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BADGER MIDGET SERIES INLAND WINGED SPRINTS SOCAL LIGHTNING SPRINTS NATIONAL PAVEMENT SPRINT CAR RANKINGS

Midget Auto Racing Association

SOCAL LIGHTNING SPRINTS

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Jeff Dyer Dominates Barona for Series-Leading Third SCLS Win

El Cajon, CA — August 3, 2026 — Jeff Dyer continued his red-hot season Saturday night at Barona Speedway, leading all 20 laps to capture his series-leading third SoCal Lightning Sprint Car victory of 2026.

The Yucca Valley racer and California Highway Patrol officer started outside the front row alongside Warner Springs’ “Shugah” Shane Sexton, who moments earlier finished third in his first Pure Stock main event. Darren Brown and Parker Dumas occupied row two, while USAC/CRA standout AJ Bender and Deejay Dumas started in row three.

When the green flag dropped, Dyer immediately powered his Dyer Motorsports/Amsoil Oil Twins/Jobu Racing/Fonseca Racing/Specialty Fasteners #4 into the lead. Sexton and Brown stayed close on the opening lap, but Dyer quickly began pulling away.

By lap two, his advantage was eight car lengths, with Brown moving into second. One lap later, Dyer was nearly half a straightaway ahead.

Behind him, the battle for position intensified. Ryan and Parker Dumas both moved past Sexton by lap six, but Dyer continued to stretch his lead until the race’s only caution flew on lap seven when Deejay Dumas spun in turn four.

The restart briefly gave the field another shot at the leader, but trouble quickly struck several challengers. Brown made contact with Dyer’s rear tire and suffered a flat. Ryan Dumas moved into second but slowed and pulled off less than a lap later.

That left Parker Dumas in second, but Dyer had already rebuilt a commanding advantage.

Lapped traffic allowed Parker to close during the final laps, but he ran out of time. Dyer crossed the finish line first for his fifth Lightning Sprint victory of the season — three with the SCLS and two with the California Lightning Sprints.

Parker Dumas finished second, followed by Sexton in third and Braydin Collie in fourth. SCLS point leader David Taft put on the charge of the night, racing from 15th to finish fifth.

Prior to the main, Bender won the first heat over Sexton, and teen Tyler Warner. Ryan Dumas beat Brown and Dyer to the checkers in the second heat. Deejay Dumas gave the family its second heat win in heat three. He bested Braydin Collie and Kelly Weitzel.

The SCLS returns to Barona Speedway on August 15 for a wingless race. The busy month concludes August 29 with Round #3 of the California Clash against the California Lightning Sprints.

Official SCLS shirts and caps are available for purchase at the track and online through the SCLS website and Facebook page.

The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following marketing partners for participating in the inaugural season: AG Sandcars, Triple X Race Cars, American Racer Tires, Outhouse Coffee, Bill’s Jerky, and Cakes By Kim / Betty Crocker’s Pit Stop.

August 1, 2026, Main Event 20-Laps with Starting Positions

1. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 2nd

2. Ryan Dumas, El Cajon, CA … 11th

3. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 1st

4. Braydin Collie, El Cajon, CA … 7th

5. David Taft, Ramona, CA … 15th

6. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 5th

7. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 8th

8. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 14th

9. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 10th

10. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 13th

11. Deejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA … 6th

12. Kelly Weitzel, El Cajon, CA … 9th

13. Darren Brown, San Diego, CA … 3rd

14. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA … 4th

15. Landon Dalton, San Diego, CA … 12th

Heat #1: 1. Bender; 2. Shane Sexton; 3. Warner; 4. Peter Benker; 5. Brent Sexton

Heat #2: 1. Ryan Dumas; 2. Brown; 3. Dyer; 4. Parker Dumas; 5. Cody Benker

Heat #3: 1. Deejay Dumas; 2. Collie; 3. Wietzel; 4. Dalton; 5. Taft

If you or your company would like to become a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SCLS President Dustin Dumas is also the proprietor of AG Sandcars. He sells and builds Lightning Sprints and is a supplier of Triple X Cars, American Racer Tires, and racing components. Anyone interested in racing Lightning Sprints can contact him at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SCLS vs CLS California Clash Points

1. Aiden Lange … 252

2. Jeff Dyer … 235

3. David Taft … 224

4. Peter Benker … 223

5. Shane Sexton … 216

6. Braydin Collie … 206

7. Cody Benker … 195

8. Brent Sexton … 189

8. Cody Nigh … 189

9. AJ Bender … 189

SoCal Lightning Sprints Return to Barona Saturday for Second Wingless Race of 2026

El Cajon, CA — August 10, 2026 — The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to Barona Speedway this Saturday, August 15, for round eight of the 2026 season. The race will be the second of three wingless events for the Barona-based series this year.

Ramona’s David Taft continues to lead the championship, with “Shugah” Shane Sexton second. Taft entered the August 1 race with a 54-point advantage, but Sexton’s third-place finish trimmed the margin to 38 points. Taft salvaged fifth with an impressive charge from 15th that netted him the Hard Charger award at the race two weeks ago.

Behind them, the battle for third is a four-driver dogfight, with only 21 points separating third through sixth. Inaugural 2024 champion Ryan Dumas holds third, six points ahead of defending champion Peter Benker. Jeff Dyer is just four points behind Benker, with Benker’s teenage son Cody another 10 points back.

Four different drivers have visited victory lane in seven races in 2026. Dyer leads the way with three wins, including the last two in a row. Parker Dumas has two victories, while Taft and Michael Tobiason have one each.

Dyer also won the season’s first wingless race at Barona on June 20, beating Taft, Ryan Dumas, Sexton and Deejay Dumas.

Two weeks ago at Barona, Dyer again led the field home, followed by Ryan Dumas, Sexton, Braydin Collie and Taft.

With the championship tightening and the wings coming off again, Saturday night should provide plenty of action at Barona.

In addition to the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series, fans will also see the IMCA MODIFIEDS, IMCA HOBBY STOCKS, IMCA SPORT COMPACTS, SO-CAL LIGHTNING SPRINTS, DWARF CARS, PURE STOCKS, and Kids Classes in action.

Event Information:
• Gates Open: 2:00 p.m.
• Racing Starts: 6:00 p.m.
• Adult Admission: $20.00
• Kids (7–17): $10.00
• Seniors, Military, EMTs: $10.00
• Kids 6 & Under: FREE
• Family Pack (2 Adults, 2 Kids): $50.00
• Parking: FREE

Location:
Barona Speedway is located 5.8 miles north of Barona Casino on Wildcat Canyon Road between mile markers 11.0 and 11.5.

The track website is https://baronaspeedway.com and the office phone number is 619-994-6560.

After Saturday’s race, the SCLS will join forces with the California Lightning Sprint Cars for the highly anticipated return of lightning sprint car racing to Perris Auto Speedway.

Official SCLS shirts and caps are available for purchase at the track and online through the SCLS website and Facebook page.

If you or your company would like to become a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars Point Standings

1. David Taft, Ramona, CA … 1070

2. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 1032

3. Ryan Dumas, El Cajon, CA … 978

4. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 971

5. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 967

6. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 957

7. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 885

8. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA … 847

9. Kelly Weitzel, El Cajon, CA … 798

10. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 777

SCLS vs CLS California Clash Points

1. Aiden Lange … 252

2. Jeff Dyer … 235

3. David Taft … 224

4. Peter Benker … 223

5. Shane Sexton … 216

6. Braydin Collie … 206

7. Cody Benker … 195

8. Brent Sexton … 189

8. Cody Nigh … 189

9. AJ Bender … 189

SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars Open Second Half of 2026 Season Saturday at Barona

El Cajon, CA — July 28, 2026 — Just as the first school bell signals the end of summer vacation, the green flag will signal the end of the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series’ midseason break this Saturday night, August 1, at Barona Speedway. The event will launch the second half of the 2026 campaign and kick off a busy three-race August.

Saturday’s race on the longtime San Diego County quarter-mile oval will be the seventh completed event of the SCLS season. The scheduled April 25 race at Barona was rained out. It will also be the first of eight races between now and the November 21 season finale at Barona.

Five of the remaining events will take place at Barona. Perris Auto Speedway, Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, and Ventura Raceway will host one race each. Those three events will be California Clash Series races co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. In addition, the September 25 race at Bakersfield and the September 26 event at Ventura will share the program with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Three of the remaining races—August 15, September 12, and October 10—will be wingless events. All three will take place at Barona. The other five races, including this Saturday’s event, will be contested with wings.

Following Saturday’s race, the SCLS will have one weekend off before returning to Barona on August 15. The series will then close out the month with a co-sanctioned California Clash race alongside the California Lightning Sprint Cars at Perris on August 29.

Two drivers—San Diego’s Parker Dumas and California Highway Patrol officer Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley—have recorded two victories apiece this season. Ramona’s David Taft and Michael Tobiason have one win each.

Dumas has captured two of the four SCLS main events staged at Barona thus far in 2026. Dyer and Tobiason have split the other two races at the San Diego County track.

Taft carries a 54-point lead over Warner Springs’ Shane Sexton into Saturday’s “Battle at Barona.” Inaugural SCLS champion Ryan Dumas is only five points behind Sexton in third. Defending series champion Peter Benker and his teenage son, Cody, occupy the fourth and fifth positions.

In addition to the SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars, Saturday’s action-packed program will feature IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars, Pony Stocks, Pure Stocks, and the kids’ classes.

Location:
Barona Speedway is located 5.8 miles north of Barona Casino on Wildcat Canyon Road between mile markers 11.0 and 11.5.

The track website is https://baronaspeedway.com and the office phone number is 619-994-6560.

Official SCLS shirts and caps are available for purchase at the track and online through the SCLS website and Facebook page.

If you or your company would like to become a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SoCal Lightning Series Point Standings

1. David Taft … 928

2. Shane Sexton … 874

3. Ryan Dumas … 869

4. Peter Benker …847

5. Cody Benker … 830

6. Jeff Dyer … 801

7. Tyler Warner … 749

8. Parker Dumas … 688

9. Kelly Weitzel … 685

10. Brent Sexton … 660

SCLS vs CLS California Clash Points

1. Aiden Lange … 252

2. Jeff Dyer … 235

3. David Taft … 224

4. Peter Benker … 223

5. Shane Sexton … 216

6. Braydin Collie … 206

7. Cody Benker … 195

8. Brent Sexton … 189

8. Cody Nigh … 189

9. AJ Bender … 189

BADGER MIDGET SERIES

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www.bmara.com

Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA), the oldest midget organization in the world. Some events are co-sanctioned by the United States Automobile Club (USAC). BMARA sanctions several midget car events at other nearby tracks.

Waelti Wins 30th Lyco A-Main With AFS Badger Midget Series At Angell Park Speedway

It was Kevins’ Klassic Night at Angell Park Speedway on Sunday, August 2, where Brandon Waelti scored his 30th career feature win within the Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Auto Racing Association. Waelti has the most wins among active drivers in the AFS Badger Midget ranks. 2026 marks his 30th season of racing.

THE PRELIMINARIES

Rhonda and Loren Olson, siblings of Kevin Olson one of the race’s namesakes, joined Father Dale Grubba and Badger officials on Bank of Sun Prairie Victory Lane where Rhonda shared thoughts on her brother and the other focus of the event Kevin Doty. The late Doty and Olson are Badger Midget Hall of Fame inductees and were very popular during their time with Badger.

Luke Wackerlin scored his second Rod End Supply Quick Time to kick off the action on the track.

Jake Dohner nipped Brian Peterson as they crossed the line on the second lap of Auto Meter Heat One and never looked back for the win followed by Mark Chisholm and Brian Peterson.

Hoosier Tire Heat Two didn’t get a lap in before Bryan Stanfill driving Zach Boden’s No. 51 got upside down in turn-four. He got out of the car on his own and would be back for the Lyco Manufacturing A-Main.

On the restart Matt Recheck surged to the lead from the fourth starting spot past Kyle Koch and Mike Unger. With two laps left Karter Stark caught either a rut, a tire or both on the inside of turn four. He then got tagged just slightly by Jace Sparks. Stark was out of the car in short order, looking over his newly purchased mount. Sparks was able to continue.

Recheck led the field to the next green where Cody Weisensel and he exchanged the top spot a couple of times before Weisensel prevailed with the win.

Behling Racing Products Heat Three saw Waelti split Bryon Walters and Nick Kilian at the line for the lead. Then Wackerlin did the same thing in turn one as he began to chase Waelti. In the end Waelti took the win by five lengths. Wackerlin’s second place run gave him Schoenfeld Headers Invert Draw honors.

WAELTI MAKES 30 LOOK EASY

It wasn’t quite a collective moan, but there were a few notes of discontent in the stands when the starting lineup was announced for the 25 lap Lyco Manufacturing A-Main. This sentiment was reminiscent of the last year when Parker Jones would have a lack luster qualifying run and get a advantageous draw. It was a little fan named Nolan, who was attending his first race, that made it happen for Waelti thanks to his pick of cards in the Schoenfeld Headers Invert Draw. Standing with Wackerlin, who was hoping for a six, Nolan drew a seven, putting Waelti on the pole.

When the green flag flew Waelti and the first couple of cars took off while Chisholm and the outside line appeared to be caught by surprise. As things started to shake out Waelti was enjoying a straightaway over the second place car of Derek Doerr.

At this juncture it was apparent that turns one and two were tricky no matter where one ran. Meanwhile, turns three and four were quick higher near the cushion and particularly hazardous in one spot low in turn four.

Seven laps in, Waelti was catching the back of the field and getting by with little issue. Doerr and Weisensel were well ahead of the rest of the pack in second and third. The cars behind them for the next seven spots were constantly battling nose to tail and side by side.

On the tenth circuit racing was stopped as Wackerlin caught that turn four rut and flipped high in the air where he flew over the mount of Eric Blumer. It first appeared Wackerlin might be alright as he was observed moving his arms and lifting his visor up. He did not get out of his mount quickly. While he did eventually walk to the ambulance, he was later transported to an area hospital as a precaution.

On the restart it was Waelti followed by Doerr, Weisensel, Chisholm and RJ Corson. Within a couple of laps of green flag racing Waelti, Doerr, Weisensel and Chisholm were pretty evenly spaced by about five lengths apiece. Chisholm was under attack by Corson.

With eight laps left they were encountering lappers again and fighting the first two corners with every car seeming to get jolted as they went through those turns. While Waelti’s lead was comfortable, Weisensel was giving Doerr all he could handle for the runner up spot. Those two cars seemed even with whoever got out of the first turns better gaining ground.

Coming to four laps left Weisensel finally took a chance and went low on Doerr coming out of turn four. He avoided the dreaded rut and powered past Doerr at the line to take second place. Doerr battled back going into turn one under Weisensel but was jostled to the point that his nose pointed toward the outside wall. Doerr saved the car but lost a lot of ground. Waelti went on to an easy win followed by Weisensel, Doerr, Chisholm and RJ Corson.

NOTES

To put a context to Waelti’s thirty years racing and thirty wins, consider who he has been up against during that time. The first time we find him in the top twenty in Badger points is the 1998 season. Among this campaign’s winners were Badger Midget Hall of Famers Dan Boorse, Randy Koch, Scott Hatton, Kevin Doty and Kevin Olson. He would find himself banging wheels with the bulk of that line up for about the next six years. Then the next batch of chargers would come along with the likes of Davey Ray, Brad Kuhn and Jerry Coons Jr. taking to the track every night. Couple all this with a retirement or two for Waelti and you can see his path to thirty wins has been well earned. He has won Badger A-Mains at no less than eight different tracks.

Bob Tattersall Spankins Motorsports Hard Charger honors went to Karter Stark who regrouped after his flip put him in the twenty-third starting spot where he battled to an eighth place finish. He was also the Spankins Motorsports Rookie of the Race.

The Last Place Bonus in Loving Memory of Addison Dahlke went to Bryon Walters.

Charles Kunz was the recipient of the CASM Racing Products Hard Luck Award.

As of Wednesday, Wackerlin was still sore but improving every day with no bones broken.

The AFS Badger Midget Series would like to thank 1855 Saloon and Grill and High Performance Lubricants for their support of the series.

UP NEXT

The AFS Badger Midget Series has next week off. They will be back in action Sunday, August 16, for the Norm Nelson Classic with the Midwest Legends Dirt Series and IMCA Modifieds on the card.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

Lyco Manufacturing A - Feature (25 Laps): 1. 3W-Brandon Waelti[1]; 2. 5X-Cody Weisensel[3]; 3. 20D-Derek Doerr[5]; 4. 56X-Mark Chisholm[2]; 5. 15C-RJ Corson[4]; 6. 68-Eric Blumer[9]; 7. 57-Matt Rechek[10]; 8. 92-Karter Stark[23]; 9. 31-Jace Sparks[6]; 10. 7-Brian Peterson[15]; 11. 2-Jake Dohner[11]; 12. 45-Trey Weishoff[8]; 13. 51-Bryan Stanfill[22]; 14. 67U-Mike Unger[14]; 15. 29-Harrison Kleven[20]; 16. 81-Mike Gebhard[18]; 17. 1W-Robby Wirth[16]; 18. 17-Nick Kilian[12]; 19. 29K-Mike Stroik[19]; 20. 59-Kyle Koch[17]; 21. 53A-Spyder Akright[24]; 22. 73W-Luke Wackerlin[7]; 23. 5-Bryon Walters[21]; 24. (DNS) 11K-Charles Kunz

Auto Meter Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 2-Jake Dohner[4]; 2. 56X-Mark Chisholm[6]; 3. 7-Brian Peterson[2]; 4. 20D-Derek Doerr[7]; 5. 45-Trey Weishoff[5]; 6. 81-Mike Gebhard[1]; 7. 29-Harrison Kleven[3]; 8. 53A-Spyder Akright[8]

Hoosier Tire Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 5X-Cody Weisensel[6]; 2. 57-Matt Rechek[4]; 3. 67U-Mike Unger[2]; 4. 11K-Charles Kunz[3]; 5. 31-Jace Sparks[7]; 6. 59-Kyle Koch[1]; 7. 92-Karter Stark[8]; 8. (DNS) 51-Bryan Stanfill

Behling Racing Products 3 (8 Laps): 1. 3W-Brandon Waelti[6]; 2. 73W-Luke Wackerlin[8]; 3. 68-Eric Blumer[5]; 4. 17-Nick Kilian[4]; 5. 15C-RJ Corson[7]; 6. 1W-Robby Wirth[2]; 7. 29K-Mike Stroik[3]; 8. 5-Bryon Walters[1]

Rod End Supply Fast Time Qualifying (25 Laps): 1. 73W-Luke Wackerlin, 15.225[15]; 2. 31-Jace Sparks, 15.446[8]; 3. 20D-Derek Doerr, 15.466[11]; 4. 15C-RJ Corson, 15.470[7]; 5. 5X-Cody Weisensel, 15.473[16]; 6. 56X-Mark Chisholm, 15.514[10]; 7. 3W-Brandon Waelti, 15.547[3]; 8. 51-Bryan Stanfill, 15.576[4]; 9. 45-Trey Weishoff, 15.648[2]; 10. 68-Eric Blumer, 15.690[20]; 11. 57-Matt Rechek, 15.693[18]; 12. 2-Jake Dohner, 15.695[24]; 13. 17-Nick Kilian, 15.720[23]; 14. 92-Karter Stark, 15.800[26]; 15. 11K-Charles Kunz, 15.951[13]; 16. 29-Harrison Kleven, 15.988[22]; 17. 29K-Mike Stroik, 15.990[1]; 18. 67U-Mike Unger, 16.056[5]; 19. 7-Brian Peterson, 16.079[12]; 20. 1W-Robby Wirth, 16.488[21]; 21. 59-Kyle Koch, 16.643[19]; 22. 81-Mike Gebhard, 16.750[9]; 23. 53A-Spyder Akright, 17.226[14]; 24. (DNS) 5-Bryon Walters; 25. (DNS) 73-Logan Wackerlin; 26. (DNS) 3-Will Gerrits

Photo by Roy Ophime (L-R: Doerr, Waelti, Weisensel)
Article by Bill Blumer Jr.

Dave Shannon Former Badger Midget Series Announcer And Hall of Fame Inductee Passes At Age 79

When he was born on February 17, 1947, he was named “David W. Hallett.” Thirty years later the radio listening public, Badger Midget fans and even his mother called him “Dave Shannon.”

Shannon grew up on the shores of Lake Waubesa near Madison, Wisconsin. Eventually he became a well known radio personality in the city. Starting with menial jobs at WTSO, he paid his dues and worked his way to the air. He started as a DJ on the graveyard shift and eventually became one of those unforgettable voices of a bygone era during the prime hours. Various stations he’d switch to over the years including WMAD soon went to number-one in the market, “But not because of me,” Shannon declared. He also explained it was common in those days for radio personalities to have stage names, hence “Dave Shannon.”

It was an era where a special type of voice was required to be a disc jockey and Shannon had it. His booming baritone sound was great for radio and perfect for announcing.

During the 1986 racing season his friend Jim Jaeger invited Shannon to stand in for him on the mic at Angell Park Speedway. Shannon recalls with a laugh, “The first night if I were in the stands I’d have thrown a beer can at myself. The fiancée of one of the drivers started to chew me up and down after the races. Dick Koch and ‘Hot Dog’ Homburg told her to knock it off and if she ever did that again she’d never get into the pits again.”

Having support from the racing community had a lot to do with Shannon coming back for another night and once he got his footing he was the voice of Angell Park Speedway for over 20 years. He estimates he called some 500 races including select Badger events at such places as Hales Corners Speedway.

Along with Shannon on the judges stand were his sidekick Dennis Thompson who handled the Victory Lane interviews and Tom Lindner who collected information from teams on race day. Lindner would then provide tid bits to Shannon. It was here that Shannon’s radio experience help to make the Angell Park show so professional. “Dave considered me his producer, just like a radio production,” recalled Lindner.

Shannon was a big race fan and at one point was part-owner of a tiny radio station WIBU in northern Dane County. Here he shared his love of motorsports on its air by running a weekly racing show unique to the area. With five area race tracks including Dells Raceway Park (Dells Motor Speedway today), Columbus 151 Speedway, Capital Speedway (Madison International today), Beaver Dam Raceway and Angell Park Speedway there was always a lot to cover.

Shannon really appreciated the time he spent with drivers like fellow Badger Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Olson. Until a year before his own induction Shannon would still get to the races from time to time thanks to longtime friend and another Hall of Famer Dwight Huston. Shannon is disappointed the tradition of everyone meeting at the Angell Park Pavilion bar has gone by the wayside. In part this ritual waned when drivers were no longer paid in cash at the end of the night from the pavilion’s pay window.

While they may appear to work seamlessly, the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association and Angell Park Speedway are two separate entities. Sometimes this led to awkward interactions and strained relations between the two. With that understanding Shannon noted, “I wouldn’t have it. We would just put that aside and put it all together on Sundays. The whole package was more important to me.”

Shannon still smiles when he’s reminded of some of his tag lines including, “We have a go!” to announce the dropping of the green flag. Or, “Twenty-two of the best in the country…” as the cars came down to start the A-Main. “I just did it, it just came out and it stuck,” he concluded. Shannon would then end the night by playing the song, “Happy Trails.”

The above is the edited biography for Dave Shannon which is included in the program for his induction into the Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame on July 12, 2026. It was derived from an interview with Shannon in 2026 and an article from the 2008 Angell Park Speedway program.

In 2008 he described himself as being a peer of the likes of Ken Squire, a popular auto racing announcer for CBS among other outlets. To this point they both had an ability to make everything they said regarding a race sound like a major event. Be it John Bakken in single-car qualifying at Angell Park or Dan Boorse taking another A-Main win at the famed speedway, he treated everyone equally and did his best to make the Badger Midgets as exciting as possible.

It took a lot to get Shannon to the Hall of Fame inductions. He was living in an assisted living facility and appeared to be content with a very quiet lifestyle. When he received the call that he would be inducted he was thrilled.

In his interview for the induction program he was equally excited to talk about his time with Badger. While he felt he had a hard time remembering, when he was asked a direct question, the memories would pour out if he was left to just share what he did recall. His eyes were bright and his voice was nearly as strong and familiar as his days with Badger.

Shannon was hesitant to attend his induction. He didn’t get out much. Longtime friend Dwight Huston encouraged him to make the Hall of Fame ceremony. When talking about it at the July interview Shannon said, “I don’t know. I have a bad hip. But I guess if Dwight says he will get me there, I guess I should go.”

And Shannon did attend. Taking nothing away from any other inductee that day, Shannon, who had no kin at the table, but had the Huston family at this side, was probably the most popular attendee at the event. He was chipper, talkative and had a grin on his face the whole day. The only people more thrilled were those who took the time to share a moment with him.

Summing up his time with the Badger Midget Series and Angell Park, Shannon was grateful. “I just loved it and all the people I met through my career.”
To the fans he said, “I thank them. They are so loyal and we couldn’t do it without them.”

Shannon passed away on August 4, 2026.

Photo by Roy Ophime: Bill Blumer Jr.(left) interviews Dave Shannon (right) at the 2026 Badger Midget Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Article by Bill Blumer Jr.

Midget Auto Racing Association

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www.mararacing.com

“The original MARA series, known as the Midwest Auto Racing Association, was conceived in the summer of 1977 in Springfield, IL. Under the direction of its first President, Dean Helmick, and a six member Board of Directors, MARA sanctioned its first auto race that summer at the Champaign County Fair, Champaign, IL. At that event, which featured 27 competing drivers, the thrust of MARA originated. Only one more race would be held that first year, but from that basic beginning, MARA rose to the one of the top midget organizations in the United States.