Brett Arndt is living his dream.
Arndt grew up glued to the television every Thursday night, watching midget races on ESPN.
Now, at 25, Arndt is among those leaving youngsters wide-eyed through his efforts traveling the American Racing Drivers Club midget circuit.
The Topton driver will compete in front of friends and family Saturday when the ARDC visits Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville for the first time in 2009.
“I wanted to race a midget since I was 5 years old,” said Arndt, entering his third season as an ARDC regular. “Back then you had midgets on TV. I watched them every Thursday night.”
Arndt is a poster child for midget racing. He began as a child running quarter-midgets before advancing to the micro-sprint division, competing in the 270cc and 600cc varieties.
“It’s a good start, for sure,” Arndt said, adding that the growing popularity of wingless micro-sprint racing should only bolster ARDC, which mandates racing without wings.
Having run his course in micro-sprints, winning 25 events in the 600cc division and many more in the 270cc class, Arndt was left with a decision prior to the 2007 season: What would be next?
“I like winged sprint car racing, but the problem is everything is store-bought and there’s too much follow-the-leader racing,” Arndt said. “You can do your own thing a little more with the midgets; there’s still some room for creativity.
Arndt was recognized by club officials as the most improved driver for ‘08.
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