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| December 22, 2008 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Brendan Phinny - November 2008 |
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 | Brendan Phinny won a thrilling and exciting S3 feature at the SKUSA SuperNationals XII
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
Though the headline SuperPro category and 100-kart field TaG division were the highly-anticipated races heading into the 12th annual Superkarts! USA SuperNationals. When everyone left Sunday evening however it was 14-year old Brendan Phinny who stole the show, winning in the competitive S3 category over the likes of McMurray, Gidley, Moulton, Beeny and others - earning him the November Driver of the Month credit.
The S3 feature was one of the best gearbox races that had ever been seen, beginning with veteran Bonnier Moulton and NASCAR’s Jamie McMurray on the front row. ‘Mini’ Phinny, as he is known, started the race sixth, despite having won the third heat race. The 30-lap battle however witnessed Phinny battle with upwards of six to eight drivers in the lead pack until just three were left - McMurray, top qualifier Mike Beeny, and Phinny. McMurray held the point until two laps to go, when the youngster slid by for the lead. Putting in two error-free laps, Phinny went unchallenged the remainder of the way to score the big win in his Senior debut. The victory also gave Phinny his second SuperNats win, after dominating the S5 category one year ago.
It’s no surprise to see ‘Mini’ Phinny at the forefront of the karting scene, as he began karting at the age of four. Running alongside his brother, Ryan, the duo were a permanent fixture at the kart track. Working with Les and Joey Hand, both Ryan and Brendan experienced success early on and continue to work with them now under the Kartel Motorsports tent. One of Phinny’s big wins came at the 2003 IKF Grand Nationals at Tri-City in the Junior 1 category aboard an Emmick. In 2004, he made the switch to Trackmagic, before returning back to Emmick to challenge for the Stars of Karting Cadet championship. The following year, he joined his brother at Team Speed aboard a Birel, finishing sixth in the championship standings. Still on a Birel, Phinny ran under the MRP-Birel America banner in his first year running the Junior Intercontinental A (JICA) division, ending the season 11th overall.
The last two years have been with Team Top Kart USA. In 2007, he scored a double victory at Miller and challenged for the championship, eventually placing sixth. This past year Phinny earned six podium finishes, never finishing outside the top-five in the Western Division. While not winning on the Stars of Karting program, he would go on to win his first-ever national championship.
 | Brendan Phinny - EKN Driver of the Month - November 2008
(Photo: EKN) |
November 2008 EKN Driver of the Month - Brendan Phinny
Bio
Date of Birth: 4/22/1994
Hometown: Carmel Valley, CA
Parents: Patrick and Gina Phinny
Siblings: Ryan Phinny
Height/Weight: 5’5” - 129lbs.
Education: High School Freshman
Job: None
Racing Resume
Chassis: Top Kart
Engine Builder(s): DDR, High-Rev Engineering
Sponsors: Grand Products, Kartel Motorsports, Baja Cantina, Corby Concepts, Kovers, Impact Racing
Series You Compete In: Stars of Karting, IKF Region 11, and lots of one-offs
Years Karting: 10 (almost 11)
Accomplishments:
Two-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner (S3, S5)
2008 Stars of Karting JICA National Champion
Two-time IKF Grand National Champion
Four-time IKF Regional Champion
Four-time Club Champion
How did you get started in karting? My dad and my cousins use to race cars, so are family is all about racing.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning at SuperNats 2008
What are your goals in racing? Make racing my career
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive yet calculated
Funniest moment at the race track? When you’re in the Kartel pit there is an endless amount of funny moments.
Likes
Favorite Track: USA International Raceway
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1 and IRL
Favorite karting driver: Erik Bartolero
Favorite professional driver: Joey Hand
If you could have anyone, who do you want holding your helmet in victory
lane? Jessica Alba
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Billy Madison
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite music/group: Sublime
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Hawaii/Mammoth Lakes
Favorite food: Mexican
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? I play sports like golf, lacrosse, basketball, football, soccer. This year I am playing on the lacrosse team
What are your goals outside of karting? Right know I am focusing on school. I am going for straight A’s but it’s not easy
What type of street car would you like to drive? A raised blue Dodge power wagon with an 8-inch lift and big knobby tires or a fast sports car
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People that try to be someone that they aren’t
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? More public exposure, for example I have had an idea for a while, I think if all the major races were broadcasted on the most popular radio station in the town we are in at the time and it would bring more spectators
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The camaraderie, winning, and just being fortunate enough to make racing my career
November Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Stuart Marsell: Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals - Third place in DD2, First podium for an American
- Curtis Cooksey: Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals - Second place in DD2 Masters
- Michael Hogg and Tatiana Calderon: IAME International Challenge Winners |
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