It is that time. We have reached the halfway point of the 2026 season after celebrating the 4th of July holiday this past weekend. The karting season is entering the months when championships will be decided on the year at all levels of the sport.

The midway point of the year provides us with the opportunity to look at those drivers on the year that have performed above and beyond the rest, allowing myself to decide just who I feel would be on a roster for a ‘Karting All-Star team’ thus far in 2026.

My approach to this concept is to select three drivers for each age group – Senior, Junior, and Cadet – along with two ‘bench’ drivers or ‘alternates’. A separate Shifter group has been selected as well with the Senior group focused around the single-speed divisions – including both 125cc and 100cc competitors. Each category considers all the events that have been run thus far in 2026, including the winter programs, the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour, the RMC America’s Trophy, United States Pro Kart Series races, and other events that have been contested at the national and regional level. The drivers are listed in alphabetical order.

Four different nations are represented in the Shifter selections with veteran choices for Senior. All three Junior drivers were Driver of the Month in 2026 while the Cadet grouping was very tough after six months of competitive racing across the country.

Shifter

Matheus Morgatto
Velocity Racing

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The 2026 season has begun very similar to 2024 for the Brazilian. Since making his Sodikart debut at SuperNationals 28 in November, Morgatto has been on fire. In the six starts here in the USA, Morgatto has won five of them. It began with a one-off to begin the season at the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour opener at Orlando for his first victory with Velocity Racing and Sodikart. It was followed by his one weekend visit to the SKUSA Winter Series. He came away with a one win and the only non-win finish of third in the championship finale at Speedsportz. Like 2024, Morgatto has won the opening two rounds of the SKUSA Pro Tour championship chase, first in Tucson and then at MCC. Add in victory in his only start thus far at the Stars program. And the recent vice-champion position at the FIA Karting European Championship in KZ2 with two podium results in the two rounds. Can Morgatto pull off the SKUSA sweep, something that has not been done since 2014 with Jordan Lennox with a string of five wins at DKC, Modesto Grand Prix and the SuperNationals to claim the S1 title.

Billy Musgrave
Factory Karts

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour champion says he feels the best behind the wheel that he has ever been. That says a lot for the six-time SuperNationals winner that has been racing at the Pro level since 2013. Musgrave opened the season with three straight runner-up results at the SKUSA Winter Series at Speedsportz in addition to three wins in DD2 competition at the RMC Winter Trophy program as Factory Karts made its Rotax debut. He’s been in contention at both SKUSA Pro Tour events, placing fifth in Tucson and MCC on track, only to be a DQ at the SpringNationals for ignoring the meatball flag for a rear bumper rubbing the tire. The championship is nearly mathematically eliminated heading into the SummerNationals, however Musgrave is gunning for the victory there, coming off a win at New Castle Motorsports Park for the USPKS Indiana Grand Prix. Add in two wins in three rounds at the SKUSA ProKart Challenge, Musgrave’s statement is not that far off.

Jay Urwin
PSL Karting

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The momentum was on the side of the Kiwi to begin 2026. Urwin made his SKUSA Winter Series debut this year, pulling off four straight podium results at Speedsportz including two wins to claim the championship. A disappointing fourth at the WinterNationals was followed up by a ‘come from behind’ eighth at the SpringNationals following engine issues and contact during the heat races and Prefinal. The Birelart driver has a Stars win at New Castle along with a runner-up in his only USPKS start from Trackhouse as Urwin completed the FIA Karting European Championship KZ2 standings in 19th. Urwin is a longshot for the SKUSA Pro Tour, trailing three former series champions going into the SummerNationals, hoping the luck that has eluded him will be on his side at the end of July.

Alternates:
Gavin Bayliff (Trinity Karting Group / Birelart)
Adrien Renaudin (Carblos Racing / Sodikart)

Senior

Oliver Hodgson
Factory Karts

(Photo: Studio52.us)

The 2026 season marked the move from CompKart brand to Factory Karts for the former British driver who now calls the USA home. The veteran continued his relationship with J3 in their move to the American-made brand and partnered him with the Factory Karts ‘Godfather’ Billy Musgrave. The partnership began with the SKUSA Winter Series title thanks to three straight podiums, including victory in his Factory Karts debut. Hodgson helped give Factory Karts its first Senior MAX victory at the RMC Winter Trophy while placing second in the championship. The results have been mixed for Hodgson in both SKUSA Pro Tour events, placing on the podium at the opening round in Tucson only to be removed for a DQ. He bounced back with a fourth the following day. He was involved in wrecks both days at the SpringNats, putting him well back in the standings. New Castle could be the optimal time to bring Factory Karts its first SKUSA Pro Tour victory in Pro X30 where Hodgson has four straight wins in Rotax competition.

Pauly Massimino
Brandon Jarsocrak Racing

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The new ‘Captain America’ in the single speed divisions is Massimino. Now among the veterans of the sport, Massimino has been a consistent contender in both X30 and KA competition across the first half of the season. He grabbed his first career victory at the SKUSA Winter Series and opened the SKUSA Pro Tour with three podium finishes to put himself in championship podium contention. The LN Kart driver kicked off the USPKS season with a victory at Trackhouse and is leading the championship at the halfway point. The 2026 season in KA has been dominated by the Pro drivers, including Massimino. Two wins over four rounds puts him at the championship lead for the SKUSA Pro Tour while the recent win at USPKS has himself and Brandon Jarsocrak Racing teammate James Overbeck leading the point standings at the halfway point. Add in the double victories at the IAME USA Grand National Championship, Massimino has become a dual threat now into 2026.

Joe Turney
MPG Motorsports

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The 2023 SKUSA Pro Tour champion is back for another shot at a second career title. After losing SuperNationals 28 to a penalty for a chance to become the first double Pro X30 winner ever, Turney is in full attack mode on the SKUSA Pro Tour for 2026. The British driver celebrated his first ever trip to Tucson with two wins at the WinterNationals. The field responded by pushing him back in the Round Three main event at MCC, only to be schooled by him in the wet with a last lap pass for the victory to close out the SpringNationals. A massive 147-point lead going into the SummerNationals for Turney provides him with the opportunity to secure a second career title, going to a track he swept in 2023 to claim his first title.

Alternates:
Ayden Ingratta (Racing Edge Motorsports / Kosmic)
Diego Ramos (PSL Karting / Birelart)

Junior

Nico Orbezo
Iron Rock Motorsports

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

It has been a strong start to the 2026 season, which will see the Texas driver be part of Team USA at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal. Orbezo was vice-champion at the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour in both ROK GP Junior (2 wins) and ROK VLR Junior. That momentum carried over to the SKUSA Winter Series finale where Orbezo won his first series main event in KA100 Junior, finishing fourth in the standings, and being named EKN Driver of the Month for February. He went into March with that energy earning his first SKUSA Pro Tour KA100 Junior victory at the WinterNationals. The Tony Kart driver was able to use consistent results at the RMC America’s Trophy program, including two runner-up results at the series finale to clinch the series championship. He earned the ticket to race at the ‘Olympics of Karting’ this November as part of Team USA.

Travis Pettit
Rolison Performance Group / Brandon Jarsocrak Racing

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

In five different championship programs, the New Jersey driver has recorded nine victories over the first six months of the season, competing in three different categories for two different teams. The season began with two wins and the championship at the SKUSA Winter Series in X30 Junior while placing third in standings for KA100 Junior. Pettit claimed victory in one of two rounds of racing in Tucson for the new RMC America’s Trophy program in Junior MAX. The SKUSA Pro Tour started out similar to the winter counterpart, featuring two wins in four rounds in X30 Junior to lead the standings while he is third in KA100 Junior chase with zero official wins. Pettit has two wins at USPKS, one in X30 Junior and another in KA100 Junior, holding first and second at the halfway point of the season championships. Add two for two at Stars program in KA Junior, all while racing for Rolison Performance Group at the start of the year and moving to Brandon Jarsocrak Racing in May. Pettit was named EKN Driver of the Month for May following his sweep of the Junior categories at the IAME USA Grand National Championship event.

Ashton Woon
Speed Concepts Racing

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The 14-year-old is among the top Junior drivers in his second season at the level. While he did not record a win at the SKUSA Winter Series, Woon was among the contenders both events and finished third in the X30 Junior standings. The March EKN Driver of the Month recorded wins in four different categories in two weekends. Woon took a win in Junior MAX and FZ85 Junior at the RMC America’s Trophy event and followed it up with a win in both X30 Junior and KA100 Junior at the SKUSA WinterNationals in Tucson. Ashton has two wins over the four rounds for the SKUSA Pro Tour, sitting second in the X30 Junior championship and second in the KA100 Junior title chase.

Alternates:
Nathan Golseth (Speed Concepts Racing / CS55)
Tristan Murphy (Ryan Perry Motorsport / Tony Kart)

Cadet

Mason Brody
Ryan Perry Motorsport / Speed Concepts Racing

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

One of the top Cadet drivers on the season has been the California driver, showing well at all different championships over the first six months. The Nitro Kart driver opened the season third in the RMC Winter Trophy, earning three straight podium finishes in Mini MAX. Brody would claim his first SKUSA Winter Series victory at the program finale weekend, helping to land him fourth in the standings. That momentum carried him into the championship for the Mini MAX division at the RMC America’s Trophy program, recording one win over four rounds. The title gives him a ticket to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal this November. Mason was able to double up in the win column at the SKUSA WinterNationals in Tucson and currently sits second in the championship. Despite no wins over the first two rounds of USPKS, Brody leads the title chase at the halfway point having just recently moved from Ryan Perry Motorsport to Speed Concepts Racing. Add in a runner-up at Stars, the Nitro Kart driver has put in a strong resume of results in six months.

Jake Manalio
Ryan Perry Motorsport

(Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Multiple drivers have been in the mix in the first half of the season at the Cadet level, including New York driver Manalio. While his schedule is not as loaded as other drivers, Manalio has been a key figure at the events he has competed at. A win and two runner-up finishes began the season strong, securing the SKUSA Winter Series championship. He began the SKUSA Pro Tour with two top five results, including a runner-up finish in the opening round, sitting fourth in the standings after a challenging weekend at MCC. Manalio is coming off victory at USPKS Indiana Grand Prix, now sitting fifth at the halfway point of the championship.

Dutch Westbrook
Team Benik

(Photo: Studio52.us)

EKN Driver of the Month for April is on the All-Star list for Cadet. Westbrook has been busy in 2026 for his first season at the Mini level, beginning with a vice-champion position at the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, including victory at the series finale. The Benik Kart driver was fourth in the RMC Winter Trophy standings and ended up fifth in the RMC America’s Trophy title chase with two runner-up finishes over four rounds. The SKUSA Winter Series was not what the Texas driver hoped for, recording a best finish of third in four rounds to finish seventh in the standings. April was the turning point, coming off two podium results at the WinterNationals. Dutch claimed the win at the USPKS Carolina Grand Prix. In June, he made it four straight podium finishes at the SKUSA Pro Tour to become the championship leader heading into the finale. He sits third in USPKS standings at the halfway point while leading the Stars championship thanks to his victory in April at Charlotte and runner-up at New Castle in May.

Alternates:
Hudson Howard (MPG Motorsports / Kart Republic)
Brody Stoffle (Ryan Perry Motorsport / Nitro Kart)

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