ARP TURKEY NIGHT EXCITEMENT!
DAY CLAIMS BACK TO BACK TITLES!
by Bill Holland
In 2023 teenage driving sensation Corey Day battled Kyle Larson for the top spot in USAC Midget racing’s longest-running major event. In 2024 the Clovis, California driver was not to be denied. And this year he prevailed over Logan Seavey —the 2021 event winner— to claim back-to-back wins…a rare feat in the event’s 84-year history. Happy 20th Birthday, Corey! Ironically, the Wirth Mopar in the Willie Kahne-prepped entry is said to be older than Day.
The event debuted in 1934 and has been held at various Southern California venues annually (with exceptions for WWII and Covid). Since 1955 it has been promoted by J.C. Agajanian and his family, with the 98-lap format a nod to the number used on “Aggie’s” race cars. And the event trophy features a replica of the hat made famous by Agajanian.
Ventura Raceway has been home to the event since 2016. Ventura is also home to Automotive Racing Products (ARP) the event sponsor. The track is 1/5-mile with a clay surface. A list of previous Turkey Night Grand Prix winners reads like a “who’s who” of dirt track racing. It is also the 3rd oldest automotive race in the U.S. trailing only the indianapolis 500 (1911) and Pike’s Peak Hill Climb (1914).
A companion race on the card was the USAC NOS Energy Drink event for non-wing 360 Sprint Cars that saw Daison Pursley dominate both Friday’s and Saturday’s action —topping Kaleb Montgomery and Cole Macedo in the final.
Following Day and Seavey in the feature were Buddy Kofoid (who started 5th) and reigning NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson, who climbed up from 14th on the grid despite some mechanical issues. Also in the field was NASCAR’s Ty Gibbs, who came in 14th after starting in the 27th slot.
Photos by A.J. Johnson
