Peri becomes latest Kenyon Midget winner

Hunter Peri celebrates his first Kenyon Midget Series win at Lincoln Park Speedway (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

Rookie competitor Hunter Peri added his name to the list of Kenyon Midget feature winners with an impressive night at the Lincoln Park Speedway dirt track. Peri becomes the second rookie this year to win a feature event, joining Danny O'Gara.

He had a strong car all night and battled with Kyle Sheard, Isaac Johnson and Dameron Taylor for the racing honors. Peri and Johnson swapped the lead several times in the opening laps of the 20 lap feature before Peri took command of the race.

But he was closely trailed by Johnson, Sheard and Taylor who swapped positions several times over the course of the final laps. Sheard came home in second followed by Johnson, Taylor and rookie Brandon Rutter.

Both Johnson and Taylor gained valuable points in the championship battle with leader Ayrton Houk competing at an IMSA race at Virginia International Raceway.

Jeff Hill, making a rare start in one of his team midgets earned the Advanced Racing Suspensions Hard Charger honors by advancing four spots in the feature race to finish sixth.

Sheard, driving for Jeff Hill Trailer Sales earned the K&K Marketing fast qualifying award.

Peri and Sheard were winners of the two KRJ Racing Product heat races.

Peri got the feature win in only his second race on dirt. “It feels good,” he said of the victory. “I had confidence going into the year that I could get a win, but I didn't expect it on the dirt.”

Peri said he started third in both the heat and feature races and was able to hold the car down in the bottom groove. “We made some changes after the heat race and I could have run a lane higher,” he said. “Once out front I was concentrating on hitting my marks.” Peri said the team gave him a car that was hooked up for the Lincoln Park oval.

Sheard said it wasn't a bad night for the team after starting fourth in the feature race. “I wanted to get the win, but it was tough to pass there,” Sheard said. “It was a slippery track and I tried the outside a few times and lost spots, but was able to get back to second.” Sheard said the car had a lot of speed all night and is hoping to carry the momentum to Berlin Raceway next week.

“We were solid,” Johnson said of his night, “just didn't have enough for Hunter (Peri). Good points night though, we will need to be strong these next four races with no issues.”

He said the Kenyon Midgets handle well on the Lincoln Park track, but the bottom groove is still the preferred line. “I tried to make the top work on the last restart and that cost me second,” Johnson said.

Taylor looking for a fifth championship said the teams had to run the bottom, but it made for good racing. “We all definitely closed the gap and I made some great point gains,” he said. “I am in reach of Houk, but he is a tough competitor and I am still 100 points or so from the lead. “Anything is possible,” Taylor said. “But a strong finish at each event from here on out and trying to earn that 40th win is the ultimate goal.”

The series travels next Friday August 28th to Berlin Raceway before closing out the 2026 season at three Indiana ovals.