One of the most unique events of the year took place on October 23rd with the running of the eighth annual RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS at the New Castle Motor Sports Park. Racers battled in teams of 2 to 4 drivers for 200 laps aboard TaG powered karts. The team that took on the competitors, track, conditions, and with some luck, crossed the finish line first, and took home a $6,000 payday.
This years RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS took place with a heavy heart for all racers and fans that attended. The motor sports world lost Brit driver Dan Wheldon in a crash at the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championships in Las Vegas. Since 2005, Wheldon was a competitor of the RoboPong 200 and former winner with Mark Dismore Jr.New Castle Motor sports Park honored Dan Weldon’s love of karting at the 2011 Robopong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS. In honor on Dan Wheldon the Robopong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS trophy will be known as the Dan Wheldon Cup and the trophy will be on display at NCMP with Dan's likeness and past winners displayed on the trophy after this year's race.
After 200 hard laps and multiple lead changes, Mark Dismore Sr. and reigning Indy Lights Champion Josef Newgarden took the win over Sam Beasley and Brandon Jones. It was an emotional day for everyone involved and all the competitors will miss going wheel to wheel with a great driver and an even better person.
Newgarden, who like so many started racing in karts, is appreciative of the example Wheldon set on and off the racetrack.
"He set a great example for a lot of young guys coming up through the ranks, wanting to be professional race car drivers," Newgarden said.
IZOD IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter, the 2009 race winner with engineer Nathan O'Rourke, attended Wheldon's funerel Oct. 22 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the public memorial service at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis following the karting race.
"I think being at the racetrack is the best thing," Carpenter said.
IZOD IndyCar Series competitor Jay Howard, the 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion and 2010 RoboPong 200 winner, also competed.
The 2011 RoboPong 200 Presented by Bridgestone and NOS Kart Race was a great way to honor “Indy Car Superstar” Dan Wheldon. R.I.P Dan Wheldon.
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