April 13, 2024

The CNKA Cup Karts at Atlanta Motorsports Park are not simply a racing series, they’re a symphony of skill, strategy, and sheer speed that harmonizes on the asphalt, captivating both drivers and spectators alike. As the roar of the Briggs and Stratton engines echo off the surrounding Appalachian foothills, racing is back once again at AMP. The racing was pure perfection, the action was captivating, and the taste of victory was clenched by some of the fiercest competitors in the southeast.

Formerly known as the Briggs and Stratton 206 Cup Series, Cup Karts North America is a premier karting series featuring Briggs 206 engines. The series has a diverse mix of professional and amateur drivers in local, regional, and national events. CKNA offers an opportunity to race in the most competitive 4-cycle series in the country. CKNA’s format is similar to what AMP runs during their monthly club series, running three heat races and a main event. They brought quite a crowd with them – a total of 177 karts, a new AMP record.

The Junior Division, on average, is made up of junior-high aged drivers at 12-15 years old. The engine is of course a Briggs 206, typically with a yellow slide to restrict the horsepower. The total weight of the driver and kart is a minimum of 320 lbs. Wheel size is a maximum width of 135mm in the front and 215mm in the rear.

Nathan Dupuis (669) set the hot lap in qualifying with a best time of 1:01.786 to start on the front row alongside Ryan Sukeena (196), who also put down a hot lap of 1:02.249. The first Heat would end the same way qualifying did, with Dupuis and Sukeena finishing 1-2. This finish was one of the closest we have ever seen at AMP, as the drivers were seperated by a margin of less than .001 seconds. The “Liqui Moly Biggest Mover” of the first Heat was Luke Kohrman (8), who would finish ninth overall and move upward a total of eight positions.

The results of Heat 1 would set the field for Heat 2. Again, the top two would battle hard and the result would be exactly the same as the one before. Dupuis and Sukenna again would cross the stripe side-by-side after a lengthy last lap battle. The margin of separation this time around would be .006 seconds. The “Liqui Moly Biggest Mover” of Heat 2 was Sawyer Richards (25), who in eight laps maneuvered through ten karts to finish in tenth.

In the main event, 21 karts would take the green flag, led by Dupuis and Sukenna. The leaders would take the field three-wide down into the breathtaking 3.5 story elevation drop into turn 2. Fifth through ninth position turned their karts into a freight train, led by Carson Neel (17). Alyssa Vascocu (7) would pass Neel for fourth position around the halfway point of the race. The battle up front would heat up around lap 6, as Lucas Thek (52) would get a two-for-one in turn 2, passing both Sukenna and Dupuis.

Both Sukenna and Dupuis would hold their positions until the last lap. In turn 9, Sukenna would throw his Hail Mary pass, attempting to overtake in the esses. This would slow his momentum down ever so slightly though. Sukenna would try for one more overtake in turn 16. This time Sukenna and Thek were be side-by-side on the exit of 16 in a drag race for the checkered flag. Thek would edge Sukenna by .147 seconds in yet another really close finish. Dupuis would close out the podium third overall. Your “Liqui Moly Biggest Mover” of the race was Carter Barkis (10), moving a total of ten positions to finish seventh overall. The “City Line Nutrition Fastest Lap” of the race belonged to Nathan Dupuis (669) with a best time of 1:01.117. You can find all of the results from today’s races at RaceHero.

CKNA is back again Sunday, April 14th for day two of CKNA South at AMP. For all of the readers, be sure to check out the race live on Kart Chaser, the premier site for karting. Be sure to subscribe or if you are in the area of beautiful Dawsonville, Georgia you can always stop by and watch the race in-person.

Photos: Connor Cochran, Liberty Racing Review