James Overbeck won in back-to-back weekends at New Castle in 2-Cycle and 4-Cycle competition (Photo: Nate Dean - EKN)

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.

Karting during the end of September and the first half of October focused around the New Castle Motorsports Park. The United States Pro Kart Series wrapped up its 2024 season at the New Castle, Indiana facility before to unique events were held in the following two weekends. The first was the resurgence of the NCMP endurance event, now named the Mark Harrison Memorial 200 before the Cup Karts North America rolled in to host its Grand Nationals 8 event. One driver was able to score victory at both as Ohio driver James Overbeck added to his successful 2024 season.

The Brandon Jarsocrak Racing duo of Pauly Massimino and James Overbeck claimed victory and $10,000 (Photo: Kart Chaser / Kyle Cuthbertson)

The back-to-back weekends in October for Overbeck at New Castle Motorsports Park began with the Mark Harrison Memorial 200. The reboot of the ‘RoboPong 200’ from 2004 to 2015 brought back the 200-lap race to celebrate the end of the season. The MHM 200 put 20 entries on track aboard KA100 powered machines, competing for 200 laps. Overbeck – coming off a third-place result at the USPKS finale – joined fellow Brandon Jarsocrak Racing teammate Pauly Massimino to form their team for the event. Massimino was able to put the BJR entry on the pole position with a 1:06.879 lap time, edging out the Quickswim entry of Brandon Lemke / Jackson Wolny by 53 thousandths.

The first stint of the 200-lap main event was the top two qualifiers pulling away. They ran nose to tail, exchanging the lead a few times before Massimino pulled off to pit on lap 55. After the first round of pit stops cycled through, Overbeck returned the BJR entry to the lead on lap 74. His 55-lap stint helped to extend their lead before turning the kart back over to Massimino after completing 110 laps. They briefly lost the lead during the pit stop, but cycled back to the lead on lap 113. Massimino put in another 55 laps before handing their LN Racing Kart machine back to the hands of Overbeck. He put in consistent laps with a best time of 1:07.281 – four tenths off their qualifying time. After 200 laps, Overbeck and the Brandon Jarsocrak Racing entry celebrated the victory, clinching the win by a 62-second advantage, nearly lapping the entire field.

The following weekend, Overbeck traded in the LN Racing Kart / KA100 machine for the Coyote / Briggs 206 package to compete at the CKNA Grand Nationals 8. Racing under the BJR / Precision Performance Karting tent, Overbeck came in as a two-time event winner, including the defending champion in the Senior Light division.

Overbeck drove to victory for a second straight year in Senior Light at CKNA Grand Nationals 8 (Photo: Nate Dean – EKN)

The event in the class began with Overbeck qualifying ninth overall in a field of 104 drivers. Teammate Massimino was the top qualifier in the class. The first of three heats began with a third place run for Overbeck, finishing behind Massimino and Austin Garrison. It was the same result in the AvsC heat race Overbeck adding another third place result. Overbeck improved to second in the AvsB heat race, this time placing second to Brandon Jarsocrak with Massimino third and 2023 Senior Medium winner Christopher McKeithan completing a 1-2-3-4 finish for BJR / PPK team to close out the heat races. The heat points put Overbeck on the outside of the front row with Massimino holding the pole position.

Overbeck jumped out to the lead for the 15-lap main event. He led the first three laps before Garrison took over the lead. Overbeck fell back to fourth after Garrison and Massimino jumped out to big lead. After shuffling for position, Overbeck hooked up with Caleb Gafrarar to run down the top two. Once there at lap 11, the battle for the lead resumed. Massimino assumed the lead with Overbeck in second. It was on lap 13 that Overbeck made his move to return to the top spot. Coming to the checkered flag, Overbeck had held off the rest of the lead group to that point. The run to the line saw Own Lloyd to the inside on the run to the line while McKeithan went to the outside for a three-wide run. This left Massimino in fourth, who went to the bumper of Overbeck to give him enough of a push to reach the line first.

Double duty during the CKNA weekend saw Overbeck in contention for Senior Medium victory as well. Overbeck won one heat race and started the main event in fifth. Unfortunately, contact while fighting for the lead put him on the sidelines for the main event.

Overbeck had a busy start to the month of November. He was invited to take part in the Mazda Spec MX-5 Shootout at Homestead-Miami Speedway. At the completion of that, he traveled to Las Vegas to compete at Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 27 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The SKUSA Pro Tour champion battled from 19th on the main event grid to finish 12th.

The 2025 season will see Overbeck continue competing in the KA100 category at the SKUSA Pro Tour and United States Pro Kart Series, along with adding in some 125cc TaG competition as well.

October 2024 EKN Driver of the Month – James Overbeck

Bio

Born: 9/02/2005
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Height/Weight: 5’9” / 140lbs.
Education: Freshman at Xavier University
Occupation: Driver coach during the summer

Racing Resume

Chassis: Tony Kart, LN Kart, Coyote Zenith
Engine/Engine Builder: BBS Racing Engines / GT Machine
Sponsors: Precision Performance Karting, Brandon Jarsocrak Racing, Coyote Motorsports, Tiffin Verde Speed Resources, Ryan’s Performance Parts, and Cincinnati Joe Delivers
Series You Compete In: SKUSA, USPKS, Stars, CKNA, WKA
Years Karting: 13
How did you get started in karting? My dad raced karts as a kid so my grandpa bought me a kid kart when I turned 4
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the SKUSA Pro Tour championship and winning the USPKS race at MCC this year
What are your goals in racing? To have fun in karting as long as I can
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Calculated aggression
Funniest moment at the race track? Any moment with Pauly

Likes

Favorite Track: G&J Kartway – Camden, Ohio
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR
Favorite karting driver: Pauly Massimino
Favorite professional driver: Jimmie Johnson and Brent Crews
Favorite website: YouTube
Favorite movie: Blues Brothers
Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell
Favorite music/group: Green Day
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Anywhere on the gulf coast of Florida
Favorite food: Filet Mignon 

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? School and spend time with my girlfriend
What are your goals outside of karting? To keep doing what I love
What type of street car do you drive? Toyota Prius
What type of street car would you like to drive? Chevy Corvette
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who hold the outside 
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Better consistency in officiating races. Some series have completely different rules from the next so you have to change how you drive from series to series.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? I love how competitive karting is. It is truly the purest form of motorsports

October 2024 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Daniel Draganov: CKNA Grand Nationals 8 – Sportsman Winner

– Cade Jaeger: CKNA Grand Nationals 8 – Junior Winner

– Owen Lloyd: CKNA Grand Nationals 8 – Senior Heavy Winner

– Collin Warren: CKNA Grand Nationals 8 – Senior Medium Winner

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