBY/Anaheim, CA
Ken Dalby/R-D Spring & Stamping - Monster Seal/Spike/Esslinger

® 5 CHASE BRISCOE/Mitchell, IN
Chase Briscoe/Big Tine - Tex-a-Con Cut Stone/Spike/Honda

® 7BC TYLER COURTNEY/Indianapolis, IN
Clauson-Marshall Racing/Driven 2 Save Lives - Indiana Donor Network/Spike/Stanton SR-11

® 7R CLAYTON RUSTON/Upland, CA
CR Motorsports/S & J Service Inc. - Alumin/Spike/Esslinger

8 RANDI PANKRATZ/Atascadero, CA
Wally Pankratz/HASA Pool Products - Trench Shoring/Edmunds/Fontana

9D MICHAEL FACCINTO/Hanford, CA
Sean Dodenhoff/Torco Oil - Rocket Sports & Entertainment/Spike/Fontana

® 9E MACK DeMAN/Mississauga, ON
Sean Dodenhoff/Torco Oil - Rocket Sports & Entertainment l/Spike/Fontana

11E CORY ELLIOTT/Bakersfield, CA
Mitch Elliott/Capital E Trucking - FK Indy/Spike/Esslinger

® 15 CARSON GARRETT/Littleton, CO
Broc Garrett/Harmon Construction - BGE, Inc./Spike/RSI Esslinger

17 CODY SWANSON/Covina, CA
Swanson Family/West Evans Motorsports - Lucas Oil/Spike/Esslinger

® 17G DUSTIN GOLOBIC/Fremont, CA
Matt Wood/Elk Grove Ford - Competition Suspension, Inc./Spike/Esslinger

17w SHANE GOLOBIC/Fremont, CA
Clauson-Marshall-Matt Wood Racing/Elk Grove Ford - Driven 2 Save Lives/Spike/Stanton SR-11

® 20AZ SHON DESKINS/Waddell, AZ
Shon Deskins Racing/Performance Plus Engines - Simpson Racing/Spike/Chevy

21 CHRISTOPHER BELL/Norman, OK
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/DeWalt - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

22Q DAVID PRICKETT/Fresno, CA
Neverlift Motorsports/Crysalli Artesian Water - Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes/Spike/AMS Chevy

25 KEVIN THOMAS, JR./Cullman, AL
Petry-Goff Motorsports/Petry Excavating - Gray Auto/Spike/Stanton Toyota

25c COURTNEY CRONE/Corona, CA
Jerome Rodela/Trench Shoring - Ed Pink Racing Engines/Breka/Ed Pink Toyota

25x MICHAEL PICKENS/Auckland, NZ
Jerome Rodela/Trench Shoring - Ed Pink Racing Engines/King/Ed Pink Toyota

27 TUCKER KLAASMEYER/Paola, KS
Dale Klaasmeyer/WCI - Boss Chassis/Boss/Speedway Toyota

® 31 KYLE BEILMAN/Santa Monica, CA
Bill Beilman/Stong Surety/Beast/Mopar

® 33m MASON DANIEL/Visalia, CA
Scott Daniel/Young's Racing - Dylon Risk Management/Spike/Esslinger

® 39 ZEB WISE/Angola, IN
Clauson-Marshall Racing/ Driven 2 Save Lives - Priority AviationSpike/Stanton SR-11

® 39BC JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA
Clauson-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy - Driven 2 Save Lives/Spike/Stanton SR-11

® 47 TYLER NELSON/Kansas City, KS
Cappy Mason/IMM - Wilwood Disc Brakes/Spike/Mopar

® 55 TONY EVERHART/El Cajon, CA
Tony Everhart/Everhart Construction/Ellis/Ford

® 56 DANIEL ROBINSON/Wayne City, IL
Fifty6x Racing/Automatic Garage Door, Inc. - Precision Driveline & Fabrication/Boss/Fontana

® 56x MARK CHISHOLM/Cheyenne, WY
Fifty6x Racing/Automatic Garage Door, Inc. - Precision Driveline & Fabrication/Boss/Stanton Toyota

57 MARIA COFER/Macdoel, CA
Johnny Cofer/Tule Vista Ranches - Edmunds Auto Research/Spike/Esslinger

63 BRAD SWEET/Grass Valley, CA
Dooling-Hayward Motorsports/Dooling Machine/Spike/Stanton SR-11

63x FRANKIE GUERRINI/San Rafael, CA
Frank Guerrini/F & F Racing - Davis Motorsports/Spike/Esslinger

67 TANNER THORSON/Minden, NV
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/JBL Audio - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

67K HOLLY SHELTON/Sacramento, CA
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Black & Decker - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

68 RONNIE GARDNER/Riverside, CA
Six8 Motorsports/PAC Springs - Wilwood Brakes/Stewart/Esslinger

71 RYAN ROBINSON/Foresthill, CA
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Abreu Vineyards - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

® 71K TANNER CARRICK/Lincoln, CA
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/Spike Chassis - CVC Concrete/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

® 71x BRYAN DROLLINGER/Lomita, CA
Drollinger Bros. Racing/Simpson Race Products - Walker Air Filtration/Stealth/Arias

73 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA
Keith Ford/Walker Filtration Systems - King Racing Products/TCR/Esslinger

73T CARSON MACEDO/Lemoore, CA
Keith Ford/Walker Filtration Systems - King Racing Products/TCR/Esslinger

73x DAVE DARLAND/Lincoln, IN
Keith Ford/Walker Filtration Systems - King Racing Products/TCR/Esslinger

75 MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA
Wiley Miller/Roy Miller Freight Lines - Campbell Bros. Storage/TCR/Esslinger

76m BRADY BACON/Broken Arrow, OK
FMR Racing/Brown & Miller Racing Solutions - Black Watch Farms/Beast/Toyota

84 CHAD BOAT/Phoenix, AZ
Tucker-Boat Motorsports/PristineAuction.com - K & C Drywall/Spike/Speedway Toyota

® 87 JAKE VERMEER/Bakersfield, CA
Johnny Vermeer/Richmar Farms - Mobile AG/TCR/Esslinger

97 SPENCER BAYSTON/Lebanon, IN
Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/IWX - Curb Records - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota

98 DANNY STRATTON/Riverside, CA
Ron Blondel/American Motorsports - Orange County Muffler/Edmunds/Fontana

® represents a "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Rookie / Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" contender.

Brady Bacon scored the victory in Saturday night's USAC National & Western States Midget feature at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway (Photo Courtesy Rich Forman)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Bakersfield, California.........With one of the busiest racing schedules of any driver in the United States, Brady Bacon annually competes in excess of 100 events a year on tracks from coast-to-coast.

In Saturday night's "November Classic," it might've appeared the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native had been an experienced master of Bakersfield Speedway. But, wouldn't you know it? Saturday night was the first time Bacon had even laid eyes on the track.

Bacon, originally lining up seventh on the grid, worked the outside line to climb to the lead on lap seven. It was a lead he would never relinquish as he picked up his third USAC National Midget victory of the year in his FMR Racing/Brown & Miller Racing Solutions - Black Watch Farms/Beast/Toyota in the National series' first stop at Bakersfield in 17 years.

"At the start, I was on the inside and I saw the outside got a pretty good run," Bacon observed. "The bottom was kind of glazed over from the moisture in the air or something. I knew it would eventually move back down there, but I figured I'd try to make the moves while I could. I went to the top and it worked out. We were the first ones in the front to do it and had a clear lane to the front."

The beginning was tumultuous as Light Up the World Beverages USAC Western States Midget regular Michael Faccinto stepped out to the lead from the outside of the front row on the initial start. Meanwhile, pole sitter Michael Pickens slotted into second. While riding the high side in turn three, contact was made between he and Holly Shelton. As Pickens sat sideways in the middle of the track, he was slammed into by Shannon McQueen, who had nowhere to go. Frankie Guerrini and Dustin Golobic also became involved, but would restart along with Pickens. McQueen headed back to the hauler earlier than she had planned with a hurt racecar.

The ensuing restart would only get back on track for a pair of laps before fifth-running Shelton got the back end loose in turn three. As she slid sideways, Zeb Wise, making his USAC debut, careened in while Ryan Robinson took evasive action to avoid the melee and climbed the outside wall before coming to a stop. Shelton's night was finished, but Wise and Robinson would restart.

Once the race got back on the rails, Faccinto led the way on the bottom with series point leader Spencer Bayston just behind. Glancing behind Bayston, one could see Bacon running a slightly higher line than those he trailed, which took him to second around the outside of Bayston off turn two on the fourth lap. Bayston scrapped back, but Bacon had enough of a head of steam off turns two and four to clamp down on the top spot.

As Bacon and Bayston tussled for the runner-up position, both simultaneously chipped away at Faccinto's lead. Quickly, it became a three-car race for the lead with the top-three appearing in Blue Angels formation exiting turn two. On lap seven, Bacon surged ahead of Faccinto midway down the back straightaway to secure the lead and instantly constructed a one-second gap over Faccinto and Bayston. With an open highway comfort cruise lying in front of him, Bacon was free to run his race as he pleased.

"I ran the middle in (turns) one and two a lot," Bacon explained. "I diamonded three and four and came off as straight as I could. It was really heavy, so it was easy to get pointed in the wrong direction. I just thought it was going to be too far around the top and my car was pretty good on the bottom and in the middle, so I stuck with it. I started feeling a little less grip in one and two, but I moved around and pedaled it a little more."

With Bacon pulling away, Bayston fought Faccinto for second throughout the next four laps until clearing him on lap 12. Bayston would receive a reprieve two laps later when new five-time USAC Western States Midget champion Ronnie Gardner slid sideways to a stop on the front straightaway to bring out the caution. With the substantial lead erased, Bacon would have to get back on the saddle once again. On the first try, Bacon stumbled and Bayston was able to hang in contention. Yet, when Cory Elliott slowed to bring out the yellow moments later, Bacon would get a reprieve and another shot at that restart.

When that chance arrived on lap 14 restart version two, Bacon left Bayston on his own and instantly spurted away to a ten car-length lead that wouldn't get any closer despite Bacon having to fight through traffic in the final five laps. Bacon would race away to his sixth career series victory over two seconds ahead of Bayston, Tanner Thorson, Tyler Courtney and Justin Grant.

In an odd circumstance, following the checkered flag, Courtney found himself on his side in Tommy Tipover fashion in turn two. He was uninjured.

Despite finishing one spot behind Bacon at the finish line at Bakersfield, Bayston extended his USAC National Midget point lead by one to 67 in his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/IWX - Curb Records - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota. All the Lebanon, Indiana driver has left to do to clinch his first title is to simply sign-in at this Thursday's season-finale at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway's "Turkey Night Grand Prix."

Bayston's teammate, Thorson, of Minden, Nevada set the tone by recording the ProSource/Woodland Auto Display Fast Qualifying time before going on to finish third in his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/JBL Audio - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota.

Two USAC National Midget track records were broken at Bakersfield. Jimmy Christian's 8-lap mark set in 2000 was surpassed by Shane Golobic in heat race two. The late Kevin Doty's 12-lap record from 1998 was passed by Brady Bacon during the semi-feature.

Contingency award winners Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway include Tanner Thorson (ProSource/Woodland Auto Display Fast Qualifier), Chad Boat (Simpson Race Products/Extreme Mufflers 1st Heat Winner), Shane Golobic (Competition Suspension, Inc./Brown & Miller Racing Solutions 2nd Heat Winner & KSE Racing Products/Esslinger Engineering Hard Charger), Zeb Wise (Chalk Stix/Keizer Aluminum Wheels/Saldana Racing Products 3rd Heat Winner), David Prickett (Indy Race Parts/Pyrotect Racing Cells 4th Heat Winner), Brady Bacon (Competition Suspension, Inc. Semi Winner) and Courtney Crone (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher).

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USAC NATIONAL & LIGHT UP THE WORLD BEVERAGES WESTERN STATES MIDGET RACE RESULTS: November 18, 2017 - Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield California - "November Classic"

PROSOURCE/WOODLAND AUTO DISPLAY QUALIFYING: 1. Tanner Thorson, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.849; 2. Spencer Bayston, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.912; 3. Holly Shelton, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.933; 4. Brady Bacon, 76m, FMR-12.973; 5. Ryan Robinson, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.035; 6. Alex Schutte, 28, Schutte/McElwee-13.037; 7. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen-13.043; 8. Tyler Courtney, 7BC, Clauson/Marshall-13.059; 9. Michael Faccinto, 9D, Dodenhoff-13.103; 10. Michael Pickens, 25x, Rodela-13.103; 11. D.J. Netto, 88N, Netto-13.181; 12. Courtney Crone, 25, Rodela-13.192; 13. Frankie Guerrini, 63, Guerrini-13.219; 14. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Six8-13.225; 15. Justin Grant, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-13.230; 16. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-13.253; 17. Maria Cofer, 57, Cofer-13.272; 18. Shane Golobic, 17w, Clauson-Marshall/Wood-13.311; 19. Zeb Wise, 39, Clauson/Marshall-13.344; 20. David Prickett, 22Q, Neverlift-13.357; 21. Chad Boat, 84, Tucker/Boat-13.368; 22. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.376; 23. Matt Mitchell, 75, Miller-13.400; 24. Dustin Golobic, 17G, Wood-13.460; 25. Mason Daniel, 33m, Daniel-13.559; 26. Terry Nichols, 1p, Nichols-13.587; 27. Robert Dalby, 4D, Dalby-13.591; 28. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-13.676; 29. Kyle Beilman, 31, Beilman-14.193; 30. Ron Hazelton, 15, Hazelton-NT.

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS/EXTREME MUFFLERS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer) 1. Boat, 2. Faccinto, 3. Guerrini, 4. Thorson, 5. Robinson, 6. Daniel, 7. Cofer, 8. Beilman. 1:45.13

COMPETITION SUSPENSION, INC. (CSI)/BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer) 1. S. Golobic, 2. Pickens, 3. Bayston, 4. Carrick, 5. Gardner, 6. Schutte, 7. Nichols, 8. Hazelton. 1:44.14 (New Track Record)

CHALK STIX/KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS/SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS THIRD HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer) 1. Wise, 2. Mitchell, 3. Grant, 4. Shelton, 5. McQueen, 6. Dalby, 7. Netto. 1:44.78

INDY RACE PARTS/PYROTECT RACING CELLS FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps, top-4 transfer) 1. Prickett, 2. D. Golobic, 3. Courtney, 4. Elliott, 5. Bacon, 6. Crone, 7. Pierovich. 1:46.51

COMPETITION SUSPENSION, INC. SEMI: (12 laps, top-6 transfer) 1. Bacon, 2. Robinson, 3. Schutte, 4. McQueen, 5. Crone, 6. Gardner, 7. Netto, 8. Dalby, 9. Daniel, 10. Pierovich, 11. Cofer, 12. Nichols, 13. Hazelton, 14. Beilman. 2:35.69 (New Track Record)

FEATURE: (30 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Brady Bacon (7), 2. Spencer Bayston (5), 3. Tanner Thorson (6), 4. Tyler Courtney (3), 5. Justin Grant (14), 6. Shane Golobic (16), 7. Ryan Robinson (8), 8. Alex Schutte (9), 9. Michael Faccinto (2), 10. Tanner Carrick (20), 11. Frankie Guerrini (12), 12. Chad Boat (19), 13. Courtney Crone (11), 14. Matt Mitchell (21), 15. David Prickett (18), 16. Ronnie Gardner (13), 17. Michael Pickens (1), 18. Cory Elliott (15), 19. Zeb Wise (17), 20. Robert Dalby (23), 21. Mason Daniel (24), 22. Holly Shelton (4), 23. Dustin Golobic (22), 24. Shannon McQueen (10). NT
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**Courtney flipped after the checkered flag.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-6 Faccinto, Laps 7-30 Bacon.

KSE RACING PRODUCTS/ESSLINGER ENGINEERING HARD CHARGER: Shane Golobic (16th to 6th)

WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Courtney Crone

NEW USAC MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Bayston-1441, 2-Bacon-1374, 3-S. Golobic-1349, 4-Thorson-1331, 5-Courtney-1267, 6-Grant-1262, 7-Boat-1131, 8-Shelton-1020, 9-Carrick-954, 10-Jerry Coons, Jr.-849.

NEW USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINTS: 1-Gardner-783, 2-Guerrini-670, 3-Prickett-636, 4-Elliott-609, 5-Dalby-570, 6-Crone-539, 7-Faccinto-504. 8-McQueen-424, 9-Randi Pankratz-417, 10-Daniel-393.

NEXT USAC NATIONAL & WESTERN STATES MIDGET RACE: November 23 - Ventura Raceway - Ventura, California - 77th "Turkey Night Grand Prix"