Daytona Kart Week update. Nicks very successful rookie kart debut started off with a full day of practice all day on Sunday in both the comer rookie class, as well as the Yamaha rookie class. Nick made big gains all day. On Monday we had one round of practice, qualifying, and 2 heat races. In the comer rookie class Nick qualified 2nd, and won the first of 2 heat races. The second heat was was about to start, and as we started to roll the kart up to the grid we noticed a mysterious nail sticking out of the RF tire. Took kart to the tech area, and we were told that Nick had to start on the tail of the 2nd heat race due to the tire change. Needless to say none of us were happy about it. How can you pick up a 3 long nail on the race track? Nick started on the tail, and drove through the field to take the second heat race win. Great piece of driving. That put us on the pole for the pre final on Tuesday. The weather on Tuesday was almost impossible to tune for with the on and off rain. Nick struggled in the beginning of the pre final, because we decided it was not wet enough for rain tires, but everyone else did. Nick fell back but came home to finish third, while turning the fastest lap of the race. Race was won by fellow teammate for the weekend, Jacob Putman, that was fielded in a kart by NSR for the weekend. Great job Jacob! In the final Nick started third, and waisted no time getting to the front. Nick and Owen Mahle had a good battle all race long, but Nick proved to be the better driver, bringing home his first Manufactures Cup win in the comer rookie class. Now on to the Yamaha rookie class. Our struggles carried over from Sunday practice to Monday. Had trouble finding speed and it showed on Monday. Qualified 7th, finished 6th in the first heat race, and finished 7th in the second heat race. With long deliberations between Nick, Dad, Randy Snell/grandpa, and Dave Snell, we made some changes Monday evening to try and improve on our performance. On Tuesday those changes proved to be the way to go. Nick started the 15 lap pre final in 6th place and took it easy for the first half of the race to let the kart come to him, then started to make his run to the front. Nick chased down the front 2 karts to make it a 3 way battle at the end, with the 3 karts swapping positions the last half of the race. Nick finished 3rd putting him in a good starting spot for the final. Nick started the 20 lap final in 3rd place. The start got a little crazy in turn one, which Let the lead pack get way out in front. Again Nick let the kart come to him, then started his march to the front, chasing down the lead pack of three that got way out in front, making it a 4 kart race. It was Rodriguez, Whorton, Mahle, and Snell in the top 4, with a great race of swapping positions. With 2 laps to go Rodriguez was taken out of contention by Mahle running down into the corner over his head, and taking himself out in the process, putting Whorton in front and Nick in 2nd coming to the white flag. Nick didnt have enough time to run Whorton back down, and Nick ended up finishing 2nd. We couldnt ask for a better rookie debut, and we are so proud of the gains we made all weekend. We would like to thank everyone that has helped us with this very successful Daytona Kart week. Darrigo construction group, inc/Darrigo Racing, PMT designs for our awesome helmet, Danco lettering, Dan Schlosser with Kart Werks, and our amazing Praga karts, Amy Snell/mom, Randy Snell/grandpa, and Dave Snell which whom we picked up on our way through Charlotte. He had no plans of coming down, but decided to last minute. Boy are we glad you did. Thanks for all you did, and all your help.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 19:02:47 +0000
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