The Heckman Bros. wrapped up their 2025 Cup Karts North America – North Division campaigns with a pair of titles and rookie honors.

Grant, the defending CKNA North and Route 66 Sprint Series Kid Kart Champion made the leap to the Cadet division in a VLR/EKS/Fleming Racing Engine machine. In his maiden voyage as a young 7 year-old, the goals were to build strength and consistency throughout the year and gather a victory in the larger Cadet chassis.

The opening round at K1 Circuit – Whiteland was filled with dry and wet conditions that provided hurdles, inconsistency and plenty of learning that ultimately led to missing the podium. As the season progressed, so did Grant’s maturity, race-craft and aggression which led him to capture his first podium and regional win during Race #4 at Badger Kart Club. It was in that moment where things began to click and from then on he never missed the box for the remainder of the season. As the season closed, he captured a victory and podium at both Norway Motorsports Park and G&J Kartway. His consistency, raw-speed and offensive racing strategy down the stretch put him in a position to enter the final round with a winner-take-all scenario. The battle included his close competitors, Jaxson Reinholz, Brayden Clossy and Liam Fohr; all worthy title candidates. When the dust settled and final GoPro review clicked off for the year, Grant was awarded the win and ultimately the 2025 championship. With the title being called on a judgement decision, the Heckman Bros. Racing team still felt deserving of the result. Grant’s continued upward trajectory, improving speed and his ability to accurately communicate chassis handling and gear ratio showed his growth and maturity that put him in that position.

William entered his first full season of competitive kart racing in 2025. Making his karting debut at the 2024 CKNA Grand Nationals 8, just days after his 5th birthday, he used the Winter to gain experience in preparation for the new season. He showed promise at the CKNA Winter Nationals in Jacksonville, FL, where he captured a podium and ran a faster lap time than his brother Grant who won the event. At the first round of the season at K1-Circuit Whiteland, he gathered pole positions and had the speed, but multiple rookie mistakes kept him off of the top step. As the season progressed, his speed continued to improve, and with that, so did his patience. William too, like his big brother, captured his first wins at Badger Kart Club where he swept the weekend. His momentum continued into Norway Motorsports Park and G&J Kartway where he captured a win and podium at each of those events. He was continually pushed by his fierce competitors Maverick Reddick and Colt Morgan throughout the year and they each elevated each other’s program with many bumper to bumper battles.

In conjunction with the CKNA North division and under the guidance of their dad Kyle, a dirt track racer and former Region 7 karter, the boys have been driving as many disciplines as possible. From the electric FAT Karting League, to stints in Micro Swift and dirt Outlaw Karts on their off-weekends, the Heckman Bros. have logged many miles this season from their home base in Fort Dodge, IA. Their next race will be the CKNA Grand Nationals 9 at New Castle Motorsports Park where both Grant and William will pursue a national title in their VLR/Fleming Racing Engine packages.

For weekly updates and unique content, their racing journeys can be followed on Facebook and Instagram at @heckmanbrosracing

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