eKartingNews.com is proud to present our Preview Series for the ROK Vegas 2026 presented by ROK Cup USA. Leading up to the on-track action scheduled for October 28-November 1 outside the Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, EKN will preview each of the 12 categories with four articles, including the provisional entry list for each division that includes over 350 entries representing 25 countries.

Trackside coverage is set to begin on Wednesday, October 28 with Paddock Insider and social media content as karts hit the track for the first time. EKN Live begins Thursday, October 29 with qualifying. Listen LIVE to the four rounds of heat races and LCQs throughout Friday and Saturday. That sets the stage for the action on Sunday with nine main events for the 12 divisions. Listen at eKartingNews.com/live and eKartingNews.com/radio

Complete coverage of the ROK Vegas 2026 can be found at the EKN EVENT PAGE.

ROK Mini

Dutch Westbrook comes in as last year’s ROK Micro winner and off victory at the ROK Cup Superfinal in Italy (Photo: Cody Schindel – CKN)

The ROK Mini category is set to welcome a ninth different winner over the nine editions of ROK Vegas event. Last year’s winner Maxwell Macha has moved up to the Junior ranks, along with many others who were in the field. Of those who raced the category in 2025, only one driver is returning in New Zealand driver Iver Spence (Parolin Motorsport USA). Spence finished 13th in last year’s main event.

Most of the favorites in the class are moving up from the Micro, including last year’s winner in Dutch Westbrook (Team Benik). The driver from Texas is coming off a stellar 2026 season in his rookie season at the Mini level, along with claiming the victory at the ROK Cup Superfinal. Westbrook became the first USA driver to win the Mini ROK U10 category in only its third year as a class. Second to Westbrook in Italy just days ago was Zev Godschalk (Team Benik). The USA driver from Curaçao has spent most of his 2026 season overseas and will be making his ROK Vegas debut this year.

A total of four drivers from last year’s ROK Micro podium will be in the Mini field. Along with Westbrook is runner-up Chase Riddering (FDM / Pantano), fourth place finisher Alvaro Medeiros (Orsolon / Tony Kart), and fifth place driver Aidan Go (Parolin Motorsport USA). Riddering is a ROK Sonoma winner in 2026 along with coming off victory at the IKF Sprint Grand Nationals. The Brazilian Medeiros is making a return to the USA after racing in Europe and home for much of 2026. Go has wins across multiple programs in 2026, including a recent CKNA Grand Nationals 10 triumph. Other Mini rookies to watch include Dusty Strayer (SCR / Nitro Kart) and Samuel Chaverri (Parolin Motorsport USA) – who finished fifth in ROK Mini at the ROK Cup Superfinal.

Among the many international drivers in the field includes 2026 Florida Winter Tour champion Vicente Santino Aguilar (Orsolon / Tony Kart) from Argentina, British driver Alfie Mair (OKP / EOS), Colombian Dominic Vera Roa (Parolin Motorsport USA) and Joey Zhou (RPG / Kosmic) from New Zealand.

Among the veteran drivers in the field include Lucas Tarango (SpeedSense / Exprit). The driver from California was the lone USA driver at the ROK Cup Superfinal, finishing 28th.

ROK Vegas Stats

1 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

1 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

9 – Drivers moving up from ROK Micro

11 – Different countries represented

37 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK Mini Winners

James Egozi (2018)
Kai Sorensen (2019)
Sebastian Garzon (2020)
Jack Iliffe (2021)
Isaac Malcuit (2022)
Alexis Baillargeon (2023)
Nico Orbezo (2024)
Maxwell Macha (2025)

ROK Micro

Florida Winter Tour champion Jack Kotowski is among the many contenders in ROK Micro (Photo: ROK Cup USA)

The ROK Micro division has been part of the ROK Vegas event since the beginning in 2018. Over that time, the class has welcomed a new winner each year. The 2026 edition will be the same with no former winners in the field. Last year’s winner Dutch Westbrook will be in ROK Mini, coming off the ROK Cup Superfinal triumph in Mini ROK U10.

The 29 driver field for this year’s event is an experienced one, including 10 from the 2025 roster. The top returning driver is Jack Kotowski (TKG / Birelart). The driver from Pennsylvania was among the top Micro drivers in 2026, securing the Florida Winter Tour title along with numerous wins across the season. Kotowski was eighth at the ROK Cup Superfinal in Mini ROK U10. Leandro Ramirez (OKP / OTK) and Tre Sanders (RPM / Nitro Kart) were in the top 10 one year ago. Ramirez, the driver from Costa Rica, finished third at the ROK Cup Superfinal while Sanders was among the top Micro drivers throughout 2026.

Among those in the field who are notable contenders include Beau Wyatt (Team Benik), Shepp Sullivan (Team Benik), Braxton Shiflett (SpeedSense / Tony Kart), and USPKS champion Tristan Francisco (RPM / Nitro Kart). There are a good crop of drivers set to make their ROK Vegas debut, including Grant Heckman (HBR / VLR), Maverick Reddick (Kart CRG USA), Franco Schiavo (TWR / CRG), and Chase Zolman (RPM / Nitro Kart).

ROK Vegas Stats

0 – Former ROK Vegas event winner

10 – Drivers returning from last year’s field

11 – Different countries represented

29 – Entries as of October 19

ROK Vegas ROK Micro Winners

Parker DeLong (2018)
Kai Johnson (2019)
Asher Ochstein (2020)
Keelan Harvick (2021)
Alex Procuna (2022)
Maxwell Macha (2023)
Wynn Godschalk (2024)
Dutch Westbrook (2025)

Provisional ROK Mini Entry List – as of October 18

Provisional ROK Micro Entry List – as of October 18

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