06/08/2026
🏁 Route 66 Sprint Series Round 2 at
Norway Motorsports Park Recap 🏁
If there was ever a weekend that captured why we love this sport, this might’ve been the one
The Route 66 Series rolled into Norway Motorsports Park this weekend, and Evan was once again pulling double duty in both the Sportsman (4-stroke) and Mini Swift (2-stroke) classes.
🏆 SPORTSMAN: FIRST REGIONAL VICTORY
The Sportsman class exceeded our expectations from the very beginning.
Friday's changing weather conditions kept everyone guessing, and we even forced Evan to turn laps in the rain on slick tires. Let's just say that session was a little humbling; but those are often the moments where the biggest lessons are learned.
Qualifying didn't quite go to plan. We left some speed on the table and ended up P4, but once the racing started, Evan came alive.
Over the next two 14-lap heat races, he charged to the front and captured back-to-back heat race victories, earning pole position for Sunday's 18-lap final.
What followed was an absolute heavyweight fight.
For all 18 laps, Evan had the 244 kart of Liam Fohr glued to his rear bumper. Every corner mattered. Every lap mattered. Evan never blinked.
Then, with just two laps remaining, Liam made his move.
He was able to complete the pass and briefly took over the lead, setting up a dramatic finish. But Evan answered immediately, reclaiming the top spot and refusing to let it go. The two young drivers raced nose-to-tail through some lapped traffic and to the checkered flag in one of the best battles of the weekend.
After nearly twenty laps of relentless pressure, Evan crossed the finish line just 0.180 seconds ahead of Liam, securing his first-ever regional Route 66 Series victory.
A huge milestone and one we'll never forget.
🥇 Evan Liesch
🥈 Liam Fohr
🥉 Cameron Apel
🚀 MINI SWIFT: A COMEBACK FROM AN UPSIDE DOWN RACE
Over in Mini Swift, local standout Michael Tsyupka reminded everyone what thousands of laps at Norway Motorsports Park can do.
Keeping pace with him all weekend was a challenge.
Evan finished P2 in Heat 1 and P3 in Heat 2 behind Tsyupka and Franklin Motorsports teammate Darius Zaremba, lining us up P3 for the final.
Then came the moment that stopped all of our hearts.
On Lap 7, while attempting a pass, Evan became involved in a racing incident that sent his kart upside down.
As a dad, your mind immediately goes to the worst place.
I took off running toward the accident scene.
Before I could even get there, Evan had already crawled out from underneath the kart and was standing beside it giving everyone a thumbs up.
Then came the most Evan response imaginable.
He pulled off his helmet and asked:
"Is my helmet okay?"
It was.
Then he asked:
"Is my kart okay?"
With the help of a race official, we flipped it back over and looked everything over. Nothing appeared seriously damaged.
That's when Evan looked at us and said:
"Let me go race!"
After the official completed a more thorough inspection of both driver and kart, race control gave him permission to continue.
Forced to restart from the back of the field, Evan put on a determined drive slicing his way through the field and somehow fighting all the way back to P2 by the checkered flag.
WHY WE KEEP RACING
This weekend wasn't just about trophies.
It was about perseverance.
It was about overcoming adversity.
It was about learning, fighting through setbacks, and refusing to quit.
A first regional victory in Sportsman.
A rollover and comeback drive to second in Mini Swift.
To say we're proud would be an understatement.
This is why we keep racing
We always want to express our love for our sponsors, family, and friends for their continued support 👊🏁
🔥❄️Apex Heating and Air Conditioning
🍨 Sara's Artisan Gelato
🏎️ Franklinkart & Mpg motorsports
🥪 Scott's Subs
⚡ Lawson Speed Shop
⛽ Rapid Refuel
🏡 Zaid Realty
💪🏼 Woltjer Racing Engines
💰 Voyageur Financial Group
🔧 Scott Kopp
🕹️Tristan Farber