Danny Formal drove to his fourth SuperNationals victory (Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca)

In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.

The SKUSA SuperNationals has become the karting version of the ‘Indy 500’. Once a year, the best from North America and around the world converge on Las Vegas, for a chance at winning the big one – the largest karting event on the globe. Over the first 25 years of the event, over 200 feature winners were crowned, with only three drivers able to claim the final checkered flag on SuperSunday four times – Connor DePhillippi, Kip Foster, and Billy Musgrave. Much like the Indy 500, now there are four, four-time winners with the addition of Danny Formal.

Formal piloted his Rolison Performance Group Kosmic / Vortex entry to victory in Pro Shifter (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The 26th edition of the SuperNationals was held on November 8-12 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, featuring a new location and a new layout different from any of the previous temporary circuits constructed. All eyes were on the many international drivers attending the event in the Pro Shifter category, including 2023 FIA Karting KZ world champion Paolo Ippolito, defending SKUSA SuperNationals winner Pedro Hiltbrand, 2023 FIA Karting KZ2 World Cup winner Niels Troger, 2022 SKUSA SuperNationals winner Matteo Vigano, and many others. Among them was Costa Rican driver Danny Formal – who spent the bulk of his developmental years as a youth living and competing in the United States.

The Pro Shifter division featured one of the wildest incidents of the event during the final group of qualifying – featuring all the quickest drivers from the final practice session. Italian and FIA Karting KZ European Champion Danilo Albanese got into the marbles at the end of the long 1,400 foot straight and crashed with the barriers at more than 80mph. While he was able to walk away, the session was ruined for the group, and drivers were waved off the track after running under yellow for more than two minutes of the five-minute session. After a long deliberation by SKUSA officials and pleading from the drivers, the group was put back on track for another session. It was not the session Formal had hoped for, and while he was only two tenths off the fast time, he was slotted into 17th overall when combining the full 69 drivers.

Starting his heat races from the inside of row five, Formal put in the work over the course of the three 10-lap runs. The first saw Formal climb seven spots to second behind top qualifier Jacob Gulick. He continued forward in Heat #2, gaining five positions to finish fourth. A third top-five result in his final heat helped his cause of moving forward for the main event starting grid. The three finishes put Formal fifth on the starting lineup for SuperSunday.

The last race of the event was the Pro Shifter Final. A total of 41 drivers were set to battle for 25 laps for a chance to make history by winning the SuperNationals. A clean start put Formal up to third on the opening circuit and into second the following lap. Trailing race leader AJ Myers, Formal was seeking a way past for several laps before securing the top spot on lap nine. From there, Formal’s pace continued to improve as he began stretching away from the rest of the field fighting behind him. Lap 17 was his quickest – setting a 41.815 lap time before settling in for the final seven circuits with a sizeable lead. He cruised to the checkered flag, taking the victory by 2.9 seconds at the line, earning a fourth SuperNationals triumph.

What makes Formal’s four wins much more special then the other three historic drivers on the list, is the fact that he’s won all four in a headline shifter division; KZ-2019, S1-2016, S1-2015. Musgrave was three, including a S2 Semi-Pro victory in 2012.

This also further adds to the argument of Danny Formal as one of the most decorated karters in the last 20 years in the United States. The four SuperNationals wins adds to his list of five US Rotax Grand Nationals victories; 2018/2013-DD2, 2012-Senior, 2008-Junior, 2005-Mini. Add in wins at the PRI All-Stars Karting Classic, 2016 SKUSA Pro Tour championship (S1) and many other karting events during his 20 years at the wheel.

Formal is set to return with Rolison Performance Group as a coach/driver in 2024, however, he will be busy moving up the motorsports ranks. He will join former karter Kyle Marcelli to pilot the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport GTD entry in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The duo is coming off back-to-back Lamborghini Super Trofeo championships.

November 2023 EKN Driver of the Month – Danny Formal

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Bio

Born: Costa Rica
Hometown: Boca Ratón, Florida
Marital Status: Married
Children: 0
Height/Weight: 6’1” / NA
Education: Bachelor in business
Occupation: Professional driver

Racing Resume

Chassis: Kosmic
Engine/Engine Builder: Vortex
Sponsors: Rolison Performance Group / WTR Andretti / Dex Imagining
Series You Compete In: Superkarts! USA Pro Tour / United States Pro Kart Series / IMSA / IMSA Super Trofeo
Years Karting: 20
How did you get started in karting? My father raced and I followed him
What has been the high point in your racing career? Becoming a paid GT3 driver
What are your goals in racing? Become the best Costa Rica driver in history and live off racing for many years to come
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive Smart
Funniest moment at the race track? Proving EKN guys wrong this year at the SKUSA SuperNationals (laughing)

Likes

Favorite Track: USAIR Motorsports Raceway – Shawano, WI (karting) / Virginia International Raceway – Alton, VA (cars)
Favorite form of professional motorsports: IMSA
Favorite karting driver: Ernesto Rivera
Favorite professional driver: Shumi
Favorite website: Sportscar365
Favorite movie: Driven
Favorite actor/actress: Tom Cruise
Favorite music/group: Country
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Spearfishing
Favorite food: Pasta

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Gym, eat, sleep
What are your goals outside of karting? Become the best I can
What type of street car do you drive? BMW M3
What type of street car would you like to drive? Lamborghini Urus Performante
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who walk slow or stay in their phone when I talk
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Bigger paychecks in all pro classes and more money for teams that race in pro class
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? That we are just one big family!!

November 2023 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Donovan Bonilla: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – X30 Senior Winner

– Turner Brown: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – X30 Junior and KA100 Junior Winner

– Davide Fore: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – Master Shifter Winner

– Maxwell Macha: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – Micro Swift Winner

– Ernesto Rivera: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – KA100 Senior Winner

– Royce Vega: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – Mini Swift Winner

– Matthew Waters: SKUSA SuperNationals 26 – KA100 Master Winner

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