Mason Brody clinched the USPKS Mini Swift championship at the Ohio Grand Prix in August (Photo: Studio52.us)

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.

Winning a championship takes hard work, consistency, speed, and sometimes for things to go your way. Mason Brody has been among the top contenders in the Mini ranks all season long, picking up victories at different programs. The 10-year-old from California entered the 2026 United States Pro Kart Series Ohio Grand Prix among the contenders in the championship chase for the Mini Swift title. At the August 7-9 event, Brody was able to secure his first series victory and clinch the series championship one round early.

Mason Brody held on at the line to win Mini Swift in a photo finish at USPKS Ohio Grand Prix (Photo: EKN)

Brody qualified his Speed Concepts Racing / Nitro Kart machine in second place during the Saturday morning session, missing out on the fast time by 81 thousandths to Round Two winner Jake Manalio. He was shuffled back to fourth in the opening heat race as Round One winner Dutch Westbrook took the top spot. Brody fought back in the second heat, taking the victory over Manalio and Westbrook. The Super Heat went down to the final lap with Westbrook grabbing the win ahead of Liam Francisco and Brody crossing the line in third. Brody earned the P2 starting position for the Final alongside Westbrook on the front row.

The Mini Swift battled over the opening laps of the 18-lap Final with Brody dropping back to fourth at one point. Westbrook led the opening five laps until Zev Godschalk, Brody and Aidan Go took a turn at the point. Eventually, Go and Brody were able to get away from the field with Manalio trailing and Westbrook looking to run down the top three. He did toward the end of the race despite Go and Brody running nose to tail. Once Westbrook reached Manalio, the two were able to close on the two leaders. This set up for a final lap battle that saw Westbrook get shuffled back letting the other three to battle. As they came down the stretch to the checkered flag, Brody was flanked on both sides by Go and Manalio. At the line, Brody was able to reach the checkered flag first, winning by three thousandths of a second ahead of Go with Manalio only 32 thousandths off to finish third.

The victory was Brody’s first in the series and earned him enough points to clinch the championship one round early. Mason became the 11th different USPKS Mini champion in the 11 years the class has been part of the program, helping to give Nitro Kart a third title in the category.

Brody is not staying in the Mini level long and is moving up to the Junior ranks after just one year. Mason made his USPKS Junior debut at the recent Lake Erie Grand Prix at the Lorain Ohio KartPlex and other events. He will finish out the 2026 season competing in both Mini Swift and Mini MAX at SKUSA SuperNationals 29 before moving up to Junior ranks full-time here in the USA for 2027. In Europe, Mason competed this year in WSK and IAME Italy Series in Mini U10. Next year, he’ll move up from U10 to Mini before moving into OK-N Junior action when turning 11.

August 2026 EKN Driver of the Month – Mason Brody

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Age: 10
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Parents: Dustin and Ashley Brody
Siblings: Cameron
Height/Weight: 4’9” / 78lbs.
Education (School/Grade): On Track School / 4th Grade

Racing Resume

Chassis: Nitro Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: IAME / Woltjer
Sponsors: My parents, Molecule, Arai
Series You Compete In: Superkarts! USA, United States Pro Kart Series, Stars Championship Series, Race Rotax and WSK
Years Karting: 3
How did you get started in karting? I saw a Hot Wheels video on YouTube about karting and told my parents I wanted to try it
What has been the high point in your racing career? This has been an amazing year for me but winning both SKUSA races in Tucson and winning the USPKS championship stand out
What are your goals in racing? To make it to Formula One
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Really aggressive and confident
Funniest moment at the race track? There are too many funny moments with my friends at the track to just pick one

Likes

Favorite Track: Franciacorta Karting Track – Italy
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula One
Favorite karting driver: Myself and Frankie Mossman
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: iRacing and YouTube
Favorite movie: Gran Turismo
Favorite actor/actress: I don’t have one
Favorite music/group: A little bit of everything
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Monarch Beach – Dana Point, CA
Favorite food: I love Sushi

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? When I’m not at the track I’m racing on my simulator, training and hanging out with my family
What are your goals outside of karting? To be a professional racing driver
What app or game do you play right now? iRacing
What type of street car would you like to drive? Audi RS 6 Avant
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? When my dogs come into my room and mess with my simulator
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Make it less expensive
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Driving fast and the competition

August 2026 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Yousef Adi: RMC Trophy Final – Mini MAX Winner

– Pauly Massimino: USPKS Ohio GP – X30 Pro Winner

– Nicolas Orbezo: RMC Trophy Final – Junior MAX Winner

– James Overbeck: USPKS Ohio GP – KA100 Senior Winner

– Alessio Tosti: RMC Trophy Final – Micro MAX Winner

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