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(Photo: Genet Berhane)
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(Photo: Genet Berhane)

Kart Challenge Erika DeJesus Scholastic Kids Press Corps Wednesday, May 24—It was a beautiful day at Pier 17 in New York City's South Street Seaport. The pier was the site of the TripRewards Kart Challenge—a 10-lap race in which four young go-cart drivers (ages 7-14) face off to see who is the fastest. The drivers were competing for one million points, awarded by Cendant Hotel Group's TripRewards program. "It's about time New York City hosted a go-cart race," said NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, grand marshal and host of the challenge. "This is a great way for New Yorkers to experience—up close and in person—the excitement of go-cart racing." When I arrived at the track, I immediately spotted Wallace and the day's young drivers—Santino Ferrucci, Sage Karam, Tyler Davidson, and Corey Lewis. I got right to work, and sat down to talk with them. Eleven-year-old Sage Karam told me that his favorite thing about racing is the speeding competition, because it is challenging and fun. I wondered if the other drivers felt the same way, so I asked 14-year-old Corey Lewis to tell me what he liked best about racing. "Probably the speed and the competition," he said. "It's difficult at times, but it's a lot of fun." At age 7, Santino Ferrucci was the youngest driver on the track. I asked him what he liked best about racing. "My favorite thing about racing," he said, "is [learning] how the cars work." My last interview before the race began was with none other than the legend himself—Rusty Wallace. Before retiring from NASCAR racing, Wallace had 55 victories. Wallace described how he followed in his father's footsteps, beginning his driving career with an old car his dad had wrecked. Wallace believes that future young racers "really need to understand the racing car—what makes it run fast, what makes it handle real good . . . I would tell them if they want to succeed in racing, they've gotta be serious about it and willing to work hard." The flag dropped and Wallace started the race by driving the first ceremonial lap around the track, followed by the other drivers. Santino Ferrucci started at the front of the group and it quickly became clear that he wasn't going to give up his position. He stayed in the lead, as Sage Karam and Tyler Davidson battled for second place. Trailing them was Corey Lewis, whose cart seemed to be having problems from the start of the race. In the end, Santino won the race, and the prize of one million points. Coming in second was Tyler Davison, third place was Sage Karam, and in fourth, Corey Lewis. It was a great day for a race, and I'm excited that I got to be there for all the action.