10/19/2026
CKNA GNX recap:
STR headed into GNX at NCMP for his rookie year in senior at grands with stacked fields of close 100 drivers from the US and Canada.
Senior Light:
Thursday practice Sam stayed in the top 10
Happy hour: 8th overall
Qualifying: 14th out of 88
Heat 1: 7th-> 6th
Heat 2: 5th-> 2nd
Heat 3: 3rd-> 2nd
Final: He set himself up to start P4.
Sam stayed with the lead pack and was in 3rd with 2 laps to go. He was sent off track in turn 3. When he hit the rumble strip and the grass his fuel line severed. He made it one more lap until his motor shut off resulting in DNF.
Senior Medium:
Thursday practice was the same as light. He stayed within the top 10.
Happy hour: 6th out of 99 drivers
Qualifying: 27th
Heat 1: 11-> 10th
Heat 2: 11th-> 7th
Heat 3: 6th-> 2nd
Final: after Heat points he started P6
There was at least 20 karts in the lead pack during one of the most chaotic races I think he has raced. Any one of the 20 drivers could have won the final.
He finished 8th and ultimately 10th after an avoidable contact penalty.
Out of the box challenge:
Saturday evening was the annual out of the box challenge. This year it was the senior class. Sam, Ed, Gary, and Dale had to unbox, “build, mount to the kart, and race a box stock motor” for a 15 lap race on the shorter kid kart track.
Sam started P6, turned the fastest lap of the race by 3 tenths. He made a pass for second and his motor stalled. He managed to restart the motor, never stopping the kart, but lost several positions finishing P6. Congratulations Henry Wheeler for a flawless build and race!
We can’t thank Stehle Motorsports, Marc Stehle, Lawson Speed Shop, Dale Bonham for the support, fast chassis, 🚀 motor!
Thank you to the friends and family who came out and followed along at home!
Next up we meet up with Stehle Motorsports at Trackhouse Motorplex for the Apex Karting Championship Finals.
📸:Thank you Rocket Gear Media
