The USAC Midwest Thunder Midget (MTM) Series was established prior to the 2016 race season. The United States Auto Club (USAC) had implemented a new structure, replacing its HPD/Focus midget series, recognizing the growing interest in production based automotive and motorcycle powered midgets. USAC revised rules which previously limited power plants to the Honda distributed by USAC and the grandfathered Ford Focus engines, to allow a variety of automotive and motorcycle powered midgets. The series, now referred to as USAC Speed2, utilizes standard midget chassis specifications, with a production based engine formula, allowing crate or rebuilt engines so long as rules are met. Rules are designed to target output in the 200 – 220 horsepower range, prohibiting the use expensive aftermarket internal engine components.
USAC Midget Racing Director Levi Jones oversees a structure of regional clubs, with each club responsible for developing a schedule of race events within their region, administering race day activities such as lineups, payouts and tech inspections, and overseeing any local point series.
USAC is seeking to position this midget series between karts/quartermidget/TQs and national midget/sprint cars from a purchase price and mechanical complexity perspective, providing a logical progression for both drivers seeking to develop a career as an open wheel racer, as well as grass roots drivers seeking an affordable option to pursue their hobby.
The MTM series crowned its first champion following the 2016 season, with Gage Etgen being recognized at the USAC Night of Champions banquet in Indianapolis during the PRI tradeshow. The 2017, 2018 and 2019 Championships went to Aaron Leffel, driving the Team Taylor Motorsports #11L owned by Chuck Taylor. Our 2020 Champion was Jacob Denney, also from Team Taylor.
MTM’s 2021 schedule reflects a continued partnership with Gas City, Atomic, US 24, and Circus City Speedways, a return to Kokomo, Jackson County and Lima Speedways, and first time visits to Circle City Raceway and Moler Raceway Park. Check back to this site regularly for updates and ‘like’ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/midwestthundermidgets/posts/?ref=page_internal.