10/26/2026
What an amazing season of competition on track this year! To all of my competitors, thanks to all of you for always racing me cleanly and respectfully. I have tons of people to thank, but some special ones deserve a call out:
Krista Wright- Your time and efforts as Race Director this season are appreciated by everyone on the grid. Some of us may have made you regret it at times (I know I was asking for clarification on many things at the start of the season), but your transparency and ability to remain unbiased when emotions start to run high in the heat of competition made this season one of the best. I am sure I am not alone in hoping you return as Director next season!
Easton Cox- You had me pushing for the next level all season. It was a fun dogfight for the title this year. I really wish we could have battled it out until the checkered flag today. You made me up my game every race, and I hated seeing you sidelined by a mechanical failure in our championship race. It’s always a blast racing with you, and looking forward to the next green flag!
Steve Craig- WE HAVE A NIGHTOWL CHAMPION!! Thank you for all of the help, long nights in the shop on race weekends, transporting my kart to Hallett this year, miscellaneous parts and pieces, and everything else that slips my mind. This has been my most competitive season (6 poles, 3 wins), and I absolutely could not have done it without your assistance.
Russell Jones- I credit much of this to you as well for helping me get back into shape. It is an honor to race with the shield of The Jones Dojang School of ITF Taekwon-Do on my kart and suit. Without the physical stamina from all of those hours on the floor this year, I doubt I could have achieved the same results on track. I compete with the same tenets I learned from you 25 years ago. Taekwon!
And finally- DANI HAMPTON- Thank you for being the awesome, amazing and supportive wife that allows me to pursue my passion. I am so glad that you got to see me earn this title today that I sacrificed countless hours at the shop for. I always felt guilty coming home closer to dawn than dusk on some race nights, but I am thankful that you give me the freedom to put everything I have into achieving my results. I love you so much!
It’s been a blast this year, and looking forward to next season with everyone!
-Dakota Hampton