WKA: Schultz, Baker bag doubles in Indiana

Schultz and Baker Bag Doubles at Indiana Pavement National

Vincennes, IN- Jason Schultz and Wayne Baker were double winners during the rain shortened WKA/Ultramax Racing Chassis Speedway Pavement Series Performance Products Nationals hosted by Fast Track in Vincennes, IN July 23-25. One hundred and eighty-five top pavement racers entered round four of the five race series. Racers couldn't ask for better conditions that Saturday as cool winds ahead of a storm front kept temperatures in the mid 70's with comfortable mild breezes blowing just enough to make it a perfect race day. By early Sunday the front moved into the area producing steady rains. Just after noon the sky cleared briefly. WKA and track officials scrambled to get the fast fifth mile asphalt oval dry enough to race on. Their efforts were in vein. Just after a call to the grid for open practice was announced rain returned ruining the day's racing.

Schultz, a Heath Racing Engines powered Ultramax pilot, scored his first win in MCP Brake Systems Briggs Junior Lite. He was fastest of 20- qualifiers with a 12.363 seconds lap. From there he was perfect in his pursuit. Not that it was easy. Taylor Bonsignore saw to that. She threatened in the final laps looking for a way around him finishing a close 0.263 seconds behind. Further back third place Jacob Wilson, Jake Crum and Jesse State took turns challenging Schulz in the early going before crossing in the top five.

"I have no idea how I held them off," admitted the 14-year-old Manassas, VA based double winner, "That was the easiest race I've ever done. I felt them back there and luckily lapped karts worked my way according to them. I just held on and won. The kart was awesome it was perfect pretty much. I couldn't have asked for better and the Heath Racing Engine pulled up that hill like I couldn't believe."

Later that day Schultz narrowly captured Crum Communications Briggs Junior Animal's win just 0.060 seconds ahead of Wilson the third fastest of 11 qualifiers. Schultz rocketed away when they went green. Wilson got a piece of it two laps later in turns 3-4. Before they reached the end of the front straightaway Schultz was back in charge. Their battle continued to the end. Wilson grabbed it as they headed for the white flag and then just after taking the one lap to go signal Wilson surrendered it back to Schultz who held it to the end. Zachary Kanizer, Jesse State and Joey Mattis made the rest of the podium.

"I did what I had to do," he said of the winning pass. "I think I've got the championship now. I can't thank Ultramax enough Keith Maupin they help me out so much, Mike Heath for the most horsepower I've ever had. I couldn't ask for a better day, two poles and two wins."

Baker, of Holland, NY earned one pole and two wins. The Shorty's Automotive powered Phantom kart pilot produced an 11.756 seconds run for Reno Investments Briggs Limited Medium's pole. He was perfect in the feature leading the three racer field from start to finish where he was a very comfortable 3.530 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer Matt Kelchin. Nine seconds later Jeremy Payton crossed for the field.

"This was just between me and Matt (Ketchlin) we came out here to have fun and run twenty laps as fast as we could and see what happened," Baker laughed.

Earlier Baker was fourth fastest of 25 qualifiers in Vickery's Speed Shop Briggs Lite. His brother Robert was fastest at 12.181. Joe Moore was on the outside when they started. They traded the front three times in the first four laps. Then the first of three caution flags waved. Robert Baker led the restart, but before the first lap was booked Moore slipped under him for the lead. One lap later a wreck behind them forces the second caution. This time Moore led the restart and before another lap was recorded Baker slipped under Moore. Just as Moore was about to run down Baker again Wayne came up behind him and forced him to fight for second. Moore gave it up and Wayne set his sites on taking the lead from his brother. The pass came at mid race. Wayne led for a lap and then the final caution flag waved. Wayne led the final restart and beat his brother to the stripe by 0075 seconds. Young guns Dana Messier and Justin Bonsignore finished close behind Moore.

"My little brother is always the toughest to beat and I can't let him win all of the time," Baker laughed. "He's a good driver and I'm glad I got away from him on this one and it was a good thing having that caution or he would have had me on the last lap. The kart handled good thanks to my dad, Phantom and Shorty for the awesome motor and everyone that helped this weekend."

Wayne was poised for a third win earning S&S Tire Briggs Animal Medium's pole with a blistering 11.861 seconds lap. The feature was fiercely competitive. Baker blasted into the early lead with a slight advantage over outside pole winner Michael Bachman. After three laps Bachman was banging on Baker's back door with Parnell pressuring him from behind.

In the final laps Bachman led with Joey Maruca moving in on him. At the stripe Bachman held on by just 0.226 seconds. Parnell crossed 0.114 seconds later with Baker and Mike Lariccia a distant fourth and fifth out of nine.

"I tried to slow down a little bit and let the kart hook up hoping that no one else would get a good run coming out of the corners on me and I got lucky," explained the 16-year-old Melbourne, FL based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Phenom pilot. "The kart was great a little loose, but besides that it handled pretty good and we were able to hold everybody off."

WKA/Ultramax Racing Chassis Speedway Pavement Series racers have one more race on their 2004 schedule. They will be returning to where it started in March at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC September 3-5 for the season's most important race, the Grand Nationals, where they receive bonus points for their finishes.

National Pavement Series champions will be crowned during a banquet at the Hickory, NC Holiday Inn Express Ballroom during KartFest 2005 held at the end of January.

By: Bruce C. Walls