(Photo: EKN)

EKN’s Paddock Insider is part of our Trackside coverage, bringing you notes, updates and breaking news as it happens. The article will feature notes from trackside at the 2026 United States Pro Kart Series Ohio Grand Prix at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati in Batavia, Ohio. This is insider info will not be seen anywhere else. Be sure to follow the EKN Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for more coverage throughout the weekend.

Third Trip to MCC for USPKS

This weekend’s USPKS Ohio Grand Prix marks the third trip to the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati in Batavia, Ohio for the program. With visits in 2023 and 2024, the championship returns after stepping away from the facility last year. MCC is welcoming all the major programs in 2026, including SKUSA, Stars, CKNA and now USPKS. Their MCC ProAm Championship continues to grow in numbers, establishing a stronger club program to help build up the karting numbers here in the southern Ohio region.

Weather is going to be an issue all weekend, with the rain storm rolling through this morning before practice, leaving session one for all classes on a drying track. Many are starting their first session for Round Two after a clear day all of Thursday for unofficial practice. The Masters groups, however, are hitting the track for the first time after the practice ban for their categories on Thursday. Rain is forecasted to hit the facility by the time qualifying hits with Saturday filled with rain as well. Sunday should be a break from wet weather for the Finals.

Nash Continues with Factory Karts

Blake Nash returns to MCC with Factory Kart (Photo: EKN)

Coming off an amazing drive last weekend at the RMC Trophy Final, California driver Blake Nash is keeping the Factory Kart machine he took the provisional win in Senior MAX to MCC this weekend for USPKS. Nash is making his third start on Factory Kart machine, making his debut here at MCC in June for the RMC America’s Trophy finale weekend. Last weekend at NCMP, Nash drove from 18th to first, with a questionable penalty midway through the race taking the victory away. Speaking with Nash, he’s moving forward from the weekend and feeling confident in the Factory Kart package, running alongside Nash Motorsportz teammate Wrigley Keyes this weekend. Right now, it is just in testing mode with Factory Karts for Nash and the Nash Motorsportz operation. When not running with the Nash team, Blake is taking opportunities to run with Factory Karts.

Parolin Motorsport USA Welcoming New Drivers

Parolin Motorsport USA with an eight driver tent this weekend at MCC (Photo: EKN)

The Florida-based Parolin Motorsport USA team is expending its driver roster. This weekend, the team has eight drivers competing in four categories – from Micro Swift to X30 Junior, for one of its largest driver rosters of the season. New to the team is Micro Swift drivers Braxton Shiflett who joined just two weeks ago at the SKUSA SummerNationals while Franco Schiavo is making his debut with the Parolin USA team this weekend at MCC. Speaking with Ben Cruttenden of Parolin USA and Parolin Motorsport USA, they had a strong event last weekend with their dealers at the Florida Karting Championship event in Bushnell and building up toward the big events at the end of the season. They plan to have over 20 drivers under the Parolin Motorsport USA tent for Las Vegas.

How the Day Ended

Share on Facebook

Tweet