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 SV Junior

Florida Winter Tour ROK GP Junior champion Nico Kotowski is among the sold out inaugural ROK SV Junior field at ROK Vegas (Photo: Canadian Karting News)

New for ROK Vegas 2026 is the ROK SV Junior category, which will replace the ROK GP Junior division that has been part of the event since 2018. The success of the ROK SV Pro introduction last year sparked the move, with a sold out, 50 drivers set to compete. Aside from the different model of engine, the class also follows the spec raffle engine program that the Senior category utilizes. Each competitor will swap their engine at the end of Thursday and Saturday activities.

The inaugural class will see no former ROK Vegas Junior winners, however, there are three drivers in the field who have won at the event. Maxwell Macha (Parolin Motorsport USA) and Nicolas Orbezo (IRM / Tony Kart) are the last two ROK Mini winners of the event. Orbezo was 19th last year in ROK GP Junior while Macha is making his Junior debut at the event, having won both Mini and the ROK Micro division (2023). Wynn Godschalk (MPG / Kart Republic) won ROK Micro in 2024, and making a return to ROK Vegas in his Junior debut after missing out in 2025.

A total of seven drivers from last year’s ROK GP Junior field are in this year’s new category, including three of the podium finishers. Marco Sammut (BJR / LN Kart) was the provisional winner before a penalty took the top spot away a year ago. Redemption is on the mind for the 2026 FIA Karting Academy Trophy Junior representative for USA. Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) finished fourth and will close out his Junior career, coming off his best season yet. Travis Pettit (BJR / LN Kart) is among the top Junior drivers in the USA, coming off multiple victories and championships in 2026. He hopes to improve on a P5 finish a year ago.

Lawrence Peremen coming off podium position at ROK Cup Superfinal in Italy (Photo: Cody Schindel – CKN)

Ashton Woon (SCR / CS55) is among those on the top contender list in the new category, set to make his ROK Vegas debut. Braydon Wagner (FW / GFC) was 10th a year ago with more experience under his belt going into this year’s race. 2026 Florida Winter Tour champion Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) is coming off a tough result after showing speed at the ROK Cup Superfinal in Italy. Troy Ferguson (Team Benik) has done a number of international races in 2026 and is on the list of contenders going into this year’s event.

Nine drivers are in the field making the move up from Mini to Junior this year. Along with Godschalk, Lawrence Peremen (BJR / LN Kart) was on the podium a year ago in Mini. Peremen finished 5th at the ROK Cup Superfinal in the new ROK VLR Junior category. Other rookies to watch include Forrest Blair (GFC Karting), Mason Brody (SCR / CS55), Cameron Johnson (RPG / Kosmic) and Joshua Wheeler (REM / Kosmic) – who is among the seven Canadians in the field.

ROK Vegas Stats

3 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

6 – Different countries represented

7 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

9 – Drivers moving up from ROK Mini

50 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK GP Junior Winners

Sebastian Montoya (2018)
Enrico de Lucca (2019)
Alessandro de Tullio (2020)
Ayden Ingratta (2021)
Jorge Ortiz (2022)
Augustus Toniolo (2023)
Diego Ardiles (2024)
Erik Doan (2025)

ROK VLR Junior

Canadian Ryker Margo is the top returning driver from last year’s field (Photo: EKN)

A sixth different winner in seven editions of the ROK VLR Junior category at ROK Vegas will be crowned. Last year was a dominating victory by Isaac Malcuit, who has moved up to the Senior ranks in 2026 after winning the Florida Winter Tour title in March.

A total of 11 drivers are returning from last year’s field in the nearly sold out 49-driver roster. Ryker Margo (Pfaff / OTK) was runner-up a year ago and has a strong collection of results in Canada during 2026. Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) was third last year, seeking another double podium weekend as one of 23 drivers racing both Junior divisions. Brayden Wagner (FW / GFC) was on the podium in 2025 placing fifth, Nixon Ellsworth (FW / GFC) was eighth and Cason Hodge (SpeedSense / OTK) 11th last year. Hodge is coming off a P22 finish at the ROK Cup Superfinal in Italy.

Other drivers to watch, who are also running double duty include Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart), Clayton Stiles (IRM / Tony Kart) and Valentino Santillan (HDD / Tony Kart). Only five drivers in the field were in the Mini category a year ago. Santiago Orioli (OKP / EOS) was standing on the podium in second last year. Koa Saito (GFC Karting) was sixth, Mason Brody (SCR / OTK) placed eighth and Canadian Joshua Wheeler (REM / Kosmic) ninth. All among the Junior rookies in the field.

ROK Vegas Stats

2 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

5 – Drivers moving up from ROK Mini

7 – Different countries represented

11 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

23 – Drivers racing both ROK SV and ROK VLR

49 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK VLR Junior Winners

Jorge Ortiz (2019)
Thomas Annunziata (2020)
Jesus Vasquez Jr. (2021-2022)
Steven Miller (2023)
Alexander Vanchev (2024)
Isaac Malcuit (2025)

Provisional ROK SV Junior Entry List – as of October 19

Provisional ROK VLR Masters Entry List – as of October 19

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