While it may not be part of the karting memory for many currently in the sport, for 12 years from 2004 to 2015, New Castle Motorsports Park hosted a popular 200-lap endurance race that drew not only the top drivers in the sport but also a star-studded line-up of professionals from INDYCAR, IMSA, and NASCAR. The ‘RoboPong 200’ was an event that featured a team of drivers, multiple stints and full pit stops, pairing drivers to take on this unique challenge. While primarily a ‘team’ event, more than one driver in the past attempted to tackle the race alone, taking on the ‘Ironman’ challenge. Over the years, the event grew into one of the most anticipated races of the season. After an eight-year hiatus, NCMP made the decision earlier in the year to bring back this race and its return will take over the popular facility this weekend.

Weather is expected to be perfect for racing, with temps in the 70s and no threat of rain. Practice and qualifying are set for Saturday and the main event is schedule to roll off and go green at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday. EKN will be trackside all weekend long, with Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden not only joining Xander Clements in the broadcast booth for Kart Chaser’s coverage, but also managing our weekend reporting.

Josef Newgarden and Logan Adams will team up for the MHM 200 (Photo: EKN)

The event has been given an official title – the Mark Harrison Memorial 200 – which will honor the man who had been such a huge part of the Comet Kart Sales family for almost 40 years. Mark passed away suddenly in early September and he will be missed by all who knew him.

In its past form, the event was run with TaG 125cc engines, but in keeping with the most-popular category in the current two-cycle karting landscape in the United States, all teams will employ the IAME KA100 powerplant.

The track was hot on Friday and most teams took advantage of the opportunity to test on the one-mile national circuit, as the drivers dial things in for the weekend sessions. A total of 18 teams have signed up for the inaugural MHM 200 and, once again, the grid will be a mix of professional racers, top national karters, and NCMP regulars looking to step into the spotlight.  Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden leads the charge, returning the track where he spent so much time as a young kart racer. Newgarden won the RoboPong 200 with Mark Dismore Sr, in 2011 and Mark Dismore Jr. in 2013. This year, Josef will team up with Logan Adams, trying to win with three generations of the iconic family. Logan is on his own professional journey, having made his USF Pro 2000 debut this past season. The duo will in the hunt, most definitely.

INDYCAR will also be represented by 2018 Indy 500 winner and two-time series champion Will Power, and 2024 rookie and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson, who have teamed up to run a CS55 chassis under the SimPower banner. Another pairing from the INDYCAR ladder will see INDY NXT runner-up Jacob Abel and USF Pro 2000 champion Lochie Hughes under the MPG Motorsports tent aboard a Kart Republic. MPG Motorsports is fielding three teams this weekend, led by Chase Jones running Ironman in a solo effort. The final team of the trio will be one to watch with Austin Olds and Jack Diehl on the roster.

IndyCar champion Will Power is a former competitor of the famed RoboPong 200 (Photo: EKN)

Brandon Jarsocrak Racing could be the outright favorite coming into the weekend with two strong drivers for their single entry – USPKS Trackhouse KA100 winner and Stars OKN champion Pauly Massimino and SKUSA KA100 Senior champion James Overbeck. Both drivers are coming off incredibly impressive seasons and will steer a BJR LN Kart this weekend. Another pairing that will certainly fight for victory will be veteran Brandon Lemke and Jackson Wolny, who finished fifth in KA100 Junior on the SKUSA Pro Tour this year, and second in X30 Junior in both USPKS and SKUSA competition.

Former winner Jimmy Simpson (2014) will team with veteran driver and 2019 USF2000 champion Braden Eves on an Energy chassis for Jimmy Simpson Racing and Energy Corse USA. NCMP regulars Eli Warren and Luke Powers will be one of the two pairings running the Magik Kart single-speed chassis this weekend, joined by Max Weiland and Annie Rhule under the Magik Kart USA / Adrenaline Fix Karting banner.

The return of the event will also push the teams to come to grips with full-speed pit stops and tire strategy. NCMP will provide each team with a spec fuel jug, and it will be interesting to see how the teams strategize the procedure in terms of refueling and tire changes. Only four crew members will be allowed to service the kart when it comes to pit lane.

Stay tuned to EKN for daily reports and keep an eye on our social media accounts for trackside content.

Mark Harrison Memorial 200 Provisional Entry List

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