09/06/2026
Long day yesterday at Paradise Raceway wrapping up our day around 4am. We had initially planned to run Alma this weekend, but when Jr Limited was added to the event, we knew we needed to drive the additional 5 hours north. My first attempt with the limited at last month’s Big O finished before it really started, so I was happy to get to run it again. Thank you Clay Bellamy Racing!! We were just behind the leader in practice times but didn’t get a lot of laps due to multiple cautions. Qualified 8 out of 11, but I got more comfortable with when to get into and out of the throttle by the race and made it up to 4th in a few laps. Unfortunately, my helmet fogged up early on and I could only see out of a small area where my nose was touching my visor, so I couldn’t do much else. I was able to pass for 3rd on lap 8 and caught the second place kart a few times but just couldn’t set up a pass with the limited visibility of the track. Although we were very happy with a 3rd place finish, I really think we had something for the leaders so I was disappointed. Might have reminded my mom a few times that wouldn’t have happened with my Bell (which was cracked when I was flipped at Fruitland back in January). [Helmet sponsor needed 🤣]
For Junior (3) All Pro warmup, we showed up to a nice, pretty new white body - thanks Brad Beverly. Not sure it helped either of us though. We qualified 14 of 20. We haven’t really got the Rogue figured out when it comes to qualifying and had limited laps in practice. (Pull string for the motor failed on the grid so we missed warmup and with the cautions in the pro practice we only ran a few full speed laps.) Hoped I’d be able to race up to at least mid pack, as our finish set the start for the pro race - a format I was actually excited about. We fell back early on though and finished 16. Track conditions deteriorated and multiple karts were damaged as a result of either the holes or trying to avoid them. I was able to avoid both the holes and the wrecks for most of the Pro race and worked my way up to 5th. I continued to get held up by another driver and my patience cost me as ended up entering 4 in a bad spot and hit the wall at the tower. Race paid top 10, so it wasn’t a total loss but definitely should have been a top 5.
All in all we had a good showing this weekend and I appreciate the help of those that made it happen!
Everglades Carts & Marine
Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee
Pottsco Industrial Services
Premier Dek
Saturday’s race video should be up tomorrow once we get home.
Next race is Saturday @ Callahan Speedway for Race 5 of the Velocita Southern Thunder Dirt Tour Presented By: KartVision & FHS series. Let’s go Kaden Dowling/KD’s Tire Solutions!