Impressive field gathers for Kenyon Midget opener
By Ken de la Bastide
Three former champions, seven drivers with a win are among the 19 competitors expected for the 2026 season opening Dick Jordan Classic at Anderson Speedway. The event is one of three visits of the Kenyon Midget Series to the high-banked quarter-mile oval. The Dick Jordan Classic started in 2019 season to honor the long-time public relations director for USAC.
Dameron Taylor is the defending race winner and has claimed three wins in the Dick Jordan Classic. Clayton Gaines won in 2024 and Ayrton Houk won in his 2021 championship year.
Taylor and Houk will be joined by former champion Kyle Hamilton, driving for O'Gara racing to start the season. Hamilton won the 2017 Unified Group Services Little 500 at Anderson Speedway.
Taylor enters the year with 38 career victories, followed by Hamilton with 14, Gaines a feature winner eight times and Houk also with 8 wins.
Last year four drivers won features with the Kenyon Midgets for the first time with Isaac Johnson claiming two wins, Evan Hammond with one and Kyle Sheard at Anderson last year.
The fourth first-time winner from 2025, Landon Brown, is testing with the ARCA Menards Series in Kansas this weekend.
Four drivers will be contending for the Redline Ace Rookie of the Year honors including Hunter Peri, Braydon Rutter, Anthony Pease and Seth Tozer.
Three multi-car teams are expected to compete for race wins and a championship in 2026, but there are several single car teams capable of winning and the title. Rutter, Johnson and 2025 rookie of the year Andrew Wall will be competing for BHR Performance.
The Jeff Hill Trailer Sales team will provide rides for Eli Fox, Sheard, Jasee Petty and Tozer. The third team includes Houk, Evan Patton and rookie Peri.
Evan Hammond is the 2023 rookie of the year and finished second to Taylor in points last year.
This year BHR Performance is offering a $100 product certificate for the top finishing rookie at every event on a $200 purchase. Advanced Suspensions returns with the Hard Charger award, KRJ Race Products sponsors the Heat Race Winner award, and K&K Marketing is again sponsoring the fast qualifier honors.
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The season opener takes place Saturday April 18th at Anderson Speedway. Pit Gates open at 1:00, with racing scheduled to begin at 6:00.
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This event will be live streamed on Racing America.