12/30/2019
KC Sparks
Minnesota Missile Monday: 10th Annual Nebraska Kart Shootout
Minnesota Missile Monday: 10th Annual Nebraska Kart Shootout
December 30, 2019
With great support and excitement, KC entered his first Nebraska Kart Shootout in LIncoln, NE to put a wrap on the 2019 season, topped with a bow. Registration started out with drawing for both shows that featured a one heat format with passing points and a feature. KC drew the #5 for Saturday’s show and #1 for Sunday’s show so things were off to a good start.
Saturday Show #1
Saturday saw six drivers enter the box stock/builder prepared division of racing for the shootout. KC started the 10-lap heat from the outside of the front row alongside Kaden Rice. On the opening lap, Rice led the field into turn one but contact between Blake Adams and Logon Benge brought out the caution. The complete restart saw a fast side by side start with KC motoring to the lead as the six-pack headed into turn one. Sparks built up a straight away lead as the other competitors fought to get past the second running Rice. At the halfway point, Adams, who started fifth, made a run to the inside of Rice and took the second place but had a long distance to catch KC. Lap 6 saw the caution fly for Benge and Kahne Groves as they stopped in turn four. The restart put Adams directly on the back bumper of KC who set a slow starting pace. Adams was right there, giving KC a bump going into turn one but KC held tight and drove ahead. In the final circuits, Adams was unable to get close enough to mount another challenge and KC claimed the heat win ahead of Adams, Groves, Tylar Alton, Rice, and Benge.
Using passing and finishing points to line up the feature, KC lined up on the pole alongside Adams. The initial start saw lots of bumping and driving the inside line onto the discs resulting in Alton spinning in turn four and forcing a complete restart. The second start was clean until turn one when the Groves kart dove under Adams and the duo got stuck together. Everyone restarted but officials determined that a single file start would be appropriate. KC paced the field down the backstretch with Adams close on his tail. The front duo pulled away with KC opening up a two kart lead just to have Adams suck back up on his tail. Four laps in, the caution flew for Benge who had spun and lost the air filter on the track. The restart saw KC, Adams, Groves, and Alton bumper to bumper coming to the green. KC was able to open up a slight lead and led the field around the track and nearly 9 second laps. Benge and Rice were battling for fifth until Benge got high out of turn two and tagged the tire barrier and tipped his kart on its side. Benge kept in the gas and stood the kart back up but was retired from the event after six laps. KC again led the field to the green with Adams and Grove right there. KC was allotted some breathing room when Groves began challenging Adams and when the tires built up some heat, he was able to cruise to his first ever BP feature win! Adams held on for runner up ahead of Groves, Alton, and Rice.
Sunday Show #2
The second day saw the same format with one heat race and the feature lined up based on finishing and passing points. KC started from the pole with Rice to his outside. KC jumped to the lead with a drive off the inside of turn four and Rice was right on his tail. As the leaders completed the first lap, Adams and Benge got hooked together in turn four, bringing out the caution. The scorers counted the first lap and KC restarted out front with Rice, Groves, Alton, Benge, and Adams in tow. With Rice tapping the back bumper all down the back stretch, KC jumped on the gas and took a lap to start opening up a slight lead. KC’s kart was loose out of the corners as he would get back on the gas which allowed Rice to close back in. Rice was driving his kart in deep and on lap 6 Rice drove in hard and tagged the back bumper of KC causing the Rice kart to jump up the track and Groves to jump the back of Rice. Everyone was able to continue with Rice going to the back of the field. On the restart, KC led Groves, Alton, Adams, Benge, and Rice. KC led the field with Groves giving him a tap on the tail causing his own kart to become loose and allow KC to pull away and claim the heat win. Groves held on for second ahead of Alton, Adams, Rice, and Benge.
The fifteen-lap feature had KC sitting on the pole alongside Groves. KC again got a great start and led past the flag stand. Going into turn one, Alton made a bid to the inside for the lead just as Adams caught the back of Alton causing the two Wisconsin drivers to get hooked together and force a complete restart. Groves drifted high on the restart and allowed the Alton and Adams machines to move into the top three. On lap four, Adams moved past Alton for second and quickly closed in on KC. Rice moved past Alton and as the lead duo began battling, Rice began to close in. With two to go, Adams began tapping KC’s back bumper and in turn one of the final lap, Adams gave a bump and run which pushed KC up the track allowing Adams to claim the top spot. As KC collected his kart, Rice motored to his inside and stole the second place position while KC settled for third. Benge, Alton, and Groves were the remainder of the field.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Racers Swap Meet; January 10, 2020 - Sioux Falls, SD
SPONSOR APPRECIATION:
Autoland; Sioux Falls, SD
Heser Auto and Detailing; Jackson, MN
Last Deck LLC; Jackson, MN
Furby’s Auto Repair; Sioux Falls, SD
Jared Bailey Photography; Carlisle, IA
DRE; Boyden, IA
MyRacePass.com #TeamMRP #GetTheApp
YTD STATS:
Features: 41
Wins: 15
Top 5: 35
Top 10: 41
Article Credit: Stephanie Sparks
