Scott Barnes, the reigning SKUSA Pro Tour champion, began his title defense at the WinterNationals, held at the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas. Barnes competed in the highly competitive Master Shifter Class, facing a strong field of drivers.
Barnes's performance on the first day of racing saw mixed results as he navigated the challenges of the Speedsportz Racing Park circuit.
In the Qualifying Race, Barnes finished 9th, recording a time of 52.348 seconds on his fastest lap, which came on the fourth and final lap. This result positioned him in the grid for the subsequent races.
Barnes then competed in the Pre-Final race, where he improved his position, finishing 5th with a 10-lap time of 8 minutes and 31.378 seconds. This performance showed improvement and placed him in a better starting position for the final race.
In the Final, the main event of the day, Barnes crossed the finish line in 6th place, completing the 20-lap race in 17 minutes, 26.668 seconds. While not a podium finish, this result demonstrates his consistency and ability to compete in the demanding Master Shifter Class.
Barnes said, “This was probably one of the worst racing days I’ve had in a very long time. I just could not get anything to work. I felt like a rookie all day, just a bad day of racing. I should be up front in this pack.
It’s a good thing I have a great team that will never give up, we made a bunch of changes tonight, and I am hopeful we can find it tomorrow.”
Barnes will be looking to improve his results on the final day of racing. As the reigning champion, he carries high expectations, and he will be aiming to showcase his skill and experience to climb the standings.
The SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals is a significant event in the karting calendar, attracting top drivers from across the country. Barnes's participation highlights his commitment to competing at the highest level of the sport.
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