Press: North Carolina

Matt Lee rolls out of Lowes Motor Speedway leading the Snap-On Stars Of Karting points Championship in both 80cc Shifter and JICA.

Matt Lee and Team Twin tooth went to round 5 and 6 of the Snap On Stars of Karting Championship weekend in North Carolina leading the points in JICA and occupied the second position in 80cc Junior Shifter. Following a stellar weekend in Junior Shifter and a character building weekend in JICA, Matt Lee elevated himself into the points Championship in two separate classes.

“We feel great about our program. We have set our sights on the Championship and like our chances at this point in the season going into the final two races prior to the Championship weekend. We are totally focused on the job at hand. We want both at the end of the season.

This past weekend provided a roller coaster ride for Team Twin tooth as the team is currently chasing a championship in two separate classes. The team unloaded on Friday to find that they were really well off on the set up. However, Matt did an admirable job providing feedback to the team to get the Twin tooth 44 rocket close to an acceptable level of performance during Fridays practice. The team knew they were a bit behind their rivals in the championship hunt and needed to find something where it wasn’t on Friday.

On Saturday morning, the Twin tooth driver took over and provided a silky smooth qualifying effort in 80cc Junior Shifter. Matt Lee laid down a 42.639 to take his 3rd pole of the season in 80cc shifter.

“Today we were a bit nervous about our chances. We were a bit off yesterday and made some adjustments to the kart. The kart started to work better the deeper we went into the session. I got a clean run without any mistakes. That was the difference. I think it’s interesting that when were off a bit I produce our best qualifying efforts. It must be a little more concentration when the performance is a bit off.

From the pole, Matt ran a tight race for the first 4 to 5 laps dicing it out with Daniel Morad, however, surrendered the lead to Daniel and held off the remaining pack to hold onto a P2 finish. In the final, the result was the same with Matt taking his second podium of the day as a runner up.

“We had a good run today. We are focused on the championship and certainly can’t be unhappy with the podiums. I know we have the kart to beat now and we’ll get a chance to prove it tomorrow,” Matt said as he walked with the kart back to the trailer.

Team Twin tooth was determined to take sole possession of the points championship in 80cc Shifter on Sunday. When Matt showed up on Sunday he was all business. Matt ripped off a qualifying effort that would stand as the fastest lap all weekend with a time of 42.413. This is not the first time Matt scorched the tarmac with a fast lap that would not be matched all weekend. Matt has accomplished a weekend barnburner on 2 separate occasions in 80cc junior shifter.

Upon learning the time Matt commented, “That was what we came for. The kart has spoken. And we will deliver in the races today. It’s definitely working now.

When the checkers fell on the heat raced Matt once again found himself battling Daniel Morad. Even though Matt ripped the fast lap of the race with a 42.866, on the last lap of the race Daniel made his way around Matt to find the checkers in P1. Matt had earned his 3rd podium of the weekend but had not tasted victory. As he stepped from the kart his face said it all. This was one young man looking for the win and was determined not to disappoint in the final.

When the field assembled for the 80cc Shifter Final, the 44 Twin tooth machine was coaxed into position with one goal…be the first kart across the line and take the final home. The final race twist was Matt was leading the Championship. Matt had taken over the lead and was determined to leave North Carolina holding the Checkered flag. With a fast lap of 42.962 in the final on Sunday, Matt personally picked up the flag and took the win.

80cc Shifter was a great weekend for Matt and Team Twin tooth. 5 out of 6 fast laps, 2 poles, 4 podiums, 3 seconds, and one win. Matt said very confidently, “We delivered.

As refreshing as the 80cc Shifter weekend was, some weekends have a ying to their yang. That ying was the team’s effort in JICA. Matt Lee came to North Carolina leading the JICA Championship and left with it following a weekend that had its ups and downs. Overall Matt achieved a fast lap in the heat race on Saturday and claimed two podiums finishing in 2nd and 3rd on Saturday. With the bar being set very high this season Matt reflected, “Our effort in JICA is a first class program. Our motor had a bit of a cold on Friday and we had to rent a motor. So we can’t be upset with the result. But we want to win every time out in this class.

On Sunday, the JICA gods were not too supportive of the Twin tooth effort. The team struggled with a 6th place qualifying effort and ended up having the front bumper ripped from the machine in the heat race to finish a disappointing 15th.

In stark contrast to the heat race on Sunday, the JICA final would again highlight the character of this young racer. With his eyes on the ultimate prize, Matt had to start unceremoniously from the back in P17. He drove a fine race from the back to finish the race in 9th position securing his lead in the championship.

Matt departed from the speedway with the following final comments on the weekend, “We came in with one goal in mind… Leave leading the championship. We accomplished that. Our Shifter weekend was really exciting and produced great results. Our JICA weekend was a bit rough especially on Sunday. At the end of the day, that’s what this is all about…sometimes things happen on and off the track. Those who make lemonade out of lemons emerge all the better and put themselves in position to win the real prize. We did just that and look forward to defending our lead at Road America.