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2007 Galt Cup Go-Kart Nationals
Matt Mitchell Wins Star-Studded Feature
By: Jacque Arue
(Galt, CA 11-30-07)…Underneath a clear sky but chilly conditions it was a warm blooded Southern California driver that earned the victory at the 1/16 slick track oval in Galt, CA. Yorba Linda’s Matt Mitchell led all 40-laps to win the Friday prelim night of the 2007 Galt Cup Go-Kart Nationals sponsored by Simpson, MPD Racing, Coors Light and ESPN 8 “the Ocho Channel.” Mitchell was able to brave the cold elements and blistering pain in both eyes due to baby powder dust that accumulated inside his contacts and held off hometown favorite and track promoter Johnny Rodriguez. The Galt crowd was on their feet trying to will Rodriguez past his live-in neighbor Mitchell during the final laps. Rodriguez was never able to pull close enough to challenge Mitchell. Even if Rodriguez had been close Mitchell would not of seen Rodriguez because of the sight problems. “It felt good to beat J-Rod at his own track,” said Mitchell who was looking for a wet cloth to clear his eyes. “I have to thank Jamie and Johnny Rodriguez for allowing us to race tonight and preparing the track to perfection. It takes a lot of hard work to get a race of this magnitude work so smoothly.”
Rodriguez sat dejected in his car after the race but was soon lifted up when he found out he was the high point driver after night one. “I thought the restarts were real questionable,” said Rodriguez alluding to Mitchell’s early starts and possible lack in discretion by official starter Bubby Greene. “But I have to hand it to Matt, he never bobbled when I applied pressure.” Finishing third was fifth place starter Kyle Hirst. The Loomis driver was penalized earlier in the night for rough driving and questionable slide jobs. However, the Galt officials took Hirst into the penalty box trailer. It was a closed door heated argument and reportedly Hirst was given a good tongue lashing. Hirst returned to make amends and finished third without any more incidents on the speedway. “I wanted to prove to my fellow drivers and the fans that I am able to handle the awesome power of these machines,” said Hirst.
The only caution of the main event occurred when Brad Sweet drove into Troy Hennig’s kart. Hennig was not able to run as fast as the professional drivers in the main event. Ultimately Hennig pulled his ill-handling kart to the infield and called it a night to let the leaders battle it out without him interfering. “It’s hard for an announcer to figure these karts out quick enough like the pro’s do,” said Hennig. “I have a lot of respect for these guys and the way they are able to drive these karts.” He finished by saying, “Is someone going to get some eye wash for Mitchell?” Sweet needed an oxygen mask and a steroid cream rub-down post race top revitalize his 115 lb. frame. Sweet was unavailable for quotes after the races because his answers where muffled by the mask.
Sweet led all 15 laps to win the B-Main event. Robby Josett led all 12-laps to win the C Main event.
Heat one saw Johnny Rodriguez win the 10-lap race. J-Rod started third and moved into the lead on lap two. Sweet came from dead last to finish second. BCRA Champion Justin Grant was third.
Heat two was all Hennig. The Chico announcer started fourth and benefited from a major crash that took out the top two to get the win. Following Hennig was lead singer of the rock group The Masses, Aron Hunt.
Heat three saw Matt Mitchell win going away. At the end Mitchell had a half straight lead over Roseville’s Bryan Tasnady who finished second.
Rodriguez leads the points after night one. Rodriguez has 67 points, Matt Mitchell 66, Brad Sweet 65, Troy Hennig 64 and Kyle Hirst 62.
Tomorrow’s second prelim starts at 10 am. Featured drivers tomorrow include NASCAR driver Josh Wise, USAC-CRA driver Mike Spencer and Ford Focus masher Thomas Gray.
Results Night One-
Qualifying: Brad Sweet; Cool, CA - 7.86, Troy Hennig; Chico, CA - 8.05, Kyle Hirst, Loomis - 8.14
Heat 1: Johnny Rodriguez; Galt, Brad Sweet, Justin Grant; Ione, Jackson, Steven Finch; Elk Grove
Heat 2: Troy Hennig, Aron Hunt; Pollack Pines, Eric Rodriguez; Elk Grove, Robby Josett; Santa Clarita
Heat 3: Matt Mitchell; Yorba Linda, Bryan Tasnady; Roseville, Kyle Hirst
C Main (12 laps): Josett, Finch, Tasnady, Hunt
B Main (15 laps): Sweet, Hirst, Josett, E. Rodriguez, Grant
A Main (40 laps): Mitchell, J. Rodriguez, Hirst, Sweet, Hennig
END
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