Sun Prairie "Fireman's Nationals" preview

10,000-TO-WIN 28th "FIREMAN'S NATIONALS" SEPTEMBER 5 AT ANGELL PARK SPEEDWAY

Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla. is the defending champion of the "Fireman's Nationals" presented by Pepsi, which celebrates its 28th running September 5 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisc.

The 2009 event, which offers $10,000-to-win and $300 to start the 50-lap feature, is part of the USAC Mopar National Midget Series and will figure into the intense battle for the 2009 National championship.

Bacon was the latest in a list of 15 drivers who have been victorious in the historic race. Kevin Olson and the late Kevin Doty are five-time champions, while Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and Scott Hatton have each won twice.

Two-time USAC National Midget Champion Jerry Coons Jr. won the 2007 event and is among former winners expected to challenge the 1/3-mile dirt oval September 5.

Coons ranks fourth in the current USAC National standings going into this weekend's National Midget Auto Racing "Hall of Fame Classic" at Sun Prairie, which serves as the home for the "Hall of Fame."

Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind., seeking his initial "Fireman's Nationals" victory, sits atop the USAC standings, closely pursued by California drivers Brad Sweet and Darren Hagen. Sweet is 32 points back, while Hagen trails by 37 and Coons is 86 back.

Angell Park has hosted a total of 38 USAC Midget races, beginning with Larry Rice's victory in 1970. Olson leads the list of USAC winners with five, while Doty has three. Only six drivers have won more than once in USAC competition at the storied track.

-credit: --USAC--