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Allentown, PA — Hometown hero Briggs Danner is ready to make history this weekend as he seeks his first-ever victory on the Indoor Racing Series in TQ Midget competition at the PPL Center in Allentown. After a breakout 2024 season, which saw him claim his first USAC National Sprint Car victory at the nearby Grandview Speedway, Danner enters the weekend’s two-night Ironton Global-sponsored races as one of the pre-race favorites.
At just 23 years old, Danner has already established himself as one of Pennsylvania’s top racing talents. This year, he became the first driver from the Keystone State in 25 years to win a USAC National Sprint Car event. Now, he’s hoping for a repeat performance in front of his hometown fans, aiming for a victory that has so far eluded him in the Indoor Racing Series’ TQ Midget division.
Danner’s journey in Indoor Racing Series competition to this point has not been without its challenges. Debuting a newly designed TQ Midget a year ago , Danner struggled out of the gate with engine issues and failed to quality for Friday’s main event.
Not to be denied, the team borrowed a motor on Saturday, went home to change it and returned but not until afternoon qualifying was completed. Showing speed, Danner drove from last in his heat race to a third place transfer spot. In the 40 lap feature, he advanced from 14th to 7th.
With that experience in his pocket, Danner entered the series finale in Atlantic City with renewed confidence. Despite an early depature from Friday night’s Black Jack 21 feature, Danner pulled off a career first podium finish of third in Saturday’s Gambler’s Classic 40 lap season finale.
The momentum gained carried Danner through 2024, a year in which he claimed 12 feature wins, including two more USAC National Sprint Car victories in Indiana.
Now, Danner hopes to give his family, friends, and fans a memorable moment just miles from his home before hitting the road full-time with the USAC National Tour for the first time.
Danner won’t have an easy time claiming victory, as he’ll face stiff competition from several other local stars, including Tanner VanDoren, who at just 15 years old won last year’s race in Allentown during his debut in the series.
Also in action will be other regional heavyweights such as Billy Pauch Jr., Ryan Smith, Tim Buckwalter, Joe Toth, Matt Janisch and Kyle Lick.
In total, 45 TQ Midget drivers will vie for 24 qualifying spots in Friday’s 30-lap main event and Saturday’s 40-lap feature.
In addition to the fast-paced TQ Midget races, the weekend will feature support divisions, including the popular Slingshots and Champ Karts.
Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster and the PPL Center Box Office, with family-friendly pricing starting at just $20 for adults and $5 for children. Fans can also enjoy an exclusive pre-race FanFest on the arena floor, where they can meet drivers and walk the track before Saturday night’s race.
Following the Allentown events, the Indoor Racing Series heads to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, for the NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic on January 31 and February 1, before concluding the season at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ, on February 21 and 22 with a high-banked dirt track event with wingless 600 Sprints..
For more information, including ticket details, hotel deals, and racer rules, visit [IndoorAutoRacing.com](https://www.IndoorAutoRacing.com).
