Top Kart Takes Chassis Lead Heading to Grand Nationals
CONCORD, NC - The log jam at the top of the heap in the Manufacturers Chassis Standings on the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series has broken up slightly, but with little to no breathing room for anyone, as the series returns back to New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana for the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals September 23-25, the race that will not only determine national champions in the 8 national classes offered, but also offer bragging rights to the winning chassis on the series for a year.
Following the Grand Products Nationals this past weekend at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, Top Kart, by virtue of 5 wins, broke the tie with Tony Kart, thus edging out to a 3-win lead with 1 national event remaining.
Additionally, all 5 wins for Top Kart came with different drivers at Pittsburgh;
Water for a Cause Kid Kart: Tristan Young
Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman: Madison Campeau
FranklinKart.com Yamaha Junior: JP Southern Jr, Tyler Ferris
Fullerton Karts USA Yamaha Senior: Dakota Pesek
Tony Kart kept within striking distance for the finale, by securing 2 wins over the weekend, both in the Woltjer Racing Engines Pro IAME Junior class with wins by Myles Rowe and Lance Fenderson.
FA Kart was a big mover, taking 4 wins over the weekend, led by Jacob Donalds 2 wins in the KartSport North America Pro IAME Senior class. Other wins for FA came with Braden Eves in the Fullerton Karts USA Yamaha Senior class, while Garret Adams added his name to the list in the Allison Racing Engines Yamaha Sportsman class, thus moving FA to third in the overall standings, still with a shot at the title.
Benik Chassis also improved by 2 wins for the year with wins by Luca Mars in the IAME USA East Pro Swift Sportsman class.
Kosmic also checked in for 2 wins over the weekend, on the heels of Jeremy Fletchers sweep of the CRPRacing.com Mini Swift Class.
Praga was able to secure 1 win over the weekend as well, with Indy Ragans win in the Water for a Cause Kid Kart Class on Sunday.
With those results, here’s a look at the updated standings:
Top Kart: 13
Tony Kart: 10
FA: 8
Benik: 6
Merlin: 5
Praga: 5
Kosmic: 5
Comp Kart: 3
Birel: 3
Margay: 2
Fullerton, Parolin, Emmick, and Energy are tied with 1 win a piece.
If the results for the series in September net the same parity as it did in July at New Castle, Top Kart can look at the Pittsburgh event as the turning point for their season, as parity reigned supreme in Indiana, with 4 chassis’s enjoying 3 wins each, those being Top Kart, FA, Benik, and Kosmic. Birel and Comp Kart enjoyed 2 wins each, while Tony Kart hit a dry spell at the July event, unable to secure a win.
One thing is sure, much like some of the individual titles up for grabs in the Top Kart USA Grand Nationals, it won’t be a cakewalk.