Aston Wyatt claimed the inaugural Cadet championship in CKNA South Division (Photo: CKNA)

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

South Division: Cadet Champion

Aston Wyatt

(Photo: CKNA)

Hometown: Huntsville, Texas
Age: 10
Grade / School: 5th
Kart: Birel ART
Sponsors: My Dad / The Wyatt Agency

Aston Wyatt made history, becoming the first Cadet champion in Cup Karts North America history, winning the title in the CKNA South Division. The CKNA created the Cadet division for the 2023 season based on competitor feedback, and to help the transition for drivers moving up from the Kid Kart division. It is reserved for drivers ages 8-10, utilizing the ‘Red’ slide.

The first field was nine drivers at the CKNA Winter Nationals – held at the 103rd Street Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida. Wyatt was the top qualifier and won both heat races before leading wire-to-wire for a nine-second margin of victory to claim the inaugural class victory. The competition stepped up at the second event, with the CKNA South Division visiting the Finishline Performance Karting in February. Wyatt qualified second and won the heat race, however, missed out on the victory by 87 thousandths to Kade Kaspar for the Saturday round of action. Sunday was a similar result fighting at the front all day, placing runner-up once again. The next month was a return to the Sunshine State and the Monticello Karting facility. Wyatt swept the Round Four action on Saturday and repeated the feat on Sunday, including two wire-to-wire victories in the main events. Wyatt did not participate in the series finale at the Carolina Motorsports Park in South Carolina. The best five of seven championship format however put the Texan at the top of the standings for the championship by 91 points over Kershaw double winner Parker Stewart.

Wyatt is coming off a second championship on the season, earning the 206 Cadet title at the Texas Sprint Racing Series program, earning two wins in five rounds. He also won the Micro Swift division at the series, making him the only double champion in 2023 at TSRS. The Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals 7 will be his career first, among the nearly 30 drivers to be part of the inaugural class at the event.

When and where did you start karting?

AW: I started racing when I was 5 doing club races at Speedsportz in New Caney, TX

Why do you compete at the CKNA?

AW: CKNA is the biggest 4 stroke organization we know of so we get good competition and I do other organizations for 2 stroke.

What’s your favorite track to compete at?

AW: My favorite track so far is Trackhouse Motorplex in North Carolina, but out of tracks I go to for CKNA I would say New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana.

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

AW: My biggest challengers in CKNA this year have been Kade Kaspar, Luke Giglio and Parker Stewart.

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

AW: Yes and my goal is to win it of course!

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