Billy Musgrave and Austin Garrison secured the headline championships for the 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour (Photo: EKN)

In the 16 year history of the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour, there has never been a day like Sunday at the New Castle Motorsports Park for the final day of action to the SKUSA SummerNationals. What could be the most humid day in SummerNationals history made for challenging conditions for all at the New Castle, Indiana facility. For seven categories, it was the sixth and final round of action to decide this year’s class champions. While the Pro Show for Pro Shifter featured the Prefinal and Final with five drivers still in the hunt for the title going into the day.

The PSL Karting Pro Shifter division opened the day with a 12-lap Prefinal, led by AJ Myers (Magik Kart USA) and Danny Formal (GFC Karting) on the front row. Myers jumped out to a solid lead over the first half of the race with Formal fighting with Andrew Bujdoso (Magik Kart USA). Starting lap seven, Myers suffered a mechanical issue with his brakes, forcing him to retire. This brought the Formal / Bujdoso battle to the lead, won by Bujdoso with defending champion Matheus Morgatto (PSL / Birelart) climbing from 12th to third ahead of Billy Musgrave (Factory Karts) and top qualifier Corentin Rousseau (Catalyst / Italkart) – who started 14th after his DNF in Heat #1.

Those points were added to the heat races, lining up the main event with Bujdoso and Formal on the front row, Musgrave and Morgatto in row two and Josh Conquer (Maranello USA) and Rousseau starting row three.

Danny Formal led a 1-2 finish for GFC in Pro Shifter at the SummerNationals (Photo: EKN)

The holeshot went to Formal but Bujdoso was quick to challenge. He led over the first six laps before Morgatto put the pressure on. They battle hard, including multiple times with contact. Eventually, Formal slipped past both on lap seven while the two continued battling. Eventually, Kyle Wick (GFC Karting) – starting seventh – got around both as well. The fight between the two continued until lap 12 when Morgatto pushed Bujdoso off track at the end of the long pond straight. Morgatto went off as well, dropping out of the top-five and down to 10th. This fighting left Formal and Wick alone at the front. Formal held a sizable lead that was cut down to nothing by the final two laps. Wick tried for a way past Formal, however, the four-time SKUSA SuperNationals winner kept his teammate at bay. At the line, Formal secured his first SummerNationals victory and the first for GFC. Wick made it a 1-2 finish for GFC. The battle for third went to Rousseau, who was able to hold off Myers – coming up from 11th. Adrien Renaudin (Velocity / Sodi Kart) started back in 23rd after having his points in the heat races taken away for a ‘Euro Swerve’. It was an amazing day for the French driver, advancing from 44th to 9th in 12 laps – making it 53 positions gained over 32 laps.

The championship story featured both heartbreak and the end of an 11-year quest to the title. New Zealand driver Jay Urwin (PSL / Birelart) held a three point advantage over Musgrave heading into the 20-lap Final. Urwin started the race from eighth, five spots back from Musgrave with every position crucial. Over the opening two laps, the lead group was bunched up, featuring about 10 drivers including Musgrave and Urwin. Through the launch at the drop of the green, Musgrave was sixth and Urwin seventh. As they came around to complete the opening lap, Musgrave advanced to fourth with Urwin back to 10th. As they were completing lap two, Urwin pulled off to the side on the exit of I-70 corner, suffering an engine failure and the loss of the championship. This put Musgrave and Morgatto into the championship hunt. A victory or runner-up by Morgatto could have retained a second straight title, however, the contact with Bujdoso on lap 11 dropped him from the top of the standings. This put Musgrave into the lead position as they ran through the second half of the race. Up to fifth at one time in the second half of the race, Musgrave dropped to eighth in the closing laps. Promoted to seventh after the penalty to Morgatto, Musgrave secured his first career SKUSA Pro Tour championship. The difference was 42 points as Myers jumped over Conquer for the vice-champion position. Conquer finished 46 points out of the top spot after finishing eighth in the Final. Wick’s runner-up promoted him to fourth in the standings while the penalty to Morgatto dropped him from third in the championship to fifth.

Wire-to-wire performance for Diego Ramos to claim his first career win in Pro X30 (Photo: EKN)

The Kart CRG USA Pro X30 division featured two unique stories as well in the final day of action – one on the victory and the other on the championship drama. It was a career-defining performance at the front by Brazilian Diego Ramos (PSL / Birelart) with a sweep of the action. Ramos put down fast lap in qualifying with a 1:08.009, edging out six-time champion Ryan Norberg (RPG / Kosmic) by 10 thousandths. Norberg avoided contact at the start of the Prefinal this time but was shuffled back to eighth early as Ramos was able to run away to a three-second advantage for the win. Norberg crossed the line in fourth, but ended up ninth in the race after a three-second penalty for ‘driving down’ on Ruben Moya (FDM / Pantano). Championship contender Austin Garrison (SCR / CS55) qualified eighth and was classified seventh after penalties.

Up front, Ramos was able to get away cleanly over the opening circuit as they fought for position behind him. The Brazilian never put a wheel wrong, putting down consistent laps over the 15-lap main event. At the checkered flag, Ramos was able to celebrate his first career Pro X30 victory, winning by five seconds over Frankie Mossman (CS55) in his return to X30 and rejoining Speed Concepts Racing.

Heading into the main event, the champion was Norberg’s to win or lose with Garrison holding the championship lead after winning on Saturday. Norberg secured the title finishing seventh or better in the Final, not including the 10 bonus points for fast lap of the race. Things went in the direction of Norberg on the opening lap as contact between Blake Nash (Nash / EOS), Garrison and Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Racing Kart). Garrison and Massimino went off the track at the scoreboard corner, dropping them down the order. This helped Norberg to move up into the top-five as he eventually advanced up to the front of the fight for third, which included Moya and Zach Claman DeMelo (Sodi Kart). With Norberg in third, they did not let him get away. Fighting for position as they crossed the line to complete lap six, contact between ZCD and Norberg send the Canadian into the barriers and ripped the nose cone off Norberg’s machine. After completing the lap, he received the meatball flag, which ended his championship hopes.

This left Garrison running on the track at the tail of the field having earned the title no matter the finishing position. Garrison drove up to 16th, earning his second career SKUSA Pro Tour championship, first in Pro X30. Norberg settled for second in the standings while Massimino completed the championship podium in third, driving up to sixth in the Final with fast lap of the race.

The fight for third in the Final went down to the wire with Jesus Vasquez Jr. (FW / GFC) coming up to grab his second podium of the season, beating out Moya and Round Four winner Gus Lawrence (RPG / Kosmic).

Diego Ramos held on in a wild final few laps to claim a third win in KA100 Senior (Photo: EKN)

It was a dominating weekend in the Nash Motorsportz KA100 Senior division for Diego Ramos (PSL / Birelart). After sweeping the action on Saturday to clinch the championship one round early, the Brazilian never lifted off the pace to control every session of Sunday’s action. Ramos cleared the 48-driver field in qualifying by over a tenth with a 1:11.587 lap before going wire-to-wire in the Prefinal. Ramos was challenged early in the race by Collin Lloyd (Velocity / Sodi Kart), taking the lead for two laps before Ramos reclaimed the position. By the halfway point, the skies opened up and rain began to fall. Lloyd fell down the order while Ramos continued leading the way. Eventually, Round One winner Oliver Hodgson (CompKart) and Ruben Moya (FDM / Pantano) – who started 16th – were able to track down Ramos on the wet track. The final two laps were exciting as both Hodgson and Moya tried to find a way past Ramos without going off the track. The Final two laps, Moya sent it in on both at the scoreboard corner, however, was unable to hang on as Ramos continued forward with the lead. At the line, Ramos celebrated a third victory on the year along with the championship. Hodgson was second with Moya on the podium in third. Brandon Lemke (SCR / CS55) advanced to fourth with Dalton Hanes (PRD / TB Kart) up to fifth.

Hodgson ended up second in the championship chase while 2024 champion James Overbeck (BJR / Tony Kart) finished the year third in the standings, beating out Donovan Bonilla (RPG / Kosmic) and Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Racing Kart).

Travis Pettit earned a second victory on the year in KA100 Junior (Photo: EKN)

The championship was still undecided in the TKG Birelart USA KA100 Junior class heading into Sunday with Alexander Vanchev (RPG / Kosmic) nearly clinching the crown on Saturday with a win. It was not a clean session for many of the drivers in qualifying with games being played. Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) took advantage to claim his first career top qualifier honor with Round Four winner Travis Pettit (SCR / CS55) in second. The two were able to break away from the pack in the Prefinal with Pettit taking the top spot. During the race, Vanchev was able to clinch the championship based on results of other drivers, coming up from 44th to 13th after getting wrecked in qualifying. Pettit was able to get away from the field early in the Final and went unchallenged to his second victory of the season. Vanchev knifed through the field to cross the line in second, but was penalized three seconds for blocking, dropping him down to fourth. That promoted Isaac Malcuit (MDR / LN Racing Kart) to second and Max Weiland (Magik Kart USA) on the podium in third. Luca Popescu (RPG / Kosmic) completed the top-five.

Vanchev secured the championship by 38 points as Pettit moved up to second with the victory. Weiland beat out Nathan Dupuis (Nash / EOS) by one point for the third step on the championship podium with Malcuit completing the top-five in the standings.

Jose Alejandro Halphen gained his first SKUSA Pro Tour victory in X30 Junior (Photo: EKN)

It was a similar scenario in the Rolison Performance Group X30 Junior category for the championship. Alexander Vanchev (RPG / Kosmic) nearly had the title locked up with Saturday winner Ashton Woon (SCR / CS55) still with a chance entering the day. Vanchev was fourth in qualifying with Woon in seventh as Max Weiland (Magik Kart USA) cleared the field by over five tenths. Weiland went wire-to-wire in the Prefinal while Vanchev held onto fourth. Woon slipped down the order late, allowing Vanchev to clinch the title prior to the Final. The main event welcomed a wet but drying track. All drivers hit the track on wet tires, however, the track ended up drying by the end of the race. Weiland led the first four laps before Vanchev took control. Jose Alejandro Halpehn (RPG / Kosmic) was on the charge, taking over the lead on lap 10 and holding the top spot to the checkered flag to claim his first SKUSA Pro Tour victory. Vanchev ran second with Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) driving up to third. Weiland fell to fourth with Tyrone Kemper Jr. (SCR / CS55) up to fifth.

Vanchev won the championship by 147 points, becoming the third different driver to win both Junior titles in the same season – Carson Morgan (2020, 2021) and Diego Ardiles (2024). Weiland slipped into the second spot of the standings, beating out Woon by nine points. Travis Pettit (SCR / CS55) ended up fourth with Sarah Bradley (SCR / Sodi Kart) in fifth.

Jordon Musser won a second straight in Master Shifter (Photo: EKN)

It was a two-driver fight all weekend in the Rocket Racing Company Master Shifter class. Tim Hollowell (RS Kart) broke up the streak by Saturday winner Jordon Musser (PSL / Birelart) with fast time in qualifying, a 1:06.287 lap. The Indiana driver went on to lead all 8 laps of the Prefinal with Musser trailing in second. Hollowell got the holeshot to begin the 16-lap main event, but Musser took the lead on the opening lap. From there, Hollowell kept the pressure on Musser, however, was never able to make a move. At the line, Musser scored a second victory on the weekend by just over one tenth to Hollowell. Larry Pegram (TKG / Birelart) held the third spot until the final circuit when 2024 champion Scott Barnes (Maranello USA) took the position to land on the podium. Canadian Scott Hargrove (Catalyst / Italkart) ended up in fifth, which helped him to clinch the championship. The difference was 75 points with two-time winner Scott Presti (Presti / Croc Promotions) in second. Barnes finished third in the standings over Pegram and Justin Kelly (Maranello USA).

Wynn Godschalk was named winner in Mini Swift, his third of the season (Photo: EKN)

The championship in the Speed Concepts Racing Mini Swift division went down to the final checkered flag, and after. Going into the final day, Enzo DiGennaro (Parolin Motorsport USA) held the championship lead by 69 points over Canadian Jayden Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart). DiGennaro began the day setting fast time in qualifying with a 1:16.454 lap while Francisco was sixth. Maxwell Macha (Parolin Motorsport USA) jumped ahead in the Prefinal, scoring the win and pole position for the Final while DiGennaro was third and Francisco fifth. The lead pack was about seven drivers to begin the Final, which eventually was broken up. DiGennaro fell back to seventh off the tail of the second group as Aston Wyatt (RPM / Nitro Kart) and Francisco worked together to pull away. Macha and Wynn Godschalk (Team Benik) made up the second duo. In the closing laps, racing between Wyatt and Francisco allowed the second duo to close in as well as the other three to make it seven drivers again. Macha led at the white flag however contact in the ‘Cell Tower’ corner shuffled up the order. Francisco emerged with the lead and held on to reach the checkered flag first for the provisional victory. A penalty for contact with Macha put five seconds on the total time for Francisco, dropping him off the podium and promoted Godschalk to the top step for his third win of the season. Wyatt and Macha completed the podium with DiGennaro promoted to fourth. That was until officials removed him from the results on the day for ‘verbal and physical attack towards a competitor’. This moved Colton Schniegenberg (GWR / Nitro Kart) to fourth and Francisco into fifth. The penalty for Francisco was the difference in the championship and not the DQ for DiGennaro. Had Francisco finished third or better, it was his championship. Thus, the title went to DiGennaro, securing his first SKUSA Pro Tour championship. Francisco ended up 10 points short in second with Godschalk a close third, back by 29 points after the drop. Macha and Wyatt completed the top-five in the standings.

Zev Godschalk became the fifth different winner in Micro Swift (Photo: EKN)

Four drivers remained in the championship hunt for the Velocity Racing by Sodi USA Micro Swift class. Slate Harrell (RPM / Nitro Kart) stole the 10 bonus points from the championship contenders with fast time in qualifying. Harrell was shuffled back to fourth late in the Prefinal by Leo Simone (JHDD / Kart Republic), Brody Stoffle (JHDD / Kart Republic) and Liam Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart). Contact on the final lap sent him spinning around, finishing 25th. Zev Godschalk (Team Benik) came through on the final circuit to take the provisional win. A ‘driving down’ penalty of three seconds took the win away, and gave championship leader Stoffle the race win. Stoffle led the first two laps of the Final before Godschalk took control. The two, along with Simone were able to break away from the field. They battled for the top spot over the final five laps. At the line, Simone crossed the line first ahead of Godschalk and Stoffle for the provisional victory. Simone’s win was taken away in tech, thus promoted Godschalk to his first SKUSA Pro Tour victory. Stoffle ended up second in the results with Lenox Lockhart (Velocity / Sodi Kart) in third over Jack Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) and Hudson Howard (JHDD / Kart Republic). The championship went to Stoffle, earning the title by 38 points over Lockhart. Godschalk moved into third with Dutch Westbrook (Team Benik) in fourth, all within 58 points. Aidan Go (Parolin Motorsport USA) ended up fifth in the final standings.

The 2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour is complete, wrapping up the 16th season of the championship to crown eight title winners into the history books. The focus for the organization now turns to the SKUSA SuperNationals 28, set for November 12-16 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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