October 10, 2009 - Triple Crown Event

The Wild Thing Karts Triple Crown Event rolled in to town this week. Unfortunately Jack did not attend the event down at Stafford so we are already behind in the standings. This week's Triple Crown Feature also counts as our regular program race so we will be running the Triple Crown at Route 106. We also have a makeup race from August 22nd that we will be running today so we have a long day ahead of us.

Gates opened at 2:00 and we were there right on time. The pit area was already packed with trailers, a lot of which had come up for the Triple Crown. We got the pits set up, set out the scales and went to work. Everything looked good to go so we were ready to head out for first practice. Jack pulled out onto the track right behind one of the other karts and opted to stay behind him rather than risk passing and getting taken out during practice laps. The kart looked and felt good so we opted for no changes. For second practice we bolted on a new set of tires and went out to scuff them in. Jack pulled off the track before practice was even over.

The line-up for the make-up race was based on points as of the rained out date so Jack got the pole position. 5 extra karts signed up to race giving them an 8 kart field. Jack pulled out to an easy lead while the 15 of TJ Bleau and the 96 of Justin Barry battled with the 24 of Cornelius Flynn, the 29 of Danny Wesson and the 28 of Teddy Hodgdon. While the four of them did battle lap after lap Jack was able to drive further and further away from the group. Jack crossed the checkers about a half lap ahead of the field to take the win. A great start to the night!!

The regular program was to run time trials. Jack loves qualifying and usually does a great job. Because there was so much time between the previous race and our time trials we nearly missed the line up!! Jack went out last to qualify as the track was getting colder and colder, the tires had no heat in them, but he went for it. On his first lap he got a little sideways due to lack of grip going through turn 2 and still bested all other competitors by a tenth. His second lap was flawless and Jack took the pole!!

Jack started on the pole with the 28 of Teddy Hodgdon in second the 95 of Josh Gayman in third. Jack jumped out ahead of the 28 while the 95 and the 96 of Justin Barry followed him past the 28. Coming through three and four on the second lap the 95 of Gayman went way high and the 96 of Barry was able to duck underneath him. Jack had quite a decent lead on second place and continued to pull away to about a 12 to 15 kart length advantage. He maneuvered through the lapped traffic and maintained his lead when the caution came out for a spin at the end of the front stretch on lap 9.

The karts restarted single file and Jack and Justin hooked up and jumped out ahead of the field. The fourth place 43 of Devin O'Connell dove under the 95 of Gayman while the 24 of Mikey Flynn dove under both of them to take over the third spot. Jack and Justin drove further and further away while the field raced each other behind them. The 15 of TJ Bleau got into the mix taking over the fourth spot while the 43 reclaimed third. Jack pulled Justin right between the lapped karts of David Gayman and Gabriel Camuso. The 43 brought out the second caution when he followed the 29 through the lapped karts and tried to go around the 29 at the exit of the corner. The 43 drove over the nose of the 29 and the two of them ended up in the outside wall.

The race restarted on lap 12 with the 106 boys leading the way; 95J, 96, and 15. Jack and Justin again hooked up and took off but it would be short lived as the caution once again flew 3 laps into the run. They lined them back up for the final shoot out to the checkers. Jack and Justin rode nose to tail for much of the last five laps maneuvering through traffic with relative ease. Justin made an attempt on the last corner to take Jack at the line but Jack was able to hold on for the win.

Jack's two wins tonight moved him far enough ahead in points to clinch the 2009 Championship!!