8/3/2020
KC Sparks
Broken Headers Slow Sparks
Minnesota Missile Monday: Broken Headers Slow Sparks
August 3, 2020
Friday English Creek Speedway
A full field of 24 drivers came for competition in the box stock division on Friday night. The fifteen lap A Main was paced to the green by Cole Garner and Gage Pulkrabek. From the drop of the green, it was a battle with Pulkrabek claiming the lead out of turn two ahead of three wide racing for second position. On the third circuit, WIlly Kirk made a strong move on Pulkrabek in turn two to overtake the top position to lead lap three ahead of Garner. Kahne Groves was maintaining his fourth place running position with challenges from KC Sparks while Lily Webster quickly moved up to sixth after winning the B feature. The caution flew for Sparks who spun trying to race under Groves out of turn four and contact knocked Carter Halcombs out of the race.
On the restart, Kirk maintained his advantage in front of the field while Webster and Groves were able to move past Garner and close in on the lead duo. Webster continued her charge to the front overtaking Pulkrabek for second and then challenging Kirk for the lead. Out of turn two, Webster’s kart was driving great in a lower line and she drove to the inside of Kirk to steal the lead.
Webster opened up a comfortable lead in her cruise to the win. Kirk held on for second ahead of Groves, Ian Steward, and Daxton Heimbaugh in the top five. Cole Garner finished in sixth, Hunter Howe, Nikki Ballard, Laufen Pfoltner, and Montana Mitchell were the top ten. Sparks finished eleventh after his header pipe broke and he fell back.
Quick time went to Kirk. Heat race winners were Kirk, Groves, and Pulkrabek.
Saturday Mississippi Thunder Wings and Karts
A small field of five drivers competed in the Jr. Wing division of racing on Saturday night at Mississippi Thunder. The 12 lap feature event was paced by Ryley Finnegan who earned the pole after winning both qualifying heat races. The initial start was cautioned for Autumn Frandsen stalling in turn three. The officials were able to get her kart running again and the green flew with Finnegan getting a slight edge over Sparks who started alongside. The fast paced race saw Finnegan opening up a lead over an ill sounding Sparks kart.
Sparks was able to find a good drive off the bottom of turn four and would try to close the gap but his ill sounding kart was another broken header pipe. Finnegan cruised to the feature win and sweep on the evening with Sparks holding off Ayden Erickson, Frandsen, and Abbygale Blasel at the end of the race.
Upcoming Schedule:
Wing Kart Nationals:
Tuesday/Wednesday 8/4-5: Thunder Hill; Menomonie WI
Friday/Saturday 8/7-8: Mississippi Thunder; Fountain City, WI
Sunday 8/9: Cedar Lake Sizzlin Summer Series; New RIchmond WI
Monday/Tuesday 8/10-11: English Creek Speedway; Knoxville, IA
Wednesday 8/12: Newton Kart Klub; Newton, IA
2020 Partner/Sponsor Appreciation
Autoland; Sioux Falls, SD
Furby’s Auto Repair; Sioux Falls, SD
GRP Motorsports; Stillwater, MN
Last Deck LLC; Jackson, MN
Heser Auto and Detailing; Jackson, MN
DRE Horsepower; Boyden, IA
Jared Bailey Photography; Carlisle, IA
MyRacePass; #TeamMRP #GetTheApp
TL Racing; Jackson, MN
YTD Stats:
Features: 25
Wins:3
Top 3: 12
Top 10: 23
Heat Wins: 11
Article Credit: Stephanie Sparks