Fresno, Calif., Jan. 4 – Officials of the National Midget Driver of the Year Championship announced the expansion of their program to now include the inaugural Western Midget Driver of the Year for the 2013 season and beyond. The program will allow several hundred drivers to compete for a major regional open wheel championship and involves all midget race events sanctioned by West Coast
Associations: USAC Western States, BCRA, VRA, and WMRA.
“David Prickett of the USAC West office laid down a lot of the “ground work” for this, I believe it will help consolidate and improve the working relationships between the four associations on the West Coast, along with increasing car counts” commented Bryan Gapinski founder and director of the NMDOTY. The Race Associations and many tracks hosting midget events are excepted to make a point contribution, along with participation in the promotion of this
program.
The recently completed 2012 racing season marked the fourteenth season of the NMDOTY. Jerry Coons Jr. captured his second NMDOTY title in five years, with 517 drivers scoring points at 189 events, nationwide. The NMDOTY staff will administrate the program, with point fund and awards distribution handled by Western Performance Parts. The current website: www.nmdoty.com will carry
updated points, schedule and all news for the Western Champion.
“Twenty-three West Coast midget car owners, with 38 entries will be competing at the upcoming Lucas Oil Chili Bowl next week, I plan to meet personally with each team owner and discuss this program and answer all questions regarding it” commented Gapinski. Further information will be
announced and posted on the website following the completion of the Chili Bowl.
The top ten drivers, car owner champion along with Manufacturers Champions and Rookie of the Year will receive their point fund checks and trophies in the annual ceremony held during the final night of the Lucas Oil
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Jan. 12.
