Championship Drama Awaits POWRi National & West Midget Leagues at I-44 Season Finale

Belleville, IL. (10/22/26) – Championships are on the line and history is within reach as the POWRi National & West Midget Leagues return to I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, October 23–24 for the Throwdown in Thunder Town. Friday’s feature winner will collect $3,000, with Saturday’s championship finale paying $5,000 to win. With just two nights remaining on the points schedule, Kale Drake stands on the doorstep of a historic POWRi National Midget League championship, while Brecken Reese and Kyle Jones prepare for a two-night showdown to decide the POWRi West Midget League title. Drake Eyes Championship History at I-44 A commanding season has positioned Kale Drake to secure the 2026 POWRi National Midget League championship. Holding a 470-point advantage over Karter Sarff, Drake needs only to make the final two scheduled starts in Oklahoma City to clinch the title. The accomplishment would make Drake the first driver to capture both a POWRi Micro championship, which he earned in 2023, and a POWRi National Midget League championship. The Collinsville, Oklahoma, driver enters the finale following a productive Port City Raceway tripleheader, where he won the Donnie Ray Crawford Sooner State 55 before recording runner-up finishes on both nights of the Charlene Meents Memorial. Those results extended his National Midget League advantage heading into the final two rounds. Sarff remains second in the standings, followed by Kyle Jones, Brecken Reese, and Drake Edwards. Jacob Denney, Cullen Hutchison, Drew Sherman, Mack Leopard, and Jonathan Beason round out the current National top ten. West Championship Goes Down to the Wire The POWRi West Midget League championship remains tightly contested heading into Oklahoma City. Brecken Reese leads the standings, but Kyle Jones has narrowed the gap to just 70 points following three consecutive top-five finishes at Port City Raceway. With two nights remaining, Reese will look to protect his advantage as Jones pursues the title. Andrew Felker currently holds third in the West standings, followed by Zane Lawrence and Hank Soares, with the I-44 doubleheader providing the final opportunities to determine the 2026 championship order. Rookie Class Makes Its Mark The Jim Childers Rookie of the Year Award adds another storyline to the National Midget League’s championship weekend, with five rookies positioned inside the top 13 of the overall standings. Drake Edwards leads the Rookie of the Year rankings, followed by Cullen Hutchison, Drew Sherman, Mack Leopard, and Landon Henry. The group has competed among the frontrunners throughout the season, with Edwards and Sherman each earning their first career victories in the class. Edwards will look to maintain his advantage through the final two nights as Hutchison, Sherman, Leopard, and Henry aim to close their rookie campaigns with strong finishes. Sarff Leads the PassMaster Award Battle The 2026 PassMaster Award recognizes National Midget League drivers who consistently advance through the field. Karter Sarff currently leads the standings with a net gain of 75 positions. Drew Sherman sits second with a net gain of 67 positions, while Kale Drake remains within striking distance in third at 64 positions gained. Strong Field Expected for Throwdown in Thunder Town A competitive lineup of National and West Midget League standouts is expected at I-44 Riverside Speedway, bringing together championship contenders, rising rookies, and proven winners for two nights of action. Committed competitors include Kale Drake, Karter Sarff, Drew Sherman, Mack Leopard, Brecken Reese, Drake Edwards, Cullen Hutchison, Hank Soares, Kyle Jones, Bradley Fezard, Trey Marcham, Reed Whitney, Pierce Urbanosky, Zane Lawrence, Deekan McRoberts, Cooper Miller, Brylee Kilmer, Ryan Padgett, Kade Taylor, and Andrew Felker, with additional entries expected. With the National championship within Drake’s grasp and the West title still hanging in the balance, the Throwdown in Thunder Town will bring the 2026 POWRi National & West Midget League points season to a dramatic conclusion. Friday, October 23 | Throwdown in Thunder Town Divisions: POWRi National & West Midget Leagues NOW600 A-Class Micro NOW600 Restrictor Micro NOW600 Non-Wing Micro NOW600 Jr Sprint Schedule: Pits Open: 3:00 PM Driver Registration: 4:00–5:15 PM General Admission Opens: 5:00 PM Drivers Meeting: 5:30 PM Engine Heat: 5:40 PM Hot Laps: 6:00 PM Racing to Follow Hot Laps Admission: Adult General Admission: $20 Seniors (65+): $15 Kids (10 & Under): FREE Pit Pass: $40 Event Info: https://www.myracepass.com/events/599286 Tickets: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1572/tickets/1505643 Friday Midget Payout: 1. $3,000; 2. $1,000; 3. $700; 4. $600; 5. $550; 6. $500; 7. $450; 8. $400; 9. $350; 10. $325; 11. $315; 12. $305; 13. $300; 14. $275; 15–22. $225. Non-Qualifiers: $50. Saturday, October 24 | Championship Night Divisions: POWRi National & West Midget Leagues NOW600 A-Class Micro NOW600 Restrictor Micro NOW600 Non-Wing Micro NOW600 Jr Sprint Schedule: Pits Open: 3:00 PM Driver Registration: 4:00–5:15 PM General Admission Opens: 5:00 PM Drivers Meeting: 5:30 PM Engine Heat: 5:40 PM Hot Laps: 6:00 PM Racing to Follow Hot Laps Event Info: https://www.myracepass.com/events/599289 Tickets: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1572/tickets/1505661 Saturday Midget Payout: 1. $5,000; 2. $2,000; 3. $1,000; 4. $750; 5. $500; 6. $475; 7. $450; 8. $400; 9. $375; 10. $350; 11. $325; 12. $315; 13. $310; 14. $305; 15–22. $300. Non-Qualifiers: $50. For additional track information, visit www.i-44speedway.com. I-44 Riverside Speedway is located at 4100 SW 149th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73170. Catch the championship weekend LIVE & ON-DEMAND on Start2Finish TV at www.s2ftv.com. Stay updated with official POWRi news at www.powri.com and on social media @POWRi_Racing.