After a delayed season, and under the new management of Randy and Donna Lane, NASA Central’s first event kicked off May 29-31 at Heartland Motorsports Park, in Topeka, Kan. With ideal conditions and a full paddock, it was clear that drivers were eager to compete and to break track records.
In what turned out to be the largest event Central Region history, more than 150 drivers registered for the weekend, selling out HPDE1 and HPDE3. More than 30 new drivers hit the track in HPDE1. Due the pandemic, the new HPDE1 lead/follow format of instructing proved successful, with several students advancing to HPDE2 over the weekend.
Not only did the Central region welcome several new drivers, but there also were also some familiar faces aiming to make history with new lap records. James Pesek set the record in American Iron Xtreme with a blistering time of 1:42.819 and Kerry James was on top in GTS2 with a 1:51.456.
Nothing can beat the thrilling chase between James Pesek and Laddie Pesek in Sunday’s second race. James and Laddie were battling all race to see who would come out victorious. In the end, James Pesek clinched the victory by a mere 0.03 seconds.
