VENTURA, Calif. – USAC Light Up The World Beverages Western States Midget Series point leader Alex Schutte posted the fastest overall lap time during practice for the 78th annual Turkey Night Grand Prix on Wednesday at Ventura Raceway.
Schutte toured the fifth-mile oval in 12.132 seconds (59.347 mph) with his No. 28 Proficio-Aircraft Electrical Components Spike/Toyota, leading a host of heavy hitters as 61 cars took time ahead of Thursday night’s 98-lap crown jewel event.
Three practice sessions were held on Wednesday, one during the daytime and two once the sun dropped below the horizon and the lights flickered on around the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Schutte’s fast lap – and the fast lap of the day – was turned during the early round of hot laps, while Tyler Courtney landed second-fastest overall for Clauson Marshall Racing with his lap of 12.135 seconds (59.333 mph) in the No. 7bc Driven2SaveLives Spike/Stanton SR-11 during the second session.
A trio of Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyotas completed the top five, with Kyle Larson, defending event winner Christopher Bell and Spencer Bayston going third, fourth and fifth-quick on single-lap speed during Wednesday’s practices.
Shane Golobic, Justin Grant, Brady Bacon and rookies Zeb Wise and Sam Johnson filled out the top-10.
USAC National Midget Series point leader Logan Seavey, who clinched the series title with a win at Bakersfield Speedway last Saturday, was 22nd-quick in practice on opening day. Seavey is seeking his fourth win of the year on Thursday night.
Other notables deep in the practice pack on Wednesday included Jerry Coons Jr. (23rd), Tanner Thorson (25th), Sheldon Haudenschild (27th), Jesse Colwell (30th), Rico Abreu (41st) and Carson Macedo (42nd).
A light mist hit the speedway just before 7:30 p.m. local time, putting a premature end to the third and final practice session, which was held following the sprint car Dash for Cash. Cody Swanson was quickest in that round with a best lap of 12.960 seconds (55.556 mph).
For a complete listing of practice times, advance to the next page.
