The Junior 500 at the Gateway Kartplex provides an opportunity for students of all backgrounds to experience firsthand the thrill of motorsports. Through the qualifying process, students can pit their skill against each other in kart racing and compete for a shot at a full year scholarship for the Ignite Karting Series.
📅 Sept 20, 2026 · Jr 500 Championship Shootout 📍 Gateway Kartplex ⏰ Registration Open
The ultimate proving ground for aspiring racers. From the Kartplex to the Championship Shootout, we provide the equipment, coaching, and opportunity.
ABOUT THE EVENT
What is The Junior 500?
The Jr 500 Series is an expansion of the Jr 500 Championship Shootout which started in 2019. The program’s goal is to provide a unique opportunity for qualified youth to experience motorsports. Participation is open for any boys and girls from area high school/youth organizations interested in a karting experience.
In addition to the racing, students are introduced to the behind-the-scenes of motorsports and encouraged to explore career opportunities as their interests lead them.
The Racers Experience
Jr 500 Series
Participants will register for the event at Gateway Karplex and arrive with a parent or legal guardian. Aspiring competitors can practice any time during regular open track hours at the Gateway Kartplex. The Raceway Gives Foundation will provide discounted rates for aspiring Jr 500 competitors to practice their skills leading up the qualifying event.
Official event qualifying will take place on August 18th (Learners’ Permit Drivers Only), 20th, 27th, and September 3rd. Participants will receive the opportunity to set their best personal lap time. Those participants can attend as many qualifiers as they would like, and numbers permitting would have the potential opportunity to attempt multiple lap times at the qualifier.
The fastest 14 lap times will advance to the Junior 500 Shootout on September 20th. Those 14 drivers will get the chance to practice driving in the Margay K3 Karts on the Gateway Kartplex track before being split into two groups to compete for the fastest lap time within their qualifying group. The fastest 7 lap times will advance to the final and compete for the Ignite Series Scholarship.
All Jr 500 event participants will receive a special invitation in 2027 to experience the thrill of a NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Stage 1: Jr 500 Series
Qualifying Rounds
Qualifier results will be posted within 24 hours of event completion. Top 14 overall lap times will advance to the Jr 500 Shootout.
Stage 2: Jr 500 Shootout
Championship Finals
Finalists step up to professional Margay K3 race karts. Shootout event is comprised of practice session, qualifier and final race. Winner takes all.
THE PRIZE
Ignite Series Scholarship
The ultimate prize. The Jr 500 winner receives a full scholarship for the following year’s Ignite Series season, provided by the Raceway Gives Foundation. The 2026 Jr 500 champion will receive a fully sponsored entry in the 2027 GKP Ignite Series, which includes a professional racing kart lease, garage rental, unlimited practice sessions at the Gateway Kartplex, and coaching support during their season.
Recent Winner: Breon Austin (2025) secured a full ride for the 2026 season.
MEMORY LANE
Highlights from the previous year.
Interested participants can register here
Get Registered
Info coming soon …
EXPANDING GRID
How To Support This Event
If you would like to contribute support for this event please reach out to 618-215-8888 and ask for Alex Mahnich or James Caldwell. We have multiple opportunities available and all contributions are tax deductible.
If you are a parent/scout leader/community organizer/school representative and would like to know more about how the Jr 500 can provide opportunities for your students, please reach out to James at 618-215-8888 ext. 105 or jcaldwell@wwtraceway.com.