05/05/2024
Good morning everyone and happy Cinco de Mayo. The first round of Border Wars is in the books and it had everything you can expect from a big go-kart race. Excitement, disappointment, good racing, and drama. There were eleven classes b I'mut I'm only reporting on five. I'm not fixing to sit here and write a book. 😆 It will still be a lengthy one, so grab a beverage and buckle up....
The women's class had six ladies show up for battle. Sheena Noyes started on the pole for the heat race in the #13. She jumped out to the early lead and held it for a couple of laps until Myrka Sussex got by in the #25. Myrka was cruising to victory but the chain came off as she took the white flag. Sheena took back the lead and the win. The #7 of Kylie Killebrew was on the pole for the main with Noyes outside. Sheena beat Kylie into one on the start and built a nice lead. She was well on her way to victory until the yellow came out with two to go. Sheena's motor shut off under caution and after she got started back up, they sent her to the rear. That gave the lead to Sussex after starting last and she rolled it into victory lane. The 11t of teenager Taylor Noyes crossed the line in second and Mariah Moreno capped the podium in the #33....
The super stock light class had four cars sign in. Sheena saw herself sitting on the pole again for the heat race. It didn't take long for Arturo Cortez (Artie) to take the lead from his third starting spot in the #4 and drove away for the win. Artie started on the pole for the main with Mariah Moreno outside. Artie was looking good for the win until he slid up out of the groove midway through and Moreno capitalized on his mistake to take the lead. She was able to hold off the challenge from Cortez to bring it home with the win. Artie slipped up again with one to go and almost lost second but held on with Tristan Gee putting the #88 on the podium....
It was a disappointing turnout for the sealed karts as only five karts came to play. Needless to say, it was pretty uneventful. Jason Benedict was on the pole for the heat in the #17. Cj Bunch started outside and drove the to the win. The #18 of Brandon Bolton was on the pole for the main with Bunch on the outside. They fell in line on the start with Bolton out front, Cj second and Benedict third. That's how they ran for fifteen laps and finished....
Twelve super stock heavy karts rolled into the pits to put on a show. Heat one had the #61 of Dayton Shelton on the pole. Stevie Sussex started 3rd in the #25 and came across the line in first but was two pounds light on the scales giving Shelton the win. Chris Noyes had the pole for heat two in the 11t but could not hold off the of Dana Fite from the third starting position. Dayton redrew the pole for the main with Jacob Lewis in the 9L outside. Shelton grabbed the lead at the start and was comfortable for the first half of the race. The #17 of Stu Moffett battled his way to second from starting 7th and Stevie fought his way to third after starting last. Stu made a pass for the lead but the yellow came out and had to give it back. When the green flew again, Moffett started putting on the pressure and a couple laps later, he muscled his way underneath Shelton coming off of four and took the lead going into one with Sussex following right behind. Stu was too strong for Stevie to mount an attack and held on for the win. Stevie was right behind in second and Shelton topped the podium. After the race, there was a protest on Stu's motor so he said, "Ok." He pulled out his tech tools and said, "Tech it." It was legal....
The bad boys of the open class brought fifteen karts to the party. TJ Ricketts in the brought them to the green for heat one. Rickey Kinney Jr. took the win from the third starting spot in the 81k. Heat two had Lonnie Oliver in the #22 on the pole but no one had anything for the #71 of Stevie Sussex as he cruised to the win after starting fourth. Heat three saw Greg Bean in the #97 sitting on the pole but it was all "The Godfather," Keith Noyes in the 11n also coming from fourth for the win. The top six from passing points redrew for the main and Aaron Cavaleri drew the pole for his #9. The 24 of Hudson Storment drew outside front row. Sussex was supposed to start fourth but when he rolled out onto the track, he hit the gas pedal and the gear sprocket broke off ending his night. When the green flag dropped, the fight was on. Cavaleri grabbed the lead with Storment dropping in behind. Noyes started fifth and quickly made his was to third. The top three were nose to tail for thirteen laps putting a gap on the rest of the field. Storment got a run off of two, got under Cavaleri and made the pass into three. When he got back on the pedal, he spun the tires and looped it into the infield. That brought out the yellow and it was a two lap dash for all the glory. Noyes threw everything he had including the kitchen sink, the refrigerator, and the oven at Aaron trying to get him to make a mistake. No bobble from Aaron so Keith made a last chance effort going to the outside in four coming to the checkers, got side by side, but Aaron beat him to the line by half a kart length and picking up the $500 check. Kinney Jr rounded out the podium.
That's gonna do it. I will say I'm a little disappointed in one thing. Verde Valley Raceway is hosting the second round of Border Wars and I thought there would be more karts from the pucker brush coming down the hill to support Adobe Mountain Speedway. It's only an hour drive. Bet most of the Valley karts will be up there to support their track for round two. Oh well....
Don't forget, next Friday and Saturday night. Gila Monster Raceway for the Warren Wampole Memorial...
See y'all later
Rebel out.
