eKartingNews.com is proud to present our Preview Series for the ROK Vegas 2026 presented by ROK Cup USA. Leading up to the on-track action scheduled for October 28-November 1 outside the Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, EKN will preview each of the 12 categories with four articles, including the provisional entry list for each division that includes over 350 entries representing 25 countries.

Trackside coverage is set to begin on Wednesday, October 28 with Paddock Insider and social media content as karts hit the track for the first time. EKN Live begins Thursday, October 29 with qualifying. Listen LIVE to the four rounds of heat races and LCQs throughout Friday and Saturday. That sets the stage for the action on Sunday with nine main events for the 12 divisions. Listen at eKartingNews.com/live and eKartingNews.com/radio

Complete coverage of the ROK Vegas 2026 can be found at the EKN EVENT PAGE.

ROK VLR Masters

Charlie Fonseca will look to defend his ROK VLR Masters victory from 2025 (Photo: EKN)

The 2026 field for ROK VLR Masters is just a bit lower than last year’s total, however, could change by the time karts hit the track on Wednesday. 2025 was the first year of the split, welcoming the VLR Super Masters class running at the same time, which featured 34 drivers in total. This year will be the same or could be more as action gets underway outside the Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

Defending winner Charlie Fonseca (AKT / OTK) is seeking to match the record set by Ben Cooper as the only two drivers to win this category twice over the nine year history of the class. The driver from Costa Rica is coming off a P10 finish at the ROK Cup Superfinal in the VLR ROK category in Italy. Timothy Meyer (Atomic / EOS) is the only other winner in the field, also trying for second triumph in the category. Meyer was in the Super Masters class last year, placing runner-up.

A total of six drivers from last year’s field is racing in 2026, including podium finisher Ryan Casner (BestKart). The California driver has been among the leading Masters drivers on the west coast through the season. Matthew Meech (Orsolon / Tony Kart), Paul Elefonte (RRC / LN Kart) and Renato Jader David (Orsolon / Tony Kart) were all in the top 10 last year. Eric Molinatti (SpeedSense / Exprit) is hoping to improve on his finish from a year ago.

New in the field includes Airel Abba (MMK / CS55) and Mexico driver Enrique Baca (BJR / LN Kart). Danillo Ramalho (D2 / OTK) is making a return to the event, increasing the strength of the 2026 field coming in as the Florida Winter Tour champion from early in the year.

ROK Vegas Stats

2 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

4 – Different countries represented

6 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

14 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK VLR Masters Winners

Jonathan Silva (2018)
Tim Meyer (2019)
Miguel Mier (2020)
Martin Stone (2021)
Ian Koentges (2022)
Ben Cooper (2023-2024)
Charlie Fonseca (2025)

ROK VLR Super Masters

Florida Winter Tour ROK VLR Super Masters champion Scott Falcone is among the contenders in Vegas (Photo: Canadian Karting News)

The ROK VLR Super Masters category made its debut at ROK Vegas in 2025, welcoming 18 drivers. This year, the total is at 14 but could eclipse that once karts hit the track on Wednesday. Defending race winner Mario Barrios (RPG / Kosmic) is not on the entry list but could be a late entry after racing in Europe this weekend.

The only former ROK Vegas winner in the field is Miguel Mier (Orsolon / Tony Kart), who won the Masters class in 2020. The Texan finished fifth in last year’s inaugural race. The top returning driver from a year ago is Joshua Daley (Nash / Tony Kart), with the California driver finishing fourth. Scott Falcone (Orsolon / Tony Kart) is the third driver from the top 10 last year returning. Falcone was busy throughout the 2026 season and comes in as the Florida Winter Tour champion.

Daniel Canales (LFB / Tony Kart) from Honduras was runner-up in the Florida Winter Tour standings, set to make his ROK Vegas debut in the class. Add in SoCal driver Tony Gomez (FW / GFC), Derek Kosnoski (Ruthless / Tony Kart), and Kyle Kraus (Franklin / Merlin) as possible new contenders.

ROK Vegas Stats

1 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

3 – Different countries represented

6 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

14 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK VLR Super Masters Winners

Mario Barrios (2025)

ROK Shifter Masters

Hunter Hagenbuch enters ROK Vegas 2026 as the defending winner in ROK Shifter Masters (Photo: EKN)

The numbers have tripled in the ROK Shifter Masters category from last year, reaching double digits for 2026. The top three drivers from last year’s field are returning with Hunter Hagenbuch (GFC Karting) set to defend his win from 2025. Sergio Rodriguez (LFB / IPK) and Luis Quinones (LFB / IPK) were second and third last year. Last year’s inaugural ROK Shifter Super Masters winner Kevin Woods (RWR / CRG) is making the move back to the regular Masters category, coming in with multiple wins on the season. Brian Keck (GFC Karting) is the other former winner in the field, making a return to ROK Vegas having won the event in 2024.

The rest of the field are making their debut or return to ROK Vegas. 2026 Florida Winter Tour champion Scott ‘Skitchy’ Barnes (Maranello) is making the trek to Vegas from Bermuda having raced multiple years at the Rio for SuperNationals. Bud Grossenbacher (TB Kart) is a former Challenge of the Americas champion. Mirko Mizzoni (ItalCorse America) is in this year’s field, having competed at the FIA Karting KZ2 Masters World Cup the last few years. Cole Mathewson (RRC / OTK) finished second at the FWT behind Barnes, adding to the depth of this year’s field.

ROK Vegas Stats

3 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

3 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

5 – Different countries represented

12 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK Shifter Masters Winners

Jordon Musser (2018, 2021)
Ryan Kinnear (2019-2020)
Antonio Pizzonia Jr. (2022-2023)
Brian Keck (2024)
Hunter Hagenbuch (2025)

ROK Shifter Super Masters

Morne Van Taak won the Florida Winter Tour 2026 championship (Photo: ROK Cup USA)

With last year’s winner Kevin Woods moving over to the Masters class, the ROK Shifter Super Masters division will welcome a second winner in its second year. Four drivers from 2025 are returning, led by runner-up Patrick O’Neill (RWR / CRG). Morne Van Taak (VTM / RS Kart) finished third a year ago, coming in as the Florida Winter Tour champion. Edgardo Ortiz (VTM / Praga) and Chris Souliotis (CRG) make up the returning drivers.

Veteran drivers making their class debut help the class grow and expand its depth of talent. John Crow (VTM / RS Kart) has won in Vegas before and should be one to watch. John Baldasare (PSL / Birelart) and Rene Martinelli (RRC / TB Kart) have multiple years under their belt with Paul Elefonte (RRC / LN Kart) racing double duty in his shifter debut.

ROK Vegas Stats

0 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

2 – Different countries represented

4 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

11 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK Shifter Super Masters Winners

Kevin Woods (2025)

Provisional ROK VLR Masters Entry List – as of October 19

Provisional ROK VLR Super Masters Entry List – as of October 19

Provisional ROK Shifter Masters Entry List – as of October 19

Provisional ROK Shifter Super Masters Entry List – as of October 19

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