Multi-time Cup Karts North America Grand National champion Christopher McKeithan is set to begin the next chapter of his karting career this fall, taking over management and raceday operations of Precision Performance Karting (PPK), owned by John Seglem and based in Palmetto, Fla.

McKeithan, a native of Gastonia, N.C., will relocate to Florida full time this fall as he transitions into the new role. One of the most accomplished Briggs & Stratton 206 racers in the country, McKeithan most recently added to his résumé with a Senior Light victory at the 2026 CKNA Summer Nationals at MCC.

His move to PPK will also signal a major change in McKeithan’s driving career. Beginning with CKNA Grand Nationals 10 this October at New Castle, McKeithan will step away from driving in CKNA competition and instead oversee PPK’s team operations throughout the event.

“I’ve accomplished a lot in 206 racing and especially at the CKNA level, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do,” McKeithan said. “At the same time, racing is supposed to be competitive, fair and fun. When you reach a point where you’re spending as much time wondering where the next unnecessary hit is coming from as you are thinking about how to win the race, it starts to lose its appeal. There have been enough situations over the last year where I’ve questioned whether everyone on the track has the same respect for fair competition and safety that I do. I’m comfortable walking away from that side of it and putting my experience toward helping PPK and its drivers succeed.”

The transition will put McKeithan’s extensive racing experience to work from the other side of the fence. His years competing at the highest levels of 4-cycle karting have given him a clear understanding of chassis setup, race craft, driver development and the preparation required to contend at major national events.

McKeithan will continue to make select appearances behind the wheel of a Briggs-powered Coyote Zenith. His remaining 2026 schedule includes the inaugural APEX Championship Finals at Trackhouse Motorplex, the American Karting Tour’s Carolina Turkey Shootout at Rockingham, N.C., over Thanksgiving weekend and World Karting Association’s Daytona KartWeek in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The move into team management also does not mean McKeithan is stepping away from driving altogether. In 2027, he plans to continue competing in 2-cycle karting with Brandon Jarsocrak Racing while focusing his 4-cycle efforts primarily on the growth and success of PPK.

For McKeithan, the new role represents an opportunity to take what he has learned throughout a championship-winning career and apply it to developing drivers and building a successful race program.

“I love karting and I love competing,” McKeithan added. “This is an opportunity to take my career in a different direction. John has built a championship team at PPK, and I’m excited about getting to Florida full time, working with the team every day and helping our current and future drivers compete for wins and championships. I’m also looking forward to continuing my 2-cycle racing with BJR. I think this gives me the best of both worlds and opens the door to a really exciting next chapter.”

Precision Performance Karting is a Florida-based kart team and shop fielding American-manufactured Coyote chassis at national and regional series including CKNA, Apex and Trackhouse Motorplex. In addition to our race team, PPK is an authorized distributor for premium karting products including Coyote Karts, Odenthal, Hilliard clutches, Greyhound seats, Rocket Sprocket gears, and Vega and MG tires. 

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