Travis Pettit scored two Junior victories at the SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals in Ohio (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.

You always will remember your first. And over the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals weekend, Travis Pettit was able to enjoy his first victory twice on the same day. The event over Memorial Weekend on May 23-25 at the Motorsports Country Club featured Round Three and Round Four of the 2025 championship program, welcoming over 250 entries over the eight categories at the Batavia, Ohio facility. Pettit doubled up in the win column, earning his first two SKUSA Pro Tour Junior victories, helping to earn him the Driver of the Month title for May 2025.

Pettit drove to victory in both X30 Junior and KA100 Junior on Sunday at the SpringNats (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Pettit first grabbed a SKUSA Pro Tour victory back in 2023 at the SummerNationals in the Mini Swift division. The 2024 season was his rookie campaign in the Junior categories. Coming back for his sophomore season, Pettit expanded to run double duty, joining the Speed Concepts Racing operation at the beginning of May for the United States Pro Kart Series Carolina Grand Prix. His first weekend with SCR resulted in podium trip in the X30 Junior category, placing third in the main event fighting for the victory.

They carried that momentum into the SpringNationals in Ohio. KA100 Junior was first in the order on the weekend, starting out fourth in qualifying for Saturday’s round. He remained in the top-five in the Prefinal however he would be removed from the results following tech regarding his ‘reed stop’. This put him at the tail of the 46 driver field for the Final where he advanced halfway through the field until contact took him out of the race.

Things turned around for the rest of the weekend for Pettit. He began the first day of action in the X30 Junior category with a P6 in qualifying to kick off the Saturday round. A great Prefinal performance advanced him up to the third starting spot for the Final. Pettit locked into the second spot early in the 20-lap main event but lost the position late in the race. Travis fought in the final few laps for the runner-up spot, ending up third with a trip to the podium to close out Saturday.

Sunday’s action did not begin where Pettit thought he would be in qualifying for KA100 Junior. Travis was eighth after the timed sessions, starting the Prefinal from outside row four. A late charge advanced him to fourth at the line to start on the outside of row two for the Final. Travis kept himself within reach of the leaders, including after a red-flag restart. With two laps remaining, Pettit grabbed the second spot and prior to the white flag was into the lead. Through the final circuit, Pettit was able to hold off challenges from Max Weiland, earning the victory by just 46 thousandths of a second.

Wrapping up the weekend was the action in X30 Junior. He was seventh after the qualifying session was fourth at the end of the Prefinal. Starting from the outside of row two, Pettit engrained himself into the lead duo featuring Saturday winner Alexander Vanchev. As the laps counted down, the second pack began closing in. Pettit moving to the lead helped bring the second group into the mix and a wild final few laps ensued. Pettit fell back to third at the white flag but was able to get around Jackson Gibson and Cole Medeiros on the final circuit to claim his first SKUSA Pro Tour weekend X30 Junior victory.

Pettit sits fifth in the KA100 Junior standings for the SKUSA Pro Tour with two rounds remaining at the SummerNationals, set for New Castle Motorsports Park on July 25-27. He trails by 307 points before factoring in the drop race, with still a chance at fighting for the title. Running the X30 Junior class at the WinterNationals with TB Kart USA / Racelab, Pettit finds himself third in the class standings thanks to his two podiums in Ohio. He trails by 239 points with a chance at two championship chases.

Next up on the schedule for Pettit will be the United States Pro Kart Series Wisconsin Grand Prix, set for June 27-29 at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Travis is outside looking in for the X30 Junior standings having missed the Daytona weekend in the class. He is third in the championship chase for the KA100 Junior division with two rounds remaining.

May 2025 EKN Driver of the Month – Travis Pettit

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Bio

Born: 10-29-2012
Hometown: Mullica Hill, NJ
Parents: Erin and Adam Pettit
Siblings: Leah Pettit
Height/Weight: 5’ 1” / 112lbs.
Education: Scholar Athlete Leadership Academy / 6th Grade

Racing Resume

Chassis: OTK CS55 (Carlos Sainz)
Engine/Engine Builder: KA/Switch Engines, TAP Racing Engines; X30 / Speedlab; OK-N Junior / Legree
Sponsors: Mom & Dad – Speed Concepts Racing
Series You Compete In: SKUSA Pro Tour, USPKS, Stars Championship Series
Years Karting: 7
How did you get started in karting? When I was born, my dad raced karts. He brought me to the race track all the time as a baby and I loved watching him. Couldn’t wait to get into a kart myself. Got my first kid kart when I was 3. My first race was a local race at NJMP when I was 5 and actually won. Been in love with racing ever since.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Recently winning in both KA and X30 on the same day at the SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals
What are your goals in racing? Everyone wants to get to F1 including myself but, realistically would like to earn a professional driver position with a top level race car team to support a career in racing.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Very smooth but aggressive at the right times.
Funniest moment at the race track? I have so many fun and funny memories at the track with my friends. Not any one moment in particular that I can think of but always enjoy being with my friends at the track.

Likes

Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park – New Castle, Indiana
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Don’t really have a favorite kart driver but really admire Joe Turney’s super smooth but aggressive style
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: Amazon
Favorite movie: Talladega Nights
Favorite actor/actress: Will Farrell
Favorite music/group: Love Country Music / Tim McGraw, Aaron Lewis
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Racing and being at the track
Favorite food: Raising Canes Chicken

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? When I’m not racing I love going fishing.
What are your goals outside of karting? To transition into cars and figure out how to make it happen with a racing career.
What app or game do you play right now? Love playing Kart Racing Pro online with my friends.
What type of street car would you like to drive? Lamborghini
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Dirty drivers and hearing my dog bark at the Amazon delivery people.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? No more pushback bumpers. Harsher penalties for dirty driving. Continue to support EKN and Kart Chaser to bring more awareness to the sport.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? My favorite part of racing karts is the intensity when your out there battling for top positions. I also like the people and friendships I have gained through racing.

May 2025 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Josh Conquer: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – Pro Shifter Winner

– Max Cristea: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – KA100 Junior Winner

– Aidan Go: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals 2 Wins (Micro Swift)

– Wynn Godschalk: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (Mini Swift)

– Slate Harrell: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – Micro Swift Winner

-Tyrone Kemper Jr.: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 1 Win (KA100 Junior)

– Miguel Mier: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 1 Win (KA100 Master)

– Brody Stoffle: Texas Sprint Racing Series – 1 Win (Micro Swift)

– Alexander Vanchev: SKUSA Pro Tour SpringNationals – 2 Wins (X30 Junior / KA100 Junior)

– Max Weiland: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – X30 Junior Winner

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