(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 2026 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati in Batavia, Ohio.

Third Straight Year at The Club

The 2026 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour SpringNationals is being hosted by the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati for the third straight year. In 2024, SKUSA made its first visit to MCC over the Father’s Day weekend. Last year’s event was held during the Memorial Day weekend and it now returns to June, one week prior to Father’s Day. The same weather conditions hit the region for a third straight time, primarily featuring excessive humidity. Thursday’s unofficial practice saw temps closing on the 90-degree mark with high humidity to make inside the tents like a sauna. Storms rolled through overnight to provide more moisture around the race track, however, temps are forecasted to be lower. Rain is not projected to return until Sunday, with a high percentage that we will experience some type of rain conditions over the weekend. Numbers are down about 50 from last year, and from the WinterNationals in Tucson, however, the total is still surpassing 210 total with big fields in every category but KA100 Masters.

Norberg on Sideline for First Time Since 2015

Ryan Norberg made his SKUSA Pro Tour debut in 2016 at PKRA, winning the opening round (Photo: EKN)

The Phoenix Kart Racing Association facility in Glendale, Arizona hosted the the opening weekend of the 2016 SKUSA Pro Tour. At that edition of the SpringNationals held 10 years ago, Ryan Norberg made his series debut in the X30 Senior category, racing under the Orlando Kart Center banner with Gary Willis on the wrenches. The Florida driver dominated the opening round, sweeping action on Saturday to claim his first ever SKUSA Pro Tour victory in his series debut (Saturday Report). He went on to set fast time in qualifying and win the two heat races on Sunday. Contact in the Final with Matteo Vigano resulted in Norberg recording a DNF for that main event (Sunday Report), but he would go on to win the two Finals at the SummerNationals and then finish eighth at SKUSA SuperNationals 20 to claim his first of what would be six career SKUSA Pro Tour titles.

This weekend is the first time since the 2016 SKUSA SpringNationals that Norberg will not be on the grid for the Pro X30 division. Norberg is here at MCC working under the GFC Karting tent with the team’s single-speed drivers as a coach alongside Gary Carlton and Sonny Cevelli this weekend. In the recent EKN Driver Rankings Presented by Stilo USA, Norberg has found himself out of the top-10 for the first time since August 2015. Prior to racing at the SKUSA Pro Tour, Norberg was a competitor in Rotax and USPKS competition.

Speaking with Norberg, the competitor within him knows he could be battling for podium positions and the victory right now. Over the span of 10 years, it was very rare to not see Norberg on the podium throughout the weekend. You can see it hurts just a little bit not being out there, however, his transition into the industry side of the sport this weekend means more for the future. Over the last 10 years, Norberg has built a legacy that will stand strong when looking back 20 to 30 years from now. EKN is working on an article to revolving around Norberg and his Norberg Karting Academy operation, looking at his past, present and future.

Pettit to Brandon Jarsocrak Racing

Travis Pettit making his SKUSA debut with Brandon Jarsocrak Racing (Photo: EKN)

Silly Season is always happening within the sport of karting and, during May, one of the top Junior drivers found a new home – Travis Pettit made a move from Rolison Performance Group to Brandon Jarsocrak Racing. The switch meant staying on OTK chassis, however, providing the opportunity to compete at different events. The move also allows Pettit to be closer to the team, with BJR based in North Carolina. Pettit has already begun the move into Legends cars as the New Jersey driver is looking toward the ladder in motorsports and his future. The split from RPG was not a hardship, and in speaking with Pettit, things have gone well with the change. Pettit is currently leading the X30 Junior championship and second in the KA100 Junior division. Speaking with Jarsocrak, the Pettits been a welcome addition to the team. They have blended in with the atmosphere, and after one weekend has really brought on a more focus and grit from fellow Junior BJR driver Marco Sammut.

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