In the decade-long history of the Jason Leffler Memorial, no driver had ever achieved what Tanner Thorson accomplished on Friday night at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Ill.

The Minden, Nev. driver became the first repeat victor of the event which honors the memory of the late four-time USAC National champion during the decade of the 1990s.

Three years after capturing his first Leffler Memorial triumph in 2020, Thorson once again etched his name into the race’s history book, assuming the lead just before the halfway mark of the 40-lap main event presented by Peoples National Bank.

After enduring a steady challenge from the only other past Leffler Memorial winner in Friday night’s field, Zach Daum, Thorson found a new line and newfound freedom at the front of the field as he collected his second consecutive USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship feature after scoring the most recent round of the series at Nebraska’s Jefferson County Speedway in mid-July.

Thorson led 24 of the final 25 laps to earn the $5,000 payday in what was his 199th career series start aboard his Tanner Thorson Racing/James Hodge Auto Group – Smith Titanium/Spike/Stanton SR-11x.

It was also the 2016 USAC National Midget driving champion’s 29th career USAC National Midget feature win, moving him to within one of 11th place all-time alongside 30-time series winners Dave Darland, Mike McGreevy and Johnny Parsons.

In terms of feature victories with the series, Thorson finds himself in the upper echelon and he stands just two victories outside of the top-10 all-time in that category. Along the way, he’s certainly earned his fair share of satisfying wins – the Jason Leffler Memorial chiefly being among them, a fellow USAC National champion like himself.

WATCH REPLAY

Highlights USAC National Midgets - Jason Leffler Memorial at Wayne County

Winning Quote From Tanner Thorson

“Jason Leffler was definitely one of the best in the business to ever do it, I never got the pleasure of meeting him, but I definitely got to watch him a lot. One of my good buddies, Rico Abreu, got to hang out with him a lot and said he was great. To be able to add my name as a winner of this race twice is really special."

USAC Midgets at Wayne County (IL) Speedway Results

1. Tanner Thorson (2)

2. Logan Seavey (10)

3. Zach Daum (5)

4. Ryan Timms (4)

5. Gavin Miller (1)

 6. Emerson Axsom (8)

 7. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3)

 8. Karter Sarff (11)

 9. Bryant Wiedeman (16)

 10. Cannon McIntosh (15)

11. Daison Pursley (7)

12. Justin Grant (12)

13. Jade Avedisian (6)

14. Daniel Robinson (21)

15. Taylor Reimer (14)

16. Jake Andreotti (19)

 17. Jacob Denney (9)

18. Thomas Meseraull (18)

 19. Bradley Fezard (22)

20. Daniel Whitley (13)

21. Chase McDermand (20)

22. Ethan Mitchell (17)

USAC National Midget Point Standings 

With a 10th to second run in the feature, Logan Seavey extended his points championship margin to 114 points over Jacob Denney. Justin Grant is third, while Bryant Wiedeman and Ryan Timms complete the top five. 

Full USAC National Midgets Points Standings

Last Race: July 15 - USAC Midgets at Jefferson County Speedway

Up Next: August 19 – USAC Midgets at Macon