(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 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SummerNationals at the New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana. Be sure to follow the EKN Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for more coverage throughout the weekend.

New Track Layout for SKUSA SummerNationals

For the 11th straight time, the New Castle Motorsports Park is hosting the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SummerNationals. The stretch began in 2015, with SKUSA hosting its first Pro Tour event at the New Castle, Indiana facility. Over that 11 year span, there have been multiple layouts to change up the feel of each event – from the standard ‘National’ layout to the Super Mile course. This year, it’s back to the National layout with the addition of the Monza section, or ‘Shark Fin’ as it’s called by many drivers. It is the same layout as last year, except in the standard counter-clockwise direction. In total, there are 18 turns over the 1-mile circuit, providing no time to rest except for the long pond straight. Also returning is the original finish line, right in front of the Racer’s Grill for everyone to see. Speaking with top championship contenders in the Pro categories, it’s a mix of feelings about adding the Monza in this direction. Some feel it helps add more opportunities and breaks up the boring straight down into I-70. Others feel it does not present more passing opportunities in this direction. With it now in the second portion of the lap, it will be very crucial come the last lap in all of the races on the day. The move of the finish line will also be key, making the long draft down the straight a key component, with many over/under moves set to be in play throughout the weekend coming to the checkered flag.

Ardiles to PSL Karting for Pro Shifter Debut

Diego Ardiles is making his Pro Shifter debut with PSL Karting (Photo: EKN)

One year ago, Diego Ardiles was celebrating two SKUSA Pro Tour championships in the Junior ranks with Speed Concepts Racing. Fast forward to today, he is making his Pro Shifter debut, moving over to PSL Karting aboard the Birelart. We have not seen much of Ardiles, as the Costa Rican driver has focused much of his time with school and racing at home in Florida. Speaking with Ardiles, he’s excited about racing the KZ platform here this weekend and learning from the many drivers under the PSL Karting tent. On the wrenches for Ardiles is veteran Joe White. Speaking with PSL, right now this is a one-off event with Ardiles and not sure what future plans they have with him. There is cooperation between PSL and Speed Concepts Racing on the transition of Ardiles going from single speed to shifter.

Hanes Making Pro Shifter Debut

Dalton Hanes is making his Pro Shifter debut (Photo: EKN)

A name familiar at the front of the field in the single speed side of karting is making his debut in the Pro Shifter division. Dalton Hanes is among the 44 drivers in the Pro Shifter this weekend, helping to launch the new Pinnacle Racing Development operation. The new TB Kart team is created by Damon Schatrowski, the longtime mechanic for Ty Fisher – who has moved up to the USF Juniors program in 2025 while dipping back into karting when his schedule allows. The team is fielding Hanes in Pro Shifter along with the KA100 Senior category. Speaking Hanes, he’s feeling very confident in the pace they have in both divisions, knowing he has to build up the muscle memory it takes to drive a shifter after doing only testing sessions at Trackhouse Motorplex. His original goal was to race three classes, including the Pro X30 division, however, he’s happy to just be racing in two categories. Hanes loves New Castle and has finished on the podium at the last two US Trophy Final events here in the last two years. This weekend he has veteran Shayne Shipley on the wrenches in Pro Shifter.

Factory Karts Debuting 2.0 Chassis

New version of the Factory Karts chassis is hitting the SummerNats with Billy Musgrave (Photo: EKN – Mattia Marmo)

It has been a busy 12 month period for the Factory Karts brand. The company has completed its move from southern California to Phoenix, Arizona, moved into a state-of-the-art facility to conduct complete construction and distribution of the Factory Karts products. This weekend, Billy Musgrave is on the new Factory Karts 2.0 version chassis. It was produced with the new IP, tooling, machines, materials and processes at the new location in Phoenix. The basic design of the chassis is the same, however, all the manufacturing was done at the new headquarters. The company is looking to begin production by September and is working to have a relaunch of the full product line by SKUSA SuperNationals 28 – which includes the Shifter, Single Speed, 4-Cyce, Cadet and Kid Kart models.

FZ Shifter On Display

(Photo: EKN)

A popular story that hit the EKN homepage this week was the relaunch of the FZ Shifter engine platform. The creation under the Factory Karts banner, the new engine platform is focused on building the club and regional levels in shifterkart racing – as outlined in our article back in 2024. Three engines make up their product line, including the FZ 65, FZ 85 and FZ 125 with a FZ 250 in development. The engines are on display here at the SKUSA SummerNationals. The engines have been in action already this year, competing at the ProKart Challenge series on the west coast. One of the unique aspects of the FZ Shifter product line is their engine lease program designed to remove the significant upfront costs into shifter karting.

Crews Racing Pro Shifter After ARCA Victory at IRP

Brent Crews is returning to SKUSA Pro Tour competition since 2021 (Photo: EKN)

One of the more unique stories of the weekend is that of Brent Crews returning to the SKUSA Pro Tour. The former SKUSA Pro Tour champion and SuperNationals winner last raced in the Pro Shifter category in 2021. Last night, Crews won the ARCA Menards Series LiUNA! 150 presented by Dutch Boy at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. It was the second win on the season for the North Carolina driver, who is always competing in something. This weekend, he’s jumping from ARCA to Pro Shifter, joining Leading Edge Motorsports aboard a CRG machine. He competed at the recent Stars Championship Series event in Ohio, making his second start in karting this weekend. Crews was here getting laps in on Thursday before heading 56 miles west to IRP Friday for the one day ARCA event.

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