CONCORD, NC - After half of the 16 Two Cycle classes on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series found different winning chassis combinations at Daytona, the theme pretty much remained the same for the series second stop, the Praga North America Nationals April 1-3 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. While Tony Kart edged out to a current 3-win lead following its 4-win performance at the GoPro event, the battle for the Manufacturers Championship Trophy is totally up for grabs with 3 national events to go.
Led by Ryan Norberg, the only 2-time winner over the weekend in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class, as well as wins by Lance Fenderson and Ty Gibbs in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class, Tony Kart now leads Merlin and Top Kart by 3 wins, totaling 8 victories so far this season.
Merlin scored 1 less win at GoPro than Daytona, while Top Kart increased their win total by 1 following Race #1, giving both manufacturers 5 wins each so far this season. Merlins successes came on Saturday at GoPro with Robert Noaker III taking the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class, while Brandon Lemke took the Fullerton Karts USA Yamaha Senior final.
For Top Kart, 1 of the 3 wins centered around a great comeback for JP Southern Jr, returning after a grinding crash last November at the Super Nats in Las Vegas. Southern took the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Junior final on Saturday while Kaden Wharff continued his awesome season on Sunday, scoring the top spot in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman Class. Pauly Massimino enjoyed a good weekend, taking the FranklinKart.com Yamaha Junior class.
It was also a good weekend for race sponsor Praga North America, as Zane Maloney and Jacob Donald kept the battle for the title a four horse race. Maloney took the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman class, while Donald snared the Fullerton Karts USA Yamaha Senior main, giving Praga 4 wins on the season. Other chassis winners included:
Margay: Tristan Young: Water for a Cause Kid Karts
Fullerton: Eli Trull: CRPRacing.com Mini Swift
Parolin: Caleb Gafrarar: CRPRacing.com Mini Swift
Benik: Devin Gomez: IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman
Here’s a look at the overall standings as the series takes a break until July 15-17, when they head to New Castle Motorsports Park for stop #3.
Tony Kart: 8
Merlin: 5
Top Kart: 5
Praga: 4
Margay: 2
Fullerton: 1
Birel: 1
Parolin: 1
Benik: 1
FA: 1
Comp Kart: 1
Emmick: 1
Energy: 1