Shelby Township, Mich.—November 21, 2012 — When Taylor Ferns thinks about Thanksgiving, she thinks about her family, friends and all that she is thankful for. And one more even pressing item. — the legendary Turkey Night Grand Prix. Ferns will travel to California for the second consecutive year to take part in the famed event this week, which traditionally brings an end to the outdoor midget racing season.
The Turkey Night Grand Prix for the USAC Mopar National Midget Series returns to the dirt this year at Perris Auto Speedway just outside of Los Angeles for the first time since 1996, with qualifying and the 98-lap main event set to take to the high-banked, half-mile on Thursday, Nov. 22. A practice session, which Ferns will take part in aboard her family-owned Dea Eyewear Spike, is set for Wednesday, Nov. 21.
“Turkey Night is always a big event,” said Ferns. “Last year was my first Turkey Night at Irwindale and with it being at Perris this year I am really excited. It always helps having run at a track before. Even though I raced on a smaller version of the track at Perris, I know what the track is like for the most part and what marks to hit.”
Ferns made her first start in the Turkey Night Grand Prix last year, when the event was held at the half-mile paved Irwindale Speedway. She finished 16th in that race, against a field of 34 of the best midget drivers in the country. The high-school junior opened the night by qualifying 19th, which put her on the inside of the 10th row for the main event, where she drove a steady race, picking up a few spots as the race wore on.
In making her first start in the 98-lap Turkey Night Grand Prix in 2011, it marked the longest race Ferns had run in her career to-date. Since that event, she has run three 100-lap events with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series, as well as four longer races in an asphalt late model with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour.
“Last year going into Turkey Night, I had never run a race that long, so this year I know what to expect,” she shared. “I really enjoy the longer races. Having run a few 100 lap races this year will definitely help. You have to use your time wisely with that many laps and not go too crazy at the beginning of the race. Using the laps you have and taking care of your car is a big part of running the longer races.”
Perris Auto Speedway will mark the second half-mile dirt track that Ferns will have competed on this year in a midget, as she made her first start at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio, during the 4-Crown Nationals in September. She finished 11th in the 25-lap main event that night, which was sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Midget Series.
Ferns, who raced and won on the smaller version of Perris Auto Speedway in 2009 during California Focus Week, earned six wins that year in California. Along with her victory at Perris, she picked up two wins at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, as well as taking the checkered flag at Kings Speedway, Ventura Raceway and on the asphalt at All American Speedway in Roseville.
The winningest female in USAC history made her most recent start with the USAC Mopar National Midget Series on Nov. 10 at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz., in the Western Classic. The Turkey Night Grand Prix will mark her final outdoor race of the 2012 season.
“If you are able to run all the laps in a longer race, usually you’ll find yourself in a good position, because the longer races are a process of elimination many times,” said Ferns. “We’ll definitely use our time wisely and hopefully make our way to the front. We want to have a good finish and wrap up the year on a positive note.”
Taylor Ferns and Ferns Racing would like to thank their valued partners: Dea Eyewear, eBay Motors, FK Rod Ends, Frameworks Marketing Group, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, Lansing Sanitary Supply (LSS), Simpson Race Products, Indy Race Parts, ButlerBuilt, Allstar Performance, Stanton Mopar, Lyn St. James Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation, Race4Girls and Racing2Cure.
Keep up to date
For the latest news, results and information on Taylor Ferns and Ferns Racing and to view a full 2012 schedule, visit www.TaylorFerns.com. Follow Taylor on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TaylorFerns or @TaylorFerns and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylor-Ferns/116543998373.
- Admin Account on Nov 23, 2012
- Article Date: 11/21/2012 by Ferns Racing PR