eKartingNews.com is proud to present our Preview Series for the SKUSA SuperNationals 26. Leading up to the on-track action of the 2023 edition of the marquee SKUSA event, EKN will preview each of the nine categories that will compete on the temporary circuit located outside the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas from November 8-12.

Trackside coverage is set to begin on Tuesday, November 7 as the EKN crew sets up our SuperNationals 26 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 9 as qualifying is conducted for both the morning classes and the afternoon divisions. Listen LIVE to the heat races throughout Friday, November 10 and into Situation Saturday, November 11, including the five Last Chance Qualifiers held on the day. That sets everything up for SuperSunday, with the main events for SuperNationals 26 audio streamed live on eKartingNews.com/live and eKartingNews.com/radio.

Complete coverage of the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals 26 can be found at the EKN EVENT PAGE.

KA100 Master

Martin Stone will attempt to repeat as the KA100 Master winner (Photo: EKN)

The KA100 Master class was introduced at the SuperNationals last year, reaching a sellout field following a strong push by EKN’s own Rob Howden. Now, the category is the only single-speed class for the elder drivers in the paddock after SKUSA dropped the longtime popular X30 Master division that lacked numbers during the registration process. That has brought together 45 drivers – some moving over from X30, some returning from last year’s class debut, and new names entering to become the second winner at the SuperNationals.

Martin Stone (Racing Edge Motorsports / Kosmic) wants to keep it one name in the history books under KA100 Master after SuperSunday. The defending inaugural race winner returns for a chance at a second SuperNationals victory, coming off a win at the ROK Vegas event in ROK Masters and runner-up result in VLR Masters. The top-three from last year’s podium returns with runner-up Renato Jader David (Orsolon Racing / Tony Kart) and Laurentiu Mardan (Tecno Kart USA) seeking a win. RJD is a former winner in the X30 Master class back in 2016, placing runner-up in that class last year to cap off a four-podium streak. Mardan was third a year ago, giving him a second SuperNationals podium result in his last four starts.

Ben Cooper among those moving from X30 to KA100 Master (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)

Among those moving over from X30 Master to KA100 Master includes two-time former SuperNationals winner Ben Cooper (Rolison Performance Group / Kosmic). The British native who calls Canada home was a third-place finisher in his X30 Master debut last year in only his fourth SuperNationals start. His first two were wins in DD2 (2013) and X30 Senior (2018). Cooper won the ROK Vegas race in VLR Master and won earlier at the US Trophy Final.

Another transfer and former SuperNationals winner is Kip Foster (PSL Karting / KF Kart). The popular driver from Australia finished fourth last year in X30 Master, where he has won a record four-times (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019). He is seeking that elusive fifth SuperNationals victory that will put him ahead of Billy Musgrave and Connor De Phillippi. Other international drivers to watch include fellow Aussie Matthew Waters (Rolison Performance Group / Kosmic) making his SuperNats debut, along with Dutch native Nick de Graaf (MMK / Tony Kart) returning to the SuperNationals after missing last year.

Kip Foster vying for a SuperNationals record five wins (Photo: EKN)

Many of the top drivers from the 2023 season at USPKS will be in the field, including Niki Coello, Scott Kopp and TJ Nevels under the Franklin Motorsports tent. Texas Sprint Racing Series multi-time champion Miguel Mier (Orsolon Racing / Tony Kart) finished seventh a year ago, his best result at the SuperNationals in six starts. TSRS race winner Morgan LeBaron (Hi5 Performance / Kosmic) is making his first SuperNationals start.

Other notables to watch include veteran Carlos Calderon (Aluminos), Bobby Kelley (MMK / Redspeed), Tim Meyer (Ryan Perry Motorsport / Tony Kart), KC Cook (Tony Kart), and Stars Championship Series contender Jakab Nyiri (AEM Karting / Kosmic).

SuperNats Stats

1 – KA100 Master SuperNationals winner in the field

4 – Former SuperNationals winners in the field

11 – Drivers from outside of the USA

12 – Different countries represented in the field

67 – Age of eldest driver in the field

Provisional Entry List – KA100 Master

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