BAKERSFIELD, Calif. \u2014 Bakersfield is set for one of its biggest open-wheel nights of the year as Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick\u2019s Kern Raceway hosts the\u00a011th annual Jason Leffler Memorial\u00a0this Tuesday, Nov. 25.<\/p>\n
The spectacular event brings the\u00a0USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets\u00a0back to town, with the nation\u2019s top dirt racers battling for a commanding\u00a0$10,000-to-win\u00a0prize.\u00a0Tuesday\u2019s event marks the second-to-last race of the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget season, adding major championship implications to the night\u2019s action.<\/p>\n
Few cars in motorsports deliver the kind of thrill these lightning-quick Midgets produce. Compact, powerful and visibly on the edge every lap, they\u2019re widely considered the most exciting open-wheel race cars anywhere \u2014 and Tuesday\u2019s entry list backs that up with star power.<\/p>\n
A red-hot field is expected, including drivers who already know how to win at Kern Raceway in winged sprint car action.\u00a0Buddy Kofoid, a 2025 World of Outlaws feature winner, and\u00a0Corey Day, the 2023 NARC victor, are both slated to compete. They\u2019ll join USAC\u2019s championship-chasing regulars, where every point matters in the series\u2019 penultimate round.<\/p>\n
The title fight remains tight entering Tuesday: Oklahoma\u2019s\u00a0Cannon McIntosh\u00a0leads the standings with 1,357 points, followed by\u00a0Justin Grant\u00a0(1,293),\u00a0Jacob Denney\u00a0(1,263),\u00a0Kevin Thomas Jr.\u00a0(1,257),\u00a0Gavin Miller\u00a0(1,148),\u00a0Kale Drake\u00a0(1,145) and\u00a0Logan Seavey\u00a0(1,094).<\/p>\n
All will be hunting a critical victory as the championship picture comes into focus. NASCAR Cup Series driver\u00a0Ty Gibbs\u00a0is also expected to join the field.<\/p>\n
California\u2019s own talent will be well-represented. Lemoore native\u00a0Carson Macedo, a 58-time World of Outlaws winner, headlines the West Coast contingent, along with Castro Valley\u2019s\u00a0Jake Andreotti, and Bakersfield locals\u00a0Jett Yantis\u00a0and\u00a0Broedy Graham.<\/p>\n
The night also marks the\u00a0ninth annual Western States Championship\u00a0for the\u00a0California Lightning Sprints, closing out their 2025 season.<\/p>\n
The series has produced three different winners in its three appearances at Kern Raceway this year \u2014\u00a0Eric Greco,\u00a0Jeff Dyer, and\u00a0Bobby Michnowicz\u00a0\u2014 and Tuesday\u2019s $500-to-win finale is expected to be just as competitive.\u00a0Aiden Lange\u00a0of Lakewood brings a 52-point lead over\u00a0Drake Cardey\u00a0of Riverside into the championship decider.<\/p>\n
With national stars, local favorites, a championship on the line, and one of the most emotional races of the season honoring four-time USAC national champion\u00a0Jason Leffler, Tuesday night promises to be a can\u2019t-miss event for race fans.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like this:<\/p>\n
Like Loading…<\/p>\n