WEEDSPORT, NY (July 7, 2026) – The 9th annual James Shutts Memorial returns to Weedsport Kartway on Sunday, September 20, presented by Novelis & Dan Kapuscinski Motorsports Promotions, running for the first time as a PRO Clone 390 event, with no driver weight minimum.
The 44-lap James Shutts Memorial for PRO Clone 390 racers will be run in two 22-lap segments, paying $222 to lead halfway and $1,022 for the overall win. At lap 22, the field will be stopped briefly on the front stretch with the top six drivers in the running order redrawing for restart spots in the final 22-lap segment. No work will be permitted on karts during the intermission.
The kartway’s newly implemented dirty tire impound following qualifying will be in effect for this event.
Lap sponsorships will again be available for the PRO Clone 390 main, with a full field payout on tap for 20 starters along with other to be announced contingencies as the race nears.
“It’s an honor to help put this race on each year and it would not be possible without our partnership with Weedsport Kartway and the support of longtime sponsor, Novelis,” said Dan Kapuscinski. “The help we get from the community, fellow racers and friends for this race is what makes it so special. James was an avid kart racer and all-around race fan and we know he would enjoy seeing the racing that has been put on the last several years in his memory.”
As the world’s largest recycler of aluminum and producer of flat-rolled aluminum product, Novelis leverages aluminum’s unique properties to deliver sustainable solutions to their customers by maintaining a high level of recycled-metal inputs across their product portfolio – a competitive differentiator and a key component of their sustainability strategy.
To learn more about Novelis visit online at www.novelis.com.
For this year’s event the PRO Clone 390 platform will follow the same guidelines as PRO Clone 375, just at a higher weight.
“While this event has traditionally been a Super Heavy event, Super numbers across the area have been such that we felt like trying something new this year,” said Kapuscinski. “All senior competitors will be able to compete in 2026, regardless of driver weight. This may not be a long-term solution for the race, but for this year we will try this format and see how it shapes up.”
Previous Shutts Memorial champions include Dan Kapuscinski, Jason Moll, Matt Chavis and Jared John, who has won the last four events consecutively.
A total of 11 classes will compete on September 20 including Rookie Red Clone, Jr. Red Clone, Jr. Green Clone, Jr. Purple Clone, Jr. Blue Clone, Clone Light, Clone Heavy, Clone Super Heavy, as well as PRO Blue Clone, PRO Clone 375 and PRO Clone 390.
The PRO Clone 375 division will compete for a winner’s share of $500.
Drivers competing in a PRO class must also compete in at least one points class. Registration information will be posted in the coming weeks.
Visit www.weedsportspeedway.com or follow Weedsport Kartway via Facebook at www.facebook.com/weedsportkartway and X, formerly Twitter, @WeedsportSpdwy for more information.
Rookie
Rookie Red Clone (4-7 yrs. old, 225 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch, 14-58 Gear
Point Classes
Jr. Red Clone (5-8 yrs. old, 225 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Jr. Green Clone (7-10 yrs. old, 250 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Jr. Purple Clone (9-13 yrs. old, 275 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Jr. Blue Clone (12-15 yrs. old, 310 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Clone Light (15 & up, 340 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Clone Heavy (15 & up, 375 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Clone Super Heavy (15 & up, Driver 200 lbs. w/gear – overall 400 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Classes
PRO Green Clone (7-10 yrs., 250 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Purple Clone (9-13 yrs., 275 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Blue Clone (12-15 yrs., 310 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO 375 (15 & up, 375 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO 390 (15 & up, 390 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
About Weedsport Speedway: Officially opened for the first time on July 24, 1955 – the Weedsport Speedway 3/8 mile dirt oval has produced a legendary list of drivers and champions including Will Cagle, Danny Johnson, Bob McCreadie, Alan Johnson, Jack Johnson, and Dave Lape to name a few. In 2018, Weedsport introduced the all-new Weedsport Kartway, just outside of the Speedway’s main pit area, to begin to foster the next generation of racers, crew members and race fans. Couple the racing with state-of-the-art camping and track amenities, unmatched on-site television production capabilities, plus the ability for large scale concert productions and Weedsport is one of the marquee entertainment venues in the country.