Deneal-Motorsports

Sarah Fisher and her Quarter Midget

       What Is Quarter Midget Racing

Quarter Midget racing is a competitive sport for children ranging in ages 5 - 17 years old.  Classes range from rookie drivers that run at average speeds of 15-20 miles per hour to fully modified classes that can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour. 

Quarter Midget racing is a family involved sport with Dads being Crew Chief/Mechanics, Moms volunteering in the tower, in the pit area, or during registration.  Even Aunts, Uncles, Grandmothers and Grandfathers can all help volunteer throughout the day.  With this sport being a volunteered based sport, we need everyone to be involved to make the day go smoother and faster. 

What Is A Quarter Midget

The cars are ¼ scale of a full sized Midget car. Unlike Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets feature four wheel suspension and full roll cages. The bodies are aluminum and/or fiberglass usually painted to the driver’s preference. Seat belts, shoulder harnesses, neck collars, and fire safe suits/gloves are all mandatory. Power comes from a 120cc-160cc engine, which specifications are closely set by the national governing board and enforced at each local club race by officials. The tracks are 1/20 mile banked ovals comprised of dirt, concrete, and asphalt surfaces.

What Are The Benefits

This is a family sport that teaches sportsmanship, safe driving techniques, coordination and respect.  It helps with building character, independence and responsibility.    This sport gives the drivers a sense of pride and accomplishment, plus it is just plain fun!

Where Did It All Get Started

Quarter Midgets have been around in one form or another since before World War II, There are two sanctioning bodies for Quarter Midgets, United States Auto Club (USAC) and Quarter Midgets of America (QMA). There were over 4,000 quarter midget drivers in the United States in 2007. Many of today's most recognizable names in racing got their start in quarter midgets, including A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Sarah Fisher, Jimmy Vasser, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Terry Labonte, and Bobby Labonte to name a few.  The oldest continually run dirt quarter midget track east of the Mississippi is the Hulman Mini Speedway, operated since 1958 by the Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association (THQMA) located in Terre Haute, Indiana. On the west coast, Capitol Quarter Midget Association has operated a dirt track for quarter midgets since 1954. Jeff Gordon raced at Capitol Quarter Midget Association.

The first feature film on quarter midget racing was produced in 2009 called Drive, it captures kids as young as five years old hitting speeds of 50 mph to battle for the Grand National race. Moms and dads turn wrenches and yell over revving motors as their sons and daughters push to win. Quarter midget racing relies on the family to work as a team. The heat, the stress and the drive to win put their bond to the test. 

Jeff Gordon and his first Quarter Midget

Joey Logano and his Quarter Midget