– A.J. Liesecki is among those drivers at the Rumble who carries the philosophy of “There’s never too much racing to do” into the Expo Center every year.
In fact, he’ll be competing in three different classes – the non-winged 600s, the winged 600s and the Senior Champ Karts – during the two-day weekend.
That’s a possible six features to compete in over two days, and while Liesecki knows it won’t be easy, he has aspirations of making and starting every one of them.
“If I can get in them all, that’ll be close to 200 laps just in features that I get to run this weekend,” he pointed out.
But Liesecki added that the biggest reason he continues to add cars to race each year at the Rumble is simple.
“I’m a racer. It’s what we do and why we come here,” he smiled. “I just love racing here and if I could ever find a midget to drive, I promise you’d see me in that too.”
– Of note, there was a good reason why Cody Tyler looped his No. 18 during the first winged 600cc outlaw midget session of the day.
He couldn’t stop in the corner.
“I got out there and I had no brakes!” Tyler laughed. “It’s actually my first time here, so I figured spinning it was better than ending up in the barriers down at the end.”
As far as the rest of the weekend goes, Tyler is optimistic and excited for the challenge of racing in his first Rumble.
“This is a fun little joint. It’s definitely different than anything I’ve ever done, but it’s a new challenge and hopefully we can make the best of it. If we can make the show both nights, I’d be really pleased with that.”
– Also notable was the fact that two pre-entered past winners of the Rumble in the National Midget class were not in attendance for practice on Thursday night.
Nine-time winner Tony Stewart’s absence was not unexpected, as the former NASCAR Cup Series champion usually brings his ‘Our Gang Poker’ No. 2 Munchkin into its usual place off turn one of the race track on Friday morning.
However, the lack of car for Thursday practice by two-time Rumble winner Justin Peck was unusual, at least by comparison.
Peck’s team confirmed that the 19-year-old is bedridden with the flu, and his status for the weekend is in question.
The Monrovia, Indiana hot shoe has a streak of 11-straight Rumble A-Mains started on the line coming into the weekend.
– Multi-time USAC Silver Crown champion Kody Swanson is among the rookies who will take part in this weekend’s Rumble, racing a Tom Brewer-prepared, Speed Chasers Inc.-owned entry that was formerly owned and driven by Chris Neuenschwander.
14-year-old Trey Osborne is also in action as a Rumble rookie this weekend, driving a second car for Don and Mel Kenyon as a teammate to Kyle Hamilton.
Pit gates for the 20th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne open at 7 a.m. Friday morning, with hot laps starting at 9:30.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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