(Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

The 2015 United States Pro Kart Series will commence on April 24-26 at the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. This event begins the third season for the program, promoted by Mark Coats, aimed at providing an elite series for TaG and Yamaha competitors along the eastern half of the United States. The entry total for the weekend is reaching the record mark of 169 entries per day, set last year at the season opener at GoPro Motorplex.

This will be the third straight year the Mooresville, NC facility has hosted the opening rounds of the United States Pro Kart Series. The inaugural event saw torential rains greet the first event, which was followed up with perfect weather in 2014. Sticking with the month of April to begin the new season, the USPKS is back to GoPro Motorplex for another exciting weekend of racing. The 7/10-mile course is a replica of the Kartodromo Parma circuit in Italy – which hosted five world championships during its time. Updates have been made to the facility over the last 12 months, including run-off sections at certain points around the course, including an updated turn 2 complex.

eKartingNews.com is once again working with the USPKS to provide EKN Live coverage. Race fans and family members who are unable to attend can tune into ekartingnews.com/live for live audio with USPKS announcer Randy Kugler and live timing from Race-Monitor.com. Daily race reports will be published daily on the site’s home page, updates posted to the Official Discussion Thread, along with breaking news, photos and other links on the EKN Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Tuesday, the three Cadet divisions (Mini Rok Cadet, Yamaha Cadet and Yamaha Rookie) were looked at. Today, EKN reviews the Junior categories (Leopard Junior and Yamaha Junior).

Leopard Junior

2014 champion David Malukas has a strong field looking to dethrone him in Leopard Junior (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

This year’s Junior contingent is a good mixture of returning champions and contenders along with a solid group of Cadets graduating. 2014 belonged to Top Kart USA driver David Malukas in Leopard Junior. Malukas scored the inaugural championship last year, riding off three victories. While not entered yet, he is scheduled to defend his title this season.

Six of the top-10 finishers in the point standings return. Braden Eves came on late in the season with strong results to move himself into the vice-champion position. Eves returns with J3 Competition this season, primed to pilot the new CompKart chassis. The highlight of the season for Anthony Gangi Jr. came at GoPro Motorplex last year, coming from last to first for the second round victory. The Tony Kart driver finished the season third in the standings for his first Junior campaign. Another returning winner from 2014 include Zach Holden (Top Kart USA). Both Neil Verhagen (KartSport North America/Arrow) and Brandon Lemke (Franklin Motorsport/Merlin) were shut out of the win column last year in Leopard, but each are expected to be in the championship chase this season.

Looking at the entry roster, a good portion of the drivers are Cadet pilots ready to make their Junior debuts at the USPKS program. Top Kart USA driver John Paul Southern jumped up early at the finale event last season, and showed well. Mini Rok Cadet champion Dylan Tavella (Tony Kart) is set for his USPKS Junior debut, along with fellow New York driver Michael d’Orlando (Koene USA/Tony Kart), making his first start at the USPKS. Alex Verhagen (KartSport North America/Praga) will join his brother in the Junior ranks, as the younger sibling enters the season coming off three wins in the final rounds in Mini Rok last year. Lance Fenderson (Tony Kart) is another notable Junior rookie, along with Merlin Nation drivers Alex Bertagnoli and Austin Schaff.

Provisional Leopard Junior Entry List

Yamaha Junior

Zach Holden looks to make it three straight titles in Yamaha Junior (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)

Only three drivers were able to reach the top step of the podium in Yamaha Junior for the USPKS in 2014. Top Kart USA drivers Zach Holden and David Malukas combined for five victories. Even though Malukas had three of them, Holden recorded the most points to secure his second straight championship. Franklin Motorsports/Merlin driver Brandon Lemke matched the win total of Malukas, including two at the series finale, to put himself third in the championship standings. All three are back, and are the drivers to beat for 2015.

Among the returning drivers that may contend include Canadian Roman DeAngelis. The Koene USA driver showed speed in the category at the two middle events of 2014, including a runner-up in Pittsburgh. New Jersey driver Dario Cangialosi continued to improve under the tutelage of the Mike Doty Racing, and looks to take the Deadly Kart to the podium this season.

John Paul Southern (Top Kart USA) landed on the podium in his debut at New Castle this year, and is expected to be among those in the hunt for the title. Other Junior rookies in the Yamaha division include Lance Fenderson (Tony Kart) doing both categories, Stephen Dial (Merlin), and Devin Boutot (Tony Kart).

Provisional Yamaha Junior Entry List

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