KLEPPER’S FIVE: Spoon River Speedway

Why: Well to start things off we have to talk about the defending Xtreme Outlaw Midget champion as he’s had a pretty good run as of late. On May 31, he was crowned the “King of Coles” by winning at Coles County, then won the next event at I-55 with a second-place run the following night. From there, he won his second straight BC39 (from deeeeeeep) at IMS with USAC, followed by wins at Sweet Springs and Jefferson County. Now, we head to Spoon River where Mac went second and first in 2024. What does this all mean? Look out Jacob Denney… he’s only 101 points back, and this dude will be a serious threat both nights at “The Spoon.”

Why: Typically, when you go to a Midget event at a racetrack that is dirt, this veteran is always fun to watch. Why you ask? ‘Cause he’s Zach Daum… that’s why. The inaugural Xtreme Midget champ is running a limited schedule this year, and Spoon River Speedway is on his list. It’s a place he’s enjoyed some success at in the past, posting a POWRi Win in 2014 and back-to-back seconds in 2012 and 2013. One of those runner-ups was to Christopher Bell, and that guy’s in NASCAR! Last year with Xtreme, he ran fourth, his seventh top-five finish in 14 total starts across Midget and Sprint Car events at the Spoon. Now, I didn’t ask him if he’s doing double duty, BUT if he is, you’re in for a treat. Daum to the front!

Why: One top-five finish in two Xtreme starts at Coles County this year for the man they call “Joe B” and though he doesn’t have a TON of starts at Spoon River, he could be someone to keep an eye on as they say, or in this case, as I say. Miller has run five Features in Lewistown, IL with the best coming in a Non-Wing Sprint Car (second in 2019) and a Wing Sprint Car (second in 2021). See what I did there? He’s only run a Midget there once and that was a solid top 10 performance with POWRi in 2021. So far this year, Joe B has won… I don’t know… like at least one Micro and three Sprint Car Features. The all-time winningest POWRi Outlaw Micro driver and former two-time Series champ may… just may put on a show and end up on the podium this weekend in one or both divisions.

Brandon Carr
Why: The rookie driver from Sheffield will head to yet another new racetrack this weekend. That’s got to be gettin’ old… right? Carr’s first time racing on dirt was last November at Millbridge and took to it pretty well as he started off the 2025 Xtreme season with a 10th at Farmer City… which is in IL. Now go we go back to “The Land of Lincoln”… so I guess that’s “kind of” familiar. It’s been fun/interesting/cool to watch this young up and coming driver from the UK who has won championships in Rotax Jr. British Karts and STARS Championship Series tackle arguably one of the toughest race cars to drive (a dirt Midget) and do so well so quickly. So far this year, Carr has three top 10 finishes with Xtreme with two being in the state of Illinois. Hmmm…. I see a pattern.

Why: Because he won eight times en-route to the 2023 BADGER Midget championship. Or maybe because he currently leads the Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Series points with four wins and nine top fives in 11 starts. Or it could be because he picked up a win with BADGER earlier this year at Kankakee County Speedway. Or maybe the fact that last year he ran 16th and 14th with Xtreme at Spoon River and he’s due for a solid run. Or it’s possibly because he has 25 (probably more than anyone else racing a Midget this weekend) total career starts at “The Spoon” with four wins, 14 top fives and 19 top 10s. Or (this has to be it) it’s because Taylor’s wins at Spoon River consist of two D2 and 2 SPEED2. I mean it’s like he’s from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Do or do not Mr. Taylor… there is no try.