Written By: Vogel Racing

ST. LOUIS, MO (September 29th, 2010) With a jam packed month of racing the team decided to go to the WKA national race at Newcastle.  Finally getting comfortable in the senior class Christian was excited about the upcoming race weekend.  The team came up the weekend before to compete in the Route 66 event, despite the drama between a fellow competitor of his, the weekend went well.  Christian loves the Newcastle track but hasn’t finished well at any of the other national races there.  Having confidence in both the kart and him, Christian was ready to take this weekend head on.

The team was able to set fast times on Friday hovering in the top 10 throughout the day.  Rounding out Fridays practice setting the 5th fastest time, Vogel Racing knew they had a shot to win.  Christian rounded out the day with some final thoughts, “The kart is where it needs to be to top the podium, but It’s going to take a flawless day on my part.”

Saturday started out with the usual mandatory drivers meeting that was pleasantly shorter than usual.  Vogel Racing opted not to run the morning warm up, yet they decided to prep the kart for qually.  Christian claimed the 10th starting position in qualification putting him solidly in the top half of the field and in good position for a win.  Pre final action was about to begin, and after making minor adjustments to the number 34 Tony Kart machine, the team expected to surge forward.  Christian performed beautifully and was able to pass 3 karts slotting into 7th spot for the feature event.  It was finally final time.  After an already flawless day of racing from the young senior driver, it was time to finish well.  Making an impressive start, Christian catapulted to the 6th position and didn’t look back.  He was able to gap the group behind him but was unable to reel in the front group.  Christian had to settle for 6th position and even though that is a respectable finish to a weekend, Christian knew the kart had the pace to win it saying, “The kart is obviously fast and easy to drive but I still have to put a few more pieces of the puzzle together, then we will win at the national level.”

Another day meant another chance for the young TAG driver to better his finish from the previous day.  Day two of racing started of the same as day one, drivers meeting and preparations to the kart.  Since the team made some overnight changes to the kart they opted to go out for the morning warm up and see how it affected the kart.  Qualifying was up next and since the changes on the kart actually worked, the Vogel tent was full of smiles.  Christian was able to post the 7th fastest time, bettering his qualifying position from yesterday and giving the team a huge sigh of relief.  The team was looking forward to a good pre final to set them up for a good final, to their dismay everything didn’t go to plan.  Christian was having a good start up until the 4th corner when he got caught up in a melee that cost him 10 positions.  Only being able to make up a few more spots, Christian had to start in 14th spot for the final.  The mood in the tent changed but they had faith in the driver and for good reason. The team made minor change to the kart and left it up to the driver.  It was final time!  The team was ready, Christian was ready, lets go racing.  The Final final of the day was about to get under way.  Christian as if he was shot out of a gun, catapulted himself to the 10th spot right of the bat.  He was a man on a mission and tore through the field.  The number 34 Tony Kart was able to jump up to the 5th spot, making an incredible run and ending the weekend on an unbelievable note.  The team was able to give a huge sigh of relief in knowing the Saturdays run was no fluke and that they were able to run with the best in the nation.  Christian, ecstatic at the results of the weekend said, “I have been working incredibly hard to accomplish what we did this weekend,” continuing on saying, “There are still areas that I personally need to work on, but all in all I can’t walk away from this weekend with too many negative thoughts.”

The team could not be happier with the results of the weekend.  The team owner, aka “Pops” goes on to say, “The whole team is excited about how the weekend, we have been waiting and Christian has figured it out and performed well.”  The only way to end a great weekend is a 4 hour car ride home. 

The team gives all its thanks to the people who make it possible to race and to perform well, we will see you all at the races.