WEEDSPORT, NY (January 23, 2026) – Founded in 2018, Weedsport Kartway is set to embark on its 8th full season of action with the release of its seven event 2026 schedule.
This year’s campaign at the kartway will be led by motorsports veteran, Bob Thurston, who will step in as kartway promoter for the coming season.
“We’re looking forward to working with Bob in 2026,” said Weedsport General Manager, Jimmy Phelps. “The Thurston family is a well-known name in the area and Bob has had his touch on the karting scene for many years. We have crafted a similar schedule to year’s passed, with a few slight changes, and are excited to welcome everyone back to the Short Port in April.”
The 2026 season will open with the annual running of the Spring Meltdown, now reduced to one day of action, set for Sunday, April 26. All points classes will be in action along with a $500 to win main for PRO Clone 375 and a $100 to win special for PRO Jr. Purple Clone.
Points divisions at all events will include Jr. Red Clone, Jr. Green Clone, Jr. Purple Clone, Jr. Blue Clone, Clone Light, Clone Heavy and Clone Super Heavy. Rookie Jr. Red Clone will also return to all events in 2026, but will not contend for points.
Rookie Red Clone and Jr. Red Clone will utilize heat races to set lineups for features all season, while all other classes will time trial.
Kart Cup returns on Sunday, May 31 with all points classes on the card, as well a $500 to win PRO Clone 375 feature and $100 to win PRO Jr. Green Clone.
Junior racers will say goodbye to the school year on Sunday, June 28 with the highly anticipated Pencils Down Showdown. Aside from points action, PRO divisions will include $500 to win PRO Clone 375 and $100 to win PRO Jr. Blue Clone.
The Summer Nationals on Sunday, July 19 will be part of a busy month of July for the entire Weedsport facility. PRO Clone 375 will continue its stretch of $500 to win events, with PRO Jr. Purple Clone returning for $100 to win. Points classes will also reach the halfway point of their battle for a championship.
The kartway’s final stretch of the season will see the Short Port Shootout on Sunday, August 30. PRO Jr. Green Clone will return along with PRO Clone 375 in conjunction with round five of the points season.
The 9th running of the James Shutts Memorial will return to its familiar September spot on Sunday, September 20. PRO Clone Super Heavy racers will again be highlighted with a $1,000 to win main event, joining $500 to win PRO Clone 375 and $100 to win PRO Jr. Blue Clone.
The 2026 season will then conclude on Saturday, October 17 with Octoberfest. The one-day show will see 13 divisions in action as points championships draw to a close and PRO mains are paid out to PRO Clone 375 ($1,000), PRO Clone Super Heavy ($500), PRO Jr. Blue Clone, PRO Jr. Purple Clone and PRO Jr. Green Clone (all $100).
Further questions in regards to the 2026 Weedsport Kartway season can be directed to Bob Thurston via email at bob@weedsportspeedway.com.
Visit www.weedsportspeedway.com or follow Weedsport Kartway via Facebook at www.facebook.com/weedsportkartway and Twitter @WeedsportSpdwy for more information.
2026 Weedsport Kartway Schedule
Sunday, April 26 – Spring Meltdown
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Purple $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
Sunday, May 31 – Kart Cup
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Green $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
Sunday, June 28 – Pencils Down Showdown
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Blue $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
Sunday, July 19 – Summer Nationals
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Purple $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
Sunday, August 30 – Short Port Shootout
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Green $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
Sunday, September 20 – James Shutts Memorial
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Blue $100 to win
PRO 375 $500 to win
PRO Super Heavy $1,000 to win
Saturday, October 17 – Octoberfest (Rain Date: October 18)
Rookie Red Clone
Points Races (7 classes)
PRO Green, Purple, Blue $100 to win
PRO Super Heavy $500 to win
PRO 375 $1,000 to win
Points 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 Jr. Green Clone (7-10 yrs. old, 250 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Jr. Purple Clone (9-13 yrs. old, 275 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Jr. Blue Clone (12-15 yrs. old, 310 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
PRO Clone 375 (15 & up, 375 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch
Rookie Class:
Rookie Jr. Red Clone (4-7 yrs. old, 225 lbs.) – Big Pipe, Open Clutch, 14-58 Gear Rule
All regular Weedsport classes will compete using the Burris 33A tire.
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.