Local Sprint Kart racer wins second Perpetual Trophy

top honor:
Local teen and Sprint Kart racer Rowdy McClenon won top honor at last weeks’ Lakeport Speedway’s Perpetual Trophy Race.

Just a few short weeks ago the buzz in the Outlaw Sprint Kart circles was how 14-year-old Rowdy McClenon won a pole to pole battle at the Red Bluff Outlaw's annual Perpetual Trophy race in the top division, the Opens. Now, barely coming down off the thrill of the first victory, the youngster from Anderson has nabbed another pole to pole win which earned him the top honor at last weeks' Lakeport Speedway's Perpetual Trophy Race.

To win even one Perpetual Trophy even in an entire career is quite a feat, to win two is a huge event, and to win two of the sport's most prestigious trophies in less that a month, well, it is simply remarkable.

On the morning of the Perpetual Trophy race 33 drivers and karts showed up to register for the Open Division class. Through a series of qualifying laps, heat races and lesser main events of the 33 only 14 karts would start in the A main - the winner of which would receive the trophy.

With luck on his side Rowdy hit the track for the Feature Event of the night. On his outside was hard charging Tanner Thorson from Minden Nevada and behind them were 12 other drivers bent on getting Rowdy's spot at the front of the pack. The race was scheduled to run 25 laps and by lap 5 or 6 Rowdy had a comfortable lead on Thorson and the rest of the karts. Battles continued to rage behind him and tangles and wrecks were inevitable under the circumstance. There were a total of 11 caution flags pulled and 11 agonizing restarts when anything could happen. But Rowdy was confident he could stay well ahead of the second spot kart on restarts, the trouble was going to be lap traffic.

The fields consisted of both seasoned veterans, rookies and drivers making their first foray into the Open 500 Division, and with such a mix the racing does get dicey.

"About the only time I was nervous during the race was when I was coming up on lap traffic," Rowdy said after the race. "Anything can happen when you have a strong driver dogging your tail and your are coming up fast on karts you need to pass, If you know they are experienced and you think they can sense you behind them you can make the pass pretty calmly, but if you are faced with the bumper of a kart you've never seen before and you don't know if they are going to intentionally block you or swerve, slow down, or come down or up into your line, it can be a bit nerve wracking."

But Rowdy used his years of experience in both Micro Midgets and Outlaw Karts to jog around the lappers without incident. Laps clicked off and Rowdy continued to be in complete control of his kart. Though Outlaw Karts look as if they are on the ragged edge of disaster at all times, a skilled driver can take that kart to the very brink of disaster, pushing the envelope of control and overcome traffic and challenges from behind. And that is exactly what Rowdy did till the checkered flag flew and Rowdy won the race.

In only his third race at the Lakeport track Rowdy won the most prestigious race of the year, making two perpetual trophy wins in a single month. After the race as he was being presented the giant trophy Rowdy thanked his crewchief.

"I can't believe I won another Perpetual Trophy," panted a tired Rowdy. "I need to thank my Dad for all the help and support for all these yeas. If it wasn't for his confidence and guidance through the years I never would have been able to fulfill my dreams of becoming a racer."