eKartingNews.com is proud to present our Preview Series for the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 29. Leading up to the on-track action of the 2026 edition of the marquee SKUSA event, EKN will preview each of the 11 categories that will compete on the temporary circuit located outside the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas from November 11-15.

Trackside coverage is set to begin on Tuesday, November 10 as the EKN crew sets up our SuperNationals 29 home, roaming the LVMS grounds with Paddock Insider and social media content. Coverage continues into Wednesday as karts hit the track for the first time. EKN Live begins on Thursday, November 12 as qualifying is conducted for both the morning classes and the afternoon divisions. Listen LIVE to the heat races throughout Friday, November 13 and into Situation Saturday, November 14, including the four Last Chance Qualifiers held on the day. That sets everything up for SuperSunday, with the main events for SuperNationals 29 audio streamed live on eKartingNews.com/live and eKartingNews.com/radio.

Complete coverage of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 29 can be found at the EKN EVENT PAGE.

MASTER SHIFTER

Jordon Musser is seeking that first win in Master Shifter (Photo: EKN)

Since 2000, Superkarts! USA has offered a shifterkart racing class for ‘older’ drivers at the SKUSA SuperNationals. Plans for SuperNats 29 began with the category being removed from the original class line-up, however, the industry spoke up and Superkarts! USA listened. The class was brought back to the list, making this the third time in history that the SuperNationals will have 11 categories. A total of 36 drivers from eight different countries will compete to become the 19th winner in the category.

Two-time defending winner Billy Musgrave is not registered to compete in Master Shifter, as he is only entered in the Pro Shifter division for SuperNationals 29. Three of the top-five podium finishers from a year ago will be back, all seeking to become the next name in the winner’s list. Texas driver Jordon Musser (PSL / Birelart) was runner-up last year, recording that result for a fourth time in 14 straight starts at the SuperNationals. Musser ran a limited schedule in 2026, including a return to the FIA Karting KZ2 World Cup, although he was not able to transfer into the Final. Belgian driver Sam Claes (Velocity / Sodi Kart) was fourth a year ago in his first start in the category after two previous runs in Pro Shifter – including an impressive P5 in 2019. Jonathan Vitolo (GFC Karting) rounded out the podium in 2025, improving from a P5 he recorded the previous year. Vitolo has no results recorded in 2026 going into the SuperNationals.

Davide Fore is set for another run at the SKUSA SuperNationals (Photo: McCrone Motorsports)

Three former SuperNationals winners are in the field. Only one has a chance to become a two-time winner in the Master Shifter category with 2023 victor Davide Fore (McCrone / Formula K) returning. The five-time World Champion suffered a DNF last year after placing third in his title defense. The Italian was a DNF at the 2026 FIA Karting KZ2 Master World Cup event in France. Brian Keck (GFC Karting) is making a return to the SuperNationals, coming off a dominant victory at ROK Vegas. Keck – the S1 winner in 2004 – is set to make his first start at the SuperNats since 2023 where he finished third in Master Shifter.

Big news in the category is that veteran Ron White (RWR / CRG) will be making his first start in Master Shifter. The Californian and Ron White Racing team owner is set to make his 21st start at the SuperNationals, with his last coming in 2022 in Pro Shifter. White was the 2002 SuperNationals SuperPro winner in the first-ever event held at the Rio Hotel & Casino.

Hunter Pickett is set to make his Master Shifter debut (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

White is not the only notable driver making his Master Shifter debut. Hunter Pickett (GFC Karting) will be one of two drivers running double duty with Pro Shifter and Master Shifter. The Californian’s first three years at the SuperNationals were spent in the S2 category before moving up to S1 and Pro Shifter. Hunter’s best finish in Vegas was fifth in S2 back in 2016 and ninth in KZ in 2019. Last year, he placed 14th in Pro Shifter. The 2026 edition also marks the return of Robert Bujdoso (Magik Kart USA). The driver from Ohio sat out of the driver’s seat, following the sudden passing of his father Csaba Bujdoso, who was honored in the SKUSA Hall of Fame last SuperSunday. The 33-year-old will be making his third Master Shifter start, after placing fourth and ninth in 2023 and 2024.

Other notables include Kevin Woods (RWR / CRG), Don McGregor (Italkart Factory), Tim Hannen (Carblos / Maranello), and Paul Elefonte (RRC / LN Kart), who will be running both Master divisions.

Of the 12 drivers from outside the USA, the one that stands out is former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian will be making his second SuperNationals start, having competed in 2018 in KZ, placing seventh. Running under the PSL Karting tent aboard his own kart brand – Barrichello – Rubens is coming into the event having finished 15th at the FIA Karting KZ2 Master World Cup. Another familiar name on the list is Max Papis (PSL / Birelart) – the former IndyCar racer and steward. Papis will also be making his second SuperNationals start since 2024.

SuperNats Stats

2 – Drivers running both Master Shifter and Pro Shifter

3 – Former winners in the field

8 – Different countries represented in the field

12 – Drivers from outside the USA

18 – Drivers returning from 2024

62 – Age of eldest driver in the field

Master Shifter – Provisional Entry List

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