June 29, 2023 – It was a strong showing for a pair of Team Benik drivers this past weekend at the third round of the 2023 United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS). Taking on the New Castle Motorsports Park just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana, Macro Romero and Royce Vega flew the colors of Benik blue at the front of the field but a tire choice for the main event saw them finish with undeserving results.
Kicking off the weekend with practice on Thursday, the Benik duo moved straight into qualifying on Friday afternoon with Royce Vega leading the way sixth on the time sheets, just ahead of Romero in seventh. Guaranteeing them top-ten starting spots through Saturday’s three heat races, the pair shifted their focus to the wheel-to-wheel competition.
With three heat races on the schedule for Saturday, both drivers moved forward from their qualifying positions to better-starting spots for Sunday’s main event. Romero scored a trio of solid results finishing third in the first heat race and then taking the win in heats two and three. Vega finished seventh in the first wheel-to-wheel race and second in heat two to make it a one – two finish. Heat three saw him cross the line sixth. With heat race points calculated, Romero would start Sunday’s main event from the pole position while Vega lined up inside row three in P5.
Sunday greeted drivers with mixed conditions and following the short morning warmup, drivers were straight into the main events with some difficult decisions to make. With the Race Director deeming the track wet, drivers could utilize either wet weather tires or the standard slick dry weather tires but needed to make the decision before entering the grid.
With the track damp and drying, the Team Benik duo mounted the grooved wet weather tires for the start of their final which proved to be the right decision early on.
“Both Marco and Royce were quickly at the front of the field,” explained Team Owner Nick Mitchell. “They were pulling away from the competition and had nearly a five-second lead by midrace. Unfortunately, the track began to dry fast and the drivers with slick tires quickly made a move forward, and we were just a sitting duck. It was the wrong call on tires for sure, but it was a fifty-fifty chance.”
When the checkered flag flew, Romero would end his weekend 13th while Vega was two positions behind in 15th.
Mitchell continued, “We did show the speed to be at the front when conditions matched the tires in both wet and dry proving that the Benik product is one to beat.”
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’.
