The 2024 Mark Harrison Memorial 200 marked the return of endurance kart racing to New Castle Motorsports Park, reviving the legendary RoboPong 200. With 20 teams on the grid, the race drew top national karting talent and high-profile motorsport names like Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Kyffin Simpson.
The 200-lap race was competitive, demanding, and thrilling from start to finish. Drivers battled it out in KA100 Senior packages, with added ballast to smaller drivers to ensure equal kart and driver weight across all teams.
Max Weiland and Annie Rhule, racing for Magik Kart USA / Adrenaline Fix Karting, claimed second place and a $5,000 prize. Max had a flying start, jumping from P6 to P3 on the first lap, but challenges saw them slip back to P10 early on. From there, the racing duo only moved forward.
After 63 laps, Max pitted for a quick refuel and tire change. Annie took over, delivering a fast, consistent 69-lap stint. Max rejoined for the last stint in the final pit stop, showing impressive pace. Gaining a half of a second per lap on Chase Jones (MPG Motorsports) in P2, Max was poised to overtake when a mechanical issue knocked Jones out of the race.
Here is how Rob Howden of EKarting News described the action:
“Jones’ departure opened the door for Weiland to move into second at the checker, as the only other team on the lead lap. Weiland’s pace over the final laps was setting up for a head-to-head battle with Jones with two to go, as the 13-year-old was over a half-second faster a lap and closing fast.
“The fight for the position would not materialize with Jones’ mechanical DNF but that does not take away with the impressive performance of the young driver.”
Despite setbacks, the team felt they could have challenged for the win if some breaks had gone their way. Nevertheless, it was still a fantastic result for everyone involved.
The race was won by the Brandon Jarsocrak Racing team of Pauly Massimino and James Overbeck, who finished with a 62-second lead. Brandon Lemke and Jackson Wolny of Quickswimmers Racing secured third place.
In the second Magik Kart USA entry, Eli Warren and Matt Powers finished fourth, while Braden Eves and Jimmy Simpson rounded out the top five.
Coach Conrad Grunewald’s strategy and guidance were crucial to Max and Annie’s success. He radioed with the two drivers throughout the race, helping them make critical adjustments and maximize their performance.
Annie Rhule, 19, from Pittsburgh, is a rising star in the shifter-kart world, consistently competing at the national level. She finished third in the 2023 SKUSA Winter Series Pro Shifter Championship.
Max Weiland, 13, from Cleveland, continues his steady rise in karting, recently earning podiums in the USPKS and Stars Championship Series. His next races will be in Lonato, Italy, and at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas from November 12-18.
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