Justin Grant started out the season on a high note. Piloting the Dave & Wendy Thurston, “Racing for The Troops” #17 Midget, Justin claimed the first of four races at the lightning fast Kings Speedway in Hanford, Ca. After some early race shuffling for position, Justin was 3rd behind Dallen McKinney and Chris Rahe who rocketed into 2nd from 6th. Justin fell back a bit as he fought handling problems early. A yellow on lap 6 gave Justin the chance to make some needed changes to the chassis. When the green came back out he was glued to the bumper of Chris Rahe who was running 2nd. Dallen, Chris, and Justin then entered into what was tagged as “the best midget race in years ”  The trio swapped the lead numerous times over the last 25 laps, reaching speeds over 100 mph at this super fast, newly expanded 3/8 mile dirt track. At one point Justin took the lead from Dallen in turn 4, and lost the lead in the same corner to Chris who made a great pass of both cars on the outside. Justin, Chris, and Dallen swapped positions 1,2 & 3 as many as 18 times over the last 25 laps. Justin passed Chris for the lead on lap 23 and stretched his lead slightly, but Chris and Dallen kept within striking distance, as they continued to battle for 2nd. When they caught a lap car on lap 28, Justin and Chris split the lap car in a drag race to turn 3, with Chris taking the lead down the back straight.  As they entered turn 3, Justin was able to drive in a bit deeper because of the angle to the corner, and beat Chris off turn 4. Chris was able to close in going into turn one on the white flag lap, but Justin got a great run coming off  2 and finished maybe a car length in front of Chris with Dallen maybe a car length behind Chris.

"This was a very special win for two reasons.  Dave, (Thurston), is going into surgery Monday, and Steve, (Harris), is in major battle against brain cancer.  This is a Special "Get Well Soon to DAVE THURSTON, and STEVE HARRIS!" ...Justin Grant