Don't miss the 53rd Annual Hutchinson Nationals!

By David Smith, Jr.

Hutchinson, Kansas (July 19, 2009) -

     We have come to the midway point of the 2009 race season and with a mere 100 points separating the top five in the O'Reilly/NCRA modified division, the upcoming final three points races will be a crucial one for all involved. And what better way to get drivers and fans their focus then to do it with tradition, a tradition that will span 53 years as the series sets for the 53rd Annual Hutchinson Grand Nationals this coming Friday and Saturday night, July 24-25 on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas.

 

     Despite being shutout of Cherokee Casino-Resort victory lane for the 2009 race season, Dan Daniels of Humboldt, Kansas comes into the weekend with a forty point lead over five time series champion Brian Franz of Haldstad, Kansas. Franz has three feature wins on the season but a 20th place finish at the Belleville Highbanks over the 4th of July weekend has seen him relinquish his season long points lead. While both drivers are veterans of the O'Reilly/NCRA modified division, neither driver has tasted the Hutchinson Nationals victory lane a race that not even Franz, the career division feature winner, has touched.

 

     Another model of consistency has 2004 Hutch Nationals winner Brian Powers of Wichita sitting third in points, just 45 points out of first place. Defending Nationals and series champion Marc Hurd of Wichita is heating up with the weather and sits fourth in points, just 60 points out of the top position.

 

     1989 Hutchinson Nationals modified champion Don Renfro currently sits in the fifth position in the point standings while Mike Jarvis, Casey McClaskey, Jason Schneipp, Ross Shipman and Rodney Dodd round out the top ten in the current point standings.

 

     Other series regulars expected include Nic Baalman, Marlin Farr, two-time nationals winner Greg Stephens, Jeremy Massey and Jim Pearcy. In total, fourteen drivers have competed in all four events that have been held thus far. Over forty drivers are expected for the event that the series modified division has competed in since 1986 and where seven different drivers have worn the Nationals crown the past seven years.

 

     Also expected to compete is current O'Reilly/NCRA Oklahoma modified points leader Gene Weaver of Amarillo, Texas who will be making his first ever appearance at the fairgrounds half mile oval.

 

     Each night will be a complete point show for the series paying $1000 to win and $300 to start both Cherokee Casino-Resort feature finales. The top five in passing points on Friday are locked into the first five inside rows for Saturday nights Nationals feature lineup. The top five in passing points on Saturday night are locked into the outside rows for the feature.

 

     The Hutchinson Nationals are held on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas, located West of SR 61 on 17th Ave., then north on Poplar. Pit gates open at 3:00 PM both days while grandstand seats open at 4:30 PM and racing set for 7:30 PM. Pit passes are $25 while grandstand adult tickets are $10 and $5 for children 6-11 yrs. of age. All seats are general admission. For race and ticket information, contact Speedways Inc. (316) 755-1781.