VENTURA, Calif. – Cannon McIntosh was the fastest of 44 cars that participated in Friday night’s USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship practice at Ventura Raceway.
The Bixby, Okla., native put down a lap of 11.827 seconds in his Dave Mac Motorsports/DriveWFX.com – D.A. McIntosh – Smith Titanium/Spike/Speedway Toyota around the one-fifth-mile clay oval, which was the final tune-up prior to tonight’s 80th running of the ARP Turkey Night Grand Prix.
McIntosh took the track Friday in the No. 17B, renumbered from his traditional No. 08 for the weekend. The No. 08 was out of commission following a last-lap incident during Wednesday’s feature at Merced (Calif.) Speedway.
The last and only visit by McIntosh to Ventura and Turkey Night came in 2019 when he led a race-high 67 laps before finishing second to Kyle Larson in the 98-lapper. McIntosh was named the Don Basile Rookie of the Race.
USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship leader Buddy Kofoid was second overall in practice with a lap of 11.842 seconds. Kofoid holds a 47-point lead over defending series champion Chris Windom entering the season finale on Saturday. Windom finished practice eighth overall.
Thomas Meseraull timed third overall with a lap of 11.874 seconds, while Ryan Bernal was fourth quickest at 11.903 seconds. The fastest Turkey Night Rookie, Mitchel Moles, was fifth at 11.954 seconds.
Three-time Turkey Night Grand Prix winner and NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson did not participate in practice, nor did Turkey Night Rookie and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series title winner Chase Elliott due to prior obligations.
Larson’s No. 1K was driven in practice by Kevin Thomas Jr. who was 29th quickest in the car. Thomas also practiced in his ride for Saturday’s race, the Petry Motorsports No. 5, and timed 20th quickest. Shane Golobic practiced Elliott’s No. 9, timing 22nd overall. Golobic will compete in Matt Wood Racing’s No. 17w on Saturday.
Automotive Racing Products, the title sponsor of the 80th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix, has added $15,000 to the event purse from top-to-bottom for the $10,000-to-win USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship finale.
USAC Western States Midget champions Robby Flock (1986, ’89, ’93 and 2002) and Johnny Cofer (1994) will serve as co-grand marshals for tonight’s race.
Saturday’s program features single-car qualifying, three last-chance races and a 98-lap feature event for the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship, along with a USAC West Coast Sprint Car semi-feature and feature.
On Saturday, pits open at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, with the drivers meeting at 2:30 p.m., the grandstands opening at 3 p.m. and cars on track at 3:30 p.m., followed by qualifying and racing.
On Saturday, all tickets that are not reserved are $35. Reserved seats are $45 for ages 13 and older and $25 for ages 12 and under. Pit passes are $45 for members and $50 for non-members.
Race tickets are available now at www.venturaraceway.net.
For full results, turn to the next page.