eKartingNews.com, the Official Media Partner of Superkarts! USA, is proud to present our Preview Series for the SKUSA SuperNationals 23. Leading up to the on-track action of the 23rd edition of the marquee SKUSA event, EKN will preview each of the 12 categories in the 10 race groups that will compete on the temporary circuit located just outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino from November 20-24.

Complete coverage of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 23 can be found at the EKN EVENT PAGE. EKN Live will provide play-by-play and live timing from qualifying through to the final checkered flag on SuperSunday at ekartingnews.com/live

For more preview coverage, be sure to check the EKN Radio Network for the airing of two shows that will be broadcast leading up to the SKUSA SuperNationals 23. These two shows will provide EKN’s Rob Howden and David Cole with the opportunity for a more in-depth look at each of the entry lists and top-five predictions for all 12 classes.

James Wharton looks to defend his victory from 2018 (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

The KA100 Junior category made its debut at the SKUSA SuperNationals last year, and its growth across North America continued throughout the 2019 season. A total of 30 drivers took part on the SKUSA Pro Tour, with many more competing in regional and club level programs utilizing the IAME engine – which was originally manufactured for the Australian market. This year’s class is sold out, far eclipsing the total of 35 from a year ago.

Ironically, the inaugural winner at the SuperNationals for KA100 Junior came from Australia. James Wharton made the long trek to beat out the competition for the 2018 victory in the category. Wharton (Parolin) has been competing in Europe this season, and unfortunately recorded a DNF at the FIA Karting World Championship following a top-10 finish in the European Championship.

The gap was only 34 thousandths at the line for the 2018 victory for Wharton, who came home just ahead of Connor Zilisch. The 2017 Mini Swift SuperNationals winner mixed it up with Wharton throughout the entire main event after starting fifth. Zilisch (LAK / Tony Kart) has been busy throughout the 2019 season, earning the inaugural SKUSA Pro Tour championship in the category, while also racing at the FIA Karting World Championships (placing 24th). Zilisch is coming off a long month of racing that included a fifth at the Rok Cup Superfinal, getting wrecked out of the Rotax Grand Finals, and placing third at the ROK the RIO event.

Connor Zilisch comes into the SuperNats as the inaugural KA100 Junior Pro Tour champion (Photo: EKN)

The top challenger to Zilisch on the SKUSA Pro Tour was Kyffin Simpson (SCR / Tony Kart). Simpson recorded six top-four results, including victory at the SummerNationals in August, and came up just 35 points short of Zilisch in the title chase. Simpson took part in the IAME International Final in X30 in France, thanks to a ticket earned at the Sunshine State Karting Championship, and nearly won the B-Main event to put him in the top-40 against 108 drivers. Simpson finished seventh in last year’s SuperNationals.

A total of four drivers won on the SKUSA Pro Tour in 2019. In addition to Zilisch and Simpson, Ethan Ho and Brent Crews were also winners. Ho doubled at the WinterNationals, and will graduate to Senior in Las Vegas. This leaves double SpringNationals winner Crews (KSNA / FA Kart). His lone event in KA100 Junior on the Pro Tour was in Utah, and he carded a double win performance. Crews did however run all six rounds at the USPKS, winning the championship for 2019. The 2018 Mini Swift SuperNationals winner could be on the list to win in Cadet and then Junior the next year come SuperSunday.

California ProKart Challenge champion Josh Pierson is among those racing both KA and X30 (Photo; DromoPhotos.com)

Just over a dozen drivers are going to run double duty, including Wharton, Zilisch, Simpson and Crews. Included in that total are California ProKart Challenge KA100 Junior champ Josh Pierson (RPG / Kosmic), Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner Max Opalski, and the Morgan brothers of Cole Morgan (Tony Kart) and Carson Morgan (Tony Kart). Cole is fresh off clinching the LAKC title while Carson is a two-time SKUSA Pro Tour champ in the Mini Swift category, and is completing his first season in the Junior ranks.

Other drivers to watch include WKA Manufacturers Cup Series champion Adam Maxwell (Syntech / Tony Kart), USPKS and WKA winner Westin Workman (Timmy Tech / CompKart), Florida Winter Tour champion Santiago Biagi (AM / Exprit) and Chloe Chambers (MDR / Kosmic).

By the Numbers:

3 – Former SuperNationals winners in the field

4 – Female drivers in the field

7 – Countries represented in entry list

10 – Drivers who raced in KA100 Junior at SuperNationals 22

15 – Drivers racing both KA100 Junior and X30 Junior

Provisional KA100 Junior Entry List