SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. – Kevin Thomas Jr. recorded the fastest lap during USAC NOS Energy Drink National/Western States Midget open practice Wednesday night at Arizona Speedway in preparation for the Western World Championships on Friday and Saturday.
Thomas set the standard of 15.073 seconds around the third-mile dirt oval in the first visit for the series to Arizona Speedway aboard his Petry Motorsports/FK Rod Ends – McDonald’s – Dr. Pepper/Bullet/Speedway Toyota.
Last year’s USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget champion, Logan Seavey, was second fastest at 15.157 seconds, followed by 2014 series champ Rico Abreu at 15.190 seconds, 2016 USAC Silver Crown/2017 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car champion Chris Windom was fourth at 15.206 seconds while 2018 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint champ and current USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget point leader Tyler Courtney rounded out the top-five at 15.252 seconds.
Notables throughout the field include Jason McDougal (sixth), Zeb Wise (eighth), Brady Bacon (ninth), Buddy Kofoid (10th), Jerry Coons Jr. (11th) and Tanner Carrick (13th). USAC Western States Midget point leader Robert Dalby was 16th while 2019 Indianapolis 500 10th-place finisher Conor Daly was 18th.