(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 2025 United States Pro Kart Series Carolina Grand Prix at the Trackhouse Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. This is insider info will not be seen anywhere else. Be sure to follow the EKN Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for more coverage throughout the weekend.

Prize Package Amped Up for Carolina

One of the news items between rounds for the United States Pro Kart Series is the increase to the cash purse for the X30 Pro division. USPKS, MG Tires and IAME USA East have set up a full 100% payback system for the category based on entries. With the Carolina Grand Prix welcoming 27 drivers in the class, the total cash purse is at $17,550 with payback going down to sixth position. This weekend is an of eight over the 19 drivers in Daytona.

1st – $6,844.50
2nd – $3,510
3rd – $2,457
4th – $1,755
5th – $1,579.50
6th – $1,404

Video Marshalling System In Place for USPKS

USPKS debuting its video marshalling system this weekend at Trackhouse (Photo: EKN)

The Carolina Grand Prix weekend marks the debut of the new Video Marshalling System. Over the last few months, USPKS has worked with Josh Hotz to build the system to be implemented around the race track to have additional eyes everywhere watching the 248 entries at Trackhouse Motorplex. Race Director Blake Hunt will be the eyes on the video while Adam Crepin will oversee the track with at least four additional people watching the action. The video system will be used to help review calls as typically done at other programs in the USA. This weekend, they have 15 cameras around the circuit. Talking with USPKS owner Mark Coats, it’s the next step of the series evolution and one of the key requests by competitors. Certainly, once racing gets underway, we’ll review how and when the video marshalling system is utilized.

Mossman Moving Teams in Cars, Stays with JHDD in Karting

Frankie Mossman moving teams in USF Pro 2000, sticking with JHDD in karting (Photo: EKN)

Announced this week, X30 Pro driver Frankie Mossman is joining VRD Racing for the remainder of the 2025 USF Pro 2000 presented by Continental season. He began the year with Jay Howard Driver Development race team for the opening two events in St. Petersburg and New Orleans. Mossman is currently 15th in the championship standings with a best finish of seventh in Round Three. The move does not effect his karting program, still with JHDD here at Trackhouse and for the remainder of his karting schedule. Mossman told EKN there are no issues between he and Jay Howard along with the rest of JHDD, more of a racing business move. He has plans to compete in some European car events later in 2025 with the goal of continue progressing up the motorsports ladder. Frankie is third in the X30 Pro standings heading into this weekend at Trackhouse.

Pettit Moves to Speed Concepts Racing

Travis Pettit making his Speed Concepts Racing debut this weekend (Photo: EKN)

Silly Season 2025 continues heading into the month of May, with the latest involving Junior driver Travis Pettit moving to Speed Concepts Racing. The driver sitting fourth in the KA100 Junior division is transition from TB Kart to new CS55 OTK frames in both KA100 Junior and X30 Junior category. Speaking with Pettit, he said the move has been easy, quickly adapting to the new OTK rides. The Speed family presented them with a solid offer and took it, making his first start in X30 at USPKS in 2025 to run double duty this weekend. They said he’s been great over the last couple of days in terms of his feedback and they are looking forward to working with the family.

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