Dutch Westbrook won at the USPKS Carolina Grand Prix and followed it with victory in Stars opener (Photo: Studio52.us)

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 has seen a strong development of drivers in the ranks of karting, especially in the Cadet age group. Over the last decade, drivers from that age level are winning here and winning all over the world. Drivers gain their initial development in the Micro categories and graduate to Mini, securing a solid four years of foundation for their karting careers. The latest name to standout in the last few months and in April is Dutch Westbrook.

The Team Benik driver from Texas ended his Micro career with two major wins, taking the top step at ROK Vegas 2025 before becoming the winner at SKUSA SuperNationals 28. Westbrook made the transition to the Mini ranks at the start of the 2026 season. Dutch picked up a win at the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour and podium finish at SKUSA Winter Series while placing fourth in RMC Winter Trophy standings. The start of major programs began with three podium results in four starts with the RMC America’s Trophy and SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals.

His United States Pro Kart Series campaign in Mini Swift began at the 2026 season opener held on April 10-12. The Trackhouse Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina hosted the USPKS Carolina Grand Prix. In a field of 42 drivers, Westbrook found himself in 36th place for qualifying after suffering two ‘impeding’ penalties in the session. The opening heat race was an improvement of 26 positions in the 10-lap race. He climbed inside the top 15 by the end of Heat Two, only to suffer a penalty for contact to be placed 42nd. This put him 26th on the grid for the Superheat session. After gaining nine spots on the opening lap of the 15-lap race, Westbrook continued moving forward to reach third by the checkered flag. The result improved his starting position in the Final to 14th. Tenth by the end of the opening lap, Dutch inched forward in the early laps of the 20-lap main event to eventually get into the fourth spot. The second half of the race was running down the three leaders to get there with two laps remaining. Into third at the white flag, Westbrook was able to position himself into second through the first turn. He fought for a way past leader Mason Brody, getting his opportunity through the double right turns leading onto the final straight. Holding off through the final corner, Westbrook picked up his first USPKS Mini Swift victory.

The following weekend was the Stars Championship Series Queen City Gambit held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Westbrook, who won the series title in Micro Swift, made his Swift Stars debut by qualifying second to Jake Manalio. Dutch went on to lead 11 of 12 laps of both heat races for the wins. Brody Stoffle was able to jump ahead of Westbrook in the Prefinal before a penalty to Dutch dropped him down to ninth in the results. Starting ninth, Westbrook spun around on the outlap to begin the main event but ran back to reclaim his starting position before the green flag waved. Dutch was into the top five early in the 21-lap Final and eventually into the lead after the halfway point. Westbrook fought with Mason Brody over the last two laps for the victory, winning the race to the line by 78 thousandths to claim his first Swift Stars triumph.

Westbrook started the month of May with a fifth place result at the IAME USA Grand National Championship. Dutch currently sits sixth in the RMC America’s Trophy standings, second in SKUSA Pro Tour championship, third in USPKS title chase and leading the way in Stars program.

April 2026 EKN Driver of the Month – Dutch Westbrook

(Photo: Studio52.us)

Bio

Age: 10
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Parents: Bret and Lindsay Westbrook
Siblings: Savanna, Dixie and Rowdy
Height/Weight: 4’8” / 75lbs
Education: 3rd Grade, All Saints Episcopal

Racing Resume

Chassis: Benik
Engine/Engine Builder: Woltjer
Sponsors: Westbrook Industries
Series You Compete In: Superkarts! USA, United States Pro Kart Series, Stars Championship Series, ROK Cup USA, Race Rotax, Texas Sprint Racing Series
Years Karting: 5
How did you get started in karting? When I was 4 is saw an F1 race on tv and I told my Dad I wanted to race like them. He took me for a tryout at North Texas Karters and I was recruited by a local team, Kart Racing Solutions. I won the local and TSRS championships and then decided to go try the Micro national circuit with Team Benik.
What has been the high point in your racing career? It wasn’t a single moment. It was the two week period winning back to back ROK Vegas and SKUSA SuperNationals last year.
What are your goals in racing? I want to be an F1 driver
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Fast, smooth and violent
Funniest moment at the race track? I’m not sure

Likes

Favorite Track: Trackhouse Motorplex – Mooresville, North Carolina
Favorite form of professional motorsports: F1
Favorite karting driver: Whichever driver will work with me on that particular weekend
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: iRacing and YouTube
Favorite movie: Top Gun Maverick
Favorite actor/actress: Tom Cruise
Favorite music group: No idea
Favorite vacations/activity spot: Wyoming/Idaho
Favorite food: Varas steak at the track

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? I’m still active in competitive baseball and football. I play a lot of golf and fish in my down time.
What are your goals outside of karting? Keep up with my school work so I can keep racing.
What app or game do you play right now? I use discord and iRacing to SIM train.
What type of street car would you like to drive? Ferrari or Bugatti
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? My sisters messing up my room when I’m on the road racing. Also, when drivers fight or don’t work with me at the wrong time during a race.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? I’m too young in the sport to have an opinion on this. I think the sport is headed in a great direction. Our competition has gotten very good.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Easy, the driving, I love it.

April 2026 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

– Carson Bishop: ProKart Challenge – 2 Wins (Micro Swift)

– Jackson Baldus: Route 66 Sprint Series – KA100 Junior Winner

– Max Cristea: Stars Championship Series – OK-N Stars Winner

– Nathan Golseth: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – X30 Junior Winner

– Ezekiel Haight: Route 66 Sprint Series – 206 Junior Winner

– Isaac Malcuit: Route 66 Sprint Series – KA100 Senior Winner

– Bailey Murphy: ProKart Challenge – 2 Wins (KA100 Master)

– Billy Musgrave: ProKart Challenge – 2 Wins (Pro Shifter)

– Travis Pettit: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – KA100 Junior Winner / Stars Championship Series – KA Junior Winner

– Tre Sanders: USPKS Carolina Grand Prix – Micro Swift Winner

– Marc Stehle: Route 66 Sprint Series – 206 Senior Winner

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