(Photo Credit: Randy Brown)
CANTON, Illinois – Mack Leopard delivered in a big way Friday and Saturday while racing with the MARA Midget Series.
Driving for veteran racer Chase McDermand, Leopard registered his first midget victory on Friday at Illinois’ Jacksonville Speedway. He then backed it up with his second win the following night during the Tom Knowles Memorial at Spoon River Speedway.
On Friday, Leopard won his heat and started ninth in the feature at Jacksonville Speedway. He stormed through the field. He took the lead on Lap 9 and never looked back, leading the rest of the 20-lap feature to register his first victory in a midget.
He kept the momentum rolling one evening later at Spoon River Speedway. Starting seventh for the 25-lap feature, Leopard again marched through the pack. He took the lead on Lap 11 and held off veteran Mario Clouser to secure his second MARA Midget Series victory.
McDermand was thrilled for Leopard following his successful weekend and expects more of the same throughout the rest of the 2025 season.
“Mack has been working really hard on his race craft and has improved every night,” McDermand said. “We at CMR/GR8 have put a lot into our program and to see us have the results we have had makes it all worthwhile. Mack is only going to continue to get better with more experience and I was happy to be able to get him valuable seat time this weekend in our car.”
After scoring his first two midget victories, Leopard now shifts his focus to the 4-Crown Nationals this Thursday through Saturday at historic Eldora Speedway. If last weekend was any indication, Leopard believes he’ll be up to the challenge against the best the midget racing world has to offer.
“The goal is always to win, so I’m excited to get my first win in a midget,” Leopard said. “We had an amazing weekend winning at Jacksonville and at Spoon River. Chase and the crew always give me great cars, and everything worked out in our favor this weekend.
“We’re going to Eldora next weekend for the 4-Crown Nationals and after a weekend like this, I feel pretty confident that we’re going to be competitive against the best in the country.”
Mack Leopard would like to thank his partners Duncan Oil, Champion Mulch and Landscape Supply, Joe’s Landscaping, MPM Marketing, Maximum Restoration, Chase McDermand Racing as well as his mother, father, family and friends for all their support.
- Adam Fenwick on Sep 15, 2025
- Article Date: 9/15/2025