Ray Harroun (Indy 500). George Washington (U.S. President). Gene Harley (USAC). They all have something in common – they were the first to win in their respective disciplines. During the 2020 USAC National season, there were a number of “firsts” in a variety of categories from on track to behind the scenes and for those who it was a “longtime coming” that we all cheered for this past year.
3. Sweet, Sweet Victory: Kofoid Wins First At Sweet Springs
Oct 29, 2020
After pounding on the door all throughout his Rookie USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget campaign, Buddy Kofoid finally bust through that door for his first career feature victory with the series on Sept. 5 at Missouri’s Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex.
With four second-place finishes to his name this year with the series, the time seemed nigh for the Penngrove, Calif. native to reach the top of the totem pole. Patience is a virtue, and the 18-year-old displayed it in droves, and was primed to strike when the opportunity arose, leading the final 12 laps en route to becoming the initial first-time series winner of the 2020 season.
Kofoid’s triumph came just one night following a rough-and-tumble opening lap that saw him barrel-roll three times down the back straightaway during the first night at Sweet Springs. After walking away dejected and dour, Kofoid looked on as his teammate, Cannon McIntosh, won KKM’s first USAC race of the year, adding fuel to Kofoid’s yearning for his next shot just 24 hours later.
