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| January 04, 2012 |
| Team News: CRG California Makes Debut at WKA Daytona KartWeek |
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 | Kyle Kuntze (MADDOX Kart-Tru Tech Engines) taking the victory in Sr. Yamaha SuperCan Heavy
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
At the end of every year the best racers in America file into Daytona International Speedway for the first race of the WKA Manufacture's Cup. For most, it is all they want for Christmas-to spend a week racing inside the home of the Daytona 500, against the likes of Jamie McMurray and AJ Almendinger, with the big teams and the small weekend warriors. This was the opening to what should be a breakout year for the newly formed CRG California.
It all started December 23, 2011. A group of five packed into a truck and started the venture to Daytona Beach. The trailer held enough equipment to propel six drivers to compete in 15 classes through the week. With inclement weather, the truck was forced to stop in Texas the first night. Taking the icy roads with caution, the following morning Baton Rouge, LA was the next stop. Christmas day was spent FaceTiming family members from the road until we reached Daytona Beach, FL!
December 27, 2011 was move-in day and final prep. Mike from Grand Products had all of our new rubber waiting down the street for us. With karts ready to go it was on to practice. Under the tent were many new faces to the CRG brand with Steve Wiener (TaG Masters), Andrew Wiener (Yamaha Can Lt/Hvy, Parilla Only), Killian Bloat (Jr Yamaha Lt/Hvy), Kyle Kuntze aboard a MADDOX Kart (KPV Hvy, Yamaha Can Hvy), Jake Craig (Jr Yamaha Lt/Hvy, Jr KPV Lt/Hvy), and Nick Johnston (Parilla Only, KPV Lt).
This was the first time most the drivers saw the Daytona karting track, therefore making practice vital. With practice ending on a good note we moved into race day one. During qualifying, a timing issue came up halting the show for a good couple hours. The WKA officials made the decision to go straight into main events from qualifying.
Kyle Kuntze started off the week qualifying 5th in KPV Hvy. While running 3rd in the main, Kyle clipped a curb throwing a chain and ending his run. Nick Johnston and Andrew Wiener ran in the Parilla Only class. Nick qualified 21st and Andrew 28th. Nick made the run up to 8th while Andrew got involved in an early wreck ending his bid for the win. Jake Craig qualified 5th in KPV, he was involved in an incident in turn one delegating him to 40th. Jake eventually made his way back up to 13th to finish. In TAG Master, Steve Wiener qualified 18th quick. In the main event Steve fought his way up to a 15th place result respectively. In Jr. Yamaha, Killian Bloat made his return to karting working with Jake Craig. Jake lead the duo qualifying 13th, Killian would start 34th. In the final, Jake drove to a podium-finish of 2nd, however Killian was involved in an early wreck ending his day of competition. Andrew Wiener pulled double-duty running in Yamaha Supercan where he qualified 13th, in the main things didn't fair so well for the CRG pilot placing 22nd respectively.
 | Nick Johnston (CRG-Tru Tech Engines) rallied to finish 9th in Parilla Leopard Only after starting 21st
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Friday was the final day for the event. Kyle Kuntze and Andrew Wiener started the day off in Yamaha Can Hvy qualifying 2nd and 11th. Kyle fell back to 3rd in the heat race while Andrew picked up a spot. In the main Kyle took the lead with three to go and never looked back, Andrew would follow him across in 6th just missing the podium. The lone entry in Jr. KPV was Jake Craig qualifying 11th and crossed the line 4th in the heat race. The main went a little different with an early red flag. Jake was delegated back a bit, improving his position to 5th by the end of the race. Steve Wiener qualified 15th for the second day of action. With a two position improvement in the heat race Steve would roll off 13th to start the main event. Continuing to improve, Steve battled for a top-10 result settling just outside with 11th. Jake and Killian again competed in Jr Yamaha Can with Jake qualifying 7th and Killian 34th. Jake was involved in an early wreck putting him back to 40th and driving up to 25th. Killian finished 29th improving his position as well. In the main Jake was on a mission, in the 16 lap main Jake made it to 11th just missing the top-10, Killian finished a respectable 27th position.
The next event for CRG California will be the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas January 27-29, 2012 in Tucson, AZ. CRG California drivers will partner with the Stacey Cook lead CRG-USA operation. Tent space is still available. Those interested in learning more about CRG California are asked to contact Colin McGinnis at (949) 813-2610 or Colin@crgcalifornia.net . Follow CRG California on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/CRG-California/233876336670779 |
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