Six-year-old Austin Kendig wins kid kart national championship

Submitted by Tysen Kendig

Our six-year old son, Austin Kendig, won the kid kart national championship in St. Louis, MO, this past Sunday. He's been racing go-karts since late last summer in Tulsa, OK, and this was his first national-level event - and he shocked us all by sweeping his heat race, the pre-feature race, and ultimately the 15-lap national restricted final. He started the national final race from the pole, dropped to fifth, but came back to win.

The Kid Kart Nationals are sponsored by the St. Louis Karting Association, and draws more than 50 competitors aged 5-8, from around the country. These are 50cc sprint karts, and the sport is sanctioned by the World Karting Association.

Austin is a resident of North Liberty, IA, and is the son of Tysen and Leslie Kendig.

His web site is: http://www.kendigmotorsports.com. This is a shot of him in kart No. 11 just after making the pass that put him in the lead for good.

Also of local interest, at far right in the photo of the awards podium is Talon Drake, age five, who also races at 61 Kartway. He finished fourth in the national restricted final, coming furthest through the field to earn his podium finish.

Talon's parents are Casey and Michelle Drake of Riverside, IA. So it was a great day at the Kid Kart Nationals for the Iowa contingent!