Jonathon Treadwell is now a two-time CKNA Canada Division champion, winning 2023 title in Senior Light (Photo: Cody Schindel - CKN)

The Cup Karts North America program is celebrating its 10th season in 2023. The family-friendly racing series is based around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform which has rejuvenated the grassroots karting movement across North America over the last decade. As the leader in grassroots regional racing, CKNA has grown into four different divisions that run from Eastern Canada down to the southern tip of the United States.

The 2023 schedule began with the South Division, opening up the season with the Winter Nationals before trips to Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina for the finale. New for the 2023 season was the North East Division, which began at the Spring Nationals in Charlotte. Events in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania highlighted the series’ inaugural season. The ‘OG’ division is the North, which featured four races in four different Great Lakes states. The new-in-2022 Canada Division expanded to three events this year with the season started with a race in Quebec and capped with a pair of events in Ontario.

All the programs and races have helped to build the excitement for the Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals 7, which are set to return to New Castle Motorsports Park in New Castle, Indiana on September 28-October 1. Featuring 385 entries in 2022, the event is expected to break the 400-entry mark this year to make it one of the largest karting events of the season in North America, and around the world.

Before the engines rumble in New Castle for the 2023 CKNA Grand Nationals, EKN would like to recognize a handful of drivers who were able to claim divisional championships.

Cup Karts North America 2023 Champions Profile

Canada Division: Senior Light Champion

Jonathon Treadwell

(Photo: Cody Schindel – CKN)

Hometown: Huntsville, Ontario
Age: 30
Occupation: Owner of VRS Karting (Ontario Kubica dealer) – Heavy Truck/Equipment Operator
Kart: Kubica
Sponsors: PSL Karting, Lawson Speed Shop, SM Motorsports, Dallas Clarke (Hypervision Signs and Graphics), Prime Power Team, PRO Race Engines, Marc Stehl Motorsports

Not only has the growth of Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform taken place in the USA, our neighbors to the North in Canada have embraced the movement from the beginning. Karting has stabilized at the grassroots level around the 206 package and thanks to Gerald Caseley, the Cup Karts North America program launched the Canada Division in 2022. Among the inaugural champions was Jonathon Treadwell.

During the first season of CKNA Canada Division, Treadwell won three of the four main events in the Senior Medium category to claim the series championship. He contested the Senior Light class as well, finishing sixth in the final standings.

Fast forward to 2023 and Treadwell ran double duty once again, this time with the success switched with a title coming in the Senior Light category that saw over 70 different drivers compete over the six rounds. The season began at the Karting Trois-Rivieres with the series visiting the Quebec facility for the first time. Treadwell began with a fourth-place result in Round One on Saturday before improving to second in the Round Two main event. The series then traveled west to the Lombardy Raceway Karting Club, south of Ottawa. It was a tight battle at the front with Treadwell earning victory on Saturday and then placing third in Round Four main event. The series finale came in August, with the series returning to the famed Goodwood Kartways northeast of Toronto. Treadwell opened the weekend with his second victory in the class, a fourth-straight podium result. His worst result over the six rounds came on Sunday, placing sixth in the Final. It would not count toward the championship, with a best five format deciding the 2023 champion. Treadwell secured the title by 106 points over Nicky Palladino.

Jonathon ran two classes during the season, attempting to defend his 2022 championship in the Senior Medium category. While he was able to win both main events at Lombardy, Treadwell gained one other podium result – Round One – to end up third in the final standings. Alex Murphy and Christian Savaglio bested the 2022 champ in the title chase.

Treadwell, along with all the CKNA Canada Division champions have been awarded entry to the CKNA Grand Nationals 7 by series promoter Gerald Caseley.

When and where did you start karting?

JT: I started at Innisfill Kart Club in 2004, but the track was shut down by the township. I then joined the Hamilton Regional Kart Club having missed the first eight races. Fortunately, they had eight drops in the championship point structure, and I ended up winning the novice title my first year.

Why do you compete at the CKNA?

JT: I compete at the CKNA events because the high level of competition and because of the ties with the American series. Being able to compete against their best drivers as well.

What’s your favorite track to compete at?

JT: I have raced at over 35 kart tracks across North America, so it’s really hard to choose one all-time favorite. I really enjoy street races or temporary race tracks as I am able to adapt quickly.

Who do you look at as your primary challengers in each event?

JT: I’ve got a lot of challengers depending on the event/location, but some of my current top competitors would be Gianluca Savaglio, Nicky Palladino, Jordan Prior, and David Barnes

Are you racing at the CKNA Grand Nationals 7, and if so, what’s your goal for the event?

JT: I’ll be attending the CKNA Grand Nationals and my goal will be to win the title in at least one of the two Senior classes I’ll be competing in.

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