Pauly Massimino secured his first X30 Pro victory at the USPKS Wisconsin Grand Prix (Photo: 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.

The United States Pro Kart Series began in 2013, with a handful of those racers who took part in the inaugural still competing in the series. Pauly Massimino began competing in USPKS in 2014 at the Cadet level, working his way into the X30 Pro category by 2018. Since then, the North Carolina driver has racked up numerous top-three results and championship podium finishes. What has eluded Massimino was that breakthrough victory in the headline division. It finally became reality in June as he earned his first USPKS X30 Pro victory.

Over the June 27-29 weekend was the United States Pro Kart Series Wisconsin Grand Prix from the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex at Road America. The Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin facility is deep in motorsports history, and continues to add new pages to the sport of karting with the third round of the USPKS championship contested America’s National Park of Speed.

The Brandon Jarsocrak Racing / LN Racing Kart driver began the weekend qualifying fifth during the Friday afternoon session with three heat races on Saturday. The first heat he maintained the fifth position and improved up to the second spot in Heat #2. The final heat race saw Pauly advance up to third, placing him third on the grid for the main event on Sunday.

The last main event of the weekend rolled off around 1pm local time with the temperature at its highest over the three days. It became one of the best X30 Pro races of the season with all the action that took place. Massimino took advantage of starting inside row two, sliding into the second spot after the green flag and went on the attack of two-time race winner Ryan Norberg. To that point, Norberg had not been challenged all weekend. Massimino took the lead on the opening circuit and held there until heavy fighting for position on lap three dropped him all the way down to sixth. The fighting continued over the next three laps until former USPKS race winner Joe Turney took control of the point. The British driver was able to break away from the pack as the battle for second intensified. Eventually, Massimino knifed his way through the pack to reach the second spot at the halfway point. Lap after lap, Massimino ran fast laps to cut into Turney’s advantage. By lap 17, he was on the bumper and lap 19, secured the lead. Pauly fought off the challenge from Turney over the final two laps to secure his first series victory in X30 Pro.

He ran double duty on the weekend at Road America, coming off a victory at Trackhouse in the KA100 Senior category. Massimino was sixth in qualifying and went on to earn finishes of third, fourth and first over the heat races to start third. The KA100 Senior was just as exciting as X30 Pro, including several drivers in the lead pack. Massimino led the opening circuit and was shuffled down to sixth. He fought his way up to third, helping to run down the lead duo of Keagan Kaminski and Jake Drew. That would be the highest he ran over the final laps, coming away from the wild final lap to end up fourth. Earlier in the month, Massimino continued his title defense at the Stars Championship Series, contesting the second round of the program at New Castle Motorsports Park. Pauly finished third to Brandon Jarsocrak Racing teammate James Overbeck securing his first OK-N victory.

Mathematically, Massimino is unable to challenge for the X30 Pro championship at the United States Pro Kart Series, currently sitting second in the standings. He does lead the championship in the KA100 Senior category with three straight podium results, ahead of fellow SKUSA SuperNationals winner Brandon Lemke by 94 points. Those championships will wrap up at the USPKS Indiana Grand Prix, set for August 15-17 at the New Castle Motorsports Park. A DNF in the opening round of the Stars Championship Series in Charlotte has Pauly sitting fourth in the standings with one round remaining at Trackhouse Motorplex in September.

June 2025 EKN Driver of the Month – Pauly Massimino

(Photo: Studio52.us)

Bio

Born: New York
Hometown: Indian Trail, NC
Marital Status: Single
Children: 0
Height/Weight: 5’7” / 140lbs.
Education: High School Graduate
Occupation: Driver Coach – Pauly Racing

Racing Resume

Chassis: LN Racing Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: IAME X30 / BBS Racing Engines
Sponsors: Brandon Jarsocrak Racing, Offset, Nextzett, Twin Transmission, Apex Apparel, Odenthal Racing Products, Wiggidy Wayne Sauces
Series You Compete In: United States Pro Kart Series, Superkarts! USA, Stars Championship Series
Years Karting: 14
How did you get started in karting? My dad used to race when he was younger so one day my dad took me to Carolina Motorsports Park when they had a big race going on and asked me if this would be something I would want to try. I said yes and here we are.
What has been the high point in your racing career? I would say the high point started in 2019 when I started putting more time and effort into racing and started to see results. I think another high point is when I made the switch back to BJR. I think the brother-like relationship Brandon and I have has helped us have success over the last few years.
What are your goals in racing? My goals are to win of course but also to have fun and enjoy the time at the track because I don’t plan on doing this forever. My last goal is to try and teach the younger group coming in everything I know to try and watch them succeed.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth and aggressive
Funniest moment at the race track? Pretty much any day under the BJR tent

Likes

Favorite Track: NOLA Motorsports Park
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR
Favorite karting driver: Brandon Jarsocrak
Favorite professional driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. / Kyle Larson
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Grown Ups
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite music/group: Hip Hop
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Aruba
Favorite food: Sushi

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? I am pretty much at the track everyday but if not then I’m most likely at the shop.
What are your goals outside of karting? To be successful and hopefully be able to take care of my family one day.
What type of street car do you drive? GMC AT4 2500
What type of street car would you like to drive? GMC AT4 2500
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People that chew with their mouth open.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? I think what could improve karting is working on the officiating by finding more people that know and care about racing so we can have more eyes on the track to see and make more and proper decisions.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The relationships you make and build. As well as watching people you have helped and worked with progress over the years.

June 2025 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Payton Anderson: Challenge of the Americas – 1 Win (100cc Junior)

– Jake Drew: USPKS Wisconsin Grand Prix – KA100 Senior Winner

– Keagan Kaminski: Challenge of the Americas – 1 Win (100cc Senior) / ProKart Challenge – KA100 Senior Winner

– Miguel Mier: Texas Sprint Racing Series – KA100 Master Winner

– Santiago Orioli: USPKS Wisconsin Grand Prix – Mini Swift Winner / Route 66 Sprint Series – Mini Swift Winner

– Luca Popescu: Challenge of the Americas – 1 Win (100cc Junior)

– Brady Schad: USPKS Wisconsin Grand Prix – X30 Junior Winner

– Riley Scott: Quincy Grand Prix – 4 Wins (Pro Briggs, Ignite Senior, FK100, Briggs 206 Heavy)

– Brody Stoffle: Texas Sprint Racing Series – Micro Swift Winner / Stars Championship Series – Micro Swift Winner

– David Ybarra: ProKart Challenge – KA100 Junior Winner

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