Early Entries for Midget Grand Prix Upholding Tradition

In an event long celebrated as a unique gathering of the auto racing fraternity, the first three entries in the 51st running of the 100-lap United States Auto Club Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix at Saugus Speedway--its new venue--uphold tradition.

To begin with, Stan Fox of Janesville, Wis., the defending champion by virtue of his victory in the final race run at Ascot Park in Gardena, is a Indy 500 veteran. Even including this age of gradual takeover of the Brickyard by road racing luminaries, many Indy drivers have found midget rides for Thanksgiving.

The other two of the early entrants for the Nov. 28 race are P.J. and Page Jones, sons of Parnelli Jones, himself an Indy winner in 1963 and a two-time Turkey Night victor (1964 and 1966). This event has always been replete with attempts by sons--and grandsons--to match famous ancestors.

It seems possible that one of the Jones could become the second father and son Turkey night winners, joining the Bettenhausens, Tony and Gary. It will not be easy, as Fox’s Beast race car, owned by Southern Californian Steve Lewis, is again said to be one of the fastest in a field expected to reach 75.

On the Ascot dirt a year ago, P.J., 22, led Fox for 50 laps before the native of Wisconsin, who has seventh- and eighth-place finishes in the Indy 500, took over. With the move to asphalt at Saugus, P.J. still figures to be a challenger as he is very adept on that surface, as his third place in the 1991 Indy Lights series attests. Also, it will be his final open-wheel start before moving to Dan Gurney’s Toyota IMSA team next season.

As for the 19-year-old Page, he could be a real sleeper. In USAC’s Western States midget series this year, Page has captured six of the 12 events contested on pavement.

Promotional generations are also involved. Cary Agajanian, one of the partners, is the eldest son of longtime Turkey Night impressario, J.C. Agajanian. Ray Wilkings is the Saugus host and son of the late Marshall Wilkings, who successfully promoted at Saugus for years.