Ever since April and the wildly-exciting and controversial SpringNats, teams and drivers have been preparing for the second stop of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour – the SummerNationals. The mid-July weekend has finally arrived, and over 200 drivers will converge on Grand Junction Motor Speedway in Western Colorado to compete in the third and fourth rounds of the 2013 championship. This weekend will test the strength and endurance of the drivers in the four Stock Moto and four TaG categories, as they face off against a challenging 9/10-mile course in the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains, all while keeping hydrated under the extreme temperatures that are forecasted for the weekend. The cash purse has been set at $5,000 for the weekend, with the two headline categories – S1 Pro Stock Moto and TaG Senior – competing for $1,750 each, while  S2 Semi-Pro and TaG Cadet will be racing for a nice cool $1,000 to the podium finishes after reaching the 30-entry mark.

EKN will be onsite throughout the weekend, providing the ‘Trackside Live’ coverage for those unable to attend. Rob Howden – publisher of EKN and the official voice of SKUSA – will provide the race call all weekend, streamed to your laptop or mobile devices at www.eknclassic.com/live . Be sure to follow the Official Discussion Thread for updates, including on Facebook and Twitter along with Instagram.

Defending champ Fritz Leesmann will look to extend his point lead in Grand Junction
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

S1 Pro Stock Moto

The top shifterkart drivers will once again do battle for $1,750 in cash in Grand Junction. The driver to leave the SpringNationals with the $1,000 top prize was defending champion Fritz Leesmann (PSL CRG/Diede Racing), placing runner-up in round one and scoring the victory in round two. He was bested on Saturday in Tucson by last year’s vice-champion Joey Wimsett (CRG-USA). Very similar to last year’s title run, the two exchanged victories in both the SpringNationals and SummerNationals. To see if they will repeat the same results this year is up to those chasing them. The top challenger currently is 2012 S2 Pro Tour champion Sabré Cook (CRG-USA). Her remarkable podium finishes in April during her S1 debut put the rookie in title contention, with a chance of victory looming this weekend as she takes welcomes the series to her home track.

Bill Musgrave (Musgrave Racing Company/Tony Kart) was another top rookie at the SpringNationals, as the 2012 SuperNationals S2 winner was quick, but just unable to break onto the podium. 2011 S1 Pro Tour champion Daniel Bray (Aluminos) returns from New Zealand back to the states, looking to make a solid debut on the new Aluminos chassis manufactured by GP Karts. MSquared Karting’s Mike Beeny (Tony Kart) and Tyler Bennett (Tony Kart) were impressive at the recent Rocky Mountain ProKart Challenge event two weeks ago, and their speed could translate into some podium finishes.

S1 Provisional Entry List

Double SpringNats winner Andrew Zimmer is looking to extend his win streak against a stout TaG Senior field
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

TaG Senior

Among those classes increasing the driver count is the TaG Senior division, reaching the 40-mark for the Grand Junction event. Despite a double winner at the SpringNationals, the point chase is very close with the top-five within 100 points of each other heading into the weekend. Andrew Zimmer made his ART GP America and Pro Tour debut in Tucson, and left a double winner along with a $1,000 check. The Washington driver is set to continue his win streak in Grand Junction, and add to his 50 point advantage in the standings. Young gun Jonathan May (Ryan Perry Motorsports/FA Kart) is second after his performance at the SpringNationals, placing fourth and third in the main events.

Joining them in the fight is a group of veterans – including Matt Johnson (Buddy Rice Karting/Energy), current #1 EKN TaG driver Louie Pagano (Dave’s Performance Karting/Birel) and Travis Lowe (Nash Motorsports/Kosmic). Johnson and Pagano both stood on the podium Saturday, with Lowe recordings some fast lap bonus points but unable to translate that into a podium run either day.

The big news to back up added drivers for the SummerNationals is the return of veteran David Jurca and SuperNationals winner Nick Neri. Jurca, a longtime top dog in the shifter and direct drive days of the late 1990s and early 2000s, is making his Pro Tour debut in TaG Senior. The Italian Motors USA/Italkart driver won the 2005 edition of the SuperNationals at Sam Boyd Stadium, and knows exactly how to wheel a kart. Neri won the 2011 S2 SuperNationals event in his event debut, and will now have a hand at TaG Senior on the Pro Tour. The multi-time Rotax Grand Nationals champion will join the Phil Giebler Racing stable, visiting Grand Junction for the first time. With 40 in the field, a number of drivers could find the right set-up and avoid the bad luck to rise up and stand on the podium Saturday or Sunday. And as the weekend goes, those contenders will stand out.

TaG Senior Provisional Entry List

Garrett Boone enters the SummerNats leading the S2 standings
(Photo: TexasProKartChallenge.com)

S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto

SpringNationals weekend was thrilling to watch when the S2 Semi-Pro division hit the track. Now with 36 drivers, the excitement level could be raised even higher. The top two leaving Tucson at the top of the point chase was Texas drivers Garrett Boone and Ryan Kinnear. Both have raced each other for a number of years now, each with their own path to this point in their career. Boone (3G Kart Racing/Birel) ran second and first in Tucson to hold the point lead entering the SummerNationals. Kinnear (Champion Racing/Intrepid) ran third and second in April, and earned a victory just a few weeks ago at the Rocky Mountain PKC event at Grand Junction.

Pure Karting’s Augie Lerch (Tony Kart) was quick both days at his home track back in April. The Tony Kart driver won Saturday and crossed the line first Sunday but had the win taken away following an on-track altercation. He’s motivated to put it behind him and power to more victories. Like Kinnear, Lerch was among the quickest on the RMPKC weekend. On the reverse, Christian Schureman will own home field advantage this weekend. The CRG-USA driver is third in the standings, and was among the contenders at the SpringNationals. A winner at the 2012 SummerNationals in Utah, he could repeat and place himself as a title contender heading to the SuperNationals. S2 rookie Axel Matus (GP Texas USA) was quick back in April, placing fourth in round one but recorded a DNF on Sunday.

S2 Provisional Entry List

Jordon Musser lead the S4 field the entire SpringNats
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

S4 Master Stock Moto

Just short of the 30-driver mark, the S4 Master Stock Moto category still holds a solid driver roster for the SummerNationals. It was nothing but dominance for Jordon Musser in Tucson as he swept the event to secure two victories and the championship lead. The 3G Kart Racing/Birel driver has multiple national titles in Rotax competition, but never a title in Superkarts! USA competition. With a near 200-point advantage, wins are not needed, but top-five finishes are a must.

Behind him, four drivers are in a near deadlock for the lead role as top challenger to cut into Musser’s lead. Willy Musgrave (Musgrave Racing Company/Tony Kart) currently holds that role, coming off a runner-up in round two. DRT Racing’s Brian Fisher (DR Kart) began the weekend off the pace with issues, but rebounded to stand on the podium Sunday. He swept the weekend for the Rocky Mountain PKC event, and is primed to contend against the Pro Tour field once again. SoCal driver Robert Marks (CRG-USA) drove to top-five finishes. Curtis Cooksey (Acceleration Karting/CRG) on Saturday was runner-up, but contact in the main event on Sunday hurt his standings in the point chase. Defending champion Eddie Olpin (Powers World Racing/Kosmic) was top-10 in the SpringNationals, but just did not show the speed he had in 2012.

S4 Provisional Entry List

TaG Master has Scott Falcone as the championship leader, coming off a victory in Tucson
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

TaG Master

The fight at the SpringNationals was a battle between two drivers – Scott Falcone and Paul Bonilla – the same two who finished 1-2 in 2012. Round one was stellar day for Falcone (KartSport North America/Arrow), as he led from the opening heat race to the end of the main event. Bonilla challenge Falcone the following day, and came away with the victory to even up in the win column. Falcone however has the advantage in the title chase, leading by 55 points. Bonilla enters the event, piloting a different chassis working with the Velocity Karting outfit aboard a Italkart.

Italian native Mirko Mizzoni (Italcorse America) enters the SummerNationals third in the title chase after a best finish of third in round one. He doubled up in the win column at the Rocky Mountain PKC event two weeks ago, putting him on level ground with those who are already familiar with the Grand Junction circuit. 2011 champion Brian McHattie (DB Motorsports/Exprit) had an up-and-down weekend in Tucson, coming away with a great drive to a podium on Sunday. A winner in Colorado during his championship run, McHattie is among the contenders this weekend. Anthony Honeywell (DB Motorsports/Tony Kart) was solid in his Pro Tour debut in Tucson, looking for more in his first visit to Colorado. Russell Karting Specialties/Parolin teammates Chuck Gafrarar and Jim Russell Jr. are looking to bounce back from a challenge SpringNats.

TaG Master Provisional Entry List

Round one winner Carter Williams enters Colorado as the S5 championship leader
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

S5 Junior Stock Moto

The S5 Junior Stock Moto has certainly gained support throughout the west coast and is continuing to grow nation wide. Another 16-driver field will do battle at the SummerNationals, with everyone chasing Carter Williams and Jarred Campbell. The two drivers split the victories at the SpringNationals, with Williams (Phil Giebler Racing/FA Kart) earning the most points combining both rounds. Campbell (Leading Edge Motorsports/Intrepid) appeared to find a blistering set-up to close out the weekend in Tucson with a win, but trails by 55 points.

Defending champion Jim McKinney (Ruthless Karting/KGB) could not match the pace of the top two in April, but showed speed at the Rocky Mountain PKC event earlier this month, scoring two wins. Mexican driver Raul Guzman (GP Texas USA) fought his way up the order to place inside the top-four both days, including a podium finish. He along with others may have a shot to contend for victories.

S5 Provisional Entry List

Austin Versteeg is the current point leader in TaG Junior
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

TaG Junior

Victory is sweet, but consistency can bring you a championship. Utah driver Austin Versteeg is the current point leader, and steady results put him in that position. He currently holds a 29 point advantage heading into the SummerNationals. His weekend will be much different, as it is rumored that he is moving away from the CRG-USA stable and joining the Rolison Performance Group outfit. The added twist, the second and third place drivers in the chase are under the RPG tent. Defending champion Luke Selliken (Kosmic) and Blaine Rocha (Kosmic) scored victories at the SpringNationals, but each had their own hiccup that cost them points in the title chase.

Another former teammate – Davey Manthei Jr. – clawed his way up to runner-up and fourth in the two feature races and is set to perform even better in his KartSport North America/Arrow entry. SKUSA #2 plate holder Carter Williams (Phil Giebler Racing/FA Kart) will continue his double-duty role, entering the event fifth in the standings for TaG Junior. One driver of note was Canadian Kale Kunicki, who won both feature races at the Rocky Mountain PKC event two weeks ago aboard his Team Vemme Kart/Extreme Karting entry. This weekend will also mark the return of Colton Herta, a two-time Pro Tour TaG Cadet champion. He will be competing with the ART GP America operation that continues to expand their driver roster. Another debut will be that of 2012 TaG Cadet SuperNationals winner Anthony Gangi Jr., making his inaugural TaG Junior start aboard his GT7 Motorsports/Tony Kart.

TaG Junior Entry List

Chase Farley was a double winner in TaG Cadet at the SpringNats
(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

TaG Cadet

With school out and the summertime here, the kids are coming to play in Grand Junction. Thirty-five drivers pre-registered, nearly reaching the 40-kart cap set in for the Pro Tour SummerNationals and making it eligible for the $1,000 weekend purse. Taking home the $500 check from the SpringNationals was Chase Farley (Energy Corse America). He took home the victory both days and leads the championship chase by just over 200 points. The work is cut out for the rest of the field to end his momentum if they want a chance at the title come SuperNationals time. Jackson Logsdon (Pure Karting/Tony Kart) is second in the standings, with Trenton Sparks (Phil Giebler Racing/FA Kart), Myles Farhan (Team Motul/DR Kart) and Jagger Jones (Pure Karting/Tony Kart) making up the leaders in the challenger role. Should any of them have a weekend like Farley did, it could set up a great run toward the championship. With the large field, there will be a number of contenders, including some names from the east coast, such as Dylan Tavella (GT7 Motorsports/Tony Kart), Sam Paley (PCR) and Max Kaeser (PCR).

TaG Cadet Provisional Entry List

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