By Robert Haugh
Photo by Tom Macht Racing Photos
Rising racing star Trey Marcham of Oklahoma continued where he left off as the 2013 USAC-Western States Midget Rookie-of-the-Year, continuing to show poise and skill beyond his years, claiming his second Midget win, scoring the Honda USAC-Western States Midget series triumph on Saturday, May 3 at the 1/3-mile Bakersfield Speedway in Bakersfield, CA.
Chauffeuring the Josh Ford Motorsports King Racing Products/A&A Precision Machine TCR/Esslinger, the 22-year-old started the evening with the fourth quickest time in qualifications, just two tenths off of fast time set by reigning USAC-WS champion Ronnie Gardner. Starting fifth in Heat 2, Marcham masterfully propelled his way to the eight-lap heat race win, passing former series champions and race winners in the process.
After taking the feature event grid lined up third, Marcham was duking it out amongst the Top three for several laps, eventually overtaking for the lead on Lap 19, never looking back, leading the final 12 laps en route to claiming his second-career Midget win. Among those Marcham bested at the line was reigning champ Gardner.
With the win, Marcham surged to the USAC-WS Dirt series points lead, holding an 18-point margin over former champion Alex Schutte. In addition, Marcham now sits second in the overall USAC-WS series standings (which combined both dirt and pavement events).
Marcham will look to continue his success in Midget competition, as he competes for Bryan Clauson Racing on May 9 in the prestigious Hut 100 at Tri-City Raceway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois in USAC National Midget series action. Marcham will again chauffer one of the Clauson Spike/Esslinger entries in the illustrious Indiana Midget Week, June 11 through 15 where Marcham will race at five different tracks in USAC National Midget competition over five consecutive nights, competing at some of most fabled tracks of the Midwest.
Marcham will also compete in the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway on September 20 and the Gold Crown Midget Nationals October 2 through 4 at Tri-City Speedway as well as the Kokomo Clash at Kokomo Speedway on October 17.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to run with such a great race team. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun this season and hopefully putting together a lot of great finishes along the way,” stated the Oklahoma native in a BC Racing press release.
“Adding a guy like Trey who has had success in everything from 600’s to asphalt late models is exciting for our team and our program. Our whole team is really excited about giving Trey the opportunity to expand that success into the National Midget ranks,” stated two-Time National Midget Champion and car owner Bryan Clauson.
Marcham claimed the 2013 USAC-Western States Midget Rookie-of-the-Year honor, compiling Top 10 finishes in the USAC-WS Dirt and overall standings as well. Marcham battled many of the best Midget racers in the West and the country in 2013 en route to claiming the laurels, despite running a partial schedule. In his maiden Midget season, Marcham claimed five Top 10s, three Top fives, one main event win and one Heat race win while claiming tenth in the USAC-WS overall Midget standings and eight in the USAC-WS Dirt standings.
In addition to his success on Dirt bullrings in open-wheel action in the Midget, Marcham showed versatility, performing a clean sweep on pavement, sweeping a pair of Late Model features at Myrtle Beach Speedway last July where he scored his first and second career Late Model Stock Car wins.
Marcham, a senior Engineering student at Oklahoma University, with over 11 years of experience in Micro Sprints, Ford Focus Midgets, 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars and asphalt Late Models, has shown amazing poise and talent has been seen passing drivers with thousands more laps and experience than he in a Midget. Marcham has amassed six Championships at I-44 Riverside Speedway in Newcastle, Oklahoma, as well as several wins and podium finishes in 2013.
Select Coatings, RD Marcham Energy, Inc., Simpson Race Products, Pinacle Energy Services, Best Western Tulsa Airport, Metals Supermarket Oklahoma City, J & B Digital Graphics, Madden Steel Buildings and Mud-X support Marcham.
For up to date information on all of Marcham's race activities, "like" him on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TreyMarcham32) and follow him on Twitter (@TreyMarcham32).
Marcham Racing is always looking for companies to partner with in the late model, midget and/or minisprint venues. Contact Marcham Racing at marchamracing@yahoo.com to put your business in the fast lane!
- Cheri Marcham on May 07, 2014
- Article Date: 5/7/2014