206 Senior winner Aden Rudolph (Photo: Studio52.us)

The 2024 edition of the International Kart Federation Sprint GrandNationals was contested over the August 2-4 weekend at the Amarillo Kart Complex. The Panhandle, Texas facility welcomed nearly 130 entries over the nine categories, competing for the coveted Duffy trophy that has been with the organization since the 1970s – named after karting pioneer Frank ‘Duffy’ Livingstone.

It was warm weather over the three days of racing, with temps rising into triple digits. The competitors pushed through the heat with a full day of practice followed by qualifying on Friday. Three rounds of heat races on Saturday set the grids for the main events on Sunday.

The largest category of the event was 206 Senior presented by Shaw Stickers and Stuff, featuring 30 drivers. It was also the only category that saw one driver sweep the action in their respective category. 2023 KA100 Senior winner Aden Rudolph (CRG) switched classes this year and bested the field for a second career Duffy trophy. He grabbed the IKF Screaming Eagle with fast time in qualifying of 1:12.864 to edge out Alex Stanfield (TB Kart) by 12 thousandths. He led wire-to-wire in the opening heat race before battling for the win in Heat #2. Rudolph maintained the pole position for the main event with a win in Heat #3. In the Final, Rudolph was able to partner with Josey Chambers (Intrepid) – last year’s Junior winner. Chambers tried on the final circuit to take away the top spot, however, Rudolph fought him off to claim victory. Stanfield beat out Matthew Winfrey (Invader) for the third step on the podium with Bryce Frank (MGM) in fifth.

KA100 Senior winner Alex Stanfield (Photo: Studio52.us)

The TB Kart South KA100 Senior class was a near sweep as Alex Stanfield (TB Kart) took home his first Duffy trophy. Stanfield led the way in qualifying to earn the IKF Screaming Eagle with a 1:04.283 lap to clear the 17 driver field by over a tenth. Second in qualifying was Landon Skinner (GFC), who was able to steal away the win in the opening heat. Stanfield returned fire with a wire-to-wire run in Heat #2 before fending off Texas Sprint Racing Series champion Peyton Phillips (Redspeed) in the final heat. The main event was a green-to-checkered performance for Stanfield, holding off a charging Skinner late in the race to claim the victory. Phillips completed the podium in third ahead of Dallas Dunlap (TB Kart) and Ethan Williams (Tony Kart).

KA100 Junior winner Tyron Kemper Jr. (Photo: Studio52.us)

A total of 13 drivers battled in the P1 Engines KA100 Junior class. It was led in qualifying by David Ybarra (CRG), taking the IKF Screaming Eagle with a 1:04.808 lap time to clear the field by over two tenths. Second in the order was Tyrone Kemper Jr. (Tony Kart), who grabbed the win in the opening heat with a last lap move. Heat #2 was a move to the win with two laps remaining for Kemper ahead of Ybarra. Tyler Roberts (GFC) put his name into the mix with a win in Heat #3 after grabbing the top spot on the opening lap. Kemper, however, would earn the pole position for the Final alongside Ybarra with Roberts and Christopher Wakefield (GFC) going from row two. All four battled for the top spot over the course of the main event with all but Wakefield leading at one point. Roberts led at the white flag with Ybarra in second. It was Kemper that would go from third to first on the final circuit, taking his first Duffy trophy with victory. Wakefield was able to follow him through for second place just 87 thousandths short at the line. Roberts settled for third with Ybarra crossing in fourth. Rounding out the top-five was Matthew Dukette (Gillard).

206 Junior winner Christopher Wakefield (Photo: Studio52.us)

Several drivers were in contention in the Trackside Karting Services 206 Junior class. Gavin McCune (EOS) edged out the 14-driver field for the fastest time in qualifying to take the IKF Screaming Duffy with a lap of 1:14.486. Wade Boertje (LN Racing Kart) came up from fifth to grab the win in the opening heat race with McCune holding the top spot in the second moto. Christopher Wakefield (GFC) was there in both heats, able to steal the lead and the win in the final heat thanks to fast laps of the race. McCune and Wakefield earned the front row starting spots for the Final as Boertje and Chris Tracey (GFC) made up row two. The front row starters were able to get away from the rest of the field to make it a duel for the top spot. Wakefield led most of the race however McCune led multiple times. Wakefield led at the white flag and was able to fight off McCune for the victory and his first Duffy trophy. Boertje won the battle for third ahead of Tracey and Stephen Searock (LN Racing Kart).

206 Master winner Chuck Jensen (Photo: Studio52.us)

Four different drivers stood out over the opening two days of the event in the 206 Master presented by BRT. Florida driver Phil Pignataro (Tony Kart) took the IKF Screaming Eagle in qualifying with a lap of 1:15.276, edging out Texan Chuck Jensen (Birel ART). Fourth in the order was another Texas driver in Marshall Steves III (GFC), winning the opening heat race. Jensen crossed the line first in Heat #2 with North Carolina driver Todd Baron (Mach 1) – a former Duffy winner – taking the top spot in the final heat. The heat points calculated put Baron on the pole position alongside Steves while Pignataro and Jensen filled out row two. Baron led the opening four laps until Jensen took over. From there, Jensen was able to drive away to a 1.5-second advantage for the Duffy trophy. Baron settled for second place with Pignataro joining them on the podium. Omar Pinales (CRG) was able to beat Steves for the fourth position.

KA100 Master winner Jose Eduardo de la Garza Elizondo (Photo: EKN)

The list of new Duffy winners will also include Jose Eduardo de la Garza Elizondo after taking victory in the KA100 Master presented by CRG Nordam. Randall Rogers (LN Racing Kart) took the fast time in qualifying with a 1:06.129 lap time for the IKF Screaming Eagle. Elizondo (Tony Kart) was able to win the opening heat after starting third with Daniel Howie (TB Kart) up from fourth for the win in Heat #2. Rogers maintained the top spot in the final heat to maintain the pole position for the Final. Elizondo started on the outside of front row. On the opening lap, Rogers was shuffled to the tail of the field allowing Slade Miller (CRG) to lead before Howie took over. He led until the final circuit with Elizondo grabbing the top spot, reaching the line first for the victory. Howie settled for second place with Rogers climbing back to third.

206 Cadet winner Tanner Barsch (Photo: Studio52.us)

Tanner Barsch became the fourth different winner in four years for the 206 Cadet presented by Briggs & Stratton Racing. Barsch (CRG) edged out the 19-driver field for the IKF Screaming Eagle by only 70 thousandths with a 1:13.014 lap. The opening heat race went to Barsch with Tyler Morawiec (GFC) coming up from fifth to win the second heat while Sawyer Chambers (Kart Republic) took the top spot in Heat #3 after starting second. Barsch was able to retain the pole position for the Final with Chambers alongside on the front row. Miles Boertje (LN Racing Kart) and Aston Wyatt (Birel ART) started from row two. The main event was a battle including Barsch and Chambers. The first half was Barsch leading before Chambers took over. On the final circuit, the two raced for the victory with Barsch crossing the line first by 61 thousandths for the Duffy trophy. Wyatt won the battle for third over Boertje with Drew Blehm (Nitro Kart) up five spots to fifth.

Mini Swift winner Aston Wyatt (Photo: Studio52.us)

It was almost two Duffy trophies for Barsch on the day after the action in the Mini Swift presented by Alan Rudolph Racing Academy. Barsch (CRG) set fast time in qualifying, adding a second IKF Screaming Eagle with a 1:09.316 to clear the 10-driver field. Barsch came away with the win in all three heat races to retain the pole position. Aston Wyatt (Birel ART) was able to challenge Barsch but did not take the lead until before the white flag. On the final circuit, the two fought for the lead and the victory, with Barsch crossing the line first. However, Barsch was penalized five-seconds for cutting the track, thus promoting Wyatt to the top step of the podium. Barsch was able to end up second in the final results with Simon Kline (Kart Republic) in third. Andrew Li Anastasio (Birel ART) and Sophia Sadigova (CRG) completed the top-five.

Honda Kid Kart winner Michael Dean (Photo: Studio52.us)

The youngest division of the event was the Honda Kid Karts presented by Gallery Furniture. Michael Dean (CompKart) was able to improve throughout the weekend, advancing to the lead for the first time in the main event. He led from lap three to the checkered flag for the victory. Braxton Shiflett (CRG) drove to second with Wiley Lee (CRG) in third, making it an all-California podium. Top qualifier Dusty Strayer (Tony Kart) finished fourth with Heat #2 winner Franco Morales (Birel ART) placing fifth.

The history books have added the nine different winners of the 2024 IKF Sprint GrandNationals. Plans for the 2025 edition are in the works, with another crop of Duffy trophies to be awarded to those who triumph once again.

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