Weekly Racing Reports:
SILVER SPRING SPEEDWAY -- 10/19/02
Over 560 karts nestled into the soggy pit area at the Silver Springs Speedway as they prepared for the biggest kart race in PA known simply as THE BIG ONE. Duke Racing Inc. was in attendance as they centered their effort on the controlled stock medium and stock medium classes. After a poor pill draw, Duke Racing Inc. started shotgun on the 3rd of 4 19-kart heat races. With only the top 8 finishers making the field, Duke Racing Inc. had their work cut out for them. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. relentlessly drove the Illusion Racing Chassis through the pack to the fifth position when the checkered flag fell after 8 laps. In the controlled Medium class, Duke Racing Inc. started on the outside of row 4. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. slowly moved their way to the fourth position when the checkered fell on the qualifier. Upon return to the pit area, several chassis adjustments were made, including a 4-tire change. The first main event of the night for Duke Racing Inc. was the Controlled Stock Medium feature. By virtue of their qualifying position, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside of row 4. Upon the drop of the green flag, it became apparent that the balance of the kart was lost as Duke Racing Inc. struggled to maintain their position and battled tooth and nail with the competition to maintain the 8th position until the checkered flag dropped. Disappointed with the effort, Duke Racing Inc. made several more chassis adjustments for the stock medium feature event. With the large kart count, Duke Racing Inc. still had to start the race in the 19th position, despite a great qualifying effort. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. started making moves through the pack and engaged is some of the best side-by-side racing seen anywhere in any motorsports division across the country. As karts went three and four wide though the corners, Duke Racing Inc. constantly remained in the hunt. By the time the checkered flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. came across the line in the 12th position, which was quite an improvement from the 75th place out of 76 pill draw that started the day.

GREENWOOD VALLEY ACTION TRACK -- 10/26/02
Saturday night, Duke Racing Inc. once again joined forces with the Puterbaugh Motorsports race team for the final micro sprint event at the Greenwood Valley Action Track. In the heat race, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the seventh position. Not completely prepared for the start, Duke Racing Inc. fell to the rear of the pack while trying to catch a gear. Undaunted, Duke Racing Inc. gather up the King Racing Chassis and started heading back to the front. By the time the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. rebounded for a fourth place effort. Happy with the car, only a slight wing adjustment was made for the feature event. Duke Racing Inc. started on the inside of row four of the feature event. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. slide up into the sixth position. After a few laps, Duke Racing Inc. made a move in traffic that bolted the King Racing Chassis into the third position. As the race wore on, the trio of leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic. Duke Racing Inc. was able to keep pace with the leaders despite an extreme lack of experience. Just as Duke Racing Inc. was going to make a bid for the runner up position, the caution flag unfurled slowing the pace. When the race resumed, Duke Racing Inc. tried to take the whole shot at the leaders, however, the leader decided to brake check the field and left Duke Racing Inc. stumbling in third gear on the restart. While trying to gather the car back up, Duke Racing Inc. lost one position as the car raced to the checkered. The result was still the best effort to date as Duke Racing Inc. finished in the fourth position. Look for a huge announcement in the very near future regarding micro sprint racing and Duke Racing Inc.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 10/27/02
Sunday afternoon, Duke Racing Inc. took part in the final event of the season at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park, which was also the Paul Stine Chevrolet National Open. After a week of preparation, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for this event. In qualifying, done via time trials, Duke Racing Inc. grabbed the outside front row for the light event, a fatal gear change resulted in a ninth place effort in the stock medium class, and Duke Racing Inc. put the Ultramax Racing Chassis on the pole position for the controlled stock event. After a four-tire change, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for the Stock light feature. Starting on the outside pole, Duke Racing Inc. quickly slipped in line in the first two and began applying pressure to the leader. After lap 5, Duke Racing Inc. assumed command and led the rest of the way to capture the teams second consecutive national open victory. After a gear change, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for the stock medium race. A poor qualifying effort found Duke Racing Inc. starting in the ninth position. As the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. wasted zero time in advancing to the front. A caution flag flew on lap 6, after the Illusion Racing Chassis advanced to the fourth position. Upon the restart, Duke Racing Inc. quietly advanced to the runner up position and planted the front bumper of the Illusion Racing Chassis six inches off the leader. As the laps wound down, Duke Racing Inc. stalked the leader patiently, waiting for a chance to pounce. As the white flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. made the bid for the lead down the front stretch and took over the front spot through turn 2. However, the former leader decided to run directly into the left rear of the Illusion Racing Chassis in a cowardly attempt to retake the lead. Unfortunately, the unsportsman like tactic worked as Duke Racing Inc. came across the checkered flag in the runner-up position. Nice punt, Tommy! The last event on the schedule was the Controlled Stock division. After earning the pole position, Duke Racing Inc. jumped into the lead on the start of the event. After several laps, fellow Midnight Power driver Chuck Paige took the lead and drove into the sunset. Duke Racing Inc. finished the race with another runner-up position concluding the 2002 racing season.

Duke Racing Inc. would like to thank Brookside Homes, Treasured Images Photography, Midnight Power, and many individuals who all contributed to making 2002 another awesome season. We would also like to thank all of our family, friends, and fans that made the trip this year to a track and support the incredible effort put forth this year by Duke Racing Inc. Duke Racing Inc. finished the season with 20 victories for a career total of 139, and a third track championship. The 20 victories continue a 5-year streak of 20 or more wins in a single season. Many new and exciting things are current in the works for Duke Racing Inc. We will be sure to keep you updated throughout the off-season. Next up is the World Championships at Daytona!

GREENWOOD VALLEY ACTION TRACK -- 10/12/02
Saturday night, Duke Racing Inc. teamed up for the third time this season with Puterbaugh Motorsports at the Greenwood Valley Action Track for another crack at the Micro Sprint division. This week, the team bolted on a 270 cc big bore Honda engine as Duke Racing Inc. moved up from the Sportsman division this week to race in the Rookie Micro Division of the Blaise Alexander Memorial Race. With a field of 17 cars, Duke Racing Inc. would have their work cut out for them in only their third start. By luck of the draw, the Puterbaugh Motorsports entry, driven by Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside of row 3 in the second heat race. As the green flag dropped, the cars stacked in turns one and two as the King Racing Chassis backed up to the rear of the field. Fighting a tight condition, Duke Racing Inc. was able to maneuver through traffic to slide back up to the fifth position. In the closing laps, Duke Racing Inc. began to chase down the leaders, but the checkered flag would waive before the teams position could be advanced. Not real happy with the car, Puterbaugh Motorsports chief engineer recommended several chassis adjustments, therefore a right-rear wheel adjustment, right-front shock adjustment and a slight wing adjustment was made on the King Racing Chassis for the feature event. After ending the two previous weeks with a DNF, and starting in the tenth position, Duke Racing Inc. made a goal of just finishing the event. When the green flag dropped, the King Racing Chassis responded picking up two positions in the first two laps before the first of many caution flags would waive. When the race resumed, Duke Racing Inc. was able to gain two more positions before the third caution flag of the race. On this caution flag, the engine started to run rich and began to stumble. Duke Racing Inc. tried to clean out the carburetor, but unfortunately it was too late. When the race resumed, the King Racing Chassis suffered a tremendous power loss, as the motor would not run up to full song after shifting to third gear. Duke Racing Inc. was still able to gain another position over the final laps and came stumbling across the finish line in the sixth position. A fouled out spark plug was discovered as the culprit of the power loss as bad luck once again foiled another potential stellar performance.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 9/29/02
In the final round of the Pennsylvania Dirt Karting Association, held at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Duke Racing Inc. posted their third Fast Time award of the year in the Controlled Stock Medium class and was set to try to shake the bad luck and disappointment that has followed the team during this series. Unfortunately, the team had depleted most of their tire inventory for this series and had to make due with what they had left in the trailer. With virtually no points on the line as Duke Racing Inc. could hardly gain, nor loose and positions in the series point standings, the team muddled through and managed to end the series with two top 5 finishes in the last race of the series. Several events throughout the series and extremely questionable calls during the races of the final round seemed to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Duke Racing Inc. for the series, leaving the future participation of Duke Racing Inc. in doubt. Duke Racing Inc. was able to finish in third place in the PA State Championship standings, matching the teams previous best effort.

SELINSGROVE RACWAY PARK -- 10/4/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. returned to their hometown track, Selinsgrove Raceway Park, to wrap up the season championship point standings. With well over a 700-point lead in the stock medium class, Duke Racing Inc. decided to bring out both karts for these evenings events. In the stock light class, Duke Racing Inc. piloted the Illusion Racing Chassis to a fourth place qualifying effort, then turned around in the stock medium heat race and received the same result. With a lackluster qualifying attempt, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers made a few adjustments to the two chassis and the results were impressive. In the stock light feature race, Duke Racing Inc. started on the outside of row 2 and was punted to the rear of the field in the first corner. Undaunted, Duke Racing Inc. gathered the kart back up and headed in a beeline to the front. By halfway, Duke Racing Inc. was able to blast through the field up to the runner up position. Unfortunately, the leader, who started on the pole, had already had a straightaway lead. Relentlessly, Duke Racing Inc. chased down the leader, but as time ran out, and the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. cut the margin down to only a few kart lengths, which resulted in another second place finish. Frustrated from the first event, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the same outside row 2 position that had plagued the team in the first race. This time however, Duke Racing Inc. was able to get in line in the fifth position and then went to work. The Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis was on a rail as they quickly moved into the runner up position. After applying pressure to the leader for several laps, Duke Racing Inc. pulled the trigger and said goodbye to the rest of the field to earn win number 19 of the season.

GREENWOOD VALLEY ACTION TRACK -- 10/5/02
Saturday evening, Duke Racing Inc. was again tapped to run the Puterbaugh Motorsports King Racing Chassis in the Sportsman Micro division at the Greenwood Valley Action Track. By luck of the draw, which tends to be a big factor in the outcome at this speedway, Duke Racing Inc. had to start in the last row of the 14-car field for the qualifying event. With only one weeks experience, Duke Racing Inc. immediately through caution into the wind as when the green flag dropped, they started racing two and three wide on the mile fifth mile oval. When the checkered flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. had come through the field to finish in the sixth position. Upon return to the pit area, a small fuel leak was discovered and quickly repaired by the hard working crew. A slight right front shock adjustment was made for the feature event, where Duke Racing Inc. would start on the outside of row 3. When the green flag dropped, the King Racing Chassis immediately used the high line to jump into the fourth position. After several laps Duke Racing Inc. began running down the leaders as they headed into lapped traffic. Just as Duke Racing Inc. attempted to make a bid for the third position, the car lost power as the engine dropped a cylinder in turns one and two and coasted down the backstretch to a stop as Duke Racing suffered their second DNF in as many races. Seeming satisfied with the performance of Duke Racing Inc. thus far, Puterbaugh Motorsports graciously offered the ride for at least one more week, as the team will return Saturday night to the Greenwood Valley Action Track.

GREENWOOD VALLEY ACTION TRACK -- 9/28/02
After Mother Nature drenched the Susquehanna Valley on Friday, ruining the racing agenda at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Duke Racing Inc. was summoned by Bobs Plastering of Millville, PA to race a micro sprint car for the first time in the Sportsman Micro division at the Greenwood Valley Action Track. After talking to and getting setup advice from Mr. King, who is notorious for the success of sprint car upstart Blaine Heimbach, the hard working crew put the finishing touches on the car for the nights events. The night started off shaky, as the nervous driver worked on getting used to the shifting pattern during the practice session. After receiving some advice from several fellow micro drivers, Duke Racing Inc. was ready to roll off the grid for the heat race. Starting sixth in a field of twelve was not exactly what the team was hoping for, but they made due as the green flag dropped. The race was filled with interesting events. At one point, Duke hit a tire on the inside apron of the racetrack off turn two and did a wheel stand down the back straightaway. After losing a couple positions on a restart, Duke Racing Inc. was able to race back by those drivers and finished the qualifying event in the fourth position. Ecstatic with the maiden voyage, the energetic pit crew made a few minor enhancements to the car for the feature event. Starting on the outside of the second row, Duke Racing Inc. tried to be extremely cautious on the start and slide back to the fifth position. After making up a little ground, Duke Racing Inc. tried to make a move for fourth, only to have the lane cutoff in the middle of turn two. While racing hard with several cars for the fourth position, the third place runner lost the handle in turn three, spun sideways and blacked most of the racing surface. Duke Racing Inc. tried to get by on the bottom of the track, however the right rear tire nipped the stalled car and bent the rear axle on the Bob’s Plastering 2K micro forcing Duke Racing Inc. to retire from the event. Disappointed with the final result, the great people at Bobs Plastering were willing to give Duke Racing Inc. another shot next Saturday night at the Action Track.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 9/20/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. made the usual 2-mile trip to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. The night featured a near perfect atmosphere for racing, as the track was prepared to perfection. The Illusion Racing Chassis was set up to perfection right off the trailer for practice and the team had high hopes of a successful evening. Lining up third for the first of two heat races for the stock light division, Duke Racing Inc. did not immediately thrust out into the lead. Instead, the Illusion Racing Chassis was only able to trail the top 2 and finished the heat race in a somewhat disappointing third place. A very minor adjustment was made for the stock medium heat race where by luck of the draw, Duke Racing Inc. would start at the rear of the field. That would prove not to be a problem as the Illusion Racing Chassis immediately hooked up to the damp racing surface and stormed to the front of the pack. Duke Racing Inc. took the lead with two laps remaining and won the qualifying event. Only a slight gear change was made for the stock light feature event, where Duke Racing Inc. would start on the inside of the third row. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. took a few laps for heat to build in the Burris racing ties and started moving through the pack. By lap 5, Duke Racing Inc. was in the third spot and made a strong move down the backstretch into turn three to take the runner up position. A caution flag then slowed the field and Duke Racing Inc. took their crack at the leader by passing off turn four, down the front stretch, and drove away into turn one. Duke Racing Inc. would then hold off all challengers through a couple late race cautions to claim another victory at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. Satisfied with the teams performance thus far, no changes were made for the stock medium division which saw Duke Racing Inc. start on the outside of the front row. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. was gone and led the feature wire-to-wire. The margin of victory was over a straightaway at the checkered flag as Duke Racing Inc. won their 18th race of the season in dominating fashion.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 9/13/02
Last Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. entered the final stretch as they try to wrap up the teams first track championship at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. With over a 600-point lead in the medium division, all the team has to do is avoid disaster. Upon arrival of to the Snyder county oval, the Illusion Racing Chassis was dialed in to perfection. In both divisions the team ran, they earned the outside pole starting position for the feature from deep in the pack. This proved not to be the place to be, as at the start of the lightweight feature event, Duke Racing Inc. lost traction entering turn one, and quickly faded to the fifth position. Duke Racing Inc. wasted no time in charging back to the front. By the halfway point, Duke Racing Inc. was directly behind the leader. A lap later, as series of caution flags would waive, cooling the Burris tires on the Illusion Racing Chassis. Upon the restart, Duke Racing Inc. was not as quick, but was able to still challenge for the lead. After making several clean attempts at the leader, only to be swiftly removed from the lead with the opponents bumper, the top three karts went three-wide down the backstretch as Duke Racing Inc. fell to third. Slightly annoyed, Duke Racing Inc. then punted the second place kart into the lead and followed through to the second position on the final lap and could not muster a challenge for the new leader as the checkered flag waived. In the medium division, Duke Racing Inc. would suffer a worse fate as on the first lap, Duke Racing Inc. was ran over entering turn three, causing karts to fly all over the racetrack. Duke Racing Inc. would have to restart the race on the rear of the 16-kart field. With the Illusion Racing Chassis working flawlessly, when the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer. Slicing and dicing through the pack of karters, Duke Racing Inc. quickly disposed of many competitors on their way to the front. With approximately 6 laps remaining, Duke Racing Inc. was challenging for the third position when the third place runner slammed into the side of the Illusion Racing Chassis in turn three and ran Duke Racing Inc. completely off the racing surface. This brought out another yellow flag for Duke Racing Inc. to rejoin the field at the rear of the 16-kart pack yet again, this time with only 6 laps remaining. With hope of the teams 17th feature win of the season growing dim, Duke Racing Inc. relentlessly pursued the pack once again. This time the inevitable happened as karts started to scatter on the front stretch due to the inability of some competitors to drive in a straight line. Luckily, Duke Racing Inc. was able to get stopped before the melee swallowed the Illusion Racing Chassis. After the red flag, Duke Racing Inc. restarted in the 9th position with 5 laps remaining. Determined to get the best out of the night, Duke Racing Inc. once again dropped the hammer when the green flag flew. Darting under several karts in the few remaining laps, Duke Racing Inc. finished in the fourth position when the checkered flag dropped.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 8/30/02
Last Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. made their weekly appearance at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. Meeting the team were wetter than normal track conditions, which seemed to plague most teams. Duke Racing Inc. seemed to make the proper adjustments as they went to the front in both qualifying events. However, a gamble was made for the lightweight feature race, which did not pay off. At the start of the race, Duke Racing Inc. went from the front row to the rear in one corner. After struggling to get up to speed, Duke Racing Inc. then started slicing through the pack and was able to resume a respectable third place finish. Duke Racing Inc. team engineers quickly reverted the Illusion Racing Chassis back to the previous setup and went on to lead the medium feature event wire-to-wire for the teams 15th victory of the season.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 9/6/02
After a week long vacation, Duke Racing Inc. showed up at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park on Friday night. With a somewhat unusually low kart count, Duke Racing Inc. struggled through the qualifying events with fifth and fourth place efforts. During the break, several changes were made to the Illusion Racing Chassis, and the team went to the grid to see if the changes would pay off. As the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. immediately bolted into the runner up position. After several laps, Duke Racing Inc. took the lead with a pass down the front stretch. After holding off the competition for several restarts, Duke Racing Inc. was the first to receive the checkered flag, recording the teams 16th win of the season. In the medium event, Duke Racing Inc. would engage in a side by side battle for the second position that would last the entire race with Duke Racing Inc. coming up on the short end of the stick as the team finished third in the second main event of the night.

PENNS CREEK RACEWAY -- 8/25/02
After Mother Nature foiled Friday nights action at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Duke Racing Inc. decided to load up on Sunday and travel to the infamous Penns Creek International Raceway. On this night, Duke Racing Inc. would enter a grueling 50-lap main event for the stock lite class. This race would require one mandatory pit stop on lap 25 which would add a twist to the action. Duke Racing Inc. started off the night by trying to break in a new stock raptor engine during the practice session, which yielded promising results for the future of that engine. However, Duke Racing team engineers opted for more horsepower and changed to an experimental Duke JR Power Racing Engine. Comfortable with the handling of the Illusion Racing Chassis on the Snyder County tri-oval, Duke Racing Inc. made a four-tire change for the heat race to start to get a handle for the 50-lap main event. Unfortunately, on the first lap of the heat race, two karts slowed dramatically in front of Duke Racing Inc., which caused them to get hit from behind when they checked up and the Illusion Racing Chassis spun and broke a motor mount bolt, ending the qualifying event prematurely. Upon return to the pit area, Duke Racing Inc. made the necessary repairs and awaited the start of the feature event. As the sun set, Duke Racing Inc. was in a quandary with the tire choice for the feature event. With no time on the speedway except fort he early practice, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers decided to remain on the harder compound for the feature event. Lining up shotgun on the 12-kart field, Duke Racing Inc. had their work cut out for them. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. ran at the rear of the pack for several laps, not able to make any gain on the pack. After several laps, the harder Burris Racing tires began to gain traction as the Illusion Racing Chassis started methodically working their way through the pack. After clawing and scratching their way through traffic, Duke Racing Inc. found themselves in the third position at lap 25 when the karts were stopped on the front stretch for the mandatory pit stop. Duke Racing Inc. then bolted on the front stretch to perform the pit stop which was going at a record pace until trouble replacing the left front tire caused the team to exit the pits falling back to the eighth position. As the race resumed, Duke Racing Inc. would have to climb the ladder once again. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. wasted no time and started slicing through the traffic. By lap 35, Duke Racing Inc. was back in the third position. After applying heavy pressure to the leaders, Duke Racing Inc. performed a spectacular pass down the frontstretch for the second position and rode the momentum off the bottom of turn two to capture the lead. Once in clean air, the Illusion Racing Chassis started to rock and pull away from the field. Several yellow flags rebunched the field on the bumper of Duke Racing Inc., however the Illusion Racing Chassis was up to the challenge on each occasion, quickly moving away from the field. As the laps would down, Duke Racing Inc. seemed to have the race in complete control, cruising towards the 15th victory of the season. As the white flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. motored around turns one and two, then the unthinkable happened. Staying in line with the series of luck, or lack there of, Duke Racing Inc. was snakebite again when the Duke JR Power Plant broke heading off turn two. As the Illusion Racing Chassis coasted into the infield off turn four, another Duke Racing Inc. victory was not to be. Upon return to the pit area, Duke JR promptly resigned from the Duke Power engine development program citing being the cause of the first DNF of the season, and the first engine breakage in over 4 years.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 8/16/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. made the usual two-mile trek across town to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. With track conditions more damp than normal, Duke Racing Inc. immediately made a four-tire change after practice. The change paid off in the lightweight heat race as Duke Racing Inc. put the Illusion Racing Chassis out front and never looked back. As the track began to dry, Duke Racing Inc. picked up a small push on exit of each corner during the medium weight heat race and had to settle for third place. Duke Racing Inc. team engineers were on top of the problem upon returning to the pit area and immediately made another four-tire change. The results of the change would work out perfectly as Duke Racing Inc. settled in the second position until the halfway point then took the lead down the front stretch and walked away with the teams 14th win of the season. Only a gear change would be made for the stock medium feature event where Duke Racing Inc. would have to start on the outside of the third row. At the drop of the green, Duke Racing Inc. quickly found out the outside is not the place to be and dropped back to the eighth position. After enduring several early race cautions, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and methodically went to work on the field. Stalking competitors on every turn, Duke Racing Inc. worked through the field until the Illusion Racing Chassis was able to slip into the runner up position. With only four laps remaining and a half-straightaway lead by the leader, chances looked bleak for Duke Racing Inc. to capture the win, however, the driver kicked it up a notch and ran down the leader in three short laps. Coming off turn four, Duke Racing Inc. made a bid for the win and came across the line side-by-side, inches away from victory. Duke Racing Inc. then returned to the pit area to join the nights feature winner, HOFFMAN RACING, in an emotional celebration. Congrats!!!

PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY -- 8/18/02
Sunday, Duke Racing Inc. made the trip to the Path Valley Speedway for the 5th round of the PDKA Dirt Championships. After a mediocre practice session, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers made several key changes on the Illusion and Ultramax Racing Chassis and the results were favorable as Duke Racing Inc. qualified on the outside pole in the Controlled Medium class and in the sixth position in the Stock lite class. Upon return to the pit area, the PDKA curse reared its ugly head once again. Duke Racing Inc. discovered a cut in the right front tire of the key set of tires the team was planning on using for the features. After scrambling for a different right front tire, Duke Racing Inc. then reset the chassis balance and lined up for the controlled stock feature event. As soon as the Ultramax Racing Chassis drove onto the racing surface, the kart began to develop a severe vibration in the right front. After the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. quickly challenged for the lead, but the vibration became so bad, and so violent at controlled stock speeds, Duke Racing Inc. dropped into the fifth position. After a few laps, Duke Racing Inc. was able to move into fourth as the driver desperately tried to control the darting kart. As the race wore on, the driver wore out. With no choice but to finish the race, Duke Racing Inc. pressed on. With several laps remaining, Duke Racing Inc. was able to wrestle away the third spot and somehow finish the nonstop event in the third position. Upon return to the pit area, an egg-shaped right front tire (the one that was used to replace the cut tire) was the culprit of the vibration. With an assist from Team Midnight Power, Duke Racing Inc. was able to gather up some more tires and throw them on for the Stock Lite feature event. With all of the tire trouble, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers had little time to think about anything else and failed to make the necessary gear change on the Illusion Racing Chassis that it needed to be competitive. Duke Racing Inc. started on the outside of the third row and ran in the second half of the top 10 most the race with a group of drivers that you would think 10th place paid a million dollars with the way some of these drivers were driving. Anyways, Duke Racing Inc. cranked the Midnight Power Racing Engine way too hard and was never a factor and finished in the 9th position. With Duke Racing Inc. clearly out of the championship picture, the series rolls on to the teams home track, Selinsgrove Raceway Park, for the final race of the series. Hopefully Duke Racing Inc. will be able to exorcise the PDKA demons that have cursed the team this year and end the season by defending their home track with a win. I guess we will have to just wait and see. In the meantime, Duke Racing Inc. will be in action at Selinsgrove Raceway Park Friday night and probably somewhere else during the weekend yet to be determined.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 8/02/02
After struggling the week prior, Duke Racing Inc. went to work in the shop and devised a new setup for the Illusion Racing Chassis. Friday night was the first test, as Duke Racing Inc. traveled to the nearby Selinsgrove Raceway Park for their weekly festivities. After struggling early, Duke Racing Inc. made several changes and made slow progress as they qualified in the third and fourth row for the stock medium and lite divisions respectively. Puzzled about the current state of operation, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers showed why they get paid the big bucks, and started tweaking the Illusion Racing Chassis. When the green flag dropped on the feature event for the lite division, it was hammer down as Duke Racing Inc. clawed and scratched their way into the lead with three laps remaining. A late race cautioned slowed the field, and when the race resumed, Duke Racing Inc. was fed to the pack of hungry wolves behind them as on the white flag lap, Duke Racing Inc. was removed from the lead and drop-kicked to the fifth position. The medium division class took the green flag with Duke Racing Inc. making moves through the pack to join a three-kart breakaway for the lead. As the three karts worked together to break away from the rest of the pack, running identical speeds, the race would come down to the final two laps. The racers jockeyed around for position, but several blocks were thrown, and the trio crossed the checkered flag nose to tail with Duke Racing Inc. in the third position.

RACEWAY-1 SPEEDWAY -- 8/04/02
Sunday, Duke Racing Inc. took off to Dubois, PA for their first ever visit to Raceway-1 Speedway. A terrific facility that greatly resembled Greenwood Speedway banked like Bristol which turned 8 second laps. Duke Racing Inc. was not very quick in practice, and was only able to muster a 17th place time trial effort. After tweaking on the Illusion Racing Chassis, the kart responded much better with a third place qualifying effort in the heat races. However, due to the World of Outlaw type scoring system being used, Duke Racing Inc. would have to start 12th in the 24-kart field. When the green flag dropped, it was a slugfest just to get into the preferred racing line. Once Duke Racing Inc. was able to get to the bottom of the track after falling to around the 17th position; Duke Racing Inc. started marching towards the front. Slowly, Duke Racing Inc. was picking up positions, many in lapped traffic. And after the dust settled and the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. finished a very respectable 7th in a field of top-notch, first-class racers who travel the country side never racing for less than 1000 dollars to win. These guys were good. As a side note, Duke Racing Inc. did manage a 2nd place finish in the medium class feature. Overall a good day for Duke Racing Inc.



SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 6/07/02
On June 7, Duke Racing Inc. took part in the weekly festivities at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park. Doing double-duty in the lite and medium division, Duke Racing Inc. seemed to have lost the setup for the feature events. After finishing first and second in the qualifying events, Duke Racing Inc. struggled with tire combinations for the feature events and backmarker in the lite race that decided to use the Duke Racing Inc. Illusion Racing Chassis as a rump to launch into the corners on several occasions which regulated Duke Racing Inc. to season low sixth and fifth place finishes.

PENNS CREEK RACEWAY -- 6/16/02
After Mother Nature forced Duke Racing Inc. to take Friday and Saturday off, Duke Racing Inc. traveled to the Penns Creek Speedway for some laid back racing entertainment. On this day, Duke Racing Inc. would break out the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis along with the Illusion Racing Chassis to take place in the Lite and Heavy classes. In the qualifying event for the stock lite race, Duke Racing Inc. started the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis at the back of the pack, thanks to the luck of the draw. On the way towards the front, Duke Racing Inc. encountered the same backmarker that enjoyed running into the Duke Racing Inc. racing machine the week before at Selinsgrove. The backmarker once again ran over the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis causing the kart to spin in turn two. After going to the rear once again, Duke Racing Inc. charged up through the pack to finish in the third position by races end. In the Heavy qualifier, Duke Racing Inc. fought a tight handling condition, but somehow drove into the second position when the leader lost control in the infamous turn two and spun out. Duke Racing Inc. then inherited the lead and never looked back winning the qualifying event. After making several tire changes on the duo of karts in the Duke Racing stables, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for the feature events. In the Heavy feature, Duke Racing Inc. fought a tight condition the worsened throughout the race. They held on to the lead until 3 laps to go, when Selinsgrove Raceway Park competitor Kirk Ritter slipped underneath the Illusion Racing Chassis to take the lead. When the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. finished in the runner up position. In the Stock Light feature event, Duke Racing Inc. started in the third position and fell in line as the front three pulled away from the rest of the pack. With two laps to go, Duke Racing Inc. made a move around the outside of turn four to gain the runner up position, but had nothing for the leader by the time the checkered flag fell to record yet another second place finish.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 6/21/02
This past weekend, Duke Racing Inc. went to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park with some newer, more experimental setups in attempt to prepare for the third race of the Pennsylvania Karting Championship series at Path Valley Speedway on Sunday. In the light qualifying event, amazingly enough, Duke Racing Inc. encountered the same backmarker that likes to run over the side of the Illusion Racing Chassis for some strange reason. However, after being run over two more times (making a total of 5 times in the past 3 weeks, it could be more, I kinda lost count) and having to repass the backmarker after each time they were ran over, Duke Racing Inc. decided enough was enough and schooled the junior driver down the Selinsgrove backstretch. Of course, the backmarker must not have been impressed with his schooling, because he ran into turn three wide open and nearly missed the Illusion Racing Chassis. Race officials were plenty aware of the problems this backmarker have been causing and appropriately pointed the black flag at the backmarker letting him know that he was not competing in Juniors anymore. After completing this ordeal, Duke Racing Inc. set sail for the lead, however could only recover to the third position. In the medium qualifier, Duke Racing Inc. engaged in an awesome 4-kart battle for the lead. After many lead changes and terrific side-by-side racing action where no one ran into anyone. (Nice change of pace to race with respectable racers who do not have to run over you to try to pass you) In the end of the eight-lap battle, Duke Racing Inc. came up a bit short, settling for the second position. Upon return to the pit area, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers debated the tie combo that would be used in the main events. After making their decision, Duke Racing Inc. lined up for the feature event in the fifth position. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. charged into the second position. However, as the race wore on, it became apparent that the chosen tire combination was not a good one as slowly, Duke Racing Inc. sank through the field, finishing the race in the sixth position. As a side note, the backmarker discussed previously, suddenly got a burst of speed from somewhere, hmmmmm, and went on to uncharacteristically win the race from mid-pack by a straightaway. Duke Racing Inc. wonders where that burst of speed came from. After a brief debate at the scales, Duke Racing Inc. decided to let them have their fun and not protest the legality of the engine placed on the feature winners kart. Hopefully the issue will now be laid to rest and everyone can get back to racing and having fun, but if this is not the case, Duke Racing Inc. will not be as forgiving the next time and tech will be enforced. Before the Medium feature, The Duke Racing Inc. race team worked hard on the Illusion Racing Chassis to covert back to a more conventional setup. And what a race it was, featuring some of the best racers in the Susquehanna Valley. When the green flag dropped, the top four karts could have been thrown under a blanket as they raced each other hard. When the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. came home in the third position gaining a few points in the close battle for the Medium division championship.

PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY -- 6/23/02
Sunday, Duke Racing Inc. traveled westward to the Path Valley Speedway where the race that anyone who is anyone goes to in order to prove themselves is known as the Pennsylvania State Championship Series. During the practice sessions, both Duke Racing Inc. karts handled flawlessly and were near the top of the speed list in their respective divisions. Confident with the performance of the new setup on the high-banked quarter mile, Duke Racing Inc. went out and qualified 4th quick in controlled stock medium, and 8th quick in Stock light. As it turned out, the track picked up a ton of speed during qualifying, as the RPMs of the motor went through the roof. Duke Racing Inc. circled the quarter-mile in a time of 12.78 seconds in controlled stock, nearly 3 tenths faster than the pole speed at the last race. Satisfied with the handling of the two racing chassis, no adjustments were made, only a gear change for the feature. In the Controlled Stock Medium feature, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside of row 2, not known as the place to be. At the drop of the green, the inside line moved past dropping Duke Racing Inc. to the eighth position. Once everyone got in line, Duke Racing Inc. went to work as the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis marched through the field working their way up to the fourth position by halfway. A lap later, Duke Racing Inc. took control of the third position and began to dwindle the straightaway lead the front two had worked up. With 3 laps to go, Duke Racing Inc. caught the leaders and engaged in a torrid three-way battle for the lead. On the white flag lap, Duke Racing Inc. charged down the backstretch and executed a slide job on the runner up position off turn four. The other kart then went to the bottom and pulled along side of Duke Racing Inc. as it became a drag race to the finish line with Duke Racing Inc. finishing in the third position by fractions of an inch, but moved solidly into second place in the State Championship point rankings. After the race, it was discovered that the track slowed back up and the Midnight Power Engine was nowhere near the RPM power band it should have been. One more got away. After another gear change, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside (again, not the place to be) of row 4. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. began a torrid battle for position on the racetrack in which none of these high-caliber drivers ran into anyone. Anyways, Duke Racing Inc. was able to move into the sixth position and release from the battle, however, the leaders were long gone by this point and without a caution to bunch the pack, Duke Racing Inc. had to settle for the sixth position, one spot from tech.

PENNS CREEK RACEWAY -- 6/01/02
After Friday nights washout at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Duke Racing Inc. headed to the Penns Creek Raceway on Saturday night. This would be the first time the new Illusion Racing Chassis would see time on the Snyder County tri-oval. With a lack in kart count, Duke Racing Inc. was forced to race in the stock heavy class completely unprepared. After piling on the lead on the Illusion Racing Chassis to make weight, Duke Racing Inc. took to the speedway for practice. It became evident that Duke Racing Inc. would be in for a long evening as the Illusion Racing Chassis was not up to optimum speed during the practice session. It became evident that the extra weight thrown on the chassis without scaling for the heavier class completely disrupted the balance of the chassis. After a four-tire change for the heat race, Duke Racing Inc. struggled to a third place qualifying effort. Several more changes were attempted to make the Illusion Racing Chassis handle better, but with over 40 pounds of lead piled on the chassis, trying to find a decent setup without access to scales was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And the haystack turned out to be too large as when Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer as the green flag dropped, they were able to move into the runner up position and put up a small fight for the second position, but eventually the kart bound up so tight the kart was actually hopping through the turns. Somehow, Duke Racing Inc. held on for the third position when the checkered flag fell.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 5/24/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. returned to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park for a makeup of last weeks rained out events. The speedway was in perfect condition for this weeks show as the karters were cruising around the Snyder county fifth-mile oval during practice. Comfortable with the setup on the Illusion Racing Chassis, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for the qualifying events. In the Stock lite qualifying event, Duke Racing Inc. found themselves in a furious battle for the third position during the entire event, swapping positions with several karts, eventually coming across the checkered flag in the fourth position. Upon return to the pit area, team engineers decided the rubber was not meeting the road and a four-tire change was then executed on the Illusion Racing Chassis. In the medium weight qualifier, Duke Racing Inc. went to work on the field at the drop of the green and slowly advanced through the field. With two laps to go, the leaders were in sight, however, no challenge for the win could be mounted in the time remaining. During the breaks before the feature events, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers decided only a gear change would be necessary for the feature with the track slowly changing in the favor of the Illusion Racing Chassis. In the Stock Lite feature event, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside of row two and jumped into the runner up position at the drop of the green flag. For several laps, Duke Racing Inc. trailed the leaders tire tracks, waiting for an opportunity. With five laps to go, the third place kart made a bid for the lead and overtook the leaders. With time running out, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and engaged in a three-kart duel for the runner up position. After several laps of hard, intense racing, Duke Racing Inc. regained the second position, but the distance lost tot the leader was too much to overcome. When the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. had to settle for the runner up position. With no changes made to the Illusion Racing Chassis, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the fifth position for the start of the main event for the medium weight karts. At the drop of the green, Duke Racing Inc. quickly moved into the third position. As the laps clicked off the scoreboard, the Burris tires on the Illusion Racing Chassis heated up and the Midnight Power Racing Engine began to crank and Duke Racing Inc. started to roll. After several laps, Duke Racing Inc. slipped into the second position and set their sites on the leader. After a few more circuits, Duke Racing Inc. pulled the trigger and disposed of the leader and drove away from the pack. After surviving two late race cautions, Duke Racing Inc. was able to capture the seventh checkered flag of the 2002-racing season.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 5/19/02
After Friday nights wash out, Duke Racing Inc. went back to the shop to prepare for Sundays second round of the Pennsylvania Dirt Karting Championship series. Due to the fact the racing surface had not seen any action, the speedway was very slick during the first round of practice. In the Controlled Stock class, major camber changes were made on the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis to get a hold of the tricky racing surface. During the second round of practice, the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis was turning faster lap times, but still handling like an 18-wheeler. On the other hand, the Illusion Racing Chassis was touring the speedway with impeccable ease. Before qualifying, major gear changes were necessary to keep up with the speedway surface which was getting quicker by the minute. After dropping 3-teeth off the rear sprocket, and pumping up the tires, Duke Racing Inc. was ready to qualify for the controlled stock medium class. Unfortunately, the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis still was plowing into the corner and became very loose under power off the corner. Somehow, Duke Racing Inc. was still able to turn a lap of 12.998 seconds, which would only be good enough for a fifth place starting position. Next up was the qualifying run for the Stock lite class in the Illusion Racing Chassis. The kart was hooked to the racing surface so hard that it felt as if the left rear tire was lifting off the ground entering the corner. With a lap time of 13.012, Duke Racing Inc. would be starting on the outside of row 2, less than 1 tenth of a second off the pole. As the team prepared for the feature events, many more changes were made in attempt to find the handle on the Blaze Racing Chassis. More camber and cross adjustments were made before Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the fifth position for the main event. When the green flag dropped, it was immediate evident the changes did not help as the Ultramax Racing Chassis felt as if it was on ice. Somehow, Duke Racing Inc. was able to engage in a 3-kart battle for the third position eventually finishing the race fourth. Before the Stock lite event, Duke Racing Inc. made some subtle changes to the Illusion Racing Chassis following fellow Team Illusion member, Adam Dimms, win in the stock heavy event earlier. Confident that the Illusion Racing Chassis would be more than capable of winning, Lady Luck had different ideas as the Midnight Power Racing Engine would not start due to a carburetor pick up tube which picked the worst possible time to fall off into the fuel tank ending the teams bid for a PDKA championship with Duke Racing Incs first ever DID NOT START finish.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 5/10/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. made the two-mile journey to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park along with over 160 other competitors. With many PDKA competitors in the pits trying to get geared up for next weeks PDKA event, the competition would be very tough. An unusually rough racetrack during the practice session made finding the optimum setup a bit difficult. However, after a few minor adjustments, Duke Racing Inc. was ready to put the Illusion Racing Chassis back in victory lane. That is just what they did in the stock lite qualifier as Duke Racing Inc. took the lead immediately and never looked back. The medium heat race would be a different story as the track began to change, catching Duke Racing Inc. team engineers off guard. During the medium qualifier, the Illusion Racing Chassis developed a serious push and could not manage better than a fifth place finish from the seventh position starting spot. Immediately on return to the pit area, team engineers went to work on the Illusion Racing Chassis making some major changes to the kart. Soon the team would be ready for the stock lite feature event where they would start on the pole position. After the first lap, Duke Racing Inc. would slip into the second position and trail the leader for several laps. As the race wore on, the Burris rubber began to heat up and the Illusion Racing Chassis began to quicken. As Duke Racing Inc. was about to pull the trigger, the third place kart moved inside Duke Racing Inc. and forced them to give up the runner up position. Soon the leaders began racing side by side and down the backstretch, Duke Racing Inc. pushed the second place kart into the lead and Duke Racing Inc. moved into the runner up position. Applying heavy pressure to the leader, the two took the white flag as Duke Racing Inc. tried to make a run buy fell a few feet short at the flag stand, and had to settle for a second place finish. Confident about the run, Duke Racing Inc. made no major changes for the stock medium feature. Starting in the ninth position, Duke Racing Inc. was determined to get to the front. As the green flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and started a march toward the front. After a few laps, they found themselves in the fourth position. As the laps wound down, Duke Racing Inc. marched the Illusion Racing Chassis into the runner up position and began running down the leader. A late race caution flag would close the gap created by the leader and put the Illusion Racing Chassis on the bumper of the leader. When the race restarted, Duke Racing Inc. followed the leader into turn one, however the third place kart rooted Duke Racing Inc. out of the groove and lost valuable time to the leader. With only a few laps remaining, Duke Racing Inc. was able to catch back up to the leader, but had not enough time to mount a challenge for the lead and had to settle for the second runner-up finish of the evening.

PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY -- 5/11/02
Saturday, Duke Racing Inc. broke out the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis for a huge money event at the Path Valley Speedway. With new SS Series Burris Racing Rubber mounted to the chassis, Duke Racing Inc. hit the speedway for practice. Touring the speedway with respectable speeds, Duke Racing Inc. decided they would try to get ahead of the competition for the heat race and changed three tires to the next harder compound on the Ultramax Blaze Chassis. Unfortunately this did not work, as Duke Racing Inc. fell from the fourth starting position to the seventh finishing position by the end of the stock medium qualifying event. Upon return to the pits, the team went back to the original compound and lined up for the stock light heat race. In this race, Duke Racing Inc. engaged in a grueling three-kart race for the second position, eventually finishing the event in fourth. Frustrated by the qualifying results, Duke Racing team engineers went to work on the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis and made a huge camber and cross adjustment. Lining up 14th in the huge field of medium weight karts, Duke Racing Inc. would just feel out the chassis and try figure out what to do to improve the kart. As the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. Began to march towards the front as the Ultramax Blaze Chassis was on a rail getting faster with each lap. During the nonstop race, Duke Racing Inc. was able to climb to the seventh position by the time the checkered flag fell, but was unable to make up the distance the leaders opened up at the start of the race. Confident with the new setup, no changes were made for the stock lite race, hoping a better starting position would make the difference. Starting in the seventh position, Duke Racing Inc. pulled the trigger on the low side when the green flag waived, working themselves into the runner up position after lap 4. Now in position, Duke Racing Inc. would work the bottom side of the slick-racing surface to inch up on the leader. As the race wore on, Duke Racing Inc. began to get quicker, finally making a bid for the lead off turn two with ten laps to go in the 25-lap feature. Duke Racing Inc. ran side by side with Virginia native, James Kirby, for two laps before capturing the lead. Unfortunately on the next lap, the yellow flag came out. This let the Burris rubber cool and when the race resumed, Kirby mounted a challenge for the lead. As the two ran side by side for another two laps, Duke Racing Inc. slipped back to the runner up position and continued to pressure the leader. Unfortunately, the checkered flag waived too soon, as Duke Racing Inc. captured their best ever finish at a non-PDKA event at Path Valley and their third second place finish of the weekend.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 5/3/02
Friday evening, Duke Racing Inc. made the usual double-duty outing at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park where another near record kart count of over 170 filled the pit area. During the practice sessions, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers worked feverishly to dial in the Illusion Racing Chassis. The first event of the night was the stock light qualifier. In this event, Duke Racing Inc. would slice and dice their way to the runner up position. In the next event, stock medium, Duke Racing Inc. would engage in some very hard racing only to challenge for the lead position and get knocked out of the groove on the final lap and fall to the fifth position at the checkered flag. During the intermission, Duke Racing Inc. made several changes to the Illusion Racing Chassis. Lining up on the outside of row one, Duke Racing Inc. immediately grabbed the lead in turn one and never relinquished it to earn the teams fourth win of the 2002 racing season. After a brief break, Duke Racing Inc. made their way to the track for the Stock Medium event. In a field full of central Pas best racers, Duke Racing Inc. would start in the ninth position. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. wasted no time in charging to the front and moved into the third position by the halfway point in the race. After a series of caution flags, the race resumed and Duke Racing Inc. overtook the runner up position and began applying pressure to the leader. As the race wore on, the Burris rubber on the Illusion Racing Chassis began to loose grip and kart began to slow slightly through the corners. With about 4 laps remaining, Duke Racing Inc. slipped, losing the second position. As the race wound down, the lead trio was running nose-to-tail with Duke Racing Inc. capturing the third position.

SNYDERSVILLE SPEEDWAY -- 5/4/02
Saturday evening, Duke Racing Inc. joined Team Illusion and traveled to the northeast corner of PA to the sight of the tale of the missing carburetor spring, Snydersville Speedway. Team Illusion was determined to dominate the evening by entering every Open Stock class. Duke Racing Inc. would run stock lite and medium, with Team Midnight Power running Stock heavy and extra-heavy. Practice completed at the Speedway with Team Illusion showing promising results. In the first qualifier, Duke Racing Inc. started in the sixth position and when the green flag dropped, quickly made their way through the pack and gained the second position. After trailing the leader through the entire race, Duke Racing Inc. settled to ride behind the leader for a front row starting position for the feature. The next two races would see Team Midnight Power dominate the Stock Heavy and extra-heavy classes, leading nearly every lap of the two events. The final qualifier would be the stock medium class, where Duke Racing Inc. would start seventh in the field and work their way up to the third position by the races end. Deciding only to make a gear change, Duke Racing Inc. was ready for the stock lite feature event. Starting on the outside of the front row proved not to be the best place to be as when the field took the green flag, Duke Racing Inc. was punted in the first corner, falling to the rear of the field. Undaunted, Duke Racing Inc. began the march back to the front passing as many as two to three karts in a corner. By the halfway point, Duke Racing Inc. had the bumper of the Illusion Racing Chassis against the leader. After following for a lap, Duke Racing Inc. quickly disposed of the leader and blasted into the lead to take the checkered flag. The next two event would see ace driver Adam Dimm take the Midnight Power Illusion Racing Chassis to the front of the stock heavy and extra-heavy features and dominate the two events, winning by over a straightaway. However, the famed tech man, Harry Landis, immediately called Team Midnight Power to the tech shed for a game of hide and seek with the carburetor spring. Unfortunately, experienced engine builder was aware of his tactics used in the past and refused to let the tech man touch the carbonator and showed him the spring as the tech man stared at it in amazement. Much to the tech mans chagrin, the Midnight Power Racing Engine cleared tech with no problems. The final event of the night was the Stock medium feature race where Duke Racing Inc. started third and quickly moved into second after 2 laps and set their sights on the leader and a clean sweep. The leader, and local track hot shoe, tried to apply many blocking tactics on Duke Racing Inc. throughout the race until enough was enough and Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer blasting by the competitor off turn 4 with two laps remaining. Duke Racing Inc. ended the clean sweep with their sixth feature win of the year as Team Illusion left a huge impression on the competition.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 4/25/02
After hours of preparation at Duke Racing Inc. headquarters, everything was set for an exciting weekend of action packed racing. Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. joined forces with Hoffman Racing in an effort to bring positive results in that teams season debut. In practice, the duo struggled with the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis, fighting the dreaded push on entry. After a few changes, Hoffman Racing lined up on the outside of row two. When the green flag dropped, the Ultramax Racing Chassis saw only slight improvement and after battling hard with the pack of Lite drivers, ended up finishing in the seventh position. Upon return to the pit area, a few more changes were made to prepare for Duke Racing Inc. to attempt to qualify the Hoffman Racing entry. By luck of the draw, Duke Racing Inc. started on the outside of row 8 for the heat race event. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. struggled to climb to the twelfth position before the checkered flag fell. During the intermission, several major changes were made to the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis. When it was time for the feature events, Hoffman Racing lined up in the seventh position. When the green flag dropped, Hoffman Racing engaged in some wild racing action climbing as high as the top five on several occasions, however when the checkered flag fell, Hoffman Racing earned the sixth position. With the kart appearing more competitive, a few more slight changes were made to the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis before Duke Racing Inc. took to the speedway for the stock medium feature event. After several attempts to start the race, they finally went single file to avoid the idiots in the back of the pack that were running over each other. After a couple laps, Duke Racing Inc. hooked up the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis and began marching to the front from row seven. Duke Racing Inc. began slicing and dicing through the pack like a hot knife through butter, quickly entering the top five by the races midpoint. Duke Racing Inc. then quickly disposed of the leaders one by one until the purple machine was directly behind the leader with two laps to go. As the white flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. followed the leader into turn one and poured on the heat down the back straight, pushing the leader into turn three. Off turn four, Duke Racing Inc. dove to the bottom and pulled along side the leader as the two drag raced down the front straight. At the checkered flag, Duke Racing Inc. lost the feature event by mere inches. After the race, Hoffman Racing was elated at the performance of the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis and hopes to be back in action next week.

PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY -- 4/26/02
Saturday, Duke Racing Inc. took off to Path Valley Speedway for the first of a two-day PDKA event. With qualifying the only event on tap, the focus was on speed around the quarter mile oval. With mixed results during practice, Duke Racing Inc. decided to use the same set of tires for qualifying for both classes. The first event was qualifying for the Controlled Stock Medium class. All day long, Duke Racing Inc. was showing to be the kart to beat in this class. As the team went out o back it up, they turned a near perfect lap of 13.291 seconds which was only seven hundredths of a second off the track record held by Duke Racing Inc. that was set last September. After qualifying was over, it was discovered the time held up for the pole position for Sundays feature event. After changing tires, Duke Racing Inc. set out to qualify for the Stock Lite division and turned a lap of 13.636 seconds which was slightly off the pole speed of 13.508 seconds which delegated Duke Racing Inc. to a sixth place qualifying effort. After discovering the team overreved the Midnight Power Racing Engine, with a gear change, Duke Racing Inc. was confident for the feature event on Sunday. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had different ideas and a heavy, steady rain Sunday morning cancelled the feature events and the results would stand from qualifying. Duke Racing Inc. met this news with mixed feelings as the cancellation gave the team thier second career PDKA victory in the Controlled Stock Medium class and are now ranked first in the state standings, but the sixth place effort in the Stock Lite class could have been better if the race had been run. Duke Racing Inc. will take these solid efforts heading into the next event, which will be at the teams home track in Selinsgrove next month.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 4/19/02
With the Spring Nationals at Path Valley already canceled this weekend, Duke Racing Inc. ventured to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park on Friday night for the only racing action scheduled for the weekend. The team would once again go double-duty in the light and medium division. After many hours spent in the shop this week, team engineers came up with a brand new setup for the Illusion Racing Chassis, completely different from anything the team has run to date. After practice, it appeared as if the track was going to throw the team a curve ball, thanks to an afternoon thunderstorm, which drenched the speedway grounds. After a gear change, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the third position for the first qualifying event. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. had a difficult time getting rolling on the damp track surface and slipped back to fifth after two laps. Then, the Burris racing rubber began to build heat and the Illusion Racing Chassis began to roll like a freight train by making significant gains on the leaders during the final few laps to finish in the third position. During the break before the second qualifier, Duke Racing Chassis Engineers, with assistance from Hoffman Racing Inc., decided the track was coming around and no changes were going to be necessary. After drawing the pole position, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and blasted out into the lead of the medium division qualifier. After surviving a few late race cautions, which bunched the field on the bumper of the Illusion Racing Chassis, Duke Racing Inc. was able to capture the qualifying event win. During the intermission, Duke Racing Inc. was very pleased with the performance of the Illusion Racing Chassis and the new experimental setup. After the micro sprint practice session was complete, Duke Racing Inc. hit the speedway for the first feature event of the night. Lining up on the inside of row two by virtue of their heat race finish, Duke Racing Inc. drooped the hammer and tried to make a move into turn one only to have another driver hook the bumper of the Illusion Racing Chassis, dropping Duke Racing Inc. towards the rear of the field. After recovering from the incident, Duke Racing Inc. found themselves all the way back in the seventh position severely diminishing the chances of returning to victory lane. As the laps began to click off the scoreboard, Duke Racing Inc. began mowing through the pack like a bolt of lightning. By the halfway point, Duke Racing Inc. regained the third position and was running down the leaders. With four laps to go, Duke Racing Inc. caught the leaders and made a move off turn two to move into the second position only to have it countered in turn four. With two laps to go, Duke Racing Inc. was finally able to slip past the second place kart and set their sights squarely on the leader. As the white flag waived, Duke Racing Inc. had run down the leader and positioned themselves inches off the bumper of the JC Specialty kart, and the stage was set for another white flag shootout. As the duo went into turn one, they approached lapped kart that seemed unsure of what line to run. The lapper came off turn two low and the leader went high. When the leader went to the high side, Duke Racing Inc. saw the door open and dropped the hammer and pulled along side the leader down the backstretch. As the trio of karts went into turn three, Duke Racing Inc. was able to slip by the leader on the bottom and beat him back to the checkered flag taking the teams second victory of the 2002 racing season. After the micro sprint qualifying events, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the pole position for an attempt to add another feature win to the Duke Racing record book. It was not to be however, as the moisture began rising to the track surface and speed picked up. By the end of the first lap, Duke Racing Inc. slipped to the second position and could not do anything with the leader by the time the checkered flag fell. It was discovered on return to the pit that a gear change could have made a difference in the outcome and a note was made for future reference.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 4/12/02
Friday night, Duke Racing Inc. joined the 160 entries at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park and went double-duty in the Stock Light and Medium events for the only racing of the weekend. During practice, the new Illusion Racing Chassis was hooked up around the Snyder County fifth mile oval, but was not setting any new track records. After a gear change, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the fourth position in the first of two Stock Light heat races. As the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. dropped back slightly in the field, but quickly recovered and started marching towards the front, regaining the third position by the time the checkered flag fell. After returning to the pit area, team engineers tried to find some more speed and decided to change the experimental left rear tire the team was using. The Medium event would be a bit tougher as Duke Racing Inc. lined up shotgun on the field for the second heat race. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and mounted a charge towards the front. Slicing through traffic, the Illusion Racing Chassis rocketed around the D-shaped track. After several laps, Duke Racing Inc. was in the runner up position and locked their sites on the leader. After reeling them in from a straightaway behind, Duke Racing Inc. drove wide open through the treacherous turns three and four and just missed the heat race victory by inches. Not completely satisfied with the overall speed of the kart, another gear change was made. Starting fifth in the field of 18 lightweight drivers, Duke Racing Inc. took the lead and was promptly punted in turn two. After most of the field went by, Duke Racing Inc. mounted another charge to the front. After slicing through karts lap after lap, Duke Racing Inc. had the Illusion Racing Chassis back in the top three. A caution flag with one lap to go would bunch the field and give Duke Racing Inc. one last shot at victory, however it would be tough to do from the third position. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer and pulled up on the second place drivers bumper down the back straight. Duke Racing Inc. made a move off turn four and pulled along side for second place losing by mere inches. After a decent performance in the light race, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers decided they would sit on the setup and see how the track changes during the Micro qualifiers. After the qualifiers were complete, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the outside of row two for the feature event. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. engaged in a torrid duel for the third position. Lap after lap, three karts dogged each other for the third position with Duke Racing Inc. finding them in the fourth position when the checkered flag dropped.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 4/5/02
Friday night began an action packed weekend of racing for Duke Racing Inc. The teamed ventured to the Selinsgrove Raceway Park as members of Team Midnight Power for a testing session before the team travels to New York State for a huge money race on Sunday. After a brief practice session, it was decided that only a slight air pressure adjustment would be necessary on the Midnight Power Racing Engines Illusion Racing Chassis for the qualifying event. Lining up on the outside of row 4, the green flag dropped with chaos exploding on the backstretch as karts began to scatter in every direction. Fortunately, Team Midnight Power was able to drive through the incident unscathed. On the restart, Team Midnight Power made a bold move off turn two and blasted by two karts on the inside line moving up to the third position. As the laps wound down, Team Midnight Power dogged the leaders until the checkered flag was waived. Upon return to the pit area, team engineers decided only a gear change was going to be necessary for the main event. As the snow began to fall, the Stock Light division lined up for the feature event. As the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Incs ace pilot drove the Midnight Power house kart into the runner up position. After losing half a straightaway early to the leader, as the tires began to heat up, the Illusion Racing Chassis began reeling in the leader. Halfway through the event, the Duke Racing Inc. driver was on the tail of the leader ready to engage in a battle for the lead. However it was not to be as the caution flag was waived. During the caution, the tires on the Illusion Racing Chassis cooled, not allowing the chassis to perform to its optimum level as racing resumed. The result was a backslide to the fourth position when everything let loose coming off turn four with three laps remaining. The second and third place karts spun directly into the right rear of the Illusion Racing Chassis causing a bent wheel and severely bent axle. Team Midnight Power was able to limp home to a close fourth place finish.

OAKLAND VALLY RACEWAY PARK -- 4/7/02
Sunday afternoon, Duke Racing Inc. made their first trip ever to the Oakland Valley Raceway Park in Cuddleback, NY. On this day, they were having their first ever 100-lap race, paying 1000 dollars to win. Joining forces with Team Midnight Power with newly acquired driver Adam Dimm, along with pit help from Hoffman Racing, Duke Racing Inc. was ready to make an impact in their first out of state race since Margarettesville. 46 high quality entries showed up for this inaugural event, so the hour long happy hour practice session would be very important to get the pair of Illusion Racing Chassis set up to perfection. During the hour-long open practice, many tires changes and adjustments were made to both Illusion Racing Chassis in the search for corner speed. After the practice was over, both teams decided that a pit stop during the race was going to be needed, so the teams opted for horsepower over fuel mileage and two engine changes were performed. Opting for DXAs, Duke Racing Inc. was the first to qualify. Touring the fifth mile oval in a time of 15.58 seconds, that was good for a starting spot on the outside of row 7. Team Midnight Power opted for a Firestone and Dunlop Combination which did not hook up during the brief qualifying session and was only able to manage a 23rd place qualifying effort which would put the team third in the B-Main. After returning to the pit area, Team Midnight Power replaced their tires with Burris rubber, also making a major gear change, and set out to make the field through the B-Main. As the green flag dropped in the B-Main Team Midnight Power driver Adam Dimm was on a mission as he battled with the leader and eventually drove away from the pack until a late race caution bunched up the field. As the race restarted, another driver came blasting through the field and eventually took the lead from Dimm. However, it was discovered that the kart was over 40 pounds light at the scales and was disqualified and Team Midnight Power was in the 100 lap main event. After setting up their pit stalls on pit road, Team Illusion discussed their pit strategy and decided to short pit the leaders between lap 30 and 50. As the green flag dropped Duke Racing Inc. got hung out on the outside with no where to go dropping towards the rear of the field. After getting settled in, the Illusion Racing Chassis began to pick off one kart at a time in some of the best racing seen in a long time. On lap 30 with perfect timing the yellow flag waived and Hoffman Racing gave the signal to pit, and Duke and Dimm came down pit road at the designated speed, yanked the spark plug off killing the engine, jumped off the kart for the refueling process to begin, jumped back on and cranked the engine. No fire. Cranked again, still the engine did not start. After several more attempts, it was noticed the spark plug wire had not been fastened and it was put back in place and Duke Racing Inc. went back out onto the track. Unfortunately, the miscue on pit road cost the team a lap. As the race resumed and went green for the next 65 laps, Duke Racing Inc. hooked up with Team Midnight Power and the duo sliced and diced their way through traffic. With five laps remaining, the caution flag bunched the field. No knowing if they could finish on fuel, the drivers were instructed to pit, however with so few laps remaining, the drivers made the call to stay out. When the green flag dropped, Duke and Dimm made a last ditch effort to get to the front of the pack passing several more cars in the remaining laps as the checked flag finally fell on the grueling marathon. Upon return to the pit area, the scorers read off the final finishing order with Team Midnight power finishing in third place and Duke Racing Inc. coming from a lap down to finish sixth. Upon inspection in the pit area, it was discovered the winner, who went the distance on fuel, was found illegal which in the final results, Team Midnight Power was moved up to second, and Duke Racing Inc. came from a lap down to finish 5th. Also, the only two Illusion Racing Chassis in the pit area both finished in the top 5 in one of the most enjoyable races of the year so far.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 3/29/02
After many long hours in the shop, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers came up with a brand new setup for the Illusion Racing Chassis which would be put to the test at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park on Friday night. With over 170 karts in the pit area for the second straight week, the Illusion Racing Chassis was put to its toughest test to date. Over 20 entries entered in the Stock Medium division. During the practice session, the new Illusion Racing Chassis was dialed in to perfection. After nearly passing every kart on the speedway during the practice session, team engineers decided that no changes were necessary for the qualifying event. By luck of the draw, Duke Racing Inc. would start on the pole position for the first of two qualifiers. The race would prove to be no contest as Duke Racing Inc. dropped the hammer at the green flag and never let up. After pulling away to nearly a half lap lead, the checkered flag fell on the heat race giving Duke Racing Inc. the pole position for the feature event. Again, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers decided that the Illusion Racing chassis was performing to maximum capacity, and no changes were necessary. However, as the night grew old, the winds began to pick up and the rain eventually moved in and drenched the speedway surface. After a brief attempt to repair the track, promoters decided to cancel the remaining events giving the win to the pole sitters of each remaining event, which gave Duke Racing Inc. their first win of the 2002 racing season.

SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK -- 3/24/02
Sunday, Duke Racing Inc. make the 2-mile trek to the newly resurfaced Selinsgrove Raceway Park for their season opener. With an incredible 178 karts in the pit area, the action on the track would be fast and furious. With intentions of doing double-duty to shake down the new Illusion Racing Chassis, Duke Racing Inc. was taunted into turning the day into a triple-header when a call back to the shop was made for a Controlled Stock motor. The day began with practice in the Stock Lite division where the Illusion Racing Chassis seemed to be keeping pace with the divisions top runners, but was not handling to the team engineers delight. After practice, nearly every tire in the teams transporter was bolted onto the kart at one point or another, and team engineers still were not happy with any of the combinations.

Qualifying would start with the Stock Light division. After drawing the pole position, Duke Racing Inc. would roll the dice and switched brands of tires from Burris to Firestone. The change would prove to be disastrous as the kart had no forward bite and was immediately punted to the rear of the field. After a few laps, Duke Racing Inc. was able to recover for a seventh place finish. After another series of tire changes, Duke Racing Inc. lined up in the fifth position in the Controlled Stock division. After slipping back to 6th on the initial start, Duke Racing Inc. made their way back through the field and trailed the leaders but could not make up any ground as the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis crossed the checkered flag in fourth position. After yet another tire change, Duke Racing Inc. headed out for their third qualifying event of the day in the stock medium class. Lining up on the inside of the third row, Duke Racing Inc. quickly launched into the fourth position and began chasing the leaders. With their best effort of the day thus far, Duke Racing Inc. swept to the inside of turn two and slid into the third position as the checkered flag fell on the final qualifying event of the afternoon.

During the intermission, team engineers debated making several changes to the Illusion Racing Chassis. Starting deep in the field, Duke Racing Inc. made several changes to try to gain corner speed. Starting 14th in the 22-kart field, Duke Racing Inc. had their work cut out for a decent finish. When the green flag dropped, the race began to resemble a demo derby as Duke Racing Inc. found their selves right in the middle of a bunch of rookie drivers who think the best way to pass is by driving through people rather than around. When the dust finally settled, Duke Racing Inc. was able to gain several positions and finish in the eighth spot. After seeing no benefit to the changes applied in the Stock lite race, team engineers decided to put on the only tires left in the trailer on the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis. Lining up on the outside of row two, Duke Racing Inc. slipped back to the fifth position on the start. After lap 2, they regained the fourth position and would trail the leaders and were unable to make up the lost ground as Duke Racing Inc. recorded a top five finish. Before the start of the final event on the triple-header marathon, Duke Racing Inc. decided to change one more tire. This proved to be the magic combination as in this race full of heavy hitter, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the inside of row three and quietly slipped back to the seventh position. After the tires began to heat up, Duke Racing Inc. started to march towards the front. After many caution flags throughout the event, Duke Racing Inc climbed to the fourth position. With two laps to go, Duke Racing Inc. made a bid for the third spot, but was denied. With the top 4 karts nose to tail, Duke Racing Inc. would finish a very competitive fourth place. After running nearly 100 green flag laps this afternoon, Duke Racing Inc. managed to set a new record for tire changes and made a big gain by the time the final feature was over and look forward to next week as they return to night racing next Friday at the Selinsgrove Raceway Park.

SHIPPENSBURG SPEEDWAY -- 3/9/02
Saturday, March 10 brought the return of karting racing action to Pennsylvania, as Shippensburg Speedway hosted the inaugural race of the 2002 season. Duke Racing Inc. made the trip south to debuted the brand new 2002 Illusion Racing Chassis. With no prior experience on the 2002 model chassis and running an R and D motor from the Duke Power Engine shop, the day was intended to be nothing more than a test session for Duke Racing Inc. With cloudy skies and periodic drizzle, the track surface changed constantly throughout the day. During practice, Duke Racing Inc. struggles to find the perfect setup for the new chassis as well as had trouble finding the proper power range for the new Duke Power plant. After deciding on softer tires and more gear for the qualifying event, Duke Racing Inc. lined up on the inside of the fourth row. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. slowly tried to make their way towards the front, however the Illusion Racing Chassis still was not entering the corner smoothly costing the team valuable time. By the time the checkered flag fell, Duke Racing Inc. was able to climb to the fourth position. After a long debate on what to do to the chassis for the feature event, Duke Racing Inc. team engineers decided that a four-tire change to a harder compound would be necessary for the feature event. Lining up on the outside of row four for the feature event, Duke Racing Inc. tried to drop the hammer at the start, but only resulted in spinning the rear tires. As the race went on, Duke Racing Inc. dropped through the field ending up finishing around 15th in the 20-kart field. Upon return to the teams shop, it was discovered the keyway, which locks the right-rear hub into position, was missing from the Illusion chassis, and Duke Racing Inc. will have much room for improvement in the upcoming weeks.

SHIPPENSBURG SPEEDWAY -- 3/16/02
After many hours spent preparing in the shop to improve on last weeks result, Duke Racing Inc. ventured back to the Shippensburg Speedway. This time doing double-duty with the New Illusion Racing Chassis in the Stock Light class, and the old faithful Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis in the Stock Medium division. This week, armed with soft tires, Duke Racing Inc. hit the speedway for practice and both Duke Racing Inc. entries were handling to perfection however lacked straightaway speed. Before qualifying, gear changes were made to both Midnight Power Racing Engines. Lining up in the third position in the stock light heat race, Duke Racing Inc. wasted no time by moving the Illusion Racing Chassis into the runner up position on lap 1. After applying pressure to the leader for several laps, Duke Racing Inc. was able to slip by in turn four and take the lead and went on to win the teams first heat race of the season. In the stock Medium qualifying event, the luck of the draw required that the Ultramax ProForce Racing Chassis start shotgun on the field. When the green flag dropped, Duke Racing Inc. began slashing through the field and moved into the runner up position by halfway. Unfortunately, the leader had built up a substantial lead by this point and there were not enough laps left for Duke Racing Inc. to make a challenge. During the intermission, there was another debate among team engineers to decide the tire choice for the feature event. After getting burned the week before with a harder compound, the team decided to stay with the softer tires. This decision would again come back to haunt the team as the Burris rubber caused the kart to be tight from the drop of the green flag. Duke Racing Inc. was able to hold on for a respectable fifth place finish. Upon return to the pit area, Duke Racing Inc. decided on a slightly harder compound on the outside for the stock medium event. After lining up on the outside of the second row, Duke Racing Inc. immediately moved into the third position at the drop of the green and set their sites on the leaders. As the laps began to wind down, the Burris rubber again began giving up to the racing surface and the kart began to tighten up. Duke Racing Inc. slowly faded towards the end of the race and finished in the fourth position. Duke Racing Inc. made major strides this afternoon with the new Illusion Racing Chassis and look forward to returning to victory lane in the very near future.

DAYTONA MUNICIPAL STADIUM -- 12/27/01
After Duke Racing Inc. woke up to frigid temperatures in the low 40's on Day 1 of the World Karting Championships, it became apparent that the name of the game on this day was going to be tires, tires, and tires. Upon arriving at the track, the team engineers baked and prepped Maxxis tires like they were going out of style. Just before practice, the team finally manicured a set that was to their liking. As the team hit the sandy surface for the first round of practice, the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis was actually getting around the Daytona Municipal Stadium at a respectable pace. However with 86 entries fighting tooth and nail for only 30 qualifying positions, Duke Racing Inc. knew they had to step up the pace. Chassis engineers went to work on the Maxxis HG3 compound tires. After the sun filled the Florida sky, and the temperatures began to rise, the speedway finally took rubber to the racing surface. In the second qualifying session, the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis picked up a severe push coming off the corner which was reducing lap times by nearly 1.5 seconds off the pace. Upon return to the pit area, Duke Racing Inc. called a meeting with Dill Fabrication Team Ultramax Factory driver, Brad Sellers. Upon careful inspection of the Duke Racing Inc. entry, it was recommended that a left and right side camber change, cross adjustment and 4 tire change, and caster adjustment would be necessary. After another tire baking session, Duke Racing Inc. took to the speedway for their qualifying attempt. During the qualifying run, the kart began to push severely on entry into the corner leading to a 49th place qualifying effort. Severely depressed, the team returned to the pit to discover a completely flat right rear tire. Angered by the continuous incredibly terrible luck that seems to follow the team to Florida each year, Duke Racing Inc. feverishly worked to prepare for second round qualifying. A gear change was made and the team continued to bake and prep the four Maxxis tires on the kart and hit the speedway for a final chance to make the field. Upon the drop of the green flag, Duke Racing Inc. blasted though turns one and two and zipped past two karts and rocketed down the backstretch. Besides a slight loose condition in the apex to turn 2, the kart was hooked up rocketing past half the field in the same qualifying session. Very optimistic of the teams chances to make the field the team returned to the pits only to discover the team narrowly missed the field with a 32nd place effort. Upon reflection, a slight cross and possibly a small gear change could have been the difference. However, Duke Racing Inc. will have a good starting point on Saturday, when they attempt to qualify for the Stock Medium division, which is expected to have over 150 entries.

DAYTONA MUNICIPAL STADIUM -- 12/29/01
After a disappointing day 1, Duke Racing Inc. arrived at the Daytona Municipal Stadium on their day off to prepare for Day 3 where Duke Racing Inc. would enter the most competitive, biggest class of the week, Box Stock Medium. After working a set of Firestone/Dunlop Racing tires for the entire day, Duke Racing Inc. returned to the motel for a night of rest. Upon arrival to the track for Day 3 of the World Karting Championships, Duke Racing Inc. was met with balmy temperatures reaching near 80 degrees. Unfortunately, an overnight rain shower had reeked havoc on the racing surface and the first round of practice was a chance to run in the track. During second round practice, the Duke Racing Inc. Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis was able to get up to speed, but the track was still not at optimum racing conditions. As the team waited for their qualifying attempt, the lap times of their fellow competitors began to fall as the track began to become more abrasive. Soon it was time for Duke Racing Inc. to make their qualifying run. When the green flag dropped, the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis was glued to the racing surface turning laps in the 19.2-second bracket. Very pleased with the qualifying attempt and with no prior experience racing at night at Daytona, Duke Racing Inc. returned to the pits to discover they had finally qualified for the main event in the 14th position. Elated over the karts performance, Duke Racing Inc. engineers decided on no changes for the feature event. After lining up on the front stretch and receiving the command to start the engines, Duke Racing Inc. was ready to compete in the biggest race in the country. As the green flag dropped on the World Karting Championships, Duke Racing Inc. was holding there own with the nations most elite drivers. After several laps, the tires, which were prepped for qualifying, began to fade, and the kart began to tighten up. Duke Racing Inc. would eventually fade to a 24th place finish in the 30-kart field. Upon return to the pit area, Duke Racing Inc. loaded up for the long haul home, very proud to be able to race with the best of the best.

Duke Racing Inc. would like to thank Midnight Racing Engines, Duke Power Racing Engines, the Zimmerman and Roming Race Teams, Adam Dimm, and Ultramax Racing Chassis for making this years trip to the Karting World Championships at Daytona a success. Duke Racing Inc. hopes to see everyone in the spring as the 2002 racing season gets under way and Duke Racing Inc. begins their 7th season which has potential to be another record breaking year with the Ultramax Blaze Racing Chassis.