STEAD, NV (JULY 17) — A week after the KPX series visited Desert Park Raceway the Northern Nevada Kart Club hosted the next round of their 2022 season on the same track configuration.
Due to the forecast hot weather, and that only two Kid Kart drivers their first heat was during qualifying for everyone. That way they ran their six-lap feature when the second heat was running for everyone else.
On the green, from a standing start both boys were nose-to-tail for the first third of the race. An error by Hunter Nelson dropped him behind and gave Davey Jorgenson a large lead. They finished in that order.
First up for the main events was the Super Stock Class. First on point was Jacob Ciari and right behind him were the karts of Edward Atkins and Nathan Heath.
Eventually Heath would take second then the lead. Behind him there would be a long duel for second place.
At the checkered a delighted Heath took what was apparently his first victory. Atkins ended up second with Ciari less than a second behind him in third.
After the post race weigh in Heath said, “Once I was in front I didn’t feely anyone behind me. I was just going on my own pace, keeping everything in my peripheral vision away and just looking ahead at the track. Keeping my eyes on the track, trying not to make a mistake, being smooth.
“I need to thank my dad. For three years he’s been here with me and we’ve been trying so hard just to make adjustments, trying to stay out of wrecks and we finally did it. It’s pretty awesome and I’ve got to thank Cole Nelson. It started three years ago with a rental kart, arrive and drive.”
Next up came the Junior 2 class. When the green waved Brooke Anderline took his usual place up front but this time Andrew Hitchcock was right behind him. Lap after lap a large blanket would have covered both of them as they tore around the track.
Before the halfway point Hitchcock got into the lead and now had Anderline right behind him. After the white flag Anderline found an opening and retook lead in Turn 2.
But it wasn’t over yet. Heading into the final left-right-left complex there was contact. Anderline had to cut to the right while Hitchcock had to cut to the left in the final corner. Fortunately there was extra room inside of each corner’s apex.
At the end they had the closest finish of eight tenths of a second at the checkered flag.
After Anderline got his newly painted helmet off he said, “I saw him try and pass me, I think it was Lap 5, and honestly at that point I was just kind of like ‘go ahead.’ I like to wait till the last lap to make my move so they can’t get back.
“But it was definitely a good race. Coming on the straight away right there got a little clip the rear a little bit and couldn’t swing back for the actual corner so I had to lift getting on the straightway.”
Then he thanked Cashill Racing, Invader Racing Engines and his parents.
REPORTER’S NOTE: Apparently Hitchcock received a penalty and was dropped to fourth place in the results. This elevated Cooper Perez to second and Isaiah Nobles to third. No matter it was still the race of the day.
Next up came the dual-class main featuring the KA100 racers that get the green flag first. Several seconds later the TAG class get their green and the race/chase is on.
Up front Deeahme Malone was on point with Caleb Mayer giving chase. Behind them Adrik Owen was as leading William Owen as they began chasing the KA racers.
Mayer would take the overall lead but in the end Malone got it back and went to take the class and over victory. Behind them Michael McMullen was able to hold off the Owen duo and finish fourth overall behind third place Stevie-Ray Rosario.
William Owen took the TAG victory with his sixth place finish while Adrik Owen was sixth.
Before heading to the Table of Doom for a final tech inspection overall and KA100 winner Deeahme Malone said, “I really wanted to have fun out there. We all have a great time, that’s what I like about our races. “I’m going to thank everyone that I raced with here, they were really fun to day and I hope we can do it again next race. I thank everyone in my family to for their support us especially my mechanic dad as he works on this kart a lot and I appreciate him for that.”
Later TAG winner Owen said, “It as a little bit of a comeback for the day after being put out in the first two heats. I just waited for his mistake and took it.
“We were sitting behind Troy Berry there, he went out on the dirt and that was my opportunity. Just dodged them and didn’t get wrecked. Want to thank Rex, my employee in the pits, my cousin, who made it possible and my parents.”
Next on the list are the Junior 1 Class, younger racers getting their racing spurs before moving up into the next class. When the green waved Jeremiah Nobles was on point with Kayden Williams right behind him.
A lap or two later and Williams was on point and pulling away from the others. At the checkered Williams had an over 5 second lead with Skylar Gagnon finishing second with Jeremiah Nobles two tenths of a second further back in third.
Asked if it’s easier to be out front with a big lead or racing someone Williams said, “Kind of the same because usually if a competitor is the same speed you can draft them It’s hard because it’s all windy and you want to be as aerodynamic as possible
“The track was good, there’s a little bit of dirt in 2 and it was slippery in 7 but other than that the track was really good.”
When the LO206 Senior main began Issac Bourque, in his Purple People Eater kart took off and left everyone in his wake. Behind him there were several battles for positions.
He scored a runaway victory for the day. Behind him second place Heavyn Hill held off her third place grandfather Steve Dow while Nathan Heath was fourth.
Asked about the race Bourque said, “It was very good, I’m just getting ready for the nationals in October. So we’re just making changes and trying to get down to the right set up.
“I don’t think that was the right change but it is what it is I guess. There’s going to be a lot of good competition here in October. Just trying to get ready for it and get that Duffy.”
Then he thanked Jeff Cole, his father as well as Jerry and all his competitors.
One of the biggest classes is the LO206 Heavy and when the green waved 13 charged into the first turn. Up front Rachael Williams was on point with Derek Anderline and Gage Griego giving chase.
Those first laps were about as close as they ever got to her. Williams started to extend her lead every lap with a smooth, determined drive. At the checkered flag, with her husband and son rooting her on, she scored her first overall victory.
Her son greeted her at the post race weigh in and there were congratulations all around. While waiting for her kart to be checked at the Table of Doom she said, “Finally, oh my gosh that was so exciting. It was good just tried to stay focused, stay calm and not let pressure get to you and it was fun.
“This is my first win and I’ve been waiting for this. I think I’ve got a good support crew, I’ve got my kid here, my husband, mechanics and other families members.”
The day ended with the fastest karts of all, the shifters and there were a bunch of them on hand. When the green waved Zach Rivera took off with Ben Fisher and Zeke Corson giving chase.
Rivera had the fastest kart but Coson had taken over second and was keeping him honest. Both of them put distance between themselves and the other racers.
In the end Rivera won but Corson was just over a second behind him. Further back Mitch Kennedy was third with NNKC president Jeff Wamre forth.
After the race Rivera said, “This track is, ah at this point I can run it blind. I love coming out here, love to support the track and love racing. I’m not sure what we’ll be running there, I would love to be running shifters at the nationals. Just not sure about the class yet so maybe it will be 206.”
Then he thanked his father, Nevada Kart Sport, PSL, Riccriado and Sweet Tech, who is the engine builder.
Next race for NNKC is Round 6 on a slightly different configuration for the track. The date is August 7, a Sunday and for more information please go to, www.nnkcreno.com.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• For those wanting another car show to attend, the Spanish Springs Pizza Factory has one tonight from 4:40 until 7:30 every Monday.
• The South Steak ‘N Shake has a cruise in Tuesday evenings from 4 until 8 p.m. There is music and prizes at these meets.
• Wednesday, from 5 until 9 p.m. is when the Sparks A&W has its weekly cruise in. A DJ supplies the music for this event.
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In northwest Nevada, it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or it can be seen live on Face Book. The show is focused on all things automotive, trends, new developments and trivia.
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RESULTS:
Northern Nevada Kart Club – Round 5Desert Park Raceway – July 17, 2022
Kid Kart:
+ Main (6-Laps): Davey Jorgenson, Hunter Nelson.
Super Stock:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Nathan Heath, 2. Edward Atkins, 3. Jacob Ciari, 4. Brud Beaudoin, 5. Alec Beaudoin, 6. Jeremy Clark, 7. Chris Echard.
DNS: Ray Smithson.
Junior 2:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Brooks Anderline, 2. Cooper Perez, 3. Isaiah Nobles, 4. Andrew Hitchock, 5. Carter Knight, 6. Bryce Benton, 7. Lucca Sweetland.
DNS: Carter Chaffey.
KA100/Tag:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Deeahme Malone (KA), 2. Caleb Mayer (KA), 3. Stevie-Ray Rosario (KA), 4. MichaelMcMullen (KA), 5. William Owen (Tag), 6. Adrik Owen (Tag), 7. Troy Berry (KA), 8. Eric Kuzemchak (KA), 9. Gerry Altamira (KA), 10. Albert Diaz (Tag), 11. Steve LaFountaine (Tag).
Junior 1:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Kayden Williams, 2. Skylar Gagnon, 3. Jeremiah Nobles, 4. Noah Nobles, 5. Cash Prater, 6.Jeremy Heath.
Senior:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Issac Bourque, 2. Heavyn Hill, 3. Steve Dow, 4. Nathan Heath, 5. Noah Kitchingman, 6. Austin Hawkins, 7. Sassy McCormick.
Heavy:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Rachael Williams, 2. Derek Anderline, 3. Gage Griego, 4. Brandon Arace, 5.Jake Burchette, 6. Josh Prater, 7. Brad Huffman, 8. Jessica Mansfield, 9.Jerry Stark III, 10. Ron Duminie, 11. Trevor Smith, 12. Curtis Waggoner, 13. Gil Atkinson.
Shifter:
+ Main (12-Laps): 1. Zach Rivera, 2. Zeke Corson, 3. Mitch Kennedy, 4. Jeff Wamre, 5. Mike Faker, 6. Ben Fisher, 7. Adam Auerbach, 8. Gerry Williams, 9. Brooks Anderline, 10. Xavier Avila.
DNS: Chris Bender, AllenWilt.
