KLEPPER’S FIVE: Jacksonville Speedway

Why: A couple things to think about here… Only 11 starts for Sarff this year with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series. In those 11 starts, he posted three Wins, six podiums, eight top fives and 10 top 10s. Not bad for the “Mason City Missile,” looking to get back to his winning ways this weekend in his home state. He finished fifth and fourth with Xtreme at Jacksonville last year and, in 2023, went to Victory Lane. BUT… “The Shark” has jumped ship… I repeat, “The Shark” has jumped ship. Yes, that’s right, ladies and gentlemen… this Friday night Karter Sarff will make his Trifecta Motorsports debut in the No. 7U. The same No. 7U that Zach Daum drove to the win at Jacksonville on Friday last year. Hmmm… clever move for sure because remember: “You yell Dauminator, everybody says, “Huh? What?” You yell shark, we’ve got a panic on our hands on the 3rd of October.” – Mayor Vaughn

Why: It’s been an up-and-down year for the Xtreme Outlaw rookie. Only five top-five finishes along with 14 top 10s across the first 20 events of the year has Faccinto sixth in Series points with four races to go. I know for a fact he ain’t happy with that. He’s won Heat Races, led laps, been the Hi-Point Driver, but has yet to see the podium. But this could be his week. Jacksonville can be an elbows-up track, and the kid from “Central Cal” grew up on tracks just like that. Toss in the fact that last week he held the “Macgyver” trophy above his head after winning the Mark Hagopian Memorial out west, and I like his chances to pick up that first top-three of the year.

Why: He’s been close… very close. In six starts this year, the “Bandit” (way easier to say than Rueschenberg) has finished second twice. Once was to Cannon McIntosh at Airport Raceway in KS and the other was at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in MO to Kameron Key. This week he leaves the family No. 26 at home and turns his attention to the O’Dell Motorsports No. 97X. New team, new car and new challenge for the Mesa, AZ driver. Last year he went 12th and 13th with Xtreme at Jacksonville but has posted a top 10 there in a Micro. The Cambridge Dictionary defines a bandit as: a thief (stealing positions) with a weapon (Midget race car), especially one belonging to a group (Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series) that attacks people (other drivers) traveling through the countryside (racetrack). I mean if that doesn’t get him to the top spot… it’s not the announcer’s fault.

Why: As of late we’ve seen a revolving door in the KKM No. 71k and this weekend it’s Drakes turn. It should be an easy transition as he moves a few pits down from the KKM No. 97K where he’s had a pretty good year with USAC, currently sitting sixth in National Midget Points with two wins. Though he’s only made two Xtreme starts this year in PA for Trifecta, he does have a Series win. We shall not forget how he beat Taylor Reimer to the line at Sweet Springs in 2024 by a slim .020 seconds. At Jacksonville, he finished fourth in a Micro in 2023 and last year with POWRi, ran second to current Xtreme points leader Jacob Denney who once again this weekend will be his teammate. We’ve seen plenty of KKM 1-2 finishes this year and it could happen again this weekend with Kale Drake leading the way.

Why: This weekend, “The Captain” (what a wonderful nickname) is back with Xtreme in the Dooling No. 63. It’s been a pretty impressive year for the Greencastle, IN driver as he’s been to Victory Lane multiple times in a Non-Wing Sprint Car including last week at the Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis with the Midwest Thunder 410 Sprint Car Series. This year with Xtreme, he’s posted one top 10 in six starts, still looking for his first career Series top-five and Jacksonville would be the perfect place as he won there last year with the MARA Midgets. I mean heck… even his dad Jerry Coooooooooooooons Jr. hasn’t won at the Morgan County Fairgrounds (but will be trying this weekend 🤫). “The Captain” just may take charge and put the 6-3 up front.