Christian Miles swept the weekend in the Mini Swift category at WKA Daytona KarttWeek (Photo: EKN)

In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.

Those in motorsports understand the meaning and the emotions that go with winning at Daytona. The Daytona International Speedway is labeled as the ‘World Center of Racing’, playing host to pinnacle events each year in different forms of the sport. For karting, that annually falls between the Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebration with the World Karting Association hosting the Daytona KartWeek. Three events – including the Manufacturers Cup Series on the sprint track, road racers on the 3.5-mile circuit, and dirt oval world championships on the 1/4-mile flat track outside NASCAR 1-2. Drivers from all over North America and points from the world converge on the beaches to earn their piece of history and become a winner at Daytona.

From the oldest to the youngest, winning at Daytona is monumental occasion. For Christian Miles, it was a breakout performance to establish his 2019 season. The KartSport North America / Kart Republic pilot is heading into his second full season in the Mini Swift category. Miles grabbed one victory in his rookie season at the USPKS, and finished in the point standings as vice-champion. Now with a full season under his belt, Miles is gunning for more victories and more chances at championships.

Daytona was a great start for Miles as the soon-to-be 12-year-old swept the weekend in the category of 24 strong drivers. Miles completed practice day at the top of the time charts in the final two sessions and continued that over into warm-up on Day 1. Miles jumped to the top of the timing sheet in the opening qualifying session, posting a 43.834-lap to edge out Jorge Ortiz by 99 thousandths of a second. From the pole position, Miles jumped out to a 2.5-second advantage in the 12-lap Prefinal. That was increased by more than double, as Miles went wire-to-wire for his first WKA victory and first Daytona triumph, establishing a six-second gap over SuperNationals 22 runner-up Nikita Johnson.

Riding off the victory on Day 1, Miles went right back to work on Day 2. Christian went out and cleared the field by two tenths of a second in qualifying with a 44.212-second lap. Miles then duplicated the Prefinal from Day 1, driving to a 2.5-second gap, leading all 12 laps. The original start to the Final saw Miles dropped back to second in the opening corner. However, that was washed away with a red flag on the opening circuit. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt and the race was a complete restart. Christian performed better at this green flag, getting out to the lead and never looking back. The advantage was 4.9 seconds after leading all 20 laps for Miles’ second victory of the weekend to secure the complete sweep of the weekend.

Miles was the only driver to perform a complete sweep of the weekend in their respective category, setting the stage for a successful 2019 campaign for the KartSport North America / Kart Republic driver. Just days after getting back home from Daytona, Christian was back at his home track of TNT Kartways in West Quincy, Missouri pounding out laps as he has done all winter while there is no snow on the ground. Miles is scheduled to compete in the United States Pro Kart Series, Superkarts! USA Pro Tour along with some WKA and Route 66 events.

December 2018 EKN Driver of the Month – Christian Miles

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Born: January 19, 2007
Hometown: Paloma, Illinois
Parents: J.T. and Kaelee Miles
Siblings: Kruze and Camden Miles
Height/Weight: 4’8” / 62lbs
Education: 6th grader at Central Jr. High
Job: TNT Kartways

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kart Republic
Engine/Engine Builder: Comet Racing Engines
Sponsors: KartSport North America, AMR, Kart Republic, and Comet Racing Engines
Series You Compete In: SKUSA, USPKS, Route 66 Sprint Series, and WKA Man. Cup Series
Years Karting: Been in a kart since age 3. Started racing when I was 5 locally and then I moved to regional at 7. This will be my 3rd year nationally.
How did you get started in karting? My Grandpa and my Dad both raced. It’s a family thing.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Being able to drive for KartSport North America
What are your goals in racing? Making it to IndyCar
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth, relaxed, and passionate
Funniest moment at the race track? When Eric Jones climbed the bathrooms like a monkey at Daytona to get a football

Likes

Favorite Track: Phoenix Kart Racing Association
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Well I have more than one; Zane Maloney, Brandon Jarsocrak and Santiago Trisini
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: eKartingNews
Favorite movie: Rush
Favorite actor/actress: Kevin Hart
Favorite music/group: Favorite song is High Hopes
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Race Tracks
Favorite food: Spaghetti

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Play Basketball
What are your goals outside of karting? Getting A’s in school
What app or game do you play right now? Forza 7, FIFA 19, and F1 2017
What type of street car would you like to drive? “Bright red Ferrari for freeee”. Seriously though, Ferrari.
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People cheating and blocking
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Lower cost will bring more people in. Entries are outrageous
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Making friends and being with my family

December 2018 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Brent Crews: Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – Micro Max winner

– Evan Stamer: WKA Daytona KartWeek – 2 wins (Margay Ignite)

– Connor Zilisch: WKA Daytona KartWeek – 3 wins (IAME Junior 2, KA100 Junior 1)

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