2019CalSpeedMagazineJan

J anuary 5, 2019 marked not only the Season Opener for the Sprint Series, but the first race ever at the new and improved CalSpeed Karting. With new corners, new passing opportunities, and a sold out field mixed with both newcomers and podium finishers, the Saturday promised excitement for all to see. Familiar faces abound during quali and it was no surprise that overall P2 from 2018 Spencer Russell was dominating. Between himself, Pietro Moro, and Owen Lerman, the three were the only drivers to have breached the sub one-minute mark with the 3 fastest times. It wasn’t long until Russell would flee the pack from the green flag, so the fighting would be amongst a slew of drivers such as Randy McKee and Tyler Redman. The former showed the most mettle this time around; there was no stopping him as he dispatched one competitor after another, eventually forcing Redman to P3 after a long grip on second honors. While Lerman would hold the torch for the first few laps of the A-Main, Russell would steal it clean way with fellow teammate James Lieser slotting in behind to try and get away from the rest. This wasn’t going to be a walk-away type of race though. Lerman, Donnie Clarke, and McKee continued to stay hot on their heels, never letting any semblance of a gap to develop. McKee made his presence known at every corner and negotiated a better upwards path for himself than the rest. By the checkered, Russell would earn the win, followed by Lieser and McKee. In the end, it’s only the first round of the year so as we know, anything still goes. Talking championship though, we must exclude 2R driver Russell and then we are left with multiple drivers tied for P1: Randy McKee, James Lieser, and Donnie Clarke. McKee has proven in past years that he’s got what it takes to win races but you throw in the wild card that is Lieser and who knows what will happen. Round 2 is only 3 short weeks away and we may start seeing solid showings for the Winter Sub-championship early on! A Main Podium B-Main Winner Doug Yauney C-Main Winner David Hazlewood Round 1 Jan 5