Photo by (Bob Cruse) Sun Prairie, Wis., May 31---Billy Balog turned in one of the most amazing performances in track history Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway winning the 20-lap Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series feature. Balog’s evening highlights include:
---A new 20-lap midget track record besting the old mark set by two-time badger Midget Champion Billy Johnson on August 14, 1949.
---Balog then won the final event of the evening the 30-lap IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaw Sprint Car Series feature. Balog becomes the first driver to win two features in different divisions on the same evening in the track’s 69-year history.
---Balog also is the first driver in track history to have won feature events in three different divisions at the track. Balog’s first feature victory at the 1/3-mile clay oval came winning the Badger 600 Micro feature on July 10, 2011.
Aaron Schuck led the 16-car field to the start in the feature, before David Budres took over the top position on the second lap. One lap later Balog moved into second place. The pair began to move away from the rest of the field. Budres began lapping slower cars on Lap 8. Budres held a one-car length lead over Balog at the mid-way point.
Budres increased his lead over Balog, however heavy lapped traffic allowed Balog to close back on the rear bumper of Budres on Lap 17. Balog almost drew event with Budres at the start/finish line as the pair took the white flag.
Budres drifted high entering Turn 3, allowing Balog to take the lead. Balog driving the RAB Racing owned No.57 Spike/Fontana finished 0.370 seconds ahead of Budres at the finish. Ray Seach, Kurt Mayhew, and Schuck completed the top five.
“It’s great to finally win a midget feature and especially here at Angell Park” said Balog, who’s previous best feature finish was second at the track.
MIDGETS
30-lap feature: 1. Billy Balog; 2. David Budres; 3. Ray Seach; 4. Kurt Mayhew; 5. Aaron Schuck; 6. Buddy Luebke; 7. Patrick Bruns; 8. Brad Greenup; 9. Mike Stroik; 10. Johnny Murdock; 11. Derek Childs; 12. Denny Smith; 13. Tommy Bigelow; 14. Neil Weigen;15. Bryce Dunn; 16. Don Bigelow.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: Budres, Balog.
Cars Present: 16 Feature Lap leaders: Schuck 1, Budres 2-29, Balog 30.
- administrator on Jun 01, 2015
- Article Date: 6/1/2015 by Bryan Gapinski