WKA: Maryland Divisional Racers crowned

Kart racers in the Maryland Sprint Divisional Series were recognized for their achievements in the 2001 season at two banquets in January. Nicholson Speedway held its banquet Sunday the 13th at the Chestertown, MD VFW Post and Sandy Hook Speedway held theirs Saturday the 19th at the Jarrettsville, MD VFW Post.

Bel Air, MD based Chris Braun bagged a trio junior class Championships. The 14-year-old racer ruled Calton Auto Parts Briggs Junior Restricted, Briggs Junior Lite and Briggs Junior Heavy. Ocean Pines, MD racer Trente Robertson ran second in Restricted Junior's points chase followed by John Kenny, IV. Kenny also captured second in Briggs Junior Lite and was follow in the top five points finishers by William Stairiker, Robertson and Jeff Yannetta. Kenny also finished second in Briggs Junior Heavy's point's chase. This time he was followed in the top five by Chris Meredith, Robertson and Stairiker.

Glen Bernie, MD based Coyote Karts factory pilot and Robinson Speed Shop Team Driver Steven Axtell took both Briggs Junior Sportsman 2 Lite and Heavy titles just ahead of Russell Marinucci and Matthew Amos. Justin Unruh was fourth in Lite and Paul Ward finished fourth in Heavy.

Keith Jackson claimed both Junior Sportsman-1 championships, European Auto Sales Briggs Junior Sportsman-1 Lite and Heavy. Behind him in the same order each time were 10-year-old Mohnton, PA pilot Toby Parese, Anthony Marinucci and Tyler Sandmeyer.

Motorhead Racing Engines factory pilot Todd Weislander, of Stevensville, MD, topped Briggs Lite and Medium. Tim Delss completed the Lite field and Baltimore, MD based GT Machine backed Dan Koehler came in second in Medium followed by Steven Taylor, Delss and Schuyler Heiser.

Rat Powered Coyote factory pilot Jace Reynolds earned Briggs Heavy's title. Following the Wall, NJ based champion were Colts Neck, NJ racer Justin Gumley, Taylor and Matthew Ploor.

Milford, DE native Matthew Jester earned Briggs Super Heavy's championship in the Maryland Sprint Divisional and was crowned National Champion in that class as well. "It took a lot of hard work, dedication and good equipment," said the 17-year-old champion. "I want to thank Grotto's Pizza, G-Man Kart Works, Coyote Products, Super Tech Racing Engines and Big Dog Concrete Construction for all of their support last season."

Michael Pennink and Frank Kelleher, Jr. won Briggs Amateur Medium and Briggs Amateur Heavy's titles. Robert Mitchell was crowned Briggs Senior champion.

In the 2-cycle classes Paul Kennedy claimed 100cc Control/Piston Port's championship and Timothy Palmatier topped the Grand Products, Inc. Comer Senior class.

Maryland Sprint Divisional racers begin their 2002 season April 6-7 at Nicholson Speedway in Chestertown, MD. Sandy Hook Speedway hosts rounds two, four and six on May 18-19, July 27-28 and September 28-29. Nicholson Speedway will host the June 15-16 and September 7-8 divisional races.

Racers in the Maryland Speedway Pavement Divisional were also recognized at the Sandy Hook banquet. Matthew Bucher was the standout in that divisional sweeping both junior classes, Grand Products Briggs Restricted Junior and GT Machine Briggs Junior. John Kenny, IV trailed him in both point's chases. In the restricted class Braun and Michael Edwards, II took third and fourth and in Briggs Junior David Leamer and Braun rounded out the top five.

Parese led MBR/Olimpic & Trick Chassis Briggs Junior Sportsman-1's point's chase. Kyle Hall was second, Tyler Kivett came in third and Aly McQuitty finished fourth.

Brad Dougherty dominated Security Systems Controls Briggs Junior Sportsman-2's for that championship. Drew Weisser and Thomas Zambeno rounded out the field.

Briggs Medium's points chase was topped by Walt McCleary. John Lowery, Justin Lee, Delss and Joseph Renz completed the top five.

Brad Hart bagged Erectors Plus Briggs Heavy's title. Trailing him were Joseph Renz and Brian Gore.

Briggs Senior's title was taken by Fredrick Krajcic. William Dougherty finished second, Walter Stocknick took third and Kenneth Aiosa completed the field.

Walter Stocknick was crowned Briggs Super Heavy champion. Billy Tweeden, Jr. took second, Brad Jennings scored the third highest points, Frederick Krajcic came in fourth and Douglas Beck followed in fifth.

Briggs Senior Champs title went to Scott Gore. Bruce Stachitas, Jr. and Bruce Stachitas were second and third in points followed by Danny McCormack.

Club racers at Nicholson Speedway were also recognized for their efforts last season. William Stairiker owned a 961-point lead over Bobbie Sue Blades for Stock Lite's club championship. "It took a lot of hard work and a lot of help from Alan Whiting and my dad and I kept trying different stuff," said the 14-year-old West Chester, PA based racer who switches between Coyote and Phoenix racing chassis that are powered by Super Tech Racing Engines.

Junior Stock's title went to Chris Meredith who held a 677-point advantage over Shawn Middleton at the season's end. Kenneth Burke earned 2053 points for Stock Heavy's championship and 2590 points earned Dale Blades Senior Stock's title.

Ryan Thompson took Briggs Junior Sportsman-1's title with a 695-point lead over Ryan Unruh and Zachary Cornelius. a Super Tech Racing Engines powered Trick kart pilot from Still Pond, MD, led the way in Briggs Junior Sportsman-2 with a 638-point advantage over Justin Unruh.

According to Cornelius, "It took a lot of hard work, staying focused, good equipment and a good motor builder."

In the club 2-cycle contests Walter Gifford collected 1834-points for Comer Senior Lite's championships and 2127-points earned Ron Blades Comer Senior Heavy's title.

Anthony Percival, Jr. rule Piston Port's championship chase ending the season 514-points ahead of Thomas Miskofsky. Michael Lewis finished third and was trailed by Dale Floyd and Thomas Shannon for the top five.

Nicholson Speedway will be announcing it's club schedule soon and plans are being made for the annual Milford Grand Prix Black Top Race for October.