Curious which drivers you should keep an eye on at each Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota event? Series Announcer Rob Klepper will bring you his five drivers to keep an eye on each race weekend.
This week: Action Track USA (Aug. 6), Linda’s Speedway (Aug. 7), Path Valley Speedway (Aug. 8), Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway (Aug. 9)
KLEPPER’S FIVE:
Gavin Miller
Why: Simple. This week we visit PA for Appalachian Midget Week (AMW) and this kid is from Allentown… which is in PA. Miller has been the epitome of consistency this year. Yes, I realize he had an issue on opening night of Ironman weekend at Pevely BUT he bounced back with a sixth-place run on night two. This year, he has an average finish of 6.7, but if you look at his top-10 finishes, it lowers to 3.1… which is solid. Miller heads back to his home state third in series points, and this could be the week he gets back to Victory Lane, as it’s been a long time since Jacksonville 2024. Night one is Action Track USA, where he finished fourth in 2023, so turn up the volume and keep an eye on the “SoundGear” sponsored No. 97.
Ethan Mitchell
Why: Mooresville, NC’s Ethan Mitchell is back this week, and “Lil’ Bundy” was bad-to-the-bone in an Outlaw Kart. That means he likes the bullrings… and these PA tracks are just that. He ran all three AMW shows in 2023, with his best being a sixth in Kutztown. Now, consider this… he’s run three Xtreme races this year and his best was a sixth at Coles County Speedway. Hmmm… Kutztown is stop number one on Wednesday night. I’m not making this stuff up. Get the week started off right and all things good will come. I like Mitchell’s chances for success this week.
Trevor Cline
Why: It would appear all our shoes from Mooresville, NC (scroll up) are back this week as Trevor Cline returns after making only five Xtreme starts this year posting three top-10 finishes. When not in a Midget, the two-time Millbridge champ has been busy at his home track going to Victory Lane four times this year and looks to stand on top of the box for the first time in a Midget this week. In 2023, he ran the entirety of AMW with a best of 11th at Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, also known as “The Clyde.” So… at least one-eye must be kept on the No. 55 this week. It’s a bright white car and easy to see, so shouldn’t be a problem.
Kale Drake
Why: Now… I’ve been told we COULD see this young man make an appearance in a third Trifecta Motorsports car this week. If so, it would be his 2025 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series debut and yes, he’d be one to watch🤓. Drake has 15 career Xtreme starts with one spectacular win coming at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex in 2024 by .020 over Taylor Reimer (leading only the final 50 feet). This year, the Collinsville, OK driver has been busy in both Midgets and Sprint Cars as he currently sits fourth in USAC National Midget Points with two wins, and is 10th in USAC National Sprint points. Though he’s never run a Midget at any of these tracks… he did finish 14th in a Sprint Car at Action Track USA earlier this year… so there’s that. And that’s something. #putthekidinacarJankyBobby
Steve Buckwalter
Why: Because we’re in PA, and he’s Steve Buckwalter that’s why. Buckwalter has been at it for a bit and mostly runs Winged Sprint Cars these days, but it’s always cool to see him show up with the Midget. The 2010 ARDC champion with 52 career wins, dating back to 2002 (told you he’s a veteran) ran 13th with Xtreme at Action Track USA in 2023, but don’t let that fool you. If I remember correctly, he had a lot going on that day. Could we see the “Royersford Rocket” do something special this week? Why yes Rob, I think we could.
