Next Level Karting’s trip to Tucson turned into a weekend worth remembering both on and off the track, as the team put together an outstanding showing at Musselman Honda Circuit for MHC Winter Series Race No. 3.
The weekend began Saturday morning, when the team met at MHC and used the practice day to get familiar with a new track. Travel races always ask a little more of drivers and teams. There is the challenge of learning a different circuit, adjusting quickly, and finding rhythm in a new environment. NLK embraced that challenge early, using each session to build confidence and prepare for Sunday.
After a full day at the track, the group headed back to clean up, with some team members staying in hotels while another group stayed together at a VRBO downtown near the University of Arizona campus. Later that evening, everyone regrouped at Culinary Dropout for dinner and a chance to enjoy some time together away from the paddock. In one of the more underrated wins of the weekend, the team managed to secure a table and avoid what was nearly an hour-long wait. With food and drinks generously provided by a team member, the night became one of the highlights of the trip, as drivers and families spent hours mingling and enjoying the restaurant’s party games, including ping-pong and cornhole, before turning in for the night ahead of race day.
That time together mattered. Team trips are about more than results alone, and weekends like this help build the chemistry, trust, and friendships that carry over into competition. By the time Sunday arrived, NLK looked ready.
Junior 1: Eli and Joe Go 1-2
The LO206 Junior 1 class was all Next Level Karting at the front, with Eli S. leading the way to victory and Joe A. backing him up in second to complete a 1-2 finish for the team.
After battling back and forth for the front spot all day, Eli’s win was a major statement, while Joe’s runner-up finish reinforced the depth NLK brought to Tucson. It was the kind of result that gives the entire team momentum and showed just how strong the Junior 1 group has become.
Junior 2: Parker Leads Another NLK 1-2
The success continued in LO206 Junior 2, where Parker S. drove to the win and Jack I. finished second, giving Next Level Karting another class sweep of the top two spots.
That kind of performance is never accidental. Parker’s drive to the top step and Jack’s strong run to second highlighted a class group that continues to build confidence and consistency. For NLK to control another category from the front only added to an already impressive weekend and reflected the team’s ability to carry speed across multiple divisions.
ROTAX Mini Max: Maverick Wins, Eli Doubles Up
In ROTAX Mini Max, Maverick M. put together a winning performance to claim first place, while Eli S. added another trophy to his weekend with a strong third-place finish.
Maverick’s victory was another major highlight in Tucson and showed the kind of pace and racecraft needed to close out a class win on the road. For Eli, earning a podium in a second category made his weekend even more impressive. Winning Junior 1 and then coming back to finish third in ROTAX Mini Max speaks to both versatility and determination, and it was one of the clearest examples of the team’s competitive spirit throughout the event.
206 Senior: Colin on the Podium, Strong Depth Behind Him
In LO206 Senior, Colin D. led the NLK effort with a second-place finish, while Dean R. came home fifth and Conner V. followed in sixth in his first 206 race with the team.
Colin’s podium was a hard-earned result in a tough senior field and continued the team’s trend of putting itself in the fight at the front. Just as important, Dean and Conner gave NLK solid depth in the class, helping round out a strong overall showing. Senior categories are often decided by small margins and steady execution, and the team represented itself well all weekend long.
ROTAX Senior Max: Travis Finishes on Top
Travis M. capped off the Tucson trip with a win in ROTAX Senior Max, adding yet another class victory to an already remarkable weekend for Next Level Karting.
A win in the senior ranks is always meaningful, and Travis delivered when it mattered. His result was a fitting way to underline the strength of the team’s trip to MHC and another example of NLK’s ability to perform across age groups and experience levels.
A Weekend That Showed the Strength of the Program
When the weekend was over, Next Level Karting left Tucson with multiple wins, multiple 1-2 finishes, and podiums throughout the lineup. More importantly, the trip showed the strength of the entire program — from developing young drivers to producing front-running performances in senior competition.
Weekends like this are about more than trophies. They are about growth, team culture, and learning how to perform in different environments against strong competition. NLK did all of that in Tucson, together as a team, and the results reflected the hard work being put in behind the scenes.
Big thanks to the good people at @tucson_race_karts and all the staff at Musselman Honda Circuit for a great weekend. We can’t wait to race with you again soon!
