Article Courtesy of Speed Sport - December 18, 2016 (Neil Cavanah photo)
DUQUOIN, Ill. — Tyler Courtney was impressive in winning Saturday night’s Junior Knepper 55 USAC Midget Series feature at the Southern Illinois Center.
Courtney led the first lap aboard his Clauson-Marshall Racing No. 7bc, but gave up the point to NASCAR veteran Justin Allgaier, who led the next six laps.
Courtney moved back to the point on lap eight of the indoor bullring and led the remainder of the 55-lap event for the victory.
Shane Golobic came home second aboard another Clauson-Marshall entry, while Chris Andrews, Allgaier and Chad Wheeler rounded out the top five.
The 22-year-old Courtney became the third consecutive driver to pilot a Tim Clauson/Tyler Ransbottom-wrenched car to victory lane at the Southern Illinois Center following fellow teammates Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.’s Knepper triumph one year ago and Shane Golobic’s Shamrock Classic win this past spring.
It was an emotional win for Courtney as his racing career has gone full circle as he made his first midget start here six years ago. And, on this night, running the letters BC behind the No. 7 on his tail tank in honor of 2011 Southern Illinois Center Midget victor Bryan Clauson.
“This is where I ran my first real midget race and it was for Bryan and Tim (Clauson) and their whole family,” Courtney recalled. “To come back here and get a win with this new team with all these guys, it’s pretty special. They’ve been a part of my career since it’s really gotten going and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.”
“Tim definitely knows how to make a race car go,” Courtney continued. “And he’s got two of the best guys to work on them in the shop. They’ve all done a heck of a job over the last month and a half getting these cars ready to go. To put two cars on the podium tonight is a statement. It’s a pretty good start to something that’s going to be special.”
Forty-seven cars were on hand.
