Karting ace Scott Barnes delivered a dominant performance at Round 1/2 of the SKUSA Winter Series, overcoming personal tragedy to secure a clean sweep of victories.
Barnes' weekend was overshadowed by the passing of his beloved dog, Swizzle Dizzle, on Thursday. The emotional impact led him to initially withdraw from the race weekend.
However, in a testament to his resilience and the therapeutic power of sport, Barnes decided to return to the track on Saturday. Despite having no practice time, he qualified just a tenth of a second off pole position.
He then proceeded to dominate the competition, winning both the Pre-Final and Final races on Saturday. He carried this momentum into Sunday, securing another clean sweep of victories.
"When Swizzle Dizzle passed on Thursday I pulled out of the race weekend, I just wasn’t up for doing anything," Barnes reflected. "Friday my mind was running crazy and I knew I needed to be in a kart to try to clear my mind for a bit. Showed up to the track Saturday and signed back up, first time on track was for qualifying and missed Pole by a tenth."
Despite a smaller field in the Masters category, Barnes relished the opportunity to battle with the Pro drivers, showcasing his speed and racecraft.
"It was good to be in a kart and it’s awesome that the Maranello Kart USA and Carblos Racing Engines were fast straight off the bat! No practice needed lol," he added.
Barnes expressed his gratitude to his sponsors and team for their support, acknowledging their crucial role in his success. This emotional weekend highlights the power of sport to provide solace and focus during challenging times. Barnes' dominant performance is a testament to his talent and determination, and he will be looking to carry this momentum into future races.
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