Pauly Massimino secured his first IAME Grand National Championship victory in X30 Pro (Photo: Twelve One Content)

The sixth edition of the IAME USA Grand National Championship was contested over the April 30-May 3 weekend at the Trackhouse Motorplex – hosted by IAME USA East and MG Tires USA. The ‘Race City USA’ facility in Mooresville, North Carolina welcomed competitors from all over the USA and from across the pond to compete in a special ‘one-off’ event featuring a unique format and big prize money on the line. Six IAME categories took part in the regular activities along with special Shootout events under the lights to provide the fireworks to open up the month of May.

The format for the 2026 IAME USA Grand National Championship featured six rounds of practice on Thursday from 1pm to 8:30pm. The first three on the ‘Switchback’ course with the final three on the ‘National’ layout. Friday featured the ‘National’ layout for Qualifying and the opening round of heat races. The Shootout for Micro, KA100 Junior and KA100 Senior presented by Apex Apparel was contested on the ‘Chicane Course’. Saturday brought on the ‘Switchback’ course for the second heat race and Superheat, along with the Shootout events for Mini, X30 Junior and X30 Pro presented by Simcraft on the ‘Fast Track’ layout. The track was put back to the ‘National’ layout for the main events on Sunday.

Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Kart) became the fifth different winner of the X30 Pro division. Former Shootout winner Joe Turney (MPG / Kart Republic) was able to edge out Massimino in qualifying by only 64 thousandths. The two exchanged the lead multiple times in the opening heat race with Massimino taking the win over Turney with James Overbeck (BJR / Tony Kart) up to third. The result was the same in Heat Two with Massimino getting away from Turney for the race win, this time with Davin Roberts (RPM / Tony Kart) placing third. Overbeck came back in the Superheat to grab the lead early before Massimino returned to the point, going on to take the win with Overbeck and Turney trailing. The 25-lap Final was dictated early with Massimino and Vanchev able to get away early. Turney was under attack early with Overbeck and during shuffling, contact was made with Antonino. The Senior rookie got the worst of it, suffering rear axle damage as Turney continued. This allowed the top two to break away until Turney closed in toward the end of the race. Vanchev led at one point, but Massimino controlled the second half of the race. At the line, Massimino won to take home $5,000 with Turney and Vancehv behind. Turney, however, was penalized 19 positions for his contact with Antonino. This promoted Vanchev to second ($2,500) and Enzo Vidmontiene (SLA / Kart Republic) into third for $1,250. Blake Nash (Nash / EOS) was fourth for $1,000 and Overbeck completed the top five, taking home $750.

Pauly Massimino won for a second straight year in KA100 Senior (Photo: Twelve One Content)

For Massimino, it was two on the day and two straight in KA100 Senior. A total of 45 drivers took part and forced a split for heat races after qualifying, which was led by James Overbeck (BJR / Tony Kart) as he edge out Massimino (BJR / LN Kart) and Collin Lloyd (Velocity / Sodikart). Massimino won the opening heat race with Brandon Lemke (SCR / CS55) – who qualified 17th, came away with a heat win in the A group ahead of Overbeck. The second round of heat races were won by Massimino and Overbeck and repeated in the Superheat races to continue leading the way. The two remained at the front in the 25-lap Final with Massimino leading the majority of the laps. Overbeck slotted into the lead for three circuits before Massimino led the way until two laps remaining. All that time, Turney was in the third position and it became a three driver battle coming to the white flag. Overbeck was leading with Massimino second as they began the final lap. Massimino was able to slip by Overbeck with a push from Turney down into turn four. This allowed Caleb Gafrarar (HDD / Tony Kart) the ability to close in over the next two corners with Massimino defending hard. Gafrarar made the inside move on Overbeck and Turney into the double right handers and was on the bumper to Massimino entering the final corner. Massimino pushed wide on the exit, allowing Gafrarar to pull up to drag race to the line. At the checkered, it was Massimino by 12 thousandths over Gafrarar for the $4,000 payday. Gafrarar took home $1,500 for second with Turney third and Overbeck back to fifth behind Jared Clarke (BJR / LN Kart). Turney was removed from the results for a tech infraction, promoting Clarke to the podium and $1,000, Overbeck fourth ($750) and Enzo Vidmontiene (SLA / Kart Republic) into fifth for $500.

Travis Pettit became the sixth different winner in X30 Junior (Photo: Twelve One Content)

Travis Pettit became the sixth different winner in both the X30 Junior and KA100 Junior win list. The action in X30 was a sweep for Pettit, beginning with fast time in qualifying to clear the 14 driver field. Pettit was able to get away to a three-second win in the opening heat after early battles before leading all 15 laps in Heat Two, winning by over five seconds. The 18-lap Superheat was a match, securing the pole position for the Final. Tristan Murphy was the top contender and ran second to Pettit throughout the 22-lap main event. Pettit joins Palacio, Roberts, Rivera, Gafrarar and Morgan as winners in the category, earning $3,000. Murphy won $1,500 in second as Benja Fernandez (MPG / Kart Republic) jumped to third ($1,000) on the final lap ahead of Nathan Golseth (SCR / CS55) ($750) and Marco Sammut (BJR / LN Kart) ($500).

The action in KA100 Junior was a battle throughout the weekend, beginning with Nathan Golseth (SCR / CS55) securing fast time in qualifying over the 27-driver field. Golseth was shuffled back to seventh in the opening heat with Travis Pettit (RPG / Kosmic) up to the win over Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) and Maxwell Macha (Parolin Motorsport USA). Heat Two saw Macha come away with the win over Ashton Woon (SCR / CS55) and Pettit. Kotowski came out of the Superheat race with a win over Macha and Pettit. The consistency put Macha and Pettit on the front row for the Final with Kotowski and Woon in row two. It was not until the final portion of the race that Pettit was able to secure the win. Kotowski and Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) led early before Pettit grabbed the top spot. He led until about the halfway point when the action heated up. Murphy, Macha and Kotowski all led until Pettit was able to retain the top spot by lap 18. From there Pettit led the remainder of the race to secure his first win in the category, joining Palacio, Fisher, Miller, Conrad and Morgan as fellow winners. Pettit joined Lucas Palacio and Carson Morgan as the third driver to win both Junior categories in the same year. Macha nearly got him at the line, coming up 79 thousandths short with Kotowski joining them on the podium. Murphy and Woon completed the top five.

Pettit also became the sixth different winner in the KA100 Junior division (Photo: Twelve One Content)

Continuing the theme of first time winners was in both Cadet categories. A total of 25 drivers took part in the Mini Swift division, led by Hudson Howard (MPG / Kart Republic) with Aidan Go (Parolin Motorsport USA) and Dutch Westbrook (Team Benik) all within six thousandths. Go was able to come on late in the opening heat to take the win while Canadian Jayden Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart) led the majority of the second heat for the win. The Superheat saw Francisco lead the first seven laps before Go took over for the win as Slate Harrell (RPM / Nitro Kart) moved up to second. The 20-lap main event went down to the wire with Go slipping back to fifth during the first half of the race while Westbrook showed the way. The middle portion of the race featured numerous lead changes, including Howard and Go. Westbrook was leading at the white flag with Go able to work past for the lead, taking the checkered flag for the victory. Westbrook was second at the line but was penalized three positions for contact. This promoted Colton Bruck (Parolin Motorsport USA) to the runner-up spot with Harrell in third. Lenox Lockhart (Parolin Motorsport USA) was fourth with Westbrook penalized back to fifth.

The future of karting is growing with strong talent developing in the Micro Swift category. It was 19 drivers in the field on the weekend, led after qualifying by Franco Schiavo (CRG). The top five were separated by only 88 thousandths. Schiavo held on through the opening heat race before second quickest in qualifying, Jack Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) won the second heat. Kotowski led the final 13 laps in the Superheat to secure the pole position for the main event. The 20-lap Final saw a three driver fight early for the lead including Kotowski, Alessio Tosti (MPG / Kart Republic) and Charlie Skrzypkowski (Parolin Motorsport USA). Kotowski and Tosti eventually took control and would be joined in the second half of the race by Beau Wyatt (Team Benik). On the final circuit, Wyatt was able to go from third to first, claiming the victory over Tosti and Kotowski. After the race, Kotowski was penalized three positions for contact, promoting Tristan Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart) to third and Skrzypkowski to fourth with Liam Compitiello (Nitro Kart) completing the top five.

Aidan Go won both the Mini Swift main event and Shootout feature (Photo: Twelve One Content)

The X30 Pro Shootout presented by Simcraft featured 15 of the drivers based on qualifying, promoters selections and provisionals. The wild racing action saw Enzo Vidmontiene (SLA / Kart Republic) and John Antonino (MPG / Kart Republic) secure the heat race wins. In the 15-lap shootout, Vidmontiene and 2023 winner Joe Turney (MPG / Kart Republic) fell down the order, allowing Alexander Vanchev (RPG / Kosmic) to take over the lead. Caleb Gafrarar (HDD / Tony Kart) eventually took the lead before Antonino took control prior to the white flag. Antonino held on to secure the victory – his first major win in Senior category and $5,000 payday. Vanchev was second for $2,000 with Gafrarar in third taking home $1,000. Adam Brickley (Prodigy / Bestkart) and Davin Roberts (RPM / Tony Kart) completed the top five, all under the age of 18.

The KA Shootout presented by Apex Apparel saw Pauly Massimino (BJR / LN Kart) and AJ Myers (MPG / Kart Republic) begin with winning the heat races. Myers retired early with Massimino and Joe Turney (MPG / Kart Republic) fighting for the top spot. Massimino was able to hold on through the final few laps to secure a third straight victory and $4,000. Turney was second ($1,500) with Senior rookie Alexander Vanchev (RPG / Kosmic) finishing third for $750. Caleb Gafrarar (HDD / Tony Kart) and Collin Lloyd (Velocity / Sodikart) made up the top five.

Beau Wyatt secured his name on the win list in Micro Swift, becoming the sixth different winner (Photo: Twelve One Content)

Travis Pettit (RPG / Kosmic) nearly swept the entire weekend, picking up the KA Junior Shootout victory. Pettit set fast time in qualifying and led every lap of the 10-lap race for his first Shootout triumph. Tristan Murphy (RPM / Tony Kart) was second with Ashton Woon (SCR / CS55) in third. Pettit missed out on the X30 Junior Shootout after setting fast time in qualifying. After leading early, he was shuffled down to seventh midway with Woon taking over. Coming to the checkered flag, Woon and Marco Sammut (BJR / LN Kart) made contact out of the last corner. Woon continued and crossed the line first while Sammut fell down the order. After the race, Woon was penalized for the contact, promoting Murphy to the victory, Pettit to second and Nico Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) in third.

Aidan Go (Parolin Motorsport USA) was able to double up in Mini Swift, picking up the Shootout victory on Saturday night. Hudson Howard (MPG / Kart Republic) set the fast time in qualifying but was shuffled back over the opening lap. Jayden Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart) led the first seven laps before Go took over, leading the final two laps. Slate Harrell (RPM / Nitro Kart) was second with Francisco in third. Jack Kotowski (TKG / Birelart) was able to sweep the Micro Swift Shootout. After setting fast time in qualifying, Kotowski slipped back to third behind Charlie Skrzypkowski (Parolin Motorsport USA) and Tristan Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart). Kotowski took the lead at the white flag and held on for the win, holding off Skrzypkowski and Alessio Tosti (MPG / Kart Republic).

The event featured 155 entries over the six categories, which tied for the lowest total over the six editions, matching that of 2024. The move to May from the Labor Day weekend could be the sign of the lower numbers, landing on the same weekend this year as other events happening throughout the country. The highest total was in 2023 with 192 entries.

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