The Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Series always looks forward to their Reunion Night at Angell Park Speedway. Last year the inaugural Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductions were added to the event. This Sunday, July 13, Badger and Angell Park will do it all again with the Hall of Fame inductions kicking off the day with a 1 p.m. ceremony. Toss in a display of vintage midgets, which will fire up and take some laps too and fans have a lot to look forward to.
BOUNTY BUZZ
The recently announced bounty on Parker Jones has only added to the anticipation of Sunday's race. With Jones taking six of seven Badger A-Mains in 2025 the anonymous money has been put up to sweeten Sunday's pot.
While the added $1,000 is nice, it's still all about beating everyone and anyone else, especially at Angell Park according to the drivers who were polled.
Adam Taylor, the only driver to beat Jones this year, has been snake bitten since his Kankakee win on May 9. He advised, "We are definitely going all in. We're bringing a back up car."
Luke Wackerlin says, "It seems like it's going to be a challenge but I'm just going to look at it as any other race night. We just have to hit everything right and hopefully we come out on top. A lot of factors go into it. We show up to win."
Jones and Brandon Waelti have had some torrid battles over the last couple of years and Waelti contends, "The bounty is a new angle. But as a competitor you always want to win and beat the top guy. I’m going to try just as hard as week one as this upcoming race. The money is a nice little incentive but ultimately the trophy is what most shoot for."
Derek Doerr has won in Badger before, but never at Angell Park. Here's what he had to say about the upcoming weekend, "Certainly we have been hard at work at the shop trying to get our car better. We feel confident that the last few races don’t show our true speed we have had at Angell Park this season. We hope to return to form and battle in the top 5 through the remainder of the year in hopes of achieving what would be a dream come true, to win a feature at Angell Park!"
Sitting sixth in the Badger standings, veteran Cody Weisensel makes a bigger point on the bounty, "I think anything that creates a buzz around midgets at Angell Park is great for all involved."
And for the guy whose mug is on the "Wanted" poster? He says the Jones Motorsports team will, "Show up like we would any other night and try to win."
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION TICKETS AVAILABLE
For those who would like to attend the second-annual Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductions, you can get tickets at the door for $15. Entry should be made to the Angell Park pavilion at about 12:45 for the 1 p.m. start.
There will be raffles and displays of vintage memorabilia. Inductees Bud Doty, Fr. Dale Grubba, Scott Hatton, Dwight Huston and Walter Whitehorse are expected to be there to accept their plaques. The late Kevin Doty, Hilbert Ermer and Bill Horstmeyer will have friends and loved ones on hand to accept on their be halves.
The unique Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame trophy will be on display thanks to Lyco Manufacturing.
Tom Bigelow a former Badger star who went on to prominence in the USAC and IndyCar ranks will serve as the event's keynote speaker. Bigelow drove regularly for Bud Doty and once for Whitehorse.
This event is truly meant for all of those who love Badger and the 90 year history of the club. Fans won't want to miss the stories that will come out during this event.
We do anticipate live-streaming the inductions on the Badger Facebook page.
That night's race will be on live Badger TV.
Article and photo by Bill Blumer Jr.
- William Blumer on Jul 10, 2025
- Article Date: 7/10/2025