Jack Kotowski opened up the 2026 season with a sweep of the opening SKUSA Winter Series weekend (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 2026 season is underway with the first month of the year locked into the record books. Events ranging from California to Florida along the southern portion of the United States were contested to open the winter programs, including Superkarts! USA, ROK Cup USA, Rotax Max Challenge and more. The new season sets the rosters for the different age groups, including the Micro or the ‘Under 10’ division. Set to be among the more experienced drivers in the young age group is TKG Birelart USA driver Jack Kotowski.

The New York driver celebrated his ninth birthday during the opening weekend of the Superkarts! USA Winter Series, making its first visit at the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas. Kotowski came into the 2026 opener placing 15th in last year’s Micro Swift standings, and developed to become a regular podium contender by the end of the season.

Kotowski followed it up with victory in ROK Micro at the opening round of Florida Winter Tour (Photo: Canadian Karting News)

Round One on Saturday of the January 9-11 weekend began with Kotowski setting fast time in qualifying with a 1:00.622 lap to clear the 26 driver field by nearly three tenths of a second. Jack then went on to lead all nine laps in the Prefinal and drive away to a 15-second margin of victory in the Final to claim his first series victory. Kotowski improved his pace for the Round Two qualifying session, dropping his time to a 1:00.270 to secure fast time and clear the field by over four tenths. He would go untouched or challenged in the Prefinal and Final once again. The day ended with a near 16-second advantage to record his second victory of the weekend and completing the weekend sweep for maximum points.

The following weekend, Kotowski traveled to the Orlando Kart Center for the opening round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. Jack was eighth in series championship in 2025, coming off sixth place finish at ROK Vegas 2025. The ROK Micro division featured 21 drivers over the January 16-18 weekend, led by Kotowski in qualifying. A 1:00.96 was his quick time of the session to clear the field by over two tenths. He led all but the final lap in the opening heat race, finishing fourth behind Max Santana. Kotowski rebounded to win the final two heats ahead of Santana, securing pole position for the Prefinal. It was a wire-to-wire win in the 12-lap race, setting up for another run at the front in the Final. The 14-lap race ended with a photo finish as Kotowski led every lap, holding off Braxton Shiflett by eight thousandths of a second to claim the victory.

Jack stayed on the road for the final two weekends, returning to Speedsportz for the 2026 Rotax RMC Winter Trophy. In the best three of four championship over the two weekends, Kotowski finished third in the standings with finishes of third, third and fourth.

This past weekend, Kotowski added another victory to his 2026 season, taking the top spot at the second round of the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. After qualifying third, Jack went on to win the Prefinal and led 13 of 14 laps to secure the victory in the Final.

Kotowski now heads to the SKUSA Winter Series finale weekend at Speedsportz with the final two rounds ahead for the February 13-15 weekend. He leads the Micro Swift championship standings by 80 points.

January 2026 EKN Driver of the Month – Jack Kotowski

(Photo: EKN)

Bio

Age: 9
Hometown: Oyster Bay, NY
Parents: Anna and Michael
Siblings: Nico
Height/Weight: 54” / 70 lbs
Education (School/Grade): James H. Vernon Elementary School – 3rd grade

Racing Resume

Chassis: Birelart
Engine/Engine Builder: IAME / Wojtler, ROK / AM, Rotax / PSL
Sponsors: Dad
Series You Compete In: ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, SKUSA Winter Series, SKUSA Pro Tour, USPKS, Stars Championship Series, MCC Pro Am, Rotax Max Challenge
Years Karting: 2
How did you get started in karting? I went to rental karts for my brother’s birthday so dad got me and my brother five days at URACE at Orlando Kart Center and we both fell in love
What has been the high point in your racing career? Starting Pole Position at SKUSA SuperNationals 28 on SuperSunday
What are your goals in racing? In karting, win SuperNats at all classes as I grow up. In racing, beat my brother when we go to formula cars
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive, go getter…
Funniest moment at the race track? Spinning after checkered while celebrating win in the rain

Likes

Favorite Track: Road America – even after only raced there once
Favorite form of professional motorsports: F1
Favorite karting driver: Diego Ramos and Matheus Morgatto
Favorite professional driver: Lando Norris
Favorite website: N/A
Favorite movie: Grand Tourismo
Favorite actor/actress: Brad Pitt (after watching F1 movie)
Favorite music/group: NF
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Yellowstone National Park
Favorite food: Sushi

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? School
What are your goals outside of karting? To be successful in school so I can make money and race forever
What app or game do you play right now? Fortnite
What type of street car would you like to drive? Ferrari
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? My brother
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Faster engines
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Driving fast and on the limit. Finding the limit.

January 2026 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Brian Boly: SKUSA Winter Series – 2 Wins (KA100 Master)

– Nico Kotowski: Florida Winter Tour – 2 Wins (ROK GP Junior / ROK VLR Junior)

– Colin Lloyd: SKUSA Winter Series – 1 Win (KA100 Senior) / Florida Winter Tour – ROK VLR Senior Winner

– Billy Musgrave: Rotax RMC Winter Trophy – 3 Wins (DD2)

– James Roots: Rotax RMC Winter Trophy – 3 Wins (Mini MAX)

– Gabriel Zughella: Rotax RMC Winter Trophy – 3 Wins (Masters MAX)

Share on Facebook

Tweet