Jeff Dolian carried the checkered flag three times at the 2024 Rock Island Grand Prix (Photo: EKN)

In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.

To win multiple times on the same weekend at a karting event is a difficult task. The challenge increases when the event is on the city streets, with a design never run before and only a few sessions to learn it. The 2024 Rock Island Grand Prix was the most unique event in its history, with the street race moving to a new location in Rock Island, Illinois due to construction in the downtown region. Texan Jeff Dolian, a veteran of the event, was able to master the new layout quickly, earning three victories at the historic street race.

Wins in Briggs 206 Heavy 2, King of the Rock Briggs and Briggs 206 Medium puts Dolian’s RIGP win total at six (Photo: EKN)

The Rock Island Grand Prix began back in 1994, hosting 28 previous events prior to this year’s Labor Day weekend on August 31 – September 1. The all-volunteer organization transforms the city streets of Rock Island, Illinois into a two-day karting festival. Different for the 29th edition was the move to new streets for the circuit due to the multi-million dollar construction of the downtown region. The track, still a six-turn course, was in the opposite direction (clockwise), and brough on its own characteristics compared to the original course.

Dolian came into the 2024 RIGP with a total of three victories. His first came back in 2016 in the Margay Ignite category before going on to win Briggs 206 Masters in 2021 and 2023.

For the 2024 edition, Dolian registered in six classes on the weekend, including Masters, both Medium categories, both Heavy divisions, and the King of the Rock Briggs 206. The first category of the weekend looked promising as Dolian qualified second and finished first in the heat race for Briggs 206 Heavy category. Starting on the pole position, Dolian began the lap as the leader, unfortunately, pushed wide on the exit of the left-hand turn four, contacting the barrier and collecting others to end their race on the first lap.

Dolian was able to regroup for the Briggs 206 Heavy 2 category, where he started fourth. He joined heat race winner Connor Lund and Justin Wishard at the front of the field. They ran nose to tail for the first 13 laps. As they came to the white flag, Lund got a bad run out of turn six. Lund moved to the inside as Dolian went around on the outside heading into one. Wishard tried to move past Lund as well but ran out of room and went into the wall, ending his race early. That was the advantage Dolian needed, going unchallenged to the checkered flag for his fourth win at RIGP, first in this class.

The Briggs 206 Masters class was directly after, with Dolian grabbing some water and fuel to start from the pole position. Dolian was joined at the front by four-time class winner Tony Neilson. They ran 1-2 for the first 14 laps before Neilson made his move in the final corner, reaching the line first to push Dolian back to second.

The King of the Rock Briggs 206 class – the largest at 29 drivers – was the next category for Dolian. It was a battle on Saturday as he made zero laps in qualifying due to a broken exhaust. It put him 27th on the grid for the heat race, where he advanced up to the 10th spot. Dolian made quick work for positions over the opening laps and by lap nine, he took over the lead with Connor Lund on his bumper. They would run that way to the checkered flag as Dolian became the fourth different winner for King of the Rock Briggs 206, his second victory of the day and fifth career triumph.

The Briggs 206 Medium class was next on the order for Dolian. He set fast time in qualifying and finished second in the heat race. By lap 7, Dolian was back in fourth behind Brennan Hanville, Ashton Wheeler, and Justin Wishard. At the white flag, Dolian was up into the third spot and when they came around to the checkered, was leading to secure his first win in class, and now his sixth total at RIGP.

Dolian closed out the event with his sixth class in Briggs 206 Medium 2. Dolian was top qualifier and won the heat race. The 15-lap main event was Dolian and Justin Wishard at the front, breaking away from the rest of the pack. Dolian led the first 14 laps before Wishard was able to muscle past in the last few corners to claim the win. Dolian finished second, securing a fifth podium result on the weekend in the sixth categories.

Dolian is set for a return to the Rock Island Grand Prix in 2025 over Labor Day weekend. His racing will be limited next season as his focus turns to the beginning of his son’s karting career. Emerson Dolian is set to begin his Kid Kart campaign.

September 2024 EKN Driver of the Month – Jeff Dolian

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Born: October 1983 (Springfield, Illinois)
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Marital Status: Married to an amazing karting mom, Amanda!
Children: Emerson (6) and Harrison (2)
Height/Weight: 5’10” / 185 lbs.
Education: Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Occupation: Civil Engineer – helping developers develop their property and Civil Engineer of Record for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track and paddock.

Racing Resume

Chassis: Margay or any Arrive and Drive opportunity
Engine/Engine Builder: GT Machine Briggs 206 by Dave Koehler
Sponsors: My wife’s business, Loving Goodbyes, she performs in-home euthanasia for dogs and cats. The one person I don’t want to make mad because she could take me out in my sleep.
Series You Compete In: I prefer to race in one-off events, especially street races. Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals 8 was my first CKNA event. Hoping to see the USAC Battle at the Brickyard back on our calendars soon!
Years Karting: 8 years in my teens, and I have been back into karting for about 8 years as an adult
How did you get started in karting? I saw the Elkhart Grand Prix street race on ESPN when I was 9 years old and asked my parents for a kart of my own to race around the neighborhood.  Fortunately, they did their research and found Mid-State Kart Club in Springfield, Illinois and gave me a kart for my 10th birthday.
What has been the high point in your racing career? It is tough to choose between winning two classes at the USAC Battle at the Brickyard in 2018, and every one of my 8 wins at the Quincy Grand Prix of Karting at South Park in Quincy, Illinois. I love that I’m in the top 10 of all-time wins at the Quincy Grand Prix.
What are your goals in racing? Win whatever race I am entered in that weekend and get home so I can go to work the next day.  Professional drivers are retiring at my age!
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Old fashioned, I’m not much of a blocker.
Funniest moment at the race track? Pitting near Mark Coats as a kid, although I don’t think he thought it was as funny as I did.

Likes

Favorite Track: Quincy Grand Prix of Karting at South Park.  This is an absolutely majestic street racing circuit that is made even more perfect by the thousands of fans that come cheer us on each year. This is the one event I encourage everyone to attend!
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Tony Neilson, unless he’s beating me which he usually does.
Favorite professional driver: Michael Schumacher, the real Stig!
Favorite website: illiniInquirer.com – Go Illini!
Favorite movie: Saving Private Ryan
Favorite actor/actress: Tom Hanks
Favorite music/group: Mumford and Sons
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain in 2013
Favorite food: Cream Cheese Danish

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Spending time and traveling with the family, and watching Illini basketball and football games.
What are your goals outside of karting? Becoming a better father for my children and growing my business as a civil engineer, then retire young.
What type of street car do you drive? BMW i4 and a 1998 BMW M3 on the weekends.
What type of street car would you like to drive? Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Oversized egos annoy me, I appreciate humbleness.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Bring back a little bit of courtesy at the track. I also think we need to find a way to get karting back in front of the masses to help the sport grow (getting a race on a national sports television network or just taking a kart to a local car show).  This sport can change the lives of families and children but too many people don’t even know it exists.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The close racing that comes with running in the Briggs 206 classes and seeing the confidence of a young kid grow as they learn how to race karts.

September 2024 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Shea Aldrich: California ProKart Challenge – KA100 Senior Winner

– Diego Ardiles: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – 1 Win (KA100 Junior) / 2 Championships (KA100 Junior / X30 Junior)

– Talan Drake: Rock Island Grand Prix – 2 Wins (King of the Rock 100, Senior 100cc)

– Wynn Godschalk: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – Micro Swift Winner

– Tyrone Kemper Jr.: Texas Sprint Racing Series – KA100 Junior Winner

– Jakub Kolar: IAME USA Grand Nationals Championship – X30 Pro Winner

– Jack Kotowski: USPKS Indiana Grand Prix – Mini Swift Winner

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