“Benik drivers battle at the front of the talent-filled Mini Swift field”
May 3, 2023 – The second United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS) event of the 2023 season saw Team Benik descend on the multi-configurable layout of the Speedsportz Racing Park near Houston, Texas. With three drivers battling in the Mini Swift ranks, the Florida-based squad earned one heat race win, with top-ten results throughout the heat races, and a pair of top-ten finishes in the main event in the class that featured more than 40 drivers.
“We had the speed and showed that throughout the weekend,” explained Team Benik’s Nick Mitchell. “In the end, our drivers battled for the win on Sunday and despite crossing the finish line first, the result sheets show something different.”
Leading the way in qualifying was Marco Romero as his effort nabbed him the outside of the front row for the heat races while Royce Vega slotted into fifth. Jacobo Vega continued to learn and despite being further down the run order, improved throughout the weekend.
In the three heat races, Romero scored Team Benik’s best result with a win in heat one followed by eighth and fifth-place finishes in heats two and three. Royce Vega was able to match Romero’s pace in the top-five earning third, sixth, and seventh-place results. With points calculated from the heat races, Marco lined up fourth for Sunday’s main event, just ahead of Royce in fifth.
The main event would once again see Team Benik drivers at the front of the field. With close, hard racing, both Romero and Royce Vega had their chance to stand on the podium. Though a Team Benik kart was the first one to the checkered flag, post-race penalties negated that win with final classifications showing Royce Vega in sixth and Marco Romero in tenth. Jacobo Vega improved from his qualifying result and main event starting position of 31st to gain five positions and finish 26th.
Mitchell continued, “It is unfortunate that the win was taken away from us but that just makes us hungrier for more. I am confident in our drivers, our team, and the speed we can produce. We will push hard for the next one.”
Are you are interested in being part of Team Benik? For more information on the BENIK Kart or Team BENIK, please contact Nick Mitchell via e-mail at Info@Benik-Kart.com or by phone at 561.348.4406. To keep up to date with news, photos, results, and information on Team Benik, please follow them on social media by searching ‘Team Benik’.
