---

Triple-header on Tap for National Midgets, Micros Slated for Belle-Clair

Belleville, IL – Beginning Friday, April 26th, the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League has a big weekend on tap. Visiting three, fan-thrilling, action-packed tracks, the National Midgets begin the weekend at Belle-Clair Speedway, head to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Saturday, and then round out the weekend on Sunday at Jacksonville Speedway.

Friday, April 26th, the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League will invade Belle-Clair Speedway for the first showing there of 2019, and the 28th Annual Knepper Memorial.

Knepper, a Belleville native, was one of the most notable drivers to come out of the St. Louis area. He won five St. Louis Auto Racing Association Midget championships from 1954 to 1960. Knepper also drove in the Indianapolis 500 five times, from 1965 to 1969. One of Knepper’s most notable victories was at the famed Little 500 Sprint Car race at Anderson, Indiana in 1962. Knepper passed in Belleville, Illinois in 1992.

Since the inaugural Arnie Knepper Memorial in 1992, the event has established itself as a prestigious venue in midget racing. Some of the midget racing’s most recognized names have taken home an Arnie Knepper Memorial win, including Tucker Klaasmeyer (2018), Spencer Bayston (2017, 2015), Tanner Thorson (2016), the late Bryan Clauson (2014, 2013), Rico Abreu (2012), Brad Kuhn (2011) and Brad Loyet (2010). Steve Knepper, Arnie Knepper’s cousin, has won the event six times (1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003).

One of five visits to Belle-Clair in 2019, this one will also see action from the POWRi Engler Machine & Tool 600cc Outlaw Micro League before the national midgets break away on Saturday to head to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.

Saturday, April 27th, the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League takes to the high-banked Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 alongside the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. I-55 consistently produces some of the best racing all season long for the national midgets, with nail-biting high-speed action, sporting drivers rim-riding right alongside the wall, as others catfish the bottom.

Sunday, April 28th, the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League will head to “America’s Baddest Bullring” to again run alongside the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. Sunday’s outing is one of three for the National Midgets at Jacksonville Speedway, and surely one you won’t want to miss.

Heading into the triple-header weekend, Christopher Bell’s average Turnpike Challenge finishes have him on top of the charts for the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League, followed by Logan Seavey. Zeb Wise holds the third position on the chart with the defending POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League champion, Tucker Klaasmeyer in tow. Jerry Coons, Jr. holds the fifth position.

In POWRi Engler Machine & Tool competition, Brady Bacon sits atop the charts by a 70-point margin over Kaylee Bryson. Joe B. Miller and Gunner Ramey are tied for third, with Riley Goodno in fifth.

For further information, visit www.powri.com, “Like” POWRi on Facebook and follow @POWRi_Racing on Twitter. Catch each night’s LIVE action via pay-per-view broadcast from Speed Shift TV on www.speedshifttv.com.

Back to News