USAC Benevolent Foundation Karting Enduro

            Team Stewart, sponsored by USAC Triple Crown and two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Tony Stewart, posted the closest victory in the 10-year history of the USAC Benevolent Foundation Go-Kart Enduro fund-raiser Saturday in Indianapolis.

 

            The team, captained by USAC National Midget Champion Josh Wise and Indianapolis 500 veteran Johnny Parsons, finished just 10 seconds ahead of Team Querry, sponsored by Greg Querry and captained by Brian Gerster and Dane Carter in the three-hour event at the "Fun at Fastimes" two-level indoor karting facility.

 

            The event is held annually to generate funds for USAC's Benevolent Foundation, which has provided needed financial relief for many needy USAC racers and their families.

 

            USAC National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones, former USAC champion Jay Drake, "4-Crown Nationals" Midget Champ Danny Stratton, plus Adam Barth, John Sayne, Darrell Lyons, Brad Wise and Jack Stephenson comprised the balance of the winning Stewart team, which received a "Backyard Bar-B-Que" for 12 as part of their prize package.

 

            The second-place team, in addition to Gerster and Carter, contained Jimmy Parsons, Mike Prescott and Joe Janowski. The team captained by Sprint Car teammates Mat Neely and Justin Marvel, sponsored by Brothers Neeld Sales Corporation, with Craig Striegel at the wheel, led the first 54 laps until pit stops became a factor.

 

Several teams managed to lead through pit stops for driver changes. Strategy played into the race as several teams had more drivers than others, as was the case with the top two finishers. Stewart's team consisted of ten while Querry's had six.

 

            Last year's winning combination, with J.T. Stapp as the lone captain, captured third place, completing 362 laps, three behind the top finishers, who ran 365 laps each. Stapp was joined by Kris Deckard, Tim Creech, Rex Norris III, D.J. Vogler, Nicole Alderson and Michael Testa. This team also turned in the fastest lap of the event at 22.256 seconds on lap 322.

 

Querry's team took over the lead approximately one hour and twenty minutes into the race and managed to build a three-lap lead.  Stewart's team whittled away until lap 354 when they took the lead and held it to the checkered flag.

 

            Stephanie Mockler, a co-captain with Billy Puterbaugh and a USAC regular in midget competition, suffered a sore wrist and ankle when another kart ended up in her cockpit after a tangle.

 

            Members of the top three finishing teams received medals and a Smokey Bones Barbeque "Spirit Award" went to the second-place team, who exhibited the spirit to lead most of the event.

 

            USAC drivers who also competed included 2005 USAC Champions Tate Martz and Jamie Williams, plus Mario Marietta, Cole Carter, Ted Hines, Kent Christian, Jordan Noblitt, Brad Loyet, Matt Westfall, Ryan Pace, Billy Wease and Dickie Gaines.

 

            All competitors received team pictures and door prizes donated by Hoosier Tire, Weld Racing, Mechanix Wear, Trucothane Hammers and Valvoline. The real winners of this event and the Annual Women's Golf Tournament for the Foundation, are those who receive grants from the USAC Benevolent Foundation.

 

 

--USAC--