|
COLUMBUS, OH (February 5, 2005) -- Hoosier quarter midget tires continued to
rack up more wins at the Buckeye Indoor WinterNationals with three drivers
collecting A-Main victories in the recent Region 4 Championship Series event.
Nigel Mathias captured his first-ever Regional event in convincing fashion as
the Columbus (OH) fifth grader "checked out" on the field. Racing in
arguably the most competitive Senior Honda class against 57 other drivers,
Nigel qualified fourth and dominated the 25-lap main event. His half lap margin
of victory was the biggest of the day and carrying him to the checkered flag
was a Hoosier A-50 right rear and A-40 right front tire. An honor student at
Clintonville Academy in Columbus, the second generation driver commented,
"I can't wait to get the Hoosiers outdoors."
|
|
"Cleaning House" is a racing
term describing a driver who records the fastest qualifying time and
then captures the main event. That is just what Daniel Hall (shown in
the photo at the left) did in the Heavy Honda division. The ten year
old who enjoys RC cars and video games when not strapped into his
Beechwold Automotive racer, utilized Hoosier tires in his convincing
drive in the WinterNationals. Like Nigel Mathias, the chassis of
choice for Hall is a Nervo-Coggin unit and it served the youngster
well as he outran a full field of drivers to claim the four-foot tall
trophy. In other action, Daniel surprised more than a few pit-siders
by qualifying second and finishing fourth in the always tough Heavy B
class.
|
|
A familiar face in a Hoosier neckband is Mike Melair. The Warrington,
PA youth has accumulated three of the ceremonial "rights of
victory" this indoor season and added another in his Jr Stock
event. The little guy known as "Mikey" (shown at the right),
piloted his Bullrider Chassis to the win with Hoosier D-30 tires on
the all important right side. Earlier, the seven-year-old Melair had
led much of the Jr Honda finale before an accident took him out of
contention. That accident, ironically involving Melair and Hoosier
driver Justin Peck, eliminated both youngsters' chances of victory.
"Mikey" completed the event in fifth position, while the
impressive Indianapolis, IN pilot, Peck, was credited with seventh.
Jordan Conover established a new track record in the Light Modified
class, while Tyler Tanner lowered four-year-old Heavy 160 mark--only
to be narrowly outdone by Nick Diano (6.28 to 6.27).
Other notable performances turned in by Hoosier advocates included
Richie Streicher (Fast Time, 2nd in Jr Honda), Justen Garmen (3rd in
Jr Honda), Chloe Konzer (4th in Sr Honda), Tim Coventry (4th in Heavy
Honda), Zach Miller (4th in Jr Stock), Josh Yenser (4th in Heavy 160)
and Tom Tolbert (5th in Heavy 160 and 4th in Heavy AA) as the number
of little Team Hoosier members continues to grow.
Hoosier Quarter Midget Distributor Jeff Nuckles is very anxious to get
the outdoor season started. "With the changes that the Hoosier
engineers have made since last Fall, I think people are going to be
surprised," stated the former USAC National Midget driver. |
