Stock lone local winner during first day of Grand Prix of Karting

QUINCY — Cameron Stock tried his best to make what looked like a relatively easy victory seem more difficult than it probably was.

Stock, the only local driver among Saturday’s seven winners in the opening round of the two-day Grand Prix of Karting at South Park, was a one-man show in the Open Shifter division. The Payson resident was never challenged, ending with a comfortable 8.88-second victory over the rest of an overwhelmed field.

“It was not easy, not at all,” Stock said afterward, although most of those listening were not buying his claim. “I was just trying to stay out of the walls. I bounced off them a couple of times.”

Stock’s Grand Prix victory was his first in five years of trying.

“I’ve been racing since the Grand Prix came back in 2018 (following a 17-year absence),” Stock said.

Like others, Stock missed racing in the event twice in recent years due to the Pandemic and the Grand Prix being shut down (in 2023) when Terry Traeder, son of the late Gus Traeder (who founded the event in 1970), announced it would end following the 2022 races. 

Stock’s victory likely meant more to him than it might have to virtually any of the other drivers. Not only was he a local participant, but Stock was one of the workers last week who helped set up the twisting, 12-turn 1.123-mile course. Stock’s duties included helping distribute 1,100 bales of hay and another 1,100 safety barriers, plus two miles of protective fencing.

Other winners Saturday before a turnout of about 4,000 were Matt Krechel of Pacific, Mo., in the Margay Ignite Senior class; Alex Wisdom of St. Louis in the Formula 3 Mini Moto; Gabe Sessler of Prosser, Wash., in the Briggs Heavy; Tony Neilson of Delmar, Iowa, in the Briggs Masters; Gage Rucker of Truxton, Mo., in the Pro FK 100 and Rick Fulks of Chatham in the Margay Ignite Masters.

Grand Prix organizer Jeff Scott said this year’s event had 293 entires from more than 10 states, including California, Utah, Texas, Washington, New York, Indiana and Ohio.

“We got a late start (to resurrecting the Grand Prix), but I’m pretty happy with the way it has turned out,” Scott said. “We didn’t even have any insurance until mid-February.”

This year’s event concludes Sunday with 10 more features, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Although nothing is yet official for 2025, Scott provided a hint of what the future may hold.

“We have told the Quincy Park District we want the same dates for 2025,” he said.

Neilson’s victory in the Briggs Masters was his 10th in the Grand Prix, making the Iowa hotshoe one of just six drivers to reach double figures in victories in the event’s history. Neilson outlasted longtime rival Krechel by 0.067 of a second.

All-Time Victories at Grand Prix of Karting

Krechel held off Riley Scott of Quincy by 0.099 of a second in the Margay Ignite Senior division, the largest class of the day with 30 entries.

“I’ve been racing here for years,” Krechel said. “We have always loved coming to Quincy. Patience is always a key here. It’s one of our favorite tracks.”

For Riley Scott, the son of Jeff Scott and owner of four Grand Prix victories, the Margay Igniter feature was the beginning of a frustrating day, It was the first of three second-place finishes.

Wisdom’s victory in the Formula 3 Mini Moto came in dominating fashion. He finished 5.9 seconds in front of Michael Van Benten of Louisville, Ky.

Rucker’s victory in the Pro FK 100 followed a race-long struggle with eventual runner-up Riley Scott.

“It’s always intense here,” Rucker said. “I’ve been fast here before, but this is only my second win (in Quincy). It’s usually a close finish here.”

Sessler gradually pulled away from most of the Briggs Heavy field, with only two drivers finishing relatively close. Riley Scott was second, 0.156 of a second in back of Sessler. Krechel was third, 0.162 of a second behind.

“I messed up a little on the backstretch and then had to keep looking over my shoulder,” Sessler said.

Fulks’ victory in the Margay Ignite Masters came on a last-lap surge that allowed him to finish ahead of Jeff Dollan of Frisco, Texas, Krechel and Jeff Scott. Scott led the first 11 laps before being passed on the closing circuit.

Karting Notes

• Niki Niekamp of Quincy provided a stirring rendition of the national anthem to start Saturday’s festivities and received a huge ovation for her efforts.
• Pete Vetter of Arnold, Mo., is another of the Grand Prix’s all-time victory leaders who is competing this weekend. Vetter sits eighth with eight career victories heading into Sunday’s competition. Vetter’s top showings Saturday were a third in the Pro FK 100 and a fifth in the Margay Ignite Masters.
• Italian karter Fabio Marangon had a rough day, running only three laps of the 12-lap Margay Ignite Senior feature before he was forced to retire to the pits.
• No rain is in the forecast Sunday, with temperatures scheduled to be in the 70s.
• The return of the Grand Prix also featured numerous faces in familiar places, such as Chris Miller as race director, Jason Burgess as flagman, Bob Scott as tech director, “Clean Livin'” Joe Bliven as a corner marshal and Dave MacIntyre and J. Robert Gough as announcers.