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| March 04, 2009 News |
| Wheldon to Compete at Stars of Karting Eastern Division Opener |
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 | Dan Wheldon will join the Kartel Motorsports squad in Ocala for the Stars of Karting opener
(Photo: EKN) |
eKartingNews.com has learned that 2005 IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon will compete at the Snap-on Stars of Karting Eastern Division opener this weekend at the Ocala Gran Prix facility in Ocala, Florida. The Panther Racing - National Guard driver will return to the seat of a kart after having competed at the SuperNationals in Las Vegas and the PRI All-Stars Karting Classic in 2008. Wheldon will be back working with Kartel Motorsports as he did at the Vegas event.
“Having Dan Wheldon competing this weekend is great for karting,” said Kartel Motorsports Joey Hand from their Elk Grove, California shop. “After the event in Vegas, we formed a good relationship and he was excited to try and race with us before the 2009 IRL season began. After Panther Racing and National Guard signed off on him racing, it was a done deal. Dan is a very down to earth person and was very helpful to our other drivers before. We hope he’ll be able to provide the same excitement this time around.”
Wheldon began karting at the young age of four years old in England, going on to be one of the best karters the United Kingdom has ever seen. A number of British Kart Championships in his early years led to competing throughout Europe. He progressed through the karting ranks rather quickly before moving to the open-wheel divisions.
In 1999, he moved to the United States and began competing in the U.S. Formula Ford 2000 Series before moving on to the Toyota Atlantic series and the Indy Lights series. In 2002, Wheldon signed with Panther Racing to compete in the Indy Racing League. After moving to Andretti-Green and Chip Ganassi Racing for three years each, he finds himself returning to Panther Racing in 2009.
Wheldon will also be making his first official race start as a father this weekend. On February 1, 2009, Dan and wife Susie welcomed the family’s first child - Sebastian Daniel Wheldon. The 30-year old will be arriving Thursday night to the central Florida area following a stay back home in England.
The official action for the opening round of the Snap-on Stars of Karting season begins Friday with a full day of practice to be completed along with qualifying. Saturday is slated for three rounds of heat races with the Prefinals and Finals set for Sunday. eKartingNews.com will have a complete preview of the weekend’s activities over the next two days. |
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