Hannah Greenemier became the first female driver to win in the X30 Senior category in SKUSA Pro Tour history (Photo: On Track Promotion - otp.ca)

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.

The Superkarts! USA Pro Tour was launched in 2010, and over that time, we have seen 597 main events up to the most recent event, the 2021 SKUSA SpringNationals at the Utah Motorsports Campus. The 11th edition of the event visited the Grantsville, Utah facility for the second time, and over the weekend saw several drivers secure their first SKUSA Pro Tour victory. Among them was Hannah Greenemeier, the first female driver to win a headline division in the 12-year history of the program.

Since moving up to the Senior rank in 2018, Greenemeier has had several strong finishes on the SKUSA Pro Tour. In 2020, she drove to victory at the SKUSA Winter Series program. Most recently, Hannah drove to the checkered flag first at the SKUSA WinterNationals at NOLA Motorsports in March. A pushback bumper penalty took the victory away.

The SpringNationals took place over the May 21-23 weekend in Utah, a familiar circuit to Greenemeier who resides in Colorado. Saturday’s event began as if she was going to be the driver to beat, setting the fast time in qualifying with a 57.663-lap, edging out Rolison Performance Group / Kosmic teammate Ryan Norberg by 15 thousandths of a second. An opening turn, opening lap incident dropped her down to the tail of the 31-driver field. She fought back in the 12-lap race, working past half the field to reach the 16th position by the end. Hannah continued to push forward in the 20-lap Final, reaching the top-10 after just two laps and negotiated herself up to the top-five. Greenemeier reached the fourth position, unable to close in on the top-three. A three-second pushback bumper penalty would classify her into the fifth position.

Sunday was a new day and a new opportunity to claim that elusive SKUSA Pro Tour victory. Only 32 thousandths separated she and Norberg, with the four-time SKUSA champion getting the edge in qualifying. Hannah was able to jump out to the lead early and contact between Norberg and Trey Brown allowed her to break away with the win in the Prefinal. The Final would be a chess match with some of the top drivers in the country going after their first SKUSA Pro Tour victory. Greenemeier and Cole Morgan were shuffling for the top position nearly every lap early on. This allowed for a seven-driver lead group for much of the race. On lap 17, Hannah was able to secure the top spot with RPG / Kosmic teammate Branyon Tiner coming through in second. Contact took place behind them for the third position, allowing Greenemeier and Tiner to drive away to a 1-2 finish. The victory for Hannah marked the first female driver to win a headline division at the SKUSA Pro Tour in its 12-year history. Greenemeier is only the second female driver to win in the series, with Kathryn Cornell winning in TaG Junior at the inaugural SKUSA Pro Tour event in 2010 at Sonoma Raceway.

Greenemeier’s schedule for the remainder of the 2021 season include the final events of the United States Pro Kart Series and the SKUSA Pro Tour. USPKS hosts the third event of the season at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex at Road America on July 9-11 before the series finale in October at the GoPro Motorplex. The SKUSA Pro Tour concludes on August 13-15 at the New Castle Motorsports Park for the 2021 SummerNationals. Greenemeier sits second in the SKUSA Pro Tour points, trailing teammate Tiner for the run at the championship. The California ROK Championship event at Pat’s Acres Racing Complex in Oregon at the end of July is also on her schedule, with the ROK Fest West at Sonoma and ROK the RIO possible events.

May 2021 EKN Driver of the Month – Hannah Greenemeier

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Born: August 8, 2002
Hometown: Parker, Colorado
Marital Status: Single
Children: None
Height/Weight: 5’6” / 125lbs.
Education: Graduated from Lutheran High School (Parker, CO) Class of 2020
Occupation: Kart Driver, Driver Coach, Employee of Highland CARSTAR Autobody

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kosmic
Engine/Engine Builder: X30 (AVP) and ROK Shifter (Swedetech)
Sponsors: Highland CARSTAR Autobody, Msquared karting, Rolison Performance Group, Lone Palm Design
Series You Compete In: Superkarts! USA, ROK Cup USA, United States Pro Kart Series
Years Karting: 14
How did you get started in karting? I got started in karting when my dad bought me a kid kart when I was 4 years old and immediately got hooked. I made my parents promise me when I turned five, I could race and I think they thought I would forget but I didn’t and the rest is history.
What has been the high point in your racing career? My highest point was winning the 2021 SKUSA Spring Nationals Round 4 X30 Senior final.
What are your goals in racing? My goals are to win the SKUSA Pro Tour championship, SKUSA SuperNationals, and hopefully to one day get into some sports car racing.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth, calculated, and aggressive when needed.
Funniest moment at the race track? The funniest moment for me was when my teammate got the hacky sack stuck on another team’s tent.

Likes

Favorite Track: Pat’s Acres Racing Complex
Favorite form of professional motorsports: F1
Favorite karting driver: Bonnier Moulton and Mike Beeny
Favorite professional driver: Sebastian Vettel
Favorite website: msquaredkarting.com
Favorite movie: The Divergent Series
Favorite actor/actress: Theo James
Favorite music/group: Country
Favorite vacation/activity spot: My grandparents house on the lake
Favorite food: Pasta

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? When I am not at the track I am working for my parents, trying to workout so I can keep in shape for the next race, playing with my dog Tay-Tay, and trying to get together with my friends as much as possible.
What are your goals outside of karting? My goals outside of karting are to be successful in whatever I put my mind to.
What type of street car do you drive? Audi Q3
What type of street car would you like to drive? Ferrari F8 Tributo
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? My pet peeves are blocking when it’s not necessary and trying to win the race in turn one.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Take away push back bumpers
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? I love how it feels like a big family in a way. Sure, we are all competitors but when something bad happens we all seem to come together as a community.

May 2021 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

* Nolan Allison: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 1 Win (KA100 Senior)

* Caleb Gafrarar: USPKS Heartland Grand Prix – 1 Win (X30 Junior)

* Chase Hand: USPKS Heartland Grand Prix – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

* Jack Iliffe: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 1 Win (Mini Swift)

* Carson Morgan: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (KA100 Junior / X30 Junior)

* Tristan Murphy: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 1 Win (Micro Swift)

* Jordon Musser: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (Master Shifter)

* AJ Myers: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (Pro Shifter)

* Ryan Norberg: USPKS / SKUSA SpringNationals – 2 Wins (X30 Senior)

* Phaethon Saradpon: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 1 Win (Micro Swift)

* Augustus Toniolo: USPKS Heartland Grand Prix – 2 Wins (Micro Swift)

* Enzo Vidmontiene: USPKS / SKUSA SpringNationals – 2 Wins (Mini Swift)

* Sebastian Wheldon: USPKS Heartland Grand Prix – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

* Connor Zilisch: USPKS Heartland Grand Prix – 2 Wins (KA100 Senior / X30 Senior)

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