Local karting standout Jerome Wickham, 12, made a powerful impression on the national stage this past weekend at the Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals, held in New Castle, Indiana.
Competing against some of the top youth drivers in the country, Wickham showed the grit and talent that has made him a rising star in the regional racing scene.
In his first-ever CKNA event – and first Grand Nationals appearance – Wickham faced a steep learning curve, including adapting to a new tire compound used in this series.
Despite the challenge, he qualified 2nd out of 39 drivers, most of whom were seasoned champions with years of experience.
Throughout the weekend, Wickham and his team worked tirelessly to dial in the kart’s setup.
Heat race finishes of 5th, 7th, and 10th reflected the difficulty of finding the right tire pressure combination.
But by the final race, they had found the sweet spot.
Starting 6th in the 18-lap final, Wickham quickly moved up to 4th, holding his own among the best in the field.
A last-lap incident caused by a veteran driver’s unexpected move led to contact and a drop to 15th at the finish.
Still, Wickham’s performance turned heads and earned respect across the paddock.
“This was a huge step for Jerome,” said his Father. “He proved he can compete with the best in the country, and he did it with less experience and a lot of heart.”
Wickham now returns to the KRA Championship, where he’s aiming for a Top 3 season finish.
Follow his journey on OpenFender.com.
