Rounds 7 & 8 of the Great American Shortcourse GAS series were held at Glen Helen Raceway Oct 1-2. With the season winding down competitors faced the reality of season-long point standings. Many of the class championships will go down to the final two rounds held in Victorville, Ca Nov 12-13.
Round 7 saw Ricky Gutierrez chase Mason McCarthy for most of the race before finally taking the lead and holding on for the win. Troy Cox had been behind McCarthy as well but managed to follow Futierrez around McCarthy. McCarthy would recover to finish third. In Round 8 Ricky Gutierrez #78 sat on the pole with Mason McCarthy outside. As the green flag waved Gutierrez showed he had the proper setup and quickly took control of the event. By the mid-race caution, Gutierrez had a several-second lead over McCarthy. When racing went green again Gutierrez once again set the pace. At the end of the 12-lap event, Ricky Gutierrez flew under the checkers first with Mason McCarthy second and Troy Cox third. In total season points, McCarthy leads with 404 over Gutierrez holding 330 and Cox has 201.
Kyle Knott was able to close in on season points Saturday by taking the Pro Lite win. Cason Etter crossed over second and Connor Barry was third. Sunday Pro Lite action saw Connor Barry take the early lead but had to settle for second when Robby Hornsby slipped past. Then on the following lap, Barry made a move for the lead that also allowed Jacob Rosales to grab second. Barry looked comfortable out front until lap 6 when Kyle Knott #36 squeezed inside of turn 6 to take charge. Barry had a problem and dropped to seventh. Rosales was holding second for a couple of laps before Hornsby got past and set his sights on Knott. The problem with Hornsby’s sight was it was on the back of Knott’s car even at the finish line. Hornsby held for second and Rosales finished out the podium. After 8 rounds of racing, Robby Hornsby leads the series with 418 points over Kyle Knott with 407 earned and Maximillian Pinto is third with 361.
In Saturday’s race, Zachary Drapkin had a wire-to-wire Pro Buggy win. Gunner Kennedy was consistent for second and Matt Brister worked his way through the pack to earn third. Matthew Brister #55 proved to be uncatchable Sunday in the Super Buggy class as he led from green to checkers. Zachary Drapkin was not far behind but couldn’t match Brister’s effort and had to settle for second. Gunner Kennedy ran third most of the race but dropped to fourth after battling with Ezra Ebberts. Kennedy would regain the third spot on lap nine and hold on for the final podium step. Season points in Super Buggy are close with Zachary Drapkin holding 419 to Matthew Bristers 412. Third is Gunner Kennedy with 369.
In the Production 1000 race, Saturday Cody Hodgson took off from the green flag and was able to hold the position to win the race. Dominick Benites traded spots early with Jacob Schiedecker but at the end took second with Scheidecker third. Connor Barry #902 won the Production 1000 race Sunday by leading every lap. It was no easy win as Cody Hodgson slipped in behind him early on and dogged his every move, but try as he may Hodgson had to settle for second. Jacob Scheidecker was third. Oliver Golding Production Turbo UTV was a solo class entry. When they go to the final in Victorville the season championship will likely be between Cole Gamma and Connor Barry, both holding onto 376 points, or with Cody Hodgson a close third with 371 points.
Talan Martin would win Round 6 but had his hands full keeping Cade martin from stealing his win as the two battled from start to finish for the position. Third was Dance Culver. The Modified Kart race saw Cade Martin #507 take the win on the last lap. Cade had been trailing Talan Martin for several laps before moving on lap 12. G3 Argyros moved into third mid-race and held on to the finish. Talan Martin currently leads the series with 420 points with Cade Martin within striking distance holding 396 points to his credit. Dane Culver is also a threat with 368 points.
On Saturday in the Weller Racing SR1 event, Corry Weller would not let her husband Jason Weller steal her win. The two looked like a connected freight train circling the track but Jason could not find a way around and had to settle for second. Larry Hayes was third. In the Weller Racing SR1 race, Corry Weller #18 proved unstoppable. Husband, Jason Weller, dogged her lap after lap until making a mistake in turn six and stalling his car. Corry Weller went on to see the checkers first with Larry Hayes second and Jason Weller running again to finish third. With the Wellers missing a few of the earlier rounds Larry Hayes has a commanding series lead with 307 points over Corry Wellers 218.
Joe Laff had to follow current points leader Carson Smith around the track on Saturday but was able to find his opening just in time before the checkers came out to take the Limited Buggy win over Smith. Travis Howard was third. In the Limited Buggy class, Carson Smith #319 owned the day Sunday by taking off from the green and heading straight to the checkers. Joe Laff was second and Travis Howard third. Kevin Streety #1601 won the 1600 Desert Buggy class over Madison Ebberts. Carson Smith is the current Limited Buggy series leader with 428 to Shane Prescott’s 408 points. In the Desert 1600 series, Robby Hornsby leads Kyle Knott 418-407.
Brent Veenstra took round 6 Mini Stock win over Rob Orr who held off Ryder Palmer who finished third. Antony Csuzi #36 topped the Mini Stock class Sunday with Robert Orr second and Bill Madigan third. Open V8/ Ultra4 was Rino Naverra. In the Mini Stock series, Robert Orr holds a one-point lead over Anthony Csuzi 405-404.
Round 6 saw Luke Berry take the win with Chase Berry second and Brody Glaze crossing over third. The AM Ortega J1 Kart race ended with Luke Berry #236 taking the top spot on the podium and Briton Wirt second over Brody Glaze. The season overall points leader is Luke Berry with Chase Berry a very close second 427-408.
Mike Childress took Saturday’s J2 Kart event win with Lake Adler crossing second ahead of Hailey Collinsworth. Travis Jones #485 won the J2 Kart class with Bryson Benites second and Mike Childress third. Mike Childress is the overall points leader holding onto 411 points with Bryson Benited second with 391.
On Saturday Ian Torfi started fourth but worked his way up front early to take the win over Jake Hill. Declan Shields was third. Ian Torfi #102 was fastest in the Accredited Labs RZR 170 class with Jake Hill second and Declan Shields crossing over third. Declan Shields go to the final leading the series 412-406 held by Ian Torfi and Jake Hill.