Closing out their second round in the state of Arizona, the 2015 Rotax Challenge of the Americas wrapped up the fourth race of the six round championship at the PKRA karting facility just north of Phoenix on Sunday. It was another perfect day of weather, mainly sunny with only a few clouds and cool breeze to keep the temps in the low 80s.
The fourth race of the championship helped determine the title races as some confirmed their status up front while some others tightened up the gaps before heading to the championship finale in Sonoma, California next month.
In Senior Max the day once again started with head games and disrespectful driving in Qualifying. Drivers limped around the track until they felt ready to go, with some interfering with other drivers on flying laps. As the fastest qualifier for the second straight day, Luke Selliken (RPG/Kosmic) was very impressive when time really mattered.
When the green flag flew to start the Final Mason Marotta (RPM/TonyKart) jumped out to the early lead over Brendon Baker (Nash Motorsports/TonyKart) and Selliken, with a train of eight karts making up the lead pack including Stepanova Nekeel (RPM/TonyKart) and Saturday winner Christian Brooks (Nash Motorsports/TonyKart).
Selliken advanced up to second as Louie Pagano (2Wild/TonyKart) took advantage of both Nekeel and Brooks to claim the fourth spot at the one-quarter distance mark and all was good until the halfway mark.
First Selliken grabbed the lead, then Baker went to the point a lap later and then Marotta regained the lead on the next time by the stripe. This bunched up the lead group until contact between Nekeel and Baker sent both drivers off in corner twelve. The shakeup allowed Marotta to break free and Selliken to regain the second position.
A couple laps later Pagano and Jim MacKinney (Overdrive/TonyKart) came together in corner three while battling in the top-five.
But out front it was all over as Marotta was finally able to score a victory after coming so close in Tucson. Selliken was on the podium for the second straight day while Brooks completed the podium and helped his championship points tally.
