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| July 14, 2011 News |
| EKN Trackside: SKUSA Pro Tour Mothers® SummerNationals - Preview |
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The second event of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour takes place this weekend in Grand Junction, Colorado with the sophomore edition of the Mothers® SummerNationals. The 9/10-mile circuit of Grand Junction Motor Speedway will host the event, providing a stunning backdrop and racecourse for three days of exciting action to complete Rounds 3 and 4 of the five-race championship.
The Honda Racing/HPD SpringNationals kicked off the Pro Tour in late April/early May at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona. Aside from the occasional wind/dust storm, the weekend was a triumph with 164 drivers contesting eight categories, an increase of 70% from the inaugural event in 2010. With 130 drivers entered prior to arriving in Grand Junction for the Mothers® SummerNationals, the event could see an increase of more than 50% from last year’s event in Wisconsin.
The Grand Junction Motor Speedway is among the best karting circuit designs in the United States. At just under 1-mile, the 32’ wide course offers a variety of fast straightaways, technical corners and elevation changes. A view of a hot lap from TaG Senior driver Martin Plowman during testing can be viewed HERE.
The SKUSA Pro Tour, in just its second year, is gaining a lot of attention thanks to its straight-forward format of Stock Moto shifterkarts and tiered TaG classes. The internal ladder system in Stock Moto - S1, S2, S4, S5 - and through the TaG divisions - Senior, Master, Junior, Cadet - allows competitors to begin their karting career with the organization at any level and graduate up the ranks based on age and experience. The list of drivers taking part in the program continues to grow and, in accordance, the prestige of a Pro Tour championship is increasing as the participation numbers and level of competition increases.
The eight entry lists for this weekend’s Mothers® SummerNationals are loaded with talent, ready to tackle the Grand Junction facility and continue their chase to Pro Tour championship glory.
 | Kiwi Daniel Bray aims for another 1k check at the SummerNationals
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
S1 Pro Stock Moto
Following the Grand Junction weekend, there will be a new number one driver in the Stock Moto rankings. Not only will the Pro Tour championship chase have a distinguished title contender to replace former champ Fritz Leesemann, who is not running this weekend, the eKartingNews.com Driver Rankings will see a new number one driver as well. Kiwi driver Daniel Bray (GP) is currently leading the charge for both, thanks to his double-victory weekend at the SpringNationals. Driving for GP West, the experienced 24-year old will look to match the same performance in his team’s home state. On his heals is the impressive S1 rookie Lukas Johnson (GP). The 17-year old from Minnesota has matured over the last few seasons, jumping straight from S5 to S2 and now S1. After a great performance in Tucson, the SummerNationals will be his next test. Veteran pilot Tom Dyer (GP) sits third in the point standings heading into Colorado. A two-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner, the Aluminos driver is sure to be on his game again and challenge in Colorado through to SuperSunday in Vegas.
The story will be the absence of reigning Pro Tour champion and EKN #1 Stock Moto ranked driver Fritz Leesmann (CRG). The Northern California driver will not compete at the SummerNationals, leaving the championship and the EKN #1 spot up for grabs. Aside from that, the wildcard of the event will be the addition of Nic LeDuc to the entry list. A NorCal native and former top driver in the category has returned under the Motorama Kart Parts banner aboard a Birel. With a solid resume already this season, there is no doubt LeDuc will battle for the $1k up for grabs in Grand Junction.
Keep an eye on the remaining championship contenders - Clinton Schoombee (DR Kart), Brad Dunford (GP), and Ryon Beachner (Tony Kart). The trio has battled each other in the ProKart Challenge South program, with Dunford leading the fight thus far. All three have the ability to run up front and a strong two days at the SummerNationals could put them back into the battle.
S1 Pro Stock Moto Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 3 | Clinton Schoombee | Select Shifter Services | DR Kart | Murrieta | CA | South Africa | | 11 | Nic LeDuc | Motorama Kart Parts | Birel | Brownsburg | IN | USA | | 17c | Ryon Beachner | 2Wild Karting | Tony Kart | Lake Forest | CA | USA | | 32h | Lukas Johnson | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Farmington | MN | USA | | 33y | Tom Dyer | Aluminos | GP | Corte Madera | CA | USA | | 62y | Daniel Bray | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Howick | Auckland | New Zealand | | 71r | Don McGregor | Aluminos | GP | Langley | BC | Canada | | 73b | Brad Dunford | Aluminos | GP | Cypress | CA | USA | |
 | Brett Felkins leads the charge in TaG Senior heading into Colorado
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
TaG Senior
The most exciting racing that took place during the SpringNationals came thanks to the TaG Senior category. Veterans versus rookies, multiple engines and chassis brands among the lead group provided action nearly every competition lap. Grand Junction should be no different with the same formula mapped out for the SummerNationals. SpringNationals winner Brett Felkins (Intrepid/Leopard) leads the standings over rookie Dakota Dickerson (Arrow/Rotax). Both were in diapers when Matt Johnson (Tony Kart/Vortex) - third in the championship standings - was honing his skills across tracks in the southwest.
After winning Saturday’s round in Tucson, Felkins kept his Leading Edge Motorsports entry away from trouble to stand third on Sunday. Dickerson made his Senior debut at the SpringNationals with the help and guidance of the Full Throttle Karting operation, showing maturity well past his age. Making high-percentage moves and keeping his nose clean throughout the weekend, Dickerson recorded two podium finishes. Johnson - the veteran among the large contingent under the Tony Kart West banner - looked to be a contender on Saturday until a mechanical issue put him on the sidelines, striking back with victory on Sunday. Also among the title contenders heading into Grand Junction is newly-named IndyCar Series driver Martin Plowman (Zanardi/Leopard). The British pilot - an original factory driver for the Zanardi brand when it was first launched - overcame troubles to record two seventh-place finishes and remains in touch with the front of the championship chase. Driving for Zanardi America, Plowman is sure to battle for victory in Colorado before moving to his IndyCar Series duties.
Looking to improve from the first stop of the Pro Tour are three California drivers - Devin Lindsey (Tony Kart/Vortex), Mason Marotta (Tony Kart/Leopard) and Travis Lowe (Kosmic/Vortex). Tony Kart West’s Lindsey placed inside the top-10 both days though top-five finishes will move up further the championship ranks. Like his TKW teammate Johnson, Marotta was quick both days with mechanical trouble taking him out of Saturday’s action. Placing as the top qualifier both days and a fourth place main event finish show he has the potential at earning the $1k payday. Lowe capitalized on everyone’s issues on Saturday, placing fourth, but an 11th on Sunday pushed him down the standings further than he had hoped. A driver to watch on the weekend will be Wisconsin’s TJ Koyen (Merlin/Leopard). The Franklin Motorsports pilot won the Sunday round of the 2010 SKUSA SummerNationals in his home state and comes to Colorado sitting #14 in the EKN TaG Driver Rankings thanks to his results in the WKA program.
TaG Senior Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | City | State | Country| 6d | Brandon Southwick | | Margay | Leopard | Westminster | CO | USA | | 03d | Rory Mackey | | Tony Kart | Leopard | Basalt | CO | USA | | 13j | Aaron Telitz | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Birchwood | WI | USA | | 15x | Andrew Wiener | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | Chula Vista | CA | USA | | 17z | Paige Wallin | Northwest Race Karts | Intrepid | Leopard | Aberdeen | WA | USA | | 22x | Adrian Starrantino | Pitts Performance | CRG | Vortex ROK TT | Simi Valley | CA | USA | | 23d | Will Owen | KartSport North America | Arrow | Rotax | Castle Rock | CO | USA | | 33b | Timothy de Silva | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Palos Verdes Estates | CA | USA | | 34r | Emily Maddison | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Calgary | AB | Canada | | 35y | Brett Felkins | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Leopard | Lodi | CA | USA | | 43x | John Wallace, III | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Duarte | CA | USA | | 54c | Mason Marotta | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Leopard | Bakersfield | CA | USA | | 55x | Devin Lindsey | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Highland | CA | USA | | 63x | Travis Lowe | Tony Kart West | Kosmic | Vortex ROK TT | Pasadena | CA | USA | | 68j | TJ Koyen | Franklin Motorsports | Merlin | Leopard | Sun Prairie | WI | USA | | 77j | Martin Plowman | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Leopard | Indianapolis | IN | England | | 80c | Dakota Dickerson | Full Throttle Karting | Arrow | Rotax | San Diego | CA | USA | | 117y | Matt Johnson | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Las Vegas | NV | USA | | 255y | Jess Peterson | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Leopard | Sparks | NV | USA | | 339r | Austin King | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Vortex ROK TT | Calgary | AB | Canada | |
 | Kyle Hathcox rides into the SummerNationals as the top driver in S2
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto
In racing, momentum can be a good thing and for Kyle Hathcox (GP), he is hoping Grand Junction will be a continuation of that. The Arizona driver piloted his Aluminos/AZ Kart Werx entry to a second on Saturday and P1 on Sunday to leave the SpringNationals as the Pro Tour championship leader. In preparation for this weekend’s upcoming event, Hathcox doubled up in the win column at the SKUSA Mountain Region opener at Grand Junction. His lead entering the SummerNationals is now 135 points, and with the absence of Texas Jake French from the event, he is in a great spot. That puts SpringNationals feature winner Nicky Freytag into the lead challenger position with fellow Intrepid driver Ryan Kinnear in third. Freytag drove his Innovative Karting entry to victory on Saturday and third on Sunday however, his heat race results have cost him in the championship fight, as SKUSA awards points for every official on-track session. The same goes for Kinnear, who battled through to finish fifth and second in Tucson. A host of others sit under 200 points back, which can easily be made up with SKUSA’s scoring system on the weekend. Evan Walters (Intrepid), Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Zanardi), Daniel Langon (Zanardi) and Patrick Cushenberry (CRG) are among those drivers in the hunt. Another factor - home track advantage - could come into effect with six drivers from the ‘Centennial State’ entered to compete; Cory Milne (GP), Eli Ziegler (GP), Christian Schureman (GP), Logan Jones (GP), Sabre Cook (CRG) and Christian Bird (GP).
S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 2t | Mack Dayton | Tony Kart Texas | Tony Kart | Austin | TX | USA | | 5d | Cory Milne | Aluminos | GP | Broomfield | CO | USA | | 7e | Evan Walters | Champion Racing | Intrepid | St. Louis | MO | USA | | 8t | Ryan Kinnear | Champion Racing | Intrepid | Richmond | TX | USA | | 9e | Shane Walters | Champion Racing | Intrepid | St. Louis | MO | USA | | 9m | Mariana Ramirez | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | | DF | Mexico | | 12k | Augie Lerch | Innovative Karting | Intrepid | Tucson | AZ | USA | | 15d | Eli Ziegler | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Littleton | CO | USA | | 15t | Connor Wagner | The Kart Shop/Champion Racing | Intrepid | Flower Mound | TX | USA | | 17d | Christian Schureman | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Golden | CO | USA | | 23k | Nicky Freytag | Innovative Karting | Intrepid | Glendale | AZ | USA | | 24k | Kyle Hathcox | Aluminos/AZ Kart Werx | GP | Phoenix | AZ | USA | | 25k | Arie Luyendyk, Jr. | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Phoenix | AZ | Netherlands | | 27u | Patrick Cushenberry | Kimball Williams Racing | CRG | Provo | UT | USA | | 44j | Josh Lane | DRT Racing | DR Kart | Algonquin | IL | USA | | 51y | Daniel Langon | STA Racing | GP | Alamo | CA | USA | | 53j | Joe Ruch | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Frankfort | IN | USA | | 65d | Logan Jones | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Littleton | CO | USA | | 75z | Brandon Scheiber | Northwest Race Karts | Intrepid | Maple Valley | WA | USA | | 90g | Brian Fisher | DRT Racing | DR Kart | Gray | TN | USA | | 115t | Clint Korte | 3G Kart Racing | Birel | Grapevine | TX | USA | | 222c | Jessica Sollberger | Select Shifter Services | DR Kart | Murrieta | CA | USA | | 248y | Cody Diede | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Lodi | CA | USA | | 317d | Sabre' Cook | CRG-USA | CRG | Grand Junction | CO | USA | | 324d | Christian Bird | Aluminos | GP | Grand Junction | CO | USA | | 441y | Troy Diede | Leading Edge Motorsports | Intrepid | Lodi | CA | USA | |
 | The entire S4 roster will be gunning for point leader Jimmy McNeil
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
S4 Master Stock Moto
With a perfect score from the SpringNationals, there is no doubt just who everyone will be gunning for in Grand Junction - Jimmy McNeil. Showing the way throughout the event, McNeil earned the victory on Saturday following some controversy revolving the final lap action. McNeil stopped any doubt his rivals had by piloting his CRG to another sweep on Sunday. Stopped once in seven feature races in 2011, McNeil will look to extend his streak of six main event victories in Colorado. Leading the charge to cut into his championship lead will be Nick Firestone (Zanardi) and Lance Lane (DR Kart). Firestone showed well at his home-state track last month, running second to McNeil on Sunday. Lane, an accomplished road racer from the Midwest, proved he is no slouch behind the wheel as he stood on the podium in Saturday’s main event. The SummerNationals also mark the debut for a number of drivers making their first Pro Tour start of the season. Former Rock Island Grand Prix winner and 2010 SummerNationals podium driver Kurt Mathewson (Birel) will make the trek from Indiana with MKP. Tony Kart Texas will be bringing two drivers fresh off victories at the IKF Road Race Grand Nationals - Coy Dayton and Scott Rister. They, along with the returning drivers from Tucson, will all be after McNeil come Friday morning practice.
S4 Master Stock Moto Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 2t | Coy Dayton | Tony Kart Texas | Tony Kart | Austin | TX | USA | | 3 | Jonathon Allen | Aluminos | GP | San Diego | CA | USA | | 8m | Carlos Ferdez | Ferdez Racing | Intrepid | Guadalajara | Jalisco | Mexico | | 9d | Charles Gordon | Team ARG | Intrepid | Erie | CO | USA | | 22d | Jet Davis | CRG-USA | CRG | Glenwood Springs | CO | USA | | 23b | Joe Di Vito | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Scottsdale | AZ | USA | | 23c | Vatche Tatikian | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Altadena | CA | Armenia | | 25j | Kurt Mathewson | Motorama Kart Parts | Birel | Carmel | IN | USA | | 28c | Todd Wilson | Aluminos | GP | Newport Beach | CA | USA | | 32b | Phil Dunford | Aluminos | GP | Cypress | CA | USA | | 33d | David Conyers | Aluminos | GP | Golden | CO | USA | | 41t | Mike Smith | Texas Karts | Intrepid | San Antonio | TX | USA | | 42f | Scott Rister | Tony Kart Texas | Tony Kart | Hallandale Beach | FL | USA | | 45z | Craig Sender | Northwest Race Karts | Sodi Kart | Kent | WA | USA | | 55x | Roy Montgomery | Kimball Williams Racing | CRG | Corona Del Mar | CA | USA | | 65j | Lance Lane | DRT Racing | DR Kart | Algonquin | IL | USA | | 66c | Nick Firestone | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Paradise Valley | AZ | USA | | 66x | Todd Scholta | Team Visalia | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 75z | Steve Perdue | Northwest Race Karts | Intrepid | Algona | WA | USA | | 101x | Jimmy McNeil | Team Visalia | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 102x | Darrell Tunnell | Team Visalia / Fastech Racing | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 103x | Robert Marks | Team Visalia / PKS Kart Supplies | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | | 109x | Luke Bianco | Team Visalia | CRG | Visalia | CA | USA | |
 | Two wins in Tucson have Brian McHattie the driver to beat in TaG Master
(Photo: On Track Promotion - otp.ca) |
TaG Master
While the TaG Master category struggled last season to produce any entry numbers - aside from the SuperNationals in Vegas - this year is a complete turn-around. TaG Master is the only class that will see the entire top-10 in the point standings, among many others from the SpringNationals, compete in Colorado, which says a lot about the type of competitors that make up this year’s field. The racing in Tucson was among the best seen in the Masters category in a long time with great dicing and exciting drama to the checkered flag both days. Leading the way is double-winner Brian McHattie (FA Kart/Vortex) from Ohio, who enters Colorado with a 25-point advantage over NorCal’s Larry Fraser (GP/Motori 7). Billy Cleavelin (CRG/Motori 7) was the driver to beat in Tucson, but two mechanical issues in the feature races put him on the sidelines early both days. Nevada’s David Harwin (Tony Kart/Motori 7) was just as quick as Cleavelin, but mechanical issues also left him without a podium leaving the SpringNationals. The top-five are separated by just 100 points, with Russell Karting Specialties’ Jim Russell Jr. (Parolin/Leopard) sitting fifth after recording finishes of third and fourth. If Tucson was any indicator, Grand Junction should be another barn-burner between the 18 drivers on the entry list.
TaG Master Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | City | State | Country| 1 | Ethan Wilson | Corwin Motorsports | Tony Kart | Motori 7 | Campbell | CA | USA | | 2 | Steve Wiener | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Chula Vista | CA | USA | | 3s | Chuck Gafrarar | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Concord | NC | USA | | 4f | Brent Lyman | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Ocala | FL | USA | | 12y | Larry Fraser | Aluminos | GP | Motori 7 | Novato | CA | USA | | 16d | Brian Robson | One Race Gear | Arrow | Leopard | Highlands Ranch | CO | USA | | 19d | Robert Valentino | CRG-USA | Tony Kart | Leopard | Edwards | CO | USA | | 21e | Jim Russell, Jr. | Russell Karting Specialties | Parolin | Leopard | Raymore | MO | USA | | 22k | Peter Workum | Aluminos | CRG | Motori 7 | Paradise Valley | AZ | USA | | 25j | Brian McHattie | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Youngstown | OH | USA | | 27q | Don Guilbeault | DRT Racing | DR Kart | Rotax | Hudson | NH | USA | | 29c | Billy Cleavelin | Mike Manning Karting | CRG | Motori 7 | Covina | CA | USA | | 30x | Ryan Rush | Aluminos | CRG | Motori 7 | Long Beach | CA | USA | | 54f | Jason Bell | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Motori 7 | Tampa | FL | USA | | 96b | Harindra de Silva | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vortex ROK TT | Palos Verdes Estates | CA | USA | | 99d | Scott Falcone | KartSport North America | Arrow | Rotax | Lone Tree | CO | USA | | 161y | David Harwin | Tony Kart America | Tony Kart | Motori 7 | Reno | NV | USA | | 777d | Jean-Paul Tandurella | CRG-USA | CRG | Rotax | Snowmass Village | CO | Australia | |
 | Austin Schimmel leads the S5 Junior championship heading into his home state
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
S5 Junior Stock Moto
The entry level for the Stock Moto program - S5 Junior - continues to develop since being introduced in 2007. The category has produced some of today’s top S1 and S2 drivers - which helps to emphasis the internal ladder system within SKUSA. This year’s crop of young stars is currently led by Austin Schimmel (GP) and Alex Tartaglia (Intrepid). Finishing 2-3 in last year’s Pro Tour championship chase, there was no doubt the two would continue their battle this year. While each came away with a feature win at the SpringNationals, Schimmel’s consistency in the heat races and top qualifier bonus points have him leading by 45 points over Tartaglia heading into the SummerNationals. Just 155 points back in third is Micah Hendricks (Intrepid), who could sneak into the championship chase with a solid weekend in Grand Junction, not to mention the other four drivers entered.
S5 Junior Stock Moto Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 2 | Austin Schimmel | Crockett Motorsports | GP | Colorado Springs | CO | USA | | 3 | Alex Tartaglia | Champion Racing | Intrepid | Colleyville | TX | USA | | 11d | Ryan Rudolph | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Denver | CO | USA | | 13t | Miguel Lopez | Rocky Mountain Kartworks | GP | Tyler | TX | USA | | 27z | Andrew Evans | Northwest Race Karts | Ultra Kart | Sammamish | WA | USA | | 70m | Yigal Rached | | Italkart | Guadalajara | Jalisco | Mexico | | 73c | Micah Hendricks | Innovative Karting | Intrepid | Glendale | AZ | USA | |
 | Jake Craig rides into the Colorado mountains a top the TaG Junior standings
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
TaG Junior
The SpringNationals was a wild two-day event for the TaG Junior category with exhilarating finishes for some and heartbreak for others. Austin Dement (DR Kart) appeared to be the driver to beat, scoring the victory on Saturday in impressive fashion. Well on his way Sunday to win number two, his rear bumper broke off in the main. Not heeding the meatball flag to pull off course, Dement was disqualified from the race - which in turn hurts his championship chances. That helped to put California’s Jake Craig (CRG) in the driver’s seat for the title heading into the SummerNationals. Craig leads SpringNationals feature winner Parker Thompson by 75 points with Bailey Murphy (CRG) another 15 points behind the Canadian. Dement sits fourth, exactly 100 back from Craig with Maxx Marian (Zanardi) in the fifth spot. The driver with the best performance in Colorado could escape with the championship lead heading into the SuperNationals.
TaG Junior Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 00c | Jake Craig | CRG-USA | CRG | Mission Viejo | CA | USA | | 11y | Maxx Marian | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Penngrove | CA | USA | | 13x | Bailey Murphy | AZ Kart Werx | CRG | Phoenix | AZ | USA | | 15y | Austin Dement | DR Racing Kart USA | DR Kart | Reno | NV | USA | | 16e | Mason Daughters | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Polo | MO | USA | | 19k | Jim McKinney | Zanardi America | Zanardi | Chandler | AZ | USA | | 44o | Jesse Woodyard | Champion Racing | Intrepid | Newalla | OK | USA | | 55c | Carter Williams | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Clovis | CA | USA | | 80r | Parker Thompson | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Red Deer | AB | Canada | | 88a | Juan Jimenez | G-Phactory | Sodikart | Santa Ana | CA | Columbia | | 90r | Jordan Redlin | Champion Racing | Intrepid | Aldergrove | BC | Canada | | 96y | Nick Sommers | Bordogna Racing Team | TBR | Nevada City | CA | USA | | 121d | Giovanni Velasquez | CRG-USA | CRG | Carbondale | CO | USA | | 246d | Mianna Wick | CRG-USA | CRG | Delta | CO | USA | | 421y | Blaine Rocha | Kartel Motorsports | Wild Kart | Oakdale | CA | USA | | 677y | Sonny Cervelli | Kartel Motorsports | Top Kart | Benicia | CA | USA | |
 | Colton Herta continues his defense of the TaG Cadet number 1 plate at Grand Junction
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
TaG Cadet
While it may not have been a perfect SpringNationals for Colton Herta (DR Kart), he made a statement in the opening round of his title defense. The inaugural TaG Cadet Pro Tour champion won all four heat races and two feature races, losing out to the top qualifying honor on Saturday and both main event fast lap bonus points. Consistent lap times early on allowed Herta to drive away in each of the races in Tucson, and the same game plan will be in place for the SoCal driver in Colorado. Standing in his way is a host of drivers, including season rival Christian Brooks (Tony Kart). From the club, regional and now national level, the two have battled all season long and will continue at the SummerNationals. Davey Manthi Jr. (Wild Kart) was quick throughout the Tucson weekend, but unable to pull it together for one solid race to challenge Herta. Flinn Lazier - like Herta a second generation driver - will hope to use his home state advantage to his credit and record another podium finish. The addition of east coast Cadet standout Camden Donaldson (Birel) to the driver roster could heat things up even more once the action begins.
TaG Cadet Provisional Entry List
| No. | Driver | Team | Chassis | City | State | Country| 1 | Colton Herta | Pitts Performance | DR Kart | Valencia | CA | USA | | 1t | Derek Scott, Jr. | Iron Rock Racing | Birel | Franklin | TX | USA | | 3 | Noah Grey | Phil Giebler Racing | FA Kart | Dana Point | CA | USA | | 00t | Trenton Estep | Champion Racing/Texas Karts | Intrepid | San Antonio | TX | USA | | 34b | Christian Brooks | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Santa Clarita | CA | USA | | 41n | Dylan Tavella | | CRG | Massapequa | NY | USA | | 42z | Davey Manthei, Jr. | Kartel Motorsports | Wild Kart | Pasco | WA | USA | | 56y | Carter Herrera | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | San Ramon | CA | USA | | 72j | Camden Donaldson | Motorama Kart Parts | Birel | Camby | IL | USA | | 80d | Flinn Lazier | Tony Kart West | Tony Kart | Vail | CO | USA | | 83d | Evan Roshak | CRG-USA | CRG | Arvada | CO | USA | |
Race Coverage
eKartingNews.com, in cooperation with Superkarts! USA, will be providing the ‘EKN Trackside Live’ coverage throughout the event. Those unable to attend will be able to listen live to the audio play-by-play and view the SKUSA live timing feed through the EKN LIVE page: http://www.ekartingnews.com/live . Full written coverage, including daily reports, forum updates (top-10 from each on-track session), and links to results and photos will be available throughout the weekend, beginning Friday afternoon. Audio coverage begins with qualifying on both Saturday and Sunday and runs through until the last main event of the day. |
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