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WKA Manufacturer's Cup
Daytona, FL - December 28-30
Yamaha Sr. 1 - 3rd
Komet Pro 1 - 6th
Parilla 1 - 26th
Yamaha Sr. 2 - 4th
Komet Pro Final 1 - 4th
Parilla Final 1 - 33th
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Joel Jens Racing - 2O11 WKA Triple Crown Winner!
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January 3, 2012 - 2011 WKA Daytona KartWeek Recap
The start of a new season is always exciting and thrilling with everyone starting with a “clean plate”. For Joel Jens and Joel Jens Racing his plate must have had some remnants of last season’s domination still on it, as the Tony/Kart driver picked up right where he left of from the 2011 season. Jens came into Daytona the reigning Champion in 3 of the 4 contested junior classes in the WKA George Kugler/Bridgestone Manufacturer’s Cup Series driven by Mazda. Having just completed the annual trek to Las Vegas for the Super Nationals with a successful run, and the Holiday season past him Jens was looking for success in Daytona Beach Florida for the first round of the new season. When the results were in he would stand on 3 more podiums at the events end.
On the first day of practice, Jens’ Tony/Kart livery was at or near the top of the speed charts all day. Going into Qualifications for the first day the team knew they had brought the proper power to be a contender in all classes once again. At the conclusion of the timed sessions Jens’ would be classified as 10th in the Yamaha division and 9th in the Komet division. Not overly concerned about the results, but not wanting to idly sit on them, the team went to work to find the needed performance for the final races. Helping Joel Jens and Switch Racing Engines at this event was Corey Reeves, a highly successful National Champion in the senior ranks and a multi time Triple Crown winner, always a great asset to have in your pit. Joel driving his Switch Racing Engines powered Yamaha would finish a disappointing 13th in the final after having been caught on the outside of the first turns twice and being forced off course and having to make is way back up thru the field . Meanwhile in the Komet Junior class he would race to 3rd place finish and finish the day with a podium position.
For the final day of competition Jens would come back with vengeance to stand on the podium once again in Komet Junior Light and drive his Yamaha powered Tony/Kart to a commanding domination once again in Yamaha Heavy to make a Clean Sweep of the class and stand atop the winners spot on the podium. Working feverishly after the first days completion everyone within the Jens pit knew what they were looking for and what to do for the last day, and the results would show for it. Qualifying a much better 3rd and finishing in the third position in the Pre-Final would position Jens in the optimum place to mount a charge at the podium once again in Komet. Jens would take the lead at lap 2 and hold it till the midway point of the final in a greatly competitive race amongst the top 4. In the end Jens would finish 4th and go home with podiums in both Komet divisions. Last class of the day was the one sponsored by one of Jens own sponsors, Verde Speed Resources. Jens commented “this being Verde’s first race to sponsor and my own sponsor I want to win this “ Jens lived up to his word and promise and claimed his first pole of the season and went on to win the Pre-Final as well. Starting from the pole Jens settled into the race and let it come to him, taking command at lap 5 and never looking back to the finish. Standing on the top of the podium with Trophy in hand Joel went onto say” We never set our kart up to lead early, but my mechanics and tuners certainly know how to give me a Tony/Kart that will come in when I want it to and charge like nothing else to the finish. This is by far the best equipment to drive and I could not be any happier than driving my Tony/Karts. I know that this brand is going to make a charge for the Constructors championship in the series this year and I am glad to be helping”
Joel thanked Kevin Nelson of Switch Racing Engines for all the horsepower thru the event, Corey Reeves for his assistance all week long in chassis dynamics and engineering , Vic Matuzewski for tuning the Komet kart and Tiffin Willareth for tuning the Yamaha kart and managing the team operations and Transport. “I also need to thank all my family at home in WI who support me and encourage me and all my personal sponsors who assist in my racing.” Jens would say.
Up next for the race team is the first round of the Florida Winter Tour in West Palm Beach Florida. Joel will be competing in the TAG Junior class. Check back for results as they become available.
The start of a new season is always exciting and thrilling with everyone starting with a “clean plate”. For Joel Jens and Joel Jens Racing his plate must have had some remnants of last season’s domination still on it, as the Tony/Kart driver picked up right where he left of from the 2011 season. Jens came into Daytona the reigning Champion in 3 of the 4 contested junior classes in the WKA George Kugler/Bridgestone Manufacturer’s Cup Series driven by Mazda. Having just completed the annual trek to Las Vegas for the Super Nationals with a successful run, and the Holiday season past him Jens was looking for success in Daytona Beach Florida for the first round of the new season. When the results were in he would stand on 3 more podiums at the events end.
On the first day of practice, Jens’ Tony/Kart livery was at or near the top of the speed charts all day. Going into Qualifications for the first day the team knew they had brought the proper power to be a contender in all classes once again. At the conclusion of the timed sessions Jens’ would be classified as 10th in the Yamaha division and 9th in the Komet division. Not overly concerned about the results, but not wanting to idly sit on them, the team went to work to find the needed performance for the final races. Helping Joel Jens and Switch Racing Engines at this event was Corey Reeves, a highly successful National Champion in the senior ranks and a multi time Triple Crown winner, always a great asset to have in your pit. Joel driving his Switch Racing Engines powered Yamaha would finish a disappointing 13th in the final after having been caught on the outside of the first turns twice and being forced off course and having to make is way back up thru the field . Meanwhile in the Komet Junior class he would race to 3rd place finish and finish the day with a podium position.
For the final day of competition Jens would come back with vengeance to stand on the podium once again in Komet Junior Light and drive his Yamaha powered Tony/Kart to a commanding domination once again in Yamaha Heavy to make a Clean Sweep of the class and stand atop the winners spot on the podium. Working feverishly after the first days completion everyone within the Jens pit knew what they were looking for and what to do for the last day, and the results would show for it. Qualifying a much better 3rd and finishing in the third position in the Pre-Final would position Jens in the optimum place to mount a charge at the podium once again in Komet. Jens would take the lead at lap 2 and hold it till the midway point of the final in a greatly competitive race amongst the top 4. In the end Jens would finish 4th and go home with podiums in both Komet divisions. Last class of the day was the one sponsored by one of Jens own sponsors, Verde Speed Resources. Jens commented “this being Verde’s first race to sponsor and my own sponsor I want to win this “ Jens lived up to his word and promise and claimed his first pole of the season and went on to win the Pre-Final as well. Starting from the pole Jens settled into the race and let it come to him, taking command at lap 5 and never looking back to the finish. Standing on the top of the podium with Trophy in hand Joel went onto say” We never set our kart up to lead early, but my mechanics and tuners certainly know how to give me a Tony/Kart that will come in when I want it to and charge like nothing else to the finish. This is by far the best equipment to drive and I could not be any happier than driving my Tony/Karts. I know that this brand is going to make a charge for the Constructors championship in the series this year and I am glad to be helping”
Joel thanked Kevin Nelson of Switch Racing Engines for all the horsepower thru the event, Corey Reeves for his assistance all week long in chassis dynamics and engineering , Vic Matuzewski for tuning the Komet kart and Tiffin Willareth for tuning the Yamaha kart and managing the team operations and Transport. “I also need to thank all my family at home in WI who support me and encourage me and all my personal sponsors who assist in my racing.” Jens would say.
Up next for the race team is the first round of the Florida Winter Tour in West Palm Beach Florida. Joel will be competing in the TAG Junior class. Check back for results as they become available.
