The 14th season of the United States Pro Kart Series – the official IAME Series USA East – presented by MG Tires will end this weekend as it hosts the inaugural Lake Erie Grand Prix. The September 18-20 event includes the first ever trip to the new Lorain Ohio KartPlex in Lorain, Ohio – just west of downtown Cleveland. Round Four action will be contested on the weekend, deciding the champions for the 2026 USPKS program.

Lorain Ohio KartPlex

Unofficial practice will run from Noon to 6pm on Thursday. Friday begins the official event with four rounds of practice and qualifying. Two rounds of heat races along with the Super Heat races will set the grids for the Finals that will run on Sunday.

eKartingNews.com is proud to continue its 14th season of Trackside Live program for the United States Pro Kart Series. Listen to the audio version of the broadcast all weekend from the LOK, playing on the EKN Live page at www.ekartingnews.com/live and listening on the EKN Radio Network app.

Multiple championships have already been locked in prior to arriving at the LOK, including X30 Pro presented by Rolison Performance Group. Two-time winner Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Kart) has secured enough points to go into the weekend as the 2026 champion. He becomes only the fourth different driver to claim the title since 2017 – including Brandon Jarsocrak, Ryan Norberg and Austin Garrison. The battle on the weekend will be for second in the standings between Jake Drew (RPG / Kosmic) and Davin Roberts (RPM / Tony Kart). Ryan Raffa (SCR / CS55) has a shot at a podium spot in the standings sitting fifth going into the weekend. The weekend will feature the USA Senior debut for Utah driver Michael McGaughy (RPM / Tony Kart) – who has been racing in Europe for the last few seasons. Shane Ready (HDD / Tony Kart) is another driver making his X30 Pro debut on the weekend.

Pauly Massimino has clinched the title in X30 Pro (Photo: EKN)

Pro Shifter and Master Shifter have zero entries heading into the weekend. French driver Adrien Renaudin (Carblos / Sodikart) is the championship leader while Brad Danoff (Carblos / Maranello) leads the Master standings after three rounds.

Three drivers have won over the season in KA100 Senior presented by Brandon Jarsocrak Racing, two of them fighting for the season championship. Round Three winner James Overbeck (BJR / Tony Kart) leads Round Two winner Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Kart) by 11 points heading into the weekend. Factoring in the drop, Massimino leads by 40 points. Edgar Rodriguez is seeking a sweep of the championship podium for BJR, sitting third while AJ Myers (MPG / Kart Republic) and Connor Ferris (TFR / Parolin) are expected to challenge. KA100 Master winner from Round Three Renato Jader David (Orsolon / Tony Kart) is moving over to the Senior ranks on the weekend with McGaughy running double duty. Road America Junior winner last year Brady Schad (Franklin / Tony Kart) will be making his Senior debut this weekend.

Travis Pettit leads both Junior championships heading into the weekend (Photo: Studio52.us)

Similar in the Junior categories, each class has seen three different winners over the three rounds. X30 Junior presented by Speed Concepts Racing championship is led by Round Two winner Travis Pettit (BJR / LN Kart). He and Round Three victor Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) are in the fight for the top spot in the standings with Murphy trailing by 27 points, and moves to 34 points when factoring in the drop. Round One winner Nathan Golseth (SCR / CS55) will be fighting with Marco Sammut (BJR / LN Kart) and Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) for the final step on the championship podium. Alessandro Truchot (Parolin Motorsport USA) will be making his 2026 series debut after racing in Europe for much of the season, along with Lawrence Peremen (BJR / LN Kart) also making a class debut.

Many of the same drivers will be in the hunt for the victory in KA100 Junior presented by BBS Race Engines. The title is nearly wrapped up by Round One winner Travis Pettit (BJR / LN Kart). He holds a 304 point lead over Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart), who remains mathematically in the hunt. Benja Fernandez (MPG / Kart Republic), Tristand Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) and Nathan Golseth (SCR / CS55) are in the chase for the final step on the championship podium.

Of the winners during the year in KA100 Masters presented by Nash Motorsportz, two will be looking for a second on the season. Round One winner Mike Rolison (RPG / Kosmic) is seeking redemption after a DNF at MCC while Mario Barrios (RPG / Kosmic) is making his second start on the season after winning at New Castle. Scott Falcone (Orsolon / Tony Kart) will be among the contenders for the top spot on the weekend.

Mason Brody has already locked up the Mini Swift championship heading into this weekend (Photo: EKN)

The championship in Mini Swift presented by Parolin Motorsport USA is locked in by Mason Brody (SCR / Nitro Kart). The California driver won the third round at MCC to clinch the title before heading to LOK. Round One winner Dutch Westbrook (Team Benik) leads the chase for second in the standings with Slate Harrell (MPG / Alonso Kart), Brody Stoffle (RPM / Nitro Kart) and Round Two victor Jake Manalio (RPM / Nitro Kart) in the chase. Canadian Jayden Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart) is making his season debut after racing in Europe all season while Dusty Strayer (SCR / Nitro Kart) is jumping up to Mini for the first time in 2026.

Two drivers have the opportunity to claim the title in Micro Swift presented by Team Ferris Racing. Jack Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) leads the standings by 127 points despite zero wins in 2026 with two-time winner Tristan Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart) in second. Factoring in the drop, Francisco leads by 30 points over Kotowski. Beau Wyatt (Team Benik), Round One winner Tre Sanders (RPM / Nitro Kart) and Liam Compitiello (RPM / Nitro Kart) are fighting for the final championship podium spot.

Weather will be a factor all weekend with rain in the forecast over Friday and Saturday. Be sure to follow the EKN social media channels for coverage throughout the weekend at United States Pro Kart Series Lake Erie Grand Prix from the Lorain Ohio KartPlex in Lorain, Ohio.

Provisional X30 Pro Entry List

Provisional KA100 Senior Entry List

Provisional X30 Junior Entry List

Provisional KA100 Junior Entry List

Provisional KA100 Masters Entry List

Provisional Mini Swift Entry List

Provisional Micro Swift Entry List

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