RENO, NV (Feb. 3) — The first High Desert Hustle was in Reno this week. Outlaw Kart racers converged on the Reno Livestock Events Center for three days of qualifying, heat races and the money races on Saturday.
There were some races on Thursday but Friday was the day for heats. With 300 entries those sorted everyone into the various mains they were going to compete in.
The biggest class was the 500 Open and Saturday began with their “J” main and worked its way down through the B main. After all the classes had run their B mains, and those drivers that transferred into their respective A mains it was time to get rolling,
Through the event the safety crew did a good job and anytime a kart was rolled or wound up on its side the red flag would be displayed. As the drivers stopped the safety crew rushed to make sure the driver that had rolled his kart was okay,
Most times, other than a bent wing or something minor a driver would continue. In some cases their crew would literally tip the kart on its end, with the driver still strapped in and do any repairs needed. Then the kart would be set on its wheels and if possible the driver sent back into the fray.
First class to have an A main were the Beginner Box Stocks. Since they were beginners they followed a Pace Quad until turned loose. For any cautions the field would reform behind the Pace Quad and do a restart
There were a couple of cautions but up front Bryce Nelson kept everyone at bay. Behind him here was a three-way duel for second.
At the end Nelson scored the victory followed by runner up Sawyer Vanpool, Know Reeves and Ashton Lynch,
At the winner’s celebration Nelson’s father lifted him up so he stood on the kart’s and waved a large checkered flag. This meant he scored a double as Nelson also won the Dash.
Later Nelson, who is 10-years-old, said he opens his entry when other racers are chasing him. He said the track was good then thanked his parents and SIT.
Next to take the green was the Non-Wing Class. The pace would be slowed by several cautions but each time racing resumed Preston Carr was on point with Colby Copeland and Eric Gannon giving chase.
The final caution ended with five to go but by then Copeland was on point and Carr was chasing him. Heading for the checkered they were almost side-by-side but Carr won by less than a kart length.
After standing on his kart and waving the huge checkered flag Grace Motorsports Photography brought he said, “Man that close finish was huge. The whole race didn’t know if I was fast, the track got rubber and my kart got better.
“That last long green flag he was pulling away so I didn’t think I was going to catch him then lappers slowed him in Turn 4, I saw the opportunity and I got it. Man that was such a good race, me and Colby have raced for a long time, he’s one of the best drivers. I can’t believe we won that.”
Then he thanked Ryan and Kattie as it’s their kart, his parents, Jimbo and everyone that helps him.
Third on the list was the Box Stock Class. Unfortunately one driver was unable to make the start so only 15 took the green.
Deakon Kamisky was on point with Logan Barnes and Bentley Nelson giving chase. The pace was slowed due to several cautions and one of them happened when two karts got locked together so the safety crew had to separate them.
In the final laps Kamisky held the lead but runner up Nelson was close behind while Tyce Domingos had moved into third. They would finish in that order.
After the flag ceremony Kamisky said, “Feels good, it was hard, coming for the white flag I got tailed a little bit so I had to kind of work around that. The we had a car like slow over here so I hit the berm really hard and got packed.”
The announcer asked his age, which is 10, then asked what he’s going to do with $2,000 dollars.
His answer was, “I don’t know, save up for college?”
Then he thanked his parents, SK Construction, Wards Concrete, Jimmy Eleged and everyone that helps him.
Next was the Caged Clone Class. On the green 16 karts charged into the first turn. Only one caution slowed the pace but up front Dominic Gordon was on point with Justin Reinolds close behind.
Late in the race getting past lap traffic slowed Gorden and allowed Reinolds to catch him. Heading for the checkered they were almost side-by-side and Gordon won by a bit more than half a kart length.
After winning a jubilant Gordon got on top of his kart and waved the checkered flag. Then it was time to accept the congratulations.
“You know it felt really good until he showed a nose there about five laps to go. Then I messed up going through three and four, he got right up to me and I protected just enough, barely got a better drive off of 4.
“We’ve been working all season, doing so good working on this car, we’ve just been getting better and better. Its for sale, anybody wants to buy it? Go shoot me an offer.”
Then he thanked his father, Chipper and Huckleberry for their help. Gordon races sprint cars but uses kart racing to maximize seat time.
Now it was time for the 250 Intermediate Class and 16 racers charged into the first turn when the green waved. Braxton Foster was on point with Brody Reinolds and Logan Reeves giving chase.
There were several cautions that slowed the pace but in the end Foster won the race as well as the prize money. He was followed up by Reinolds, Reeves and in fourth place was one of the two Nevada drivers to make an A main; Kayden Williams.
After doing donuts and waving the checkered flag he said, “I did it by doing good. It was hard out there, got caught with lap traffic and made me scared for a little bit.”
Then he thanked Kamiski, SK, ORC as well as his Mom and Dad.
Finally it was time for the race everyone was waiting for the 500 Open that had a $10,000 check for the winner. All the drivers lined up on the front straight for introductions, unlike the other mains this one was 40-laps long.
On the green Landon Brooks took off and left everyone in his dust. Two cautions slowed the pace but on the green Brooks would take off.
Unfortunately Brooks caught a lapper just as that driver got turned sideways in Turn 2. He could not avoid this and Tanner Holmes inherited the lead.
Once racing resumed Holmes took off but soon Aiden Larimer was catching him. With just a few laps to go Larimer got the lead but Homes was on his back bumper.
Heading for the checkered there was contact. Holmes was on the outside and bounced off the wall while Larimer seemed to slow just a bit. Heading for the final few yards Holmes accelerated so hard he lifted his front wheels off the ground.
He reached the finish probably less than a foot ahead of Larimer. The winning difference was 0.179 of a second.
Behind them Casey McClain was third while another Nevada driver Evan Gularte ended up fourth.
Once told he won Homes headed back to the infield, did some donuts and waved the checkered flag. Then family, friends and other drivers congratulated him.
After that he said, “You know man I just ran my ass off, our car was really good right away. Landon was probably the best car out there, I was just trying to pace myself, I ran too many of these to know you can’t win it early and you have to win it late, sometimes on the last corner.
“… This is big, I’ve won a lot of Red Bluff races and other stuff but haven’t won as many big shows. It feels great to bring home a big one and this one was awesome. We’re really fast on the whole thing and saved just enough at the end to hold him off. I knew someone was there, just didn’t know what to do. You’re kind of a sittin’ duck when you’re out front.”
Then he thanked Jimmy Elege, Factory QRC, First Racing, Performance Labs and his crew.
Now the Livestock Center is quiet as the oval is removed. On the good side it appears this event will return next year as it’s a wild winter event.
REPORTER’S NOTE:
- I want to thank the organizers and especially Steven Blakesley for all the help. If one wants to see the full results please go to www.myracepass.com. In the search box put Reno Livestock Events Center.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• This coming weekend the AMA Arenocross series returns to the Reno Livestock Center. So the arena goes from being a short flat track to a indoor motocross track.
• The Sierra Nevada Sprint Car Series returns this season. Usually great open wheel racing where every they visit.
• Diamond Mountain Speedway just released the 2024 schedule for the track. Always good racing and it’s a fun time for the youngsters when they have a egg hunt.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He recently started his broadcasts so to check if they happen check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday on Face Book.
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RESULTS:
High Desert Hustle – Reno Livestock Events Center Mains, Saturday, February 3:
• Main Winners, starts with the A:
- Beginner Box Stock: 1. Bryce Nelson, 2. Sawyer Vanpool, 3. Knox Reeves, 4. Ashton Lynch, 5. Parker Pedrotti, 6.Blake Rollag, 7. Rambo Johnson, 8. Nixon Soiland, 9. Brody Stivers, 10. Hudson O’Harrow, 11. Jaxon Fuchs, 12. Ayden James Siaz, 13. Maison Mockridge, 14. Ryde Matthews, 15. Brayden Kidd, 16. Jaxson Evett.
- Dash: 1. Bryce Nelson, 2. Sawyer Vanpool, 3. Knox Reeves, 4. Ashton Lynch, 5. Nixon Soiland, 6. Maison Mockridge, 7. Ryder Matthews, 8. Jaxson Evett, 9. Blake Rollag, 10. Ayden James Siaz.
- Dash: 1. Eakon Kamisky, 2. Bentley Nelson, 3. Logan Barnes, 4. Hunter Wood, 5. Zane Ritcheson, 6. Tyce Domingos, 7. Peyton Bunch, 8. Miles Boertje, 9. Clay Stopplemore, 10. Forrest Vanpool.
- – B Main Winner, Jaxon Fuchs, C Main Winner, Brody Robfogel.
- Box Stock: 1. Deakon Kamisky, 2. Bentley Nelson, 3. Tyce Domingos, 4. Forrest Vanpool, 5. Maci Smith, 6. Peyton Bunch, 7. Zane Ritcheson, 8. Clay Stopplemore, 9. Logan Barnes, 10. Luke White, 11. Hunter Wood, 12. Deegan Pochop, 13. Wade Boertje, 14. Blair Butterfield, 15. Miles Boertje.
- DNS: Beu Bicker.
- B Main Winner – Deegan Pochop, C Main Winner – Luke White, D Main Winner – Connor Lynch.
- 250 Intermediate: 1. Braxton Foster, 2. Brody Reinolds, 3. Logan Reeves, 4. Kayden Williams, 5. Mikie Mora, 6. Carrie, Osborne, 7. Riley Fuchs, 8. Kinser Bell, 9. Logan Pike, 10. Blaine Walls, 11. Kelby Fetters, 12. Mason Muraira, 13. Racin Gramps, 14. Landon King, 15. Landon Henry, 16. Parker Mockridge.
- Dash: 1. Braxton Foster, 2. Logan Reeves, 3. Landon Henry, 4. Racin Gramps, 5. Brody Reinolds, 6. Kayden Williams, 7. Landon King, 8. Kinser Bell, 9. Parker Mockridge, 10. Logan Pike.
- B Main Winner – Carrie Osborne.
- Non-Wing: 1. Preston Carr, 2.Colby Copeland, 3. Eric Gannon, 4. Jayce Hudson, 5. Chase Hof, 6. Luke Hayes, 7. Jace Helment, 8. Camryn Varrichio, 9. Noah VanDerhagen, 10. Wyatt Brown, 11. Brian Southers, 12. Ethan Lashley, 13. Rylan Sharrah, 14. Koa Crane, 15. Kinden Peacock, 16. Christian Hickman.
- Dash: 1. Colby Copeland, 2. Preston Carr, 3. Jace Delment, 4. Ethan Lashley, 5. Rylan Sharrah, 6. Jayce Hudson, 7. Eric Gannon, 8. Camryn Varrichio, 9. Kinden Peacock, 10. Luke Hayes.
- B Main Winner – Wyatt Brown, C Main Winner – Koa Crane, D Main Winner – Grasen Temora.
- 500 Open: 1. Tanner Holmes, 2. Aiden Larimer, 3. Casey McClain, 4. Evan Gularte, 5. Jesse Cowell, 6. Landon Brooks, 7. John Michael Bunch, 8. Colby Copeland, 9. Connor Mewhirter, 10. Preston Carr, 11. Casey Schmitz, 12. Ethan Lashley, 13. Tanner Carrick, 14. Jayden Bunch, 15. Garrett Brown, 16. Eric Botelho.
- Dash: 1. Colby Copeland, 2. Landon Brooks, 3. Casey McClain, 4. Connor Mewhirter, 5. Preston Carr, 6. Tanner Holmes, 7. Casey Schmitz, 8. Jesse Colwell, 9. Ethan Lashley, 10. Aiden Larimer.
- B Main Winner – Garret Brown, C Main Winner – Brayden Williams, D Main Winner – Brandon LaChance, E Main Winner – Ren Eberhartk, F Main Winner – Jace Dement, G Main Winner – Tyler Hrncirik, H Main Winner – Cole Revious, I Main Winner – Walter Ball, J Main Winner – Jayce Young.
- Caged Clone: 1. Dominic Gorden, 2. Justin Reinolds, 3. Brian Hubert, 4. Sarah Kavert, 5. Frank Benuzzi, 6. Timmy Crews, 7. Guy Young, 8. Ricky Jones, 9. Nate Fuchs, 10. Andrew Ference, 11. Taylor Simas, 12. Mike Allison, 13. Kodie Dean, 14. Colby Copeland, 15. Elijah Jones, 16. John Tevis.
- Dash: 1. Dominic Gorden, 2. Colby Copeland, 3. Ricky Jones, 4. Elijah Jones, 5. Justin Reinolds, 6. Timmy Crews, 7. Brian Hubert, 8. JohnTevis, 9. Frank Benuzzi, 10. Taylor Simas.
- B Main Winner – Sarah Kavert, C Main Winner – Brayden Diaz, D Main – Andrew Ference.
