(Photo: EKN)

EKN’s Paddock Insider is part of our Trackside coverage, bringing you notes, updates and breaking news as it happens. The article will feature notes from trackside at the 2023 United States Pro Kart Series at the Indiana Grand Prix held at the New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana. This is insider info will not be seen anywhere else. Please feel free to comment and discuss our coverage and today’s action in the EKN Global Members Discussion area below.

Largest Event of All-Time at New Castle for USPKS

The USPKS Indiana Grand Prix surpassed the 280 entry mark (Photo: Studio52.us)

This weekend marks the 11th time in the 11-year history of the United States Pro Kart Series that it has visited New Castle Motorsports Park. This weekend’s event is the largest for the series at New Castle, reaching the 288-mark thanks to walk-up entries. The paddock was loaded in by Wednesday with a full day of practice on Thursday, run by the track. The atmosphere is focused, as this is the third of five events on the calendar, so it’s not the more relaxed mood from the drivers and mechanics, as valuable points are on the line for toward the championship. The fun continues at night with people bench racing, enjoying conversations in tech line at the end of the day Thursday. This morning, it’s all focused on finding the speed on the overcast 1-mile race track and preparing for the qualifying session at the end of the day.

Silly Season Underway

Caleb Gafrarar is back on OTK with his move to MDR and the LN Racing Kart (Photo: EKN)

You can expect it every year during the racing season; Silly Season now in effect. It starts at the top with Senior rookie Caleb Gafrarar moving over to Mike Doty Racing aboard the LN Racing Kart this weekend. This shifter marks the second move in the last six months got Gafrarar after leaving Rolison Performance Group at the end of the season for Trinity Karting Group in his move up to Senior from Junior. Gafrarar is bouncing back and forth between karting and the Skip Barber Race Series this season. This moves also aligns him with Pauly Massimino, as the two are now working together for the first time under the same tent. Another happening within the last two weeks is Alessandro de Tullio moving from Prime Powerteam / Birel ART to International Motorsport, aboard a Kart Republic. He ran with Prime for the first six months of the season after jumping from his long-time home at Parolin USA. Two Cadet drivers have joined the Trinity Karting Group team. Jackson Gibson and Jaxon Porter will be on the Kart Republic for the first time this weekend, working with championship leader Lucas Palacio and others with five drivers in Mini for TKG.

Pro Shifter Field Expanded and Diverse with Manufacturers

The GFC crew is making their USPKS debut this weekend at NCMP (Photo: EKN)

The 2023 season marks the first year of the Pro Shifter division at the United States Pro Kart Series. Over the first two weekends, we saw two different drivers, with two different karts, powered by two different engine manufacturers. Danny Formal with RPG / Kosmic / Vortex and AJ Myers on the Magik Kart USA / TM machine are the first two victors on the season. The inclusion of GFC Karting making their first USPKS start in the Pro Shifter category this season brings a contingent fighting to be the third different driver, on a third different kart powered by a different manufacturer. The duo of Jacob Gulick and Kyle Wick are coming off two 1-2 performances at the SKUSA SpringNationals in Utah aboard their GFC machines, powered by the IAME Screamer III KZ. GFC and Swedetech have been working with the engine since the end of 2022 and found its first major success just two weeks ago. Now, they are looking to carry that momentum into their first start at the USPKS.

Harley Keeble Takes on Mid-Ohio

Sodi Racing USA driver Harley Keeble warmed up for New Castle at Mid-Ohio last weekend (Photo: Sodi Racing USA)

Prior to this weekend, Sodi Racing USA driver Harley Keeble joined Sodi dealer Low Key Racing at the Dart Kart Club event held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Keeble took part in the Senior 100cc class, with a field of over 30 drivers. Keeble was reaching speeds of 98mph on the 2.4-mile road course. Among the field was Chad Dokken of Chad Dokken Racing. A veteran of road racing, the two hooked up in a draft in both the Saturday and Sunday main events. Keeble was able to edge out Dokken at the line for the victory both days. The British driver said the weekend was fun but dangerous with the varying speeds of the karts out on the track at the same time. Thierry Germanovitch of Sodi Racing USA was there to assist, enjoying time with the drivers under the Low Key Racing tent and providing the opportunity for them to work with Harley on chassis setup and driver coaching.

Share on Facebook

Tweet