DARLAND TAKES 67 TH “ TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX;”

COONS, RODRIGUEZ CLOSE OUT 2007 CHAMPIONSHIPS

"The car was absolutely perfect from start to finish," said Dave Darland of Lincoln , Ind. in victory lane Thursday night after winning the 67 th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Irwindale Speedway.

Darland passed pole starter Kody Swanson on lap three and led the final 96 laps of the 98-lap USAC National/Western Midget race in his Nine Racing Toyota/Oakley - Performance Racing Industry Beast/Pink Toyota. NASCAR vet Kasey Kahne finished second ahead of Bobby East, Don Basile "Rookie of the Race" winner Mike Murgoitio and Garrett Hansen.

"This is a tough race," added Darland. "It's a great feeling to beat the best competition anywhere. The only nervous point came when some cars crashed right in front of me. We might have won this race before if it had been 98 laps a few years back." Darland finished third in 1999 and fourth in 1998.

Swanson was the fastest qualifier in a 66-car field, while Ricky Ehrgott and Brad Kuhn won the "qualifying races." Jerry Coons Jr. and Wilke/Pak Motorsports emerged as National Midget Champion driver and car owner, while Johnny Rodriguez and Mitchell Motorsports grabbed the Western Midget driver and owner titles.

The USAC National and Western Midget campaign concluded at Irwindale, but the USAC Midgets will compete in special non-points “Rumble in Fort Wayne ” events Dec. 28-29 at Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Fort Wayne , Ind.

FINAL USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.	Jerry Coons Jr.	1,225		6.	Kevin Swindell	902
2.	Darren Hagen	1,154		7.	Levi Jones	875
3.	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	1,083		8.	Brady Bacon	756
4.	Dave Darland	1,056		9.	Brad Loyet	693
5.	Brad Kuhn	1,020		10.	Danny Stratton	633

FINAL USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.	Johnny Rodriguez	950		6.	Robby Flock	470
2.	Scott Pierovich	851		7.	C.J. Sarna	430
3.	Matt Mitchell	716		8.	Quintin Crye	417
4.	Shannon McQueen	591		9.	Jerome Rodela	394
5.	Chris Rahe	515		10.	Randi Pankratz	368