Robert Dalby, the 2019 USAC Western States Midget champion, loaded his shop, two cars, two engines and all his belongings to make the cross country trip from his native Anaheim, Calif. 

He headed to Brownsburg, Ind. with his sights set on competing at the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget race this weekend, February 7-8 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.

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The 20-year Dalby captured three wins on the Western circuit a year ago en route to his first career series title. Following the season, Dalby uprooted and made the first of three moves back-and-forth between California and Indiana.

“I took the first load over in December,” Dalby recalled. “It’s a 32-hour trip and I’ve done it three times now. I just completed the last of the three moves on Sunday. Now we turn around and head down to Florida on Wednesday.  We’re not doing it the easy way. We were driving straight through and getting it done as quickly as possible.”

Dalby’s 2019 season was his most successful, by far. He recorded career highs in all categories which has seen him compete over the past five seasons with the series. He earned his first three career Western States victories all consecutively during a summer stretch with scores at California’s Merced Speedway, Santa Maria Raceway, and Ventura Raceway.

Following the success out west, Dalby felt the time was right to make the next step in his racing career. He made the move to the Midwest to live out a dream and compete full-time with the National series.

“Running a midget in California, you only get to run it once or twice a month, really, so moving out to Indiana just made sense,” Dalby said.  “There’s a lot more racing and a lot more competition out here.  If you want to go midget racing, this is where you’ve got to come.”

Dalby made the trek east the past two years to compete with the USAC National Midgets outside of his native California. Last year served as his busiest national schedule to date with eight feature starts and a best finish of 10^th at Jefferson County Speedway. That helped him gain experience competing against the drivers he’ll be up against this year from coast-to-coast.

Watch 2020 Winter Dirt Games LIVE!

Feb. 7-8 | 6:30PM ET

“These guys are tough,” Dalby said of USAC’s National Midget drivers.  “They’re 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.  They’re going for it and they’re really not sitting back and waiting.  They’re on the hammer and ready to go.”

Dalby won’t be on his own in his new venture. He’ll have the help of a Ronnie Gardner, a five-time USAC Western States Midget champion, on his crew. Gardner has experienced most of the venues on the national schedule and also made the move from California to Indiana and vice versa. 

“I’m living with Ronnie Gardner,” Dalby revealed.  “I’ve been buddies with him for a while, and with him working for Keith Kunz last year, he’s gotten to go to all these places.  He’s going to help me out and travel with me a little bit this year and be there for guidance.”

Dalby’s goals for the 2020 season are humble as he tackles the entirety of the USAC National Midget schedule for the first time in his career.

“I’m most looking forward to learning and getting better every week,” Dalby admitted.  “These guys are the best of the best; they’re serious.  So, if we can come out and get better every time we go to the racetrack, learn something new, and step up our game, hopefully we’ll be right there with them at the end of the year.”