Jacob Denney Dominates USAC Midget Season Opener at Kokomo
Jacob Denney dominated the USAC Midget National Championship season opener at Kokomo Speedway, marking his first victory with Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports (KKM). The Galloway, Ohio native led 18 laps to secure his fourth career series win.
Driver celebrates with victory confetti
Starting from fifth position, Denney quickly moved to second place on lap one before overtaking Kevin Thomas Jr. for the lead on lap 13. He maintained control throughout the race, building a 4.8-second advantage before a late caution created a green-white-checkered finish.
Denney becomes the sixth driver to win in their first USAC National Midget start for KKM, joining an elite group that includes Page Jones, Jerry Coons Jr., Davey Ray, Logan Seavey, and Ryan Timms. The victory also gave team owner Keith Kunz his record-extending seventh season opening win.
Cannon McIntosh finished second, while Daison Pursley completed the podium. Kale Drake earned Hard Charger honors, advancing from 11th to 4th, with Justin Grant rounding out the top five.
Notable achievements from the event:
- Justin Grant set quick time in qualifying (13.285 seconds)
- Cale Coons finished top-10 in his first USAC National Midget feature start
- The race featured a dramatic restart after Hayden Reinbold's lap 29 flip
- Denney's margin of victory was 1.555 seconds
The USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship continues at Kokomo Speedway for night two of the Kokomo Grand Prix.