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| July 11, 2008 News |
| EKN Trackside: Stars of Karting - Shawano Preview |
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To discuss the event, click HERE
Now into the second half of the 2008 season, the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series will crown their first divisional champions this weekend at the Eastern Finale at the USA International Raceway in Shawano, Wisconsin. The series will be making its fourth straight visit to the five year old facility located west of Green Bay.
The Shawano facility has been a popular destination for the Stars program. Scott Pappe and the entire USAIR staff pull out all the stops each year and 2008 is no different. This year, with the help of Streeter Super Stands, a Safety for Stars fundraiser will take place where a $20 donation will land you the opportunity to nominate a Stars official to go in a dunk tank. All of the proceeds will go to purchase safety equipment including crash bags and barriers. The USAIR Brat Fry Friday night following practice will be free to all competitors as well as their families. Saturday and Sunday, a massage therapist will be on site to relieve the stress of the race weekend.
The USAIR track is long and demanding, incorporating multiple elevation changes with tight corners and high-speed sections. Drivers will have to be at their best in order to be crowned the divisional championship Sunday afternoon.
One driver that has been on his game in 2008 is Canadian Michael Vincec. The 2006 eKartingNews.com Rising Star winner has been the most consistent driver at the front with four straight top-five runs to lead the championship, including three podium finishes, one of which was a victory at the recent Mazda Race of the Americas. Vincec, along with success in his Ontario home region, has found success in Europe, campaigning his first European Championship season and has scored points in each of the first two rounds. Vincec was one of the fastest drivers at the Shawano circuit last year, coming from the tail of the field in final one to seventh while earning his lone 2007 Stars victory in final two. The Cameron Motorsports driver will be the targeted driver all weekend with numerous pilots gunning for him to take over the championship lead.
 | Michael Vincec has the advantage in ICC heading into Shawano
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Leading that charge on Vincec will be fellow Canadian Jordy Vorrath. The Champion Racing/Intrepid USA pilot has two wins at the Shawano facility over the past two years and is always a favorite at the challenging track. Vorrath was the championship leader heading into the Mazda Race of the Americas but a DNF in final two would hurt his point total. With two finals to run in Shawano, Vorrath trails Vincec by just 10 points - counting the one drop. Thirty-three points back of Vorrath is round one winner Fritz Leesmann. The PSL Karting/Kohilo Racing supported driver has battled some issues but still remains in the chase for the title. Champion Racing/Intrepid USA driver Cody Jolly sits fourth heading into the Eastern Division finale. Jolly began they year on CRG but moved to Intrepid in late April and has made an easy transition.
Still in the hunt is Clayton Snow (Syar Motorsport), rookie Arie Ouimet (SSC East), along with Italian Motors’ David Jurca and Hayden Duerson. One driver who is shockingly out of contention for the Eastern title is two-time defending champion Gary Carlton. The result of three DNFs on the East as put him mid-pack in the East while two wins at the Western Division opener in Utah has kept him in the overall chase. The PCH Motorsports/SSC East driver struggled last year in Shawano which should only fuel the fire this weekend as he looks to jump back on to his former winning ways.
UNOFFICIAL ICC Standings
| Pos | Points | W/Drop | No. | Driver | Pos. | Pts. | Pos. | Pts. | Pos | Pts. | Pos | Pts.| 1. | 345 | 270 | 105 | Michael Vincec | 3 | 85 | 5 | 75 | 1 | 100 | 3 | 85 | | 2. | 274 | 260 | 147 | Jordy Vorrath | 2 | 90 | 2 | 90 | 4 | 80 | 29 | 14 | | 3. | 253 | 227 | 161 | Fritz Leesmann | 1 | 100 | 19 | 26 | 11 | 47 | 4 | 80 | | 4. | 256 | 215 | 169 | Cody Jolly | 7 | 65 | 3 | 85 | 13 | 41 | 7 | 65 | | 5. | 249 | 205 | 197 | Clayton Snow | 6 | 70 | 6 | 70 | 7 | 65 | 12 | 44 | | 6. | 221 | 205 | 123 | Arie Ouimet | 8 | 60 | 27 | 16 | 6 | 70 | 5 | 75 | | 7. | 190 | 190 | 192 | David Jurca | | 0 | | 0 | 2 | 90 | 1 | 100 | | 8. | 213 | 175 | 194 | Hayden Duerson | 14 | 38 | 10 | 50 | 9 | 55 | 6 | 70 | |
ICC Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine| 101 | Tom Cadieux | PSL Karting | CRG | Maxter | | 105 | Michael Vincec | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | Maxter | | 110 | Curtis Fox | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | Maxter | | 111 | Shane Terrel | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | TM | | 118 | Nicholas Johnson | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | TM | | 119 | Ryan Yop | G-Phactory/Sodi Kart USA | Sodi Kart | TM | | 121 | Anthony Llopiz | Prokart/Quik Park | CRG | Maxter | | 122 | David Carmendy | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | TM | | 123 | Arie Ouimet | SSC East | CRG | Maxter | | 127 | Josh Schreiber | PSL Karting | CRG | Maxter | | 131 | Alex Manglass | SSC East | CRG | Maxter | | 133 | Jacob Neal | PCH Motorsports/PSL Karting | CRG | Maxter | | 142 | Evan Walters | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | TM | | 147 | Jordy Vorrath | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | TM | | 151 | Gary Carlton | PCH Motorsports/SSC East | CRG | Maxter | | 161 | Fritz Leesmann | PSL Karting/Kohilo Racing | CRG | Maxter | | 165 | Brandon Frank | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Maxter | | 169 | Cody Jolly | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Maxter | | 181 | Derek Crockett | PG Racing | Wild Kart | TM | | 188 | Ryan Kinnear | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | TM | | 192 | David Jurca | Italian Motors | Italkart | TM | | 194 | Hayden Duerson | Italian Motors | Italkart | TM | | 197 | Clayton Snow | Syar Motorsport | Energy | TM | |
 | With three wins, Michael Hogg sits on top of the TaG ICC standings
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
In the new TaG ICC program, Michael Hogg has a comfortable lead heading into the Eastern finale. With three wins, the Italian Motors driver has a perfect score with the drop and has a 45-point advantage over Tony Kart pilot Jose Zanella. Bryan Eady (Champion Racing/Intrepid USA) and Matthew Mair (Tony Kart USA) are locked in third, just five points back of Zanella.
UNOFFICIAL TaG ICC Standings
| Pos | Points | W/Drop | No. | Driver | Pos. | Pts. | Pos. | Pts. | Pos | Pts. | Pos | Pts.| 1. | 490 | 300 | 595 | Michael Hogg | 1 | 100 | 1 | 100 | 4 | 80 | 1 | 100 | | 2. | 320 | 255 | 587 | Jose Zanella | 7 | 65 | 3 | 85 | 2 | 90 | 4 | 80 | | 3. | 320 | 250 | 530 | Bryan Eady | 2 | 90 | 6 | 70 | 5 | 75 | 3 | 85 | | 4. | 297 | 250 | 515 | Matthew Mair | 5 | 75 | 2 | 90 | 3 | 85 | 11 | 47 | |
Provisional TaG ICC Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis| 511 | Kurt Mathewson | Evolution Karting | CRG | | 513 | Joe Sturm | PG Racing | Wild Kart | | 514 | Tyler Spitler | Evolution Karting | CRG | | 515 | Matthew Mair | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | | 533 | Cole Mathewson | Evolution Karting | CRG | | 568 | Corey Rossman | PSL Karting | CRG | | 571 | Don McGregor | Italian Motors | Italkart | | 587 | Jose Zanella | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | | 595 | Michael Hogg | Italian Motors | Italkart | |
 | Victor Cabrera will look to lead the TaG field this weekend on a path to the Eastern Division championship
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
The Stars TaG division continues to be very competitive with 12 drivers still mathematically in the chase for the championship. Leading the standings into the final event is J3 Competition’s Victor Cabrera. The number two driver in the eKartingNews.com TaG Driver Rankings has been fast all year however has only managed one victory. The ICA transplant was victorious in 2007 at Shawano as the fastest kart all weekend and should be among the lead group this weekend. 20-points back is Champion Racing/Intrepid USA’s Joey Wimsett. A string of top-five finishes have him in position to battle for the Eastern title as his chances in the West were removed following the denial of his appeal from Miller Motorsports Park.
The surprise of the year has been the performance of Cole Mann. The San Yves Motorsports driver had a break out event at the Mazda Race of the Americas with a runner-up finish in final one with a sixth in final two, moving him to third in the standings, 30-points back of Wimsett. Despite a disqualification at New Castle for an unsportsmanlike action, Ocala double-winner Chris Wehrheim is still in the hunt, 60-points back of Cabrera. The Team Top Kart USA driver will need two strong performances and some help if he wants to leave Shawano with the Eastern title.
UNOFFICIAL TaG Standings
| Pos | Points | W/Drop | No. | Driver | Pos. | Pts. | Pos. | Pts. | Pos | Pts. | Pos | Pts.| 1. | 325 | 260 | 422 | Victor Cabrera | 4 | 80 | 7 | 65 | 4 | 80 | 1 | 100 | | 2. | 315 | 240 | 472 | Joey Wimsett | 3 | 85 | 5 | 75 | 5 | 75 | 4 | 80 | | 3. | 251 | 210 | 499 | Cole Mann | 10 | 50 | 13 | 41 | 2 | 90 | 6 | 70 | | 4. | 244 | 200 | 406 | Chris Wehrheim | 1 | 100 | 1 | 100 | DQ | 0 | 12 | 44 | | 5. | 190 | 190 | 490 | Scott Saunders | | 0 | | 0 | 1 | 100 | 2 | 90 | | 6. | 196 | 170 | 482 | Pat Iannucci | 8 | 60 | 4 | 80 | 19 | 26 | 17 | 30 | | 7. | 170 | 170 | 486 | Kyle Wiegand | | 0 | | 0 | 3 | 85 | 3 | 85 | | 8. | 235 | 165 | 417 | Chris Scribner | DQ | 0 | 2 | 90 | 6 | 70 | 5 | 75 | | 9. | 157 | 152 | 450 | Jeremy Nelson | 6 | 70 | 12 | 44 | 38 | 5 | 14 | 38 | | 10. | 162 | 145 | 456 | Andrick Zeen | 7 | 65 | 8 | 60 | 26 | 17 | 23 | 20 | | 11. | 158 | 145 | 418 | Neil Alberico | 16 | 32 | 3 | 85 | 30 | 13 | 18 | 28 | | 12. | 145 | 145 | 426 | Christopher Larson | 2 | 90 | 9 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Provisional TaG Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine| 404 | Adam Zeen | G-Phactory/Sodi Kart USA | Sodi Kart | Rok TT | | 406 | Chris Wehrheim | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 407 | Anthony Lang | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Parilla | | 409 | Shane Walters | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Parilla | | 416 | Cody Elliott | Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Rotax | | 417 | Chris Scribner | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 418 | Neil Alberico | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Rok TT | | 420 | Michael Self | G-Phactory/Sodi Kart USA | Sodi Kart | Parilla | | 422 | Victor Cabrera | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Rok TT | | 426 | Chris Larson | FirstKart.com | First Kart | Parilla | | 427 | Paulo Calderon | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | Rok TT | | 429 | Cy Schumacher | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Rok TT | | 437 | Armondo Arends | PSL Karting | CRG | Parilla | | 446 | Max Riddle | PSL Karting | CRG | Parilla | | 450 | Jeremy Nelson | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Rok TT | | 456 | Andrick Zeen | G-Phactory/Sodi Kart USA | Sodi Kart | Rok TT | | 460 | Rudy Camarillo | PSL Karting | CRG | Parilla | | 466 | Nate Norenberg | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Parilla | | 472 | Joey Wimsett | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Parilla | | 477 | Blake Teeter | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | Parilla | | 482 | Pat Iannucci | G-Phactory/Sodi Kart USA | Sodi Kart | Parilla | | 486 | Kyle Wiegand | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 487 | Mike McGrowan | Italian Motors | Italkart | Parilla | | 489 | Grant Schilling | Sharing Success Racing | Zanardi | Parilla | | 490 | Scott Saunders | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | Parilla | | 494 | Aaron Milavitz | Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Parilla | | 499 | Cole Mann | San Yves Motorsports | CRG | Parilla | |
 | Two wins at New Castle put Phil DeLaO in the driver's seat of the East JICA crown
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
A total of seven drivers are within 40 points in the JICA standings heading into the Eastern finale. Phil DeLaO (Advanced Karting), with his two wins at the Mazda Race of the Americas, moved to the top spot. Including the Western Division opener, DeLaO has gone three for four in finals. DeLaO was among the fastest at last year’s event aboard a First Kart, earning his first Stars podium finish in final two. Miles Maroney sits just 15-points back with three top-five finishes to his credit. The Californian moved from First Kart to a Cameron Motorsports CRG just before the New Castle, a chassis he is very familiar with as he swept the Moran event in 2007 aboard the black and orange.
Just five points back of Maroney sits Canadian Remo Ruscitti. The Italian Motors pilot has one victory on the year with a string of top-10 finishes to remain in the chase. Ruscitti will be making his first visit to the USAIR facility but should catch on quickly, as he did at Ocala, site of his win this year. Five markers back of him is defending JICA national champion Jarvis Gennari. Moving from Tony Kart to CRG with SSC East, the transition has put Gennari on the slow start for the first two events but he and team rebounded each Sunday to put himself back into the championship battle. Last year, Gennari never led the championship until the final checkered flag fell in Vegas at the National Finals, and could be setting up for another dramatic season-ending charge.
The impressive runs by Tatiana Calderon (Tony Kart USA) have put her in the title fight as she is locked for fifth with veteran Brendan Phinny (Team Top Kart USA) with Stars rookie Daniel Formal (Advanced Karting) completing the top seven in the standings heading to Shawano.
UNOFFICIAL JICA Standings
| Pos | Points | W/Drop | No. | Driver | Pos. | Pts. | Pos. | Pts. | Pos | Pts. | Pos | Pts.| 1. | 295 | 260 | 377 | Phil DeLaO | 15 | 35 | 8 | 60 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 100 | | 2. | 259 | 245 | 4 | Miles Maroney | 4 | 80 | 29 | 14 | 4 | 80 | 3 | 85 | | 3. | 295 | 240 | 395 | Remo Ruscitti | 1 | 100 | 5 | 75 | 9 | 55 | 7 | 65 | | 4. | 285 | 235 | 1 | Jarvis Gennari | 2 | 90 | 3 | 85 | 10 | 50 | 8 | 60 | | 5. | 290 | 225 | 350 | Tatiana Calderon | 7 | 65 | 7 | 65 | 2 | 90 | 6 | 70 | | 6. | 269 | 225 | 366 | Brendan Phinny | 8 | 60 | 12 | 44 | 5 | 75 | 2 | 90 | | 7. | 241 | 220 | 337 | Daniel Formal | 9 | 55 | 1 | 100 | 7 | 65 | 22 | 21 | | 8. | 217 | 189 | 341 | Sage Karam | 5 | 75 | 6 | 70 | 18 | 28 | 12 | 44 | | 9. | 207 | 172 | 326 | Tyler Thomas | 11 | 47 | 2 | 90 | 15 | 35 | 15 | 35 | | 10. | 199 | 167 | 320 | Taylor Miinch | 16 | 32 | 10 | 50 | 3 | 85 | 16 | 32 | | 11. | 201 | 166 | 328 | Tristan DeGrand | 12 | 44 | 15 | 35 | 11 | 47 | 5 | 75 | |
Provisional JICA Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine| 1 | Jarvis Gennari | SSC East | CRG | Parilla | | 4 | Miles Maroney | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | Parilla | | 5 | Spencer Pigot | Screaming Talent | Gillard | Parilla | | 301 | Kevin Monteith | FirstKart.com | First Kart | Parilla | | 305 | Tommy Beshro | PSL Karting | CRG | Parilla | | 310 | Bristol Gunderson | San Yves Motorsports | Maranello | Parilla | | 311 | James Michael Sullivan | FirstKart.com | First Kart | Parilla | | 317 | Nick Neri | San Yves Motorsports | Maranello | Parilla | | 320 | Taylor Miinch | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 323 | Jeffrey May | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | Parilla | | 324 | Madeline Komar | San Yves Motorsports | Maranello | Parilla | | 326 | Tyler Thomas | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 327 | Angel Caban | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Parilla | | 328 | Tristan DeGrand | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Parilla | | 337 | Daniel Formal | Advanced Karting | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 341 | Sage Karam | MRP-Birel America | Birel | Parilla | | 342 | Vincent Rago | Pserra Racing | Pserra | Parilla | | 343 | Christian Vogel | Vogel Racing | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 344 | Grant Vogel | Vogel Racing | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 345 | Evan Komar | San Yves Motorsports | Maranello | Parilla | | 350 | Tatiana Calderon | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 359 | Michael Silva | NA | NA | NA | | 366 | Brendan Phinny | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 372 | Jordan Jadalah | Kohilo Racing | CRG | Parilla | | 376 | Pierce Baldus | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | Parilla | | 377 | Phil DeLaO | Advanced Karting | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 387 | Rumil Leal | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | Parilla | | 390 | Julian Vandersteur | Privateer | Zanardi | Parilla | | 394 | Shawn Sharkey | H&S Motorsports | Merlin | Parilla | | 395 | Remo Ruscitti | Italian Motors | Italkart | Parilla | | 396 | Alesasndra Madrigal | J3 Competition | Kosmic | Parilla | |
 | Trent Hindman will look to continue his Cadet win streak in Shawano
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
Trent Hindman (H&S Motorsports) has stepped up as the new ‘star’ in Cadet as he heads to Shawano with a five race win streak - including the Western Division opener - and the divisional standings lead. The Stars rookie has a 50-point gap over second place Santino Ferrucci (San Yves Motorsports). Austin Self (MRP-Birel America), Mason Chelootz (Team Top Kart USA) and Gresham Wagner (MRP-Birel America) still find themselves with a chance at the division title, needing some help along with strong runs this weekend.
The Cadet drivers will also be racing for a chance to run at a BRDC Stars of Tomorrow event in London at the Shenington Circuit on September 12-14. Three drivers - based on their overall performance in both feature races Sunday - will be awarded with a free entry, kart, tires, fuel and mechanics with three of the top teams of the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Series.
UNOFFICIAL Cadet Standings
| Pos | Points | W/Drop | No. | Driver | Pos. | Pts. | Pos. | Pts. | Pos | Pts. | Pos | Pts.| 1. | 390 | 300 | 64 | Trent Hindman | 2 | 90 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 100 | | 2. | 300 | 250 | 1 | Santino Ferrucci | 1 | 100 | 2 | 90 | 8 | 60 | 10 | 50 | | 3. | 264 | 245 | 7 | Austin Self | 24 | 19 | 6 | 70 | 3 | 85 | 2 | 90 | | 4. | 257 | 235 | 0 | Mason Chelootz | 4 | 80 | 21 | 22 | 4 | 80 | 5 | 75 | | 5. | 275 | 225 | 5 | Gresham Wagner | 3 | 85 | 10 | 50 | 6 | 70 | 6 | 70 | |
Provisional Cadet Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis| 0 | Mason Chelootz | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | | 1 | Santino Ferrucci | San Yves Motorsports | S1 | | 5 | Gresham Wagner | MRP-Birel Motorsports | Birel | | 6 | Logan Bearden | MRP-Birel Motorsports | Birel | | 7 | Austin Self | MRP-Birel Motorsports | Birel | | 9 | Andrew Murray | MRP-Birel Motorsports | Birel | | 11 | Breyton Santee | J3 Competition | Kosmic | | 17 | Juan E Garcia | PSL Karting | CRG | | 19 | Garett Grist | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | | 22 | Broc Yocom | Champion Racing/Intrepid USA | Intrepid | | 29 | Austin Garrison | ADG/PDB | Gillard | | 30 | Corey Towles | Shockwave Karting | Shockwave | | 55 | Kurtis Deboer | Cameron Motorsports | CRG | | 64 | Trent Hindman | H&S Motorsports | Merlin | | 66 | Zane Smith | Team Top Kart USA-PKS | Top Kart | | 74 | Luis Tyrrell | Team Top Kart USA | Top Kart | | 97 | Mitchell Griffin | Tony Kart USA | Tony Kart | | 98 | Diego Borrelli | Tony Kart Florida | Tony Kart | | 99 | Emilo Ocosta | NA | NA | |
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