Written By: Vogel Racing

ST. LOUIS, MO (September 13th, 2010) Vogel racing found its way east to the New Castle Motorsports Park for the 4th and 5th round of the Route 66 Series.  With all drivers on the team in the points chase, we have been concentrating on consistent up front finishes.  Christian has been finishing solidly in the top 10 and in has recently broken into the top 5.  This being one of Christian’s favorite tracks the team expected a good weekend from the young senior driver.

Friday went swimmingly for the number 34.  Making minor adjustments throughout the day fine tuned the kart for the rest of the weekend.  Since the series was doing two race weekends compounded into one, they ran the Iron man configuration half of the practice day and the national track for the rest of the day.  Having decent pace on both configurations, Christian was able to leave the race track with some confidence in the karts speed.

Not being able to have any breakfast we had to settle for some coffee.  Getting to the track relatively latter than we normally did we were slightly in a rush.  We got all the kart stuff done just in time to attend the mandatory drivers meeting where, like always, we learned absolutely nothing new.  Struggling slightly in the morning warm up carried over to the first qually run of the weekend where Christian had a hard time getting the kart up to pace.  Thankfully Christian was able to pull out a time that was good enough for 3rd.  Despite the 3rd place starting spot he felt that the kart was missing something little.  Second qually felt a little better and ending the session with a 2nd place starting spot. Waiting to make any changes because of the fluctuating weather, the team sat and waited for the weather to make up its mind. 

Finally the rain subsided and they started the pre finals.  The track was almost dried but the race director decided to have everyone run rain tires.  Having experience in drying track conditions, the team knew that used rain tires would be better.  Shortly finding out that that would be the right move, Christian jumped into the lead on the first lap and didn’t look back.  Pulling out an 11 second lead on the rest of the field, he won in dominant style.  The second heat race looked Identical to the previous one with Christian putting together another impressive run.

Being back on the front row was a good feeling for both Christian and the team.  With the weather and the track bone dry, we switched back to a dry set up.  Christians first final of the day was the 3rd class up.  Having only one thing on his mind, to win, Christian led the field around for the pace lap.  The Field of 20 got the the green the first time around and slipped through the first 3 corners without any casualties.  Christian fell back to the third place position but after a crafty pass going into the 5th corner he slotted into the 2nd place.  After 2 laps he was able to close the 5 kart gap to the leader.  They were having a nice battle back and forth throughout the middle of the race.  The final lap came quickly and the number 34 tony kart sat in the 2nd place position.  Coming to the last couple of corners the leader slipped slightly and Christian took the advantage.   Running side by side down the 700 ft straight away every knew this could only end in tears…sadly they were right.  Approaching the corner Cal squeezed Christian to the edge of the track and left him no room.  Once both of the drivers touched wheels it was all over taking them both out of the race. 

Coming so close to his first win of the season Christian was a little hot about the whole situation, but realizing that in racing that stuff happens.  Getting put on probation because of the whole situation wasn’t very fun either, but knowing that he still had another race to go he regrouped and put what happened behind him. 

Starting on the pole for race next race things where looking good for his first victory in Tag senior.  The start was identical to last, falling back to second and chasing down the leader.  This time around Cal had stretched out to 7 kart lead.  Finally catching Cal at the mid-point of the race, Christian made quick work of him and never looked back.  Pulling out to a 2 second lead Christian was able to capture his first win in the Tag Senior category. 

Despite catching a bad break in the first final he made up for it in the second final of the day with a near sweep.  Christian, ecstatic from his win stated, “I couldn’t ask for more, this has been a sour sweet day and I’m glad it ended with a win,” continuing on saying, “I’m glad I could give the team what they have been working toward and yearning for. “

Looking forward to the Man Cup national event at New Castle the following weekend the team was feeling confident about taking what they learned this past weekend and translating it into a good finish at the nationals.  We will see you all at the races.