Kenyon Midget Series celebrates 2025 season
By Ken de la Bastide
INDIANAPOLIS – The fourth year of ownership of the Kenyon Midget Series by Brad Hayes Racing saw many milestones in 2025. Competitors gathered Saturday at Speedway Indoor Karting to mark a year when car counts continued to increase, four first-time winners and five new track records were established.
The 2026 schedule was announced with ten locked in races with discussions continuing with other tracks. The series will be making their first appearance at Toledo Speedway and the Lincoln Park Speedway dirt oval. Returning tracks on the schedule include Anderson Speedway, the Indianapolis Speedrome, Owosso and Berlin in Michigan.
Veteran driver Dameron Taylor was crowned the series champion, the fourth of his career. The Indianapolis driver recorded five wins during the year, raising his feature win total to 38.
“Dameron is the benchmark for people entering the series,” Brad Hayes said. “If you beat Dameron, you have accomplished something.”
Taylor said his plans for 2026 are currently unknown, but he is waiting for the opening event at Anderson Speedway.
“This is one of the best years we've had for first time and second year drivers,” he said of the competitors. “The legacy the Kenyon's started and Brad has continued. I enjoy seeing the younger kids coming in,” Taylor continued. “I'm glad to be able to help them with set-ups and the racing line at the different tracks.”
Andrew Wall took home the Redline Ace rookie of the year honors in a tight battle with Clayton Bohanon. “It was a good battle with Clayton (Bohanon),” Wall, who finished fourth in the final point standings, said. “I want to thank everyone for all their support and hope to see you next year.”
For the second consecutive year Evan Hammond finished second in the final point standings and recorded his first win at the Sportsdrome, finishing in the top five 12 times in the 13 races. “Finishing second in the last two years of racing is not what we were shooting for,” the 2023 rookie of the year said. “It was great getting that first win.”
Isaac Johnson came home third in the final point standings and recorded two wins at the Indianapolis Speedrome and Paragon Speedway. “I want to thank everyone for putting together a great series,” Johnson said. “I couldn't drive for a better team than Brad Hayes Racing.”
Joining Hammond and Johnson as first time winners in 2025 were Landon Brown, winning twice and Kyle Sheard.
Brown took home the K&K Marketing Top Gun award for leading all qualifiers during the year.
Kyle Sheard and Brown tied for the most KRJ Racing heat wins during the year.
The Team Effort Award went to Ryan Shilkuski for his race team to work throughout the year despite several set-backs. He also won the $3,100 Golden Ticket award.
Dave Simmermon was named Mechanic of the Year for his effort with the Jeff Hill Racing team which won four feature races, four heat races and set fast time during qualifying nine times.
Ken Joyce, the owner of KRJ Racing Products was honored with the Jimmy Nell Award for his dedication to the series.