TOP KART USA FINISHES STRONG AT NEW CASTLE FOR USPKS FINALE

In the final two rounds of United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS) competition, Top Kart USA once again scored multiple victories, podiums and pole positions during rounds seven and eight over the August 21-23 weekend. Taking place at their home facility, New Castle Motorsports Park just outside Indianapolis, Indiana, the blue brand was once again the class of the field in multiple divisions.

“Great competition during the USPKS event at New Castle made it tough to stay ahead of the field this weekend,” said Bill McLaughlin Jr., co-owner of Top Kart USA. “Despite the tough competition, we managed to earn a few wins, podiums and poles over the course of the weekend. I couldn’t be happier about the hard work our team and drivers are putting in to reach our goals.”

In Yamaha Cadet, Jason Welage qualified on pole for both finals, finishing second on Saturday and winning on Sunday. He wrapped up an impressive season and weekend by taking the championship title in the Yamaha Cadet class. Welage also competed in Mini Rok, finishing second in both finals.
TOP KART USA FINISHES STRONG AT NEW CASTLE

“Our racing schedule has been busy this year, but we have surpassed all of our expectations while working with a great team of people at Top Kart USA,” said Greg Welage, father of Jason. “Dedication is just the start of what it takes to accomplish what we have this season. Without a great family and support team behind us, it would be impossible to earn these results. So thank you to all of the people who are a part of our success!”

Top Kart USA teammates and Yamaha Cadet classmates Emil Schulz and Riley Erickson fought hard all weekend, with Schulz bringing home two 16th-place finishes and Erickson finishing 17th on Saturday and 14th on Sunday. In Mini Rok, teammate Kaden Wharff had a frustrating weekend, failing to finish either race.

In Yamaha Pro, Dakota Pesek finished third on Saturday. After starting on pole Sunday, he would take the checkered for another third place finish.
TOP KART USA FINISHES STRONG AT NEW CASTLE

Saturday’s Yamaha Rookie final was a Top Kart USA 1-2, with Owen Mahle winning from pole, followed by teammate Elliot Cox in second place. Eli Trull finished 11th. On Sunday, Mahle would once again start from pole, but he failed to finish the race. Cox came home fifth with Trull in sixth place.

Yamaha Junior featured eight entries for Top Kart USA. JP Southern Jr. didn’t finish Saturday’s final, but rebounded for a third place finish on Sunday. Ariana Gnad also made big improvements, finishing 11th on Saturday and seventh on Sunday. Teammate Sheldon Mills finished 10th on Saturday and ninth on Sunday. Marina Walters, Dalton Peak, Jacob Abel, Tyler Trent and Austin Schulz all scored at least one top-19 finish during the weekend.

Leopard Pro proved to be a frustrating class for the blue and white Top Kart USA chassis is the field. Both Jonathan Kotyk and Abby McLaughlin failed to finish on Saturday. Kotyk would improve to seventh on Sunday. McLaughlin’s bad luck would continue, retiring before the wave of the checkered flag for the second day in a row.
TOP KART USA FINISHES STRONG AT NEW CASTLE

In Leopard Junior, Myles Rowe finished 11th on Saturday, improving to a fifth place finish on Sunday.

“Top Kart USA is dedicated to achieving greater goals; this weekend, we were able to accomplish one of those goals by wrapping up a championship title in the Yamaha Cadet category with Jason Welage,” said Blake Deister, co-owner of Top Kart USA. “Yamaha Senior driver Dakota Pesek, a talented driver who always puts forth amazing effort, made it a great show to watch this weekend. With unfortunate officiating, he fell just a few points short of gaining his second USPKS championship in a row. We are very proud of all Top Kart drivers and crew this season, and we look forward to a bigger and better 2016.”