SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — On the eve of what will be his first USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget appearance, Cory Eliason took to it like a natural, leading all drivers in Thursday night’s practice at Arizona Speedway.
It was the final tune-up for the series leading into two nights of racing in the 54th annual Western World Championships Presented by San Tan Ford at Arizona Speedway.
Eliason ripped around the third-mile dirt oval with a time of 15.137 seconds in his Rudeen Racing/Rayce Rudeen Foundation – Hager Realty Services/Spike/Speedway Toyota.
The time set by Eliason unofficially equaled the official one-lap track record for the series at Arizona Speedway, set by Logan Seavey in 2020.
Daison Pursley was second overall, one-one thousandths of a second behind Eliason at 15.138. Tanner Thorson, the 2020 Western World opening night midget winner, was third at 15.188. Reigning Western World midget champion, Buddy Kofoid timed in fourth at 15.211. Cannon McIntosh rounded out the top five with a 15.212.
Series point leader, and defending series champion, Chris Windom recorded the 15th fastest overall lap with a time of 15.559.Â
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