April 25, 2024

Newton Kart Klub building tradition of family, friends, racing

By Zach Johnson
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Christopher Tharm sits in his kart preparing for one of his races at the Newton Kart Klub. Tharm’s family is a major sponsor of the Kart Klub. He is currently in ranked first in multiple divisions. (Zach Johnson)

Last weekend, Newton Kart Klub hosted a weekend of kart racing with the CRI KartStars of the Heartland Series.

“We’re a Midwest touring series for National caliber kart racing,” CRI KartStars of the Heartland Series Director John O’Neal said. “Our symbol represents wheat, which recognizes all the hard working farmers that support the Midwest. We race in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota — at all the local community tracks.”

NKK has been building and creating a family racing tradition for the sport of kart racing for more than 40 years. The sport of karting has been used as a platform for many drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well as NASCAR legends, with many of them having a history of karting here in Newton.

“Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Landon Castle, Michael Annette and many more have raced here at Newton and are examples of the greatness that comes from the sport of karting,” O’Neal said.

The addition of NASCAR in Newton has O’Neal excited for the future of karting locally and for the opportunities for young kart drivers aspiring to go to the next level.

“I am a past NASCAR champion, so I know firsthand what exactly this could provide for young children who have dreams of going to the next level,” O’Neal said. “We have had eight competitors make it to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race level that actually raced here in Newton.”

Newton is recognized as being a successful track throughout its 40-year history by constantly improving the track, being minutes away from Des Moines and having unique aspects that are unlike any other track in the country.

“I couldn’t think of a better place to hold our national event than right here in Newton. All the history and all the good racing this track provides makes us proud and happy to be a part of this track,” O’Neal said.

The talent this year is comprised of many Iowa drivers, including Jack Anderson. Jack’s family now lives in Indianola but has Newton ties. Jack loves the backstretch on the track. His mom, Jennifer Anderson, graduated from Newton Senior High School in 2000.

“It’s nice being able to be close to home,” Jennifer said. “We live about 45 minutes away from here. I have been coming here since I was a kid. My husband used to race here. The family atmosphere is great here.”

Many of the Newton Kart Klub sponsors are families that have been kart racing for generations from around the midwest, such as the Tharm and Woodar families. Both families have expanded their tradition of karting by having their third generation of family race in Newton.

“The Newton Kart Klub’s deep roots with many kart racing families from around the country has been the success of the track for the past forty years,” O’Neal said. “As families continue to return gives a bright future of the Kart Klub and kart racing in Newton.”

Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at zjohnson@newtondailynews.com.