RegM/KM: Series weekly racing news 2009-06-01

REGIONAL "TRIPLE" AT ANDERSON, SALUTE TO KENYON "DOUBLE" AT MORRIS; HAMILTON, GALLOWAY, SIMPSON, OLSON, LIGUORI NOTCH WINS;

Kyle Hamilton, Dillon Welch and Joe Liguori are the leaders in USAC Regional racing entering this week's Indiana "tripleheader" and Illinois "doubleheader." Friday's program at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway features the Regional Midget, Kenyon Midget and Midwest Ford Focus Midget series. The Regional Midgets and Midwest and UMARA Ford Focus Midgets combine for Saturday night's Salute to Mel Kenyon "doubleheader" at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Ill.

Hamilton, of Danville, Ind., leads the Regional Midget series after winning Wednesday's 30-lapper at Schererville, Ind. and finishing second at Morris Saturday. Hamilton, of Danville, Ind., caught Jim Anderson on lap 14 and led the rest of the way to win at Grundy County Speedway in Morris. Aaron Andruskevitch finished second behind Hamilton's Curtis Motor Sales/Pitfit Training Beast/Esslinger Ford. Fast qualifier Brian Olson took third ahead of Anderson, who led the first 13 laps, and Mario Marietta.

Olson, of Puyallup, Wash., captured Wednesday's 30-laper at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville his Olson Brothers Excavating/Pro-Vac Clean Systems Beast/Esslinger Ford. He took the lead from Alison MacLeod on lap nine and led the rest of the way to beat a hard-charging Hamilton, who kept the pressure on in the closing laps. Andruskevitch, Mario Clouser and Marietta rounded out the "top-five."

Welch, of Indianapolis, Ind., continues to lead the Kenyon Midget standings after nearly winning Wednesday's race at Schererville. Grant Galloway of Lakeville, Ind. finally tracked down Welch on the white-flag lap and led to the checkered flag to win the 30-lapper. He piloted the Todd Galloway Construction/84 Lumber Yamaha to the win over Welch, Dalton Armstrong, Nick Hamilton and Taylor Ferns.

Liguori, of Tampa, Fla., is atop the Midwest Ford Focus standings after winning Saturday's race at Morris and finishing second on Wednesday at Schererville. Jimmy Simpson of Indianapolis led all 30 laps on his way to his first USAC Midwest/UMARA Ford Focus feature victory Wednesday at Illiana Motor Speedway. Trailing his Fat Tommy's Restaurant Beast were Liguori, Michael May, fast qualifier Tyler Cottongim and Tanner Whitten. Liguori led the final 20 laps of Saturday's 25-lapper at Grundy County Speedway after passing Cottongim on lap six. Cottongim finished second behind Liguori's C & R Racing Beast. May, fast qualifier Simpson and Tanner Whitten rounded out the "top-five."

-credit: usac