eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month: September 2025 – Cale Zimmermann

Wisconsin driver scores emotional first CKNA Grand Nationals victory in headline Senior Medium division

October 09, 2025 by David Cole

Cale Zimmermann scored his first career CKNA Grand Nationals victory at GN9 (Photo: Mattia Marmo - EKN)

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.

Cale Zimmermann claimed his first career CKNA Grand Nationals victory in Senior Medium (Photo: EKN)

It is not ever weekend you get to race against over 100 drivers at one time in karting. Those who compete in Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals in the Senior Medium category can say they have over the last two years. The CKNA Grand Nationals 9, held over September 25-28, at the New Castle Motorsports featured the headline division with 104 drivers battling for the top step of the podium. Securing the victory in an emotional performance was Wisconsin driver Cale Zimmermann, earning his first CKNA Grand Nationals victory in his ninth start.

Zimmermann is among the group that has competed in the CKNA Grand Nationals each and every year. The first three years, Cale was competing in the Sportsman division. His best finish came in 2018, placing second to Logan Adams by 97 thousandths of a second. Racing Junior the next three years, he placed 13th, ninth and 10th. The last three seasons, Zimmermann has been in the Senior ranks. Last year, he was among the top contenders in Senior Medium, only to be involved in an incident on the opening lap, eventually finishing 33rd.

Cale came into CKNA Grand Nationals 9 as the Senior Light champion for the North division. It was his third divisional title in the last three years, scoring both Light and Medium a year ago. CKNA GN9 began with Zimmermann qualifying fifth overall in the 104 driver field, placing him in the Group A for the heat races. Starting on the outside of the front row in the opening round A vs. D, Cale slipped back to fourth in the eight-lap race.

Saturday hosted the final two heat races, and ended with a win for Zimmermann, securing the checkered flag first in A vs. C heat after starting fourth. The final moto for Cale, A vs. B heat, began with him jumping up to the lead early before defending race winner Colin Warren was able to escape. Zimmermann crossed the line second but received a two position penalty for avoidable contact. That placed him fourth on the results sheet. Combining his three results, Zimmermann was classified third on the grid for the main event, starting behind Dylan Amundsen – a winner of two heat races – and Henry Wheeler.

The 15-lap Final featured a five driver lead group, led early by Amundsen and Wheeler including Eli Warren, James Overbeck and Zimmermann. Amundsen led only the opening lap before Warren took control. Wheeler sat there in second for many laps before lap 12 when action heated up. Zimmermann was sitting third when he made his move on Wheeler for second, dropping him down to fifth. Cale sat second for the next two laps until the final circuit. Warren went defensive into the ‘Green Corner’, allowing Zimmermann to pull the over/under move and set up for the inside of ‘Scoreboard’ corner. That was the winning move as they made contact behind him for second in the final turn. This allowed Zimmermann to run unchallenged to the checkered flag for his first CKNA Grand Nationals and CKNA major victory of his career.

Cale dedicated his victory to his friend and former CKNA racer – Josh Fiene – who passed away two weeks prior following a car incident. The win also made history, as he and father Grant Zimmermann became the first father / son duo to win at the CKNA Grand Nationals.

Zimmermann will wrap up the season competing at the Josh Fiene Memorial race at Norway Motorsports Park in Sheridan, Illinois on October 25-26, featuring KA100 Senior, 206 Senior and Ignite Senior.

September 2025 EKN Driver of the Month – Cale Zimmermann

(Photo: Rocket Gear Media)

Bio

Born: May 5th, 2008
Hometown: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Parents: Grant and Kari Zimmermann
Siblings: Sister – Camryn Zimmermann
Height/Weight: 6’3” / 170 lbs.
Education: Senior in High School
Job: Bank Teller

Racing Resume

Chassis: VLR (Briggs), OTK (KA100)
Engine/Engine Builder: Faster Motors and Lawson Speed Shop (Briggs), Switch Racing Engines (KA)
Sponsors: VLR, RLV, Shaw Stickers and Stuff
Series You Compete In: CKNA North, Route 66 Sprint Series
Years Karting: 13
How did you get started in karting? I was gifted a kid kart at my 5th birthday party from my parents and my dad took me to Road America the next day. My Grandpa raced as a kid, then passed it to my dad, who passed it to me.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the CKNA Grand Nationals for the first time.
What are your goals in racing? In one way or another to make racing my career or at least part of it. Whether it be pursuing a karting team or becoming a professional race car driver, racing is something I want to be involved in for the long haul.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Patiently aggressive; I try and use my head to show aggression at the right time to win.
Funniest moment at the race track? Shane Ready and I had this great idea to get bikini race suits made. It was a hit at the track and made for a lot of laughs.

Likes

Favorite Track: USAIR Motorsports Raceway – Shawano, WI
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Endurance, Rally, and Karting
Favorite karting driver: Nick Ksobiech
Favorite professional driver: Sebastian Vettel
Favorite website: rlv.com
Favorite movie: Top Gun 2
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite music/group: Coldplay
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Any racetrack or Mexico
Favorite food: Mom’s Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? I play basketball, hunt, ride quads and snowmobiles, train on the sim, workout, and spend time with friends.
What are your goals outside of karting? To lead a happy and successful life, while keeping God central to everything I do.
What type of street car do you drive? 2016 Nissan Altima
What type of street car would you like to drive? Any year Honda/Acura NSX
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Briggs hate and, “It can’t be that hard, all you do is just sit there, turn a steering wheel, and push some pedals.”
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Attempts at lowering costs to give more drivers a fair chance and keep growing the sport.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? It’s one of the purest, if not the purest, forms of motorsport and can produce amazing and clean race craft.