The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series took to the track for Race #4 this weekend, the first in the three race "Mazda Summer Cash Dash". Drivers braved some scorching temps on Sunday as it was 101 Degrees in the shade according to the Thermometer in the back of the Hannah's race trailer. The heat Index was 115 Degrees, the temperature on the concrete was 124 Degrees and the temperature on the asphalt was an astonishing 139 Degrees. It was more than just hot this weekend it was brutal out there.
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| Drivers in Tech area after their races. Track temp was 139 degrees for Race #4 |
KMBC 9 News reporter, Marcus Moore, stopped by and did a live report for their 5:00pm Newscast as Team Parolin took to the track to show just what those karts could do.
KMBC TV 9 Marcus Moore Reports
KMBC TV 9 Marcus Moore Reports 10pm News
It was a tremendous day of racing and a thanks to all of you who showed up to race in the extreme temperatures. By the time we were ready for "The Awards Ceremony" we noticed that many drivers had already opted to get out of the extreme conditions and the News Media had just arrived, so rather than hold an official awards ceremony with so many drivers missing we felt it would be a good idea to recognize those drivers at the start of of Race #5 in August. We'll also draw for the tire winners at the start of that race as well. With so few people left at the track at 4:00pm it wouldn't have been much of a ceremony so we'll be sure to recognize those drivers at the race in August.
It was a very exciting day of racing and things kicked off early with a battle between Chris Koster and Angie Hannah in the Tag Masters class with Chris Koster taking the win in Race #4.
The second race of the day saw the Tag 60 class take to the track and Jacob Winslow not only extended his points lead, by picking up the victory, but he got an early jump on the $250.00 "Mazda Summer Cash Dash" bonus as well. Caden Boltz and Will Burke rounded out the top three.
There were some new Kid Karters at the race this weekend as a field of five drivers battled with each other during the day. Last years champion, Luke Howard, is trying to extend his lead in the second half of the season as he picks up yet another win. Tyler Hagan came in second with Braydon Cromwell, Zach Granberg, and Jaden Parker rounding out the top five.
Chris Thomasson continues his dominance in the Shifter class picking up another win and extending his points lead over Mike Parker, Dennis Brandon, and Joe Carlson who finished in that order on the day.
The Tag Jr. class continues to be very competitive. This class also has a $250.00 cash bonus in "The Mazda Summer Cash Dash" and Cole "Monster" Hannah took the win with Kyle Potts right behind him in second place. Shelby Winslow, James Russell, and Morgan Charleston rounded out the top five.
The Clone Class continues to be a tight battle on the track and John Pennington picked up the win on Sunday with Ted Hight and Bryan Carter rounding out the top three spots.
The final race of the day was the Tag Senior Class and it was a tremendous battle on the track! The driver that wins the Championship will be headed to the first ever "Mazda Road to Indy Scouting Combine" and the driver that wins the "Mazda Summer Cash Dash" will he headed to the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship race in Las Vegas. There were ten karts on the track for qualifying so that meant a 50% payout was available and would be split by the top three drivers.
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| Tag Senior Karts line up for Tech Inspection after racing in 100+ degree temps. |
The next race for "The Mazda Heartland Sprint Series" presented by Russell Karting Specialties will be August 13th and 14th. It's race #5 in our six race Series and points battles are getting tight. Good luck to everyone and we'll see you in August....
