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| July 25, 2008 News |
| EKN Trackside: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series - Round 4 Preview |
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The World Karting Association George Kugler/Bridgestone Manufacturer’s Cup Series Driven by Mazda will contest round four of five this weekend. The Show Hauler Truck Nationals will take place at the Concept Haulers Motor Speedway in Sheridan, Illinois. The facility known to many as ‘Norway’ is a historic course that has hosted many national and regional events throughout its legendary years.
The 12-turn, 7/10-mile circuit was purchased in late 2005 by Les Finke and his son Andy of JET Karting. Many racers know Les as the long time race director for the Norway facility. After designing and building the track for former owner Bob Combs, Les was most often making sure everything was in order during events held at the track. CHMS was busy the past two weekends with WKA regional programs Great Lakes Sprint Series and Midwest Sprint Series both visiting the track for their respective programs with many Man. Cup regulars getting in some practice for the upcoming weekend.
One driver who will not be behind the wheel of his #33 Arrow throughout the weekend is Cody Robinson. The 2007 Triple Crown winner was hit by a car July 9 while walking home with fellow Man. Cup competitor Dakota Pesek. Robinson suffered a compound fracture of his right leg and had surgery to pin the bones together. Cody is home recovering and doing well, with the exception of being bored during his summer break.
With the series counting the best four of five results toward the championship, anything is possible with two events remaining. Heading into round four, only one driver holds the top spot in two categories in the Senior ranks Chris Larson. The Florida pilot leads the competitive TaG division along with the Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Lite but will need help to have a chance at the Triple Crown has he trails veteran Kevin Nelson in the Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Heavy division. Tony Jump has a 20-point advantage over David Kraeer in Yamaha Lite while Corey Reeves has 100 markers over Ryan Stewart in the Heavy division. Stewart however has the edge in HPV Heavy on Reeves while he chases TJ Koyen for the title in HPV Lite. Defending Yamaha Masters champion Jeff Jewell holds the top spot once again with John Dixon looking to knock him down the standings in the next two rounds.
 | | Concept Haulers Motor Speedway |
In the Junior categories, Tommy Andersen has a strangle-hold on the HPV categories with five out of six wins in the Light and Heavy categories. The only driver to stop Andersen is Zack Busch, who won at Lowes in the Heavy class and sits second in both classes. Busch also sits second in the Yamaha divisions, behind Pesek in the SuperCan Lite category and Robinson in the SuperCan Heavy - who relinquish his place atop the standings this weekend to either Busch or third place Sam Beasley. The three Cadet divisions usually see the same drivers at the front of the field, however currently three different drivers hold the number one spot in the standings. Logan Bearden has a one point advantage over Stephen Kalogiannis in Cadet Jr. Sportsman, Jake Cole is over 100 points in front of Austin Self in HPV Jr. Sportsman, while Jeremy Remick and Ben Hewitt sit tied in the Yamaha Jr. Sportsman class with Austin Self and Jake Cole close behind.
The standings for the Manufacturer’s Championship Trophy presented by Custom Trophy was shook up at the Racersites.com Grand Nationals held last month at Badger Raceway in Dousman, WI. With seven victories including three by eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month for June Jason Foley, Merlin has put themselves in the fight with Margay and Birel. Margay holds the lead with 13 wins, one more than Birel with Merlin now sitting with 10 wins. First Kart (6) sits fourth with Arrow (5) fifth.
eKartingNews.com will be providing Trackside Live race coverage throughout the weekend. Friday will see forum updates in the Official Discussion Thread with news from the paddock during the practice day followed by a new photo gallery. Continuing Saturday and Sunday will be unofficial top-10 results posted in the Discussion as they sit on the scale line after each on-track session along with daily reports, full results and photos from Go Racing Magazine available in the Official Event Page (to be posted soon). |
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