It's only 68 days until the Badger Midget Series opener for Eric Blumer Racing.
On paper, it's the lightest schedule Eric has seen in years, just 22 races. He's used to staring at 30-plus, as he plans for a season. But, in 2024, he'll be where he always wanted to be, with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association.
But for one event, Eric's raced "something," at each track on the upcoming schedule. There are several weekends where the midgets are off during the season, but we have seven doubleheaders. It was a really well thought out schedule. Here are the highlights:
The season starts at Beaver Dam Raceway on April 20th. This show will be interesting, as the Badger Midget Series shares the card with the IRA Sprint Cars and Dirt King Late Models. The stands should be packed for this one. The next Saturday is the rain date.
May 10th starts the season in earnest, with an Illinois doubleheader, racing first in Kankakee and then Sycamore. Eric had tough luck at both tracks last year, with mechanical issues, keeping him from any competitive laps at Kankakee. At Sycamore he tagged the wall in his heat, got the damage fixed, only to have a car spin in front of him in the semi, ending his night again.
Then it's on to the traditional opener, the weekend after Mother's Day, at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI. The first of 11 shows here, the entire team is looking forward to racing at our hometown track.
The Plymouth Dirt Track has been good to Eric over the years and we'll be there on June 22. Last year he lead several laps in the feature and finished 5th. He was second in his heat. This will be our only visit to Plymouth in 2024. He's always run well in the Legend here and took at least one feature in the Legends Direct 6E.
The night after Plymouth we are back at Angell Park and then there's another twin bill the following weekend of June 29 and 30.
The Badger Midget Series is back in action July 13 as they'll make the long haul to Thunder Hill Speedway in Menomonie, WI. This little bullring proved to be very popular with drivers last year and we're looking forward to making the trip. In 2023, Eric was on the sidelines for this one with the mechanical issues that kept him out for most of the mid-season.
This brings us to a string of runs between Angell Park and Sycamore, through August 18.
Then Badger headlines the card at Wilmot Raceway on August 24. Last year he gained nine spots in the feature finishing 12th, at this track.
The season ends with a triple-header Labor Day weekend. First it's Sycamore on Saturday and then "The Firemen's Nationals," at Angell Park, on Sunday and Monday. The Nationals included the USAC Midgets.
As the season goes, we'll try to keep you abreast of our schedule, but always check the individual tracks first and then the Badger Midget site for the most up to date and official details.
We are waiting to confirm broadcasts, but we assume you'll be able to watch the #68 on Badger TV most every night and FloRacing when we are with the IRA Sprints.
We're going to hold off on announcing our slate of sponsors for 2024 until we feel we have them substantially firmed up.