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| April 24, 2009 News |
| EKN Trackside: Snap-on Stars of Karting Grand Prix of Sonoma Preview |
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The economic uncertainty that currently grasps this nation is also affecting many different sports, and karting is not spared. Regional racing all over the country is feeling the pinch and national racing is also struggling, demonstrated by a less than stellar turnout for this weekend’s Stars of Karting Western Division opener at the Jim Russell International Karting Center at Infineon Raceway. A total of 70 competitors are in the paddock this weekend with the Leopard classes - Senior and Junior National - leading the way in terms of grid size. The competition is stiff in both of these categories and the Infineon track will provide them with a platform to put on some incredible racing. The slim line-ups in the other categories are certainly disappointing for the hard-working and professional Stars of Karting staff, but they are focused on serving up a fun and safe weekend. Re-building the program throughout the year is no doubt the primary task for new organization president Alan Rudolph.
The headline KZ2 division may see a first-time Stars of Karting winner on the weekend. Defending champion Michael Vincec will be competing at the Skip Barber National at Virginia International Raceway this weekend, enjoying the fruits of winning the Skip Barber Scholarship last year, and a number of former winners are not present either, so the entry list is full of competitors who have not yet tasted the top step of the Stars podium. Leading the group is the top rookie from last year, Texan Cody Jolly (Cameron Motorsports). Jolly ran fourth at the Eastern Division opener in Ocala and is a veteran who knows how to win, having scored many big wins throughout his career. Another notable name competing here in Sonoma is former national champion Ron White. The Northern California native calls Infineon home and will contest the weekend aboard a CRG as the only former Stars of Karting winner in the field. Other locals include Gregory Liegooghe (Leading Edge Motorsports), Brendan Phinny (Kartel Motorsports) and Derek Tillett.
The Sr. National field is stacked with loads of talent. Runner-up in the Stars TaG division last year, Joey Wimsett (Champion Racing/Intrepid USA) enters the Western Division as one of the leading contenders for the crown. Local drivers will also be in the hunt in TaG with Brett Buckwalter (Cameron Karting), Nic LeDuc (Tony Kart), Neil Alberico (Kartel Motorsports) and Leading Edge Motorsports drivers Brett Felkins and Mason Marotta. Other notables include privateer Stepanova Nekeel (CRG) - who earned a podium in his first Stars event last season - and Ocala podium finisher Nigel Saurino (Kartel Motorsports).
The TaG ICC category will be racing for a large prize purse in Sonoma with support from Bridgestone, Oakley, TM, Skip Barber, Michael Shank Racing and Italian Motors. The large check of $5,000 will go to first place winner (driver must be running a non-leased motor package). Michael Shank Racing will be providing a VIP all-access passes for the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Grand-Am Rolex event to all three podium finishers along with Oakley racing gloves to the drivers. Skip Barber Racing School will be awarding to the event winner an ‘Introduction to Racing’ course while Bridgestone is dishing out a set of tires to the victor as well.
With the added prizes, a number of drivers have signed on to compete. The 1-2 finishers from Ocala - Don McGregor and Remo Ruscitti of Italian Motors - will be the favorites entering the weekend. Former teammate to the duo - Michael Hogg - will make his TaG ICC debut in 2009 with Kartel Motorsports after running second in the class championship last season. Also joining the mix is Brett Felkins for the defending class champion team Leading Edge Motorsports. Felkins will be busy as he will pull double duty on the weekend, running two classes.
The KF3 program will have a low entry for the Western opener with only four drivers. Two of which ran at the Ocala event including feature winner Phil DeLaO (SSC East). Taylor Miinch (Team Top Kart USA) was among the front runners at Ocala until an opening lap incident took him out of contention in the feature. Broc Yocom (Reaction Karting) and Alessandra Madrigal (J3 Competition) will be making their first Stars KF3 starts this weekend.
The Junior National field has a long list of talent with over half the field from the state of California. Like KF3, DeLaO won in the Junior National Ocala feature as well. He will have a number of drivers chasing him in Sonoma, led by a large contingent aboard Top Karts - Taylor Miinch, Tyler Thomas, Mason Chelootz, Hans Saurino and James Sullivan - all of which have the Ocala event under their belts. Louie Pagano (DPK), Kiel Spaulding (Trackmagic) and Luis Tyrell (Kartel Motorsports) battled last weekend at Infineon with Pagano coming out on top. All three will should be a factor this weekend.
It is a wide open race in the Cadet division with any one of the 10 drivers capable of earning the win at the Western opener. California drivers Riley Reyes (SSC Racing), Slater Stowell (Team Pitts Performance), Carter Williams (Team Top Kart USA) and Zane Smith (Team PKS) have all battle one another at regional events already this year and will be near the front.
To view the full entry list, click HERE. eKartingNews.com will be providing the Trackside Live coverage throughout the event. Visit http://www.ekartingnews.com/live to follow the coverage along with the forum updates during the weekend. The EKN LIVE schedule will be posted in the Official Discussion Thread. |
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