Get to Know the 2025 K1 Speed Junior E-World Podium

Kenneth “Preston” Blevins Jr. – $8,000

K1 Speed U.S. National Champion, K1 Speed E-World Champion

Kenneth “Preston” Blevins Jr. represented K1 Speed Concord with impressive back-to-back victories in the 2025 K1 Speed Junior U.S. National Championship and E-World Championship, earning $8,000 for his efforts. We had the chance to sit down with Blevins to discuss his wins. 

Blevins made the trip from North Carolina to Ontario, California — about a 2,400-mile journey. At just 11 years old, Blevins is a fully sponsored driver and sports a recognizable racing suit, pictured above on the podium. 

Blevins described his family as “helpful” in his racing career, always taking him to tracks and being a positive support system overall. During the E-World Championship, we spoke with Blevins’ father and witnessed that support system firsthand. 

Having qualified first for the Junior E-World Championship, Blevins knew he would lead the grid off the starting line. Many young drivers in the same position would panic at the thought of defending all race, but not Blevins. In control throughout the race, Blevins never went off his race line. After an intense eight-lap battle against California champion Miles Boertje, Blevins crossed the finish line in first to the sound of cheering support. 

The K1 Speed E-World Championship allows international and U.S. state champions to meet, interactions they likely wouldn’t have without the event. Blevins and Boertje are a great example of this, befriending one another at K1 Speed Ontario while practicing two days before the event. Coincidentally, Blevins and Boertje both saw success with 1-2 finishes, respectively. 

A soft-spoken competitor, Blevins allows his racing to do most of the talking. When it was time to take the first-place spot on the podium, Blevins described himself as feeling “nauseous” with all the attention from parents and other drivers. Despite that feeling, he handled the spotlight with class, holding the first-place trophy over his head like a true champion. 

When asked about his favorite karting track, Blevins smiled as he mentioned K1 Speed Ontario, the site of his triumph. Having made the trip to K1 Speed Ontario last year, Blevins came more prepared the second time around and said it felt good to improve his placement. 

The Blevins family celebrated Preston’s victory with a steak dinner, a fitting end to a memorable day at the track. What sets Blevins apart from other drivers is his self-described competitiveness and focus, which were both on full display in his victory performance. 

The celebration continued after Blevins returned home to North Carolina, surprised with a party by his family and close supporters. “They threw a surprise at me, which got me really good,” Blevins described fondly. “We got home, and they had a poster of me with my name and all that. They had a confetti popper, and once I opened the door all the way, they shot it out.”

If he could choose where his career takes him, Blevins would be part of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team. Fittingly, Blevins’ favorite F1 driver is Max Verstappen. 

Blevins plans to use his $8,000 cash prize to further develop his karting career. The first step will be joining a karting team, which will give Blevins more opportunities to showcase his talents. We at K1 Speed will be keeping a close watch on Blevins’ advancing career and wish him nothing but the best. To follow Blevins’ journey, you can visit @madmax.jr2023 on Instagram.

Miles Boertje – $4,000

K1 Speed U.S. National Championship and K1 Speed E-World
Championship Runner-Up

Miles Boertje from K1 Speed Clovis earned two second-place finishes in the 2025 K1 Speed Junior U.S. National Championship and E-World Championship, taking home $4,000 for his performance in the latter competition. With experience driving Legends cars already on this 11-year-old’s resume, we at K1 Speed are excited to see how Boertje develops throughout his career. 

Boertje was first introduced to karting at five years old through his father, who purchased two karts for the family to practice with. “He bought us two pink and purple karts that we loved,” Boertje said. “We tried to go out to Buttonwillow every weekend we could and just got more and more experience.”

Boertje has a vivid memory of his first competitive race: “It was in the Fresno Fairgrounds, and it was pouring rain,” Boertje recalled. “It was just a blast, I loved everything about it. I think I ended up third after qualifying first in my race, but the engine sputtered because of the rain. We were all in the plastic suits and everything. It was really fun.”

Most kids in karting are inspired by famous professional drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but Boertje prefers his inspiration to come from those closest to him. 

When asked about who inspires him, Boertje answered, “my brother for sure, he and I train together, race on iRacing together, eat together, and do everything together. My cousin, too, he used to drive ARCA and still does every once in a while.” For those unfamiliar, the ARCA Menards series features stock cars, similar to NASCAR.

When prompted about mechanical failures and tough losses, Miles responded with a smile, “no racing is equal. There’s always something that’s faster… You just get ready for the next one and hope that you do well next time.” At just 11, Miles has a mature understanding of competitive racing that allows him to approach challenging conditions with grace. 

Already with rows of trophies to his name, Boertje said that his most memorable race was competing at the 2024 IKF Sprint Grand Nationals in Amarillo, Texas. “We ended up fourth, almost getting on the podium. It was a really fun race because we got to travel there and experience the race with other good kids.” 

To watch Boertje and other divisions from the 2024 IKF Sprint Grand Nationals, check out Kart Chaser on YouTube. The 2025 IKF Sprint Grand Nationals will be held October 3-5 at K1 Circuit Winchester and livestreamed on Kart Chaser’s YouTube channel. 

Boertje makes sure that he is prepared for big races like the K1 Speed E-World Championship by focusing on the basics — eating well, getting enough sleep, and being smart about race decisions. When time permits, Boertje practices on his racing simulator at home. 

What sets Boertje apart from other drivers his age is his versatility behind the wheel. “I don’t only race asphalt, I race dirt too;  kind of like Kyle Larson does,” Boertje said. “I don’t think F1 drivers could get into a Sprint car and do two different things. I just try to do different things, so I’m prepared for new tracks.” Boertje backed up this claim at the K1 Speed E-World Championship, which featured K1 Speed Ontario’s super track, run in reverse. A completely new track for the field of drivers, Boertje excelled in qualifying. 

In the future, Boertje aims to gain professional status backed by sponsorships. “I just hope to make a career out of racing if I can,” Boertje said. “It’s just a really fun hobby for me right now, just trying to get bigger and bigger into racing.” 

Boertje is definitely on the right track to accomplishing his goals, gaining experience in Legends car racing at just 11. Only his second time in a Legends car, Boertje impressed with a second-place finish in a group with more experienced competitors. 

We at K1 Speed are excited to follow Boertje’s career as he progresses into the upper echelons of racing. To follow along with Boertje’s development as a driver, check out @boertje_brothers_racing on Instagram.

Arnav Bhegade – $2,000

K1 Speed E-World Championship 3rd Place Finisher

Arnav Bhegade represented K1 Speed Toronto in the 2025 K1 Speed Junior E-World Championship, taking the $2,000 third-place prize back up north. A poised young racer, Bhegade started the final race in fourth and was able to gain a position for his spot on the podium. 

Bhegade was first introduced to karting during family vacations: “When we would go on trips, we used to go-kart,” Bhegade said in reflection. “Since I was little, I had to sit beside my parents, and I didn’t like that. All I wanted to do was drive it by myself.” 

One thing that stands out about Bhegade is his approach to racing. Many kids worry about how they place and the stress they feel to win, but Bhegade is different. Even at an intense event like the K1 Speed Junior E-World Championship, Bhegade was unbothered. 

“I thought of it as a vacation because we were going to California,” Bhegade recalled. “On the [competition] day, I thought about the race, but I didn’t have any pressure on myself… I just try to do my best.” 

Bhegade is supported wholeheartedly by his parents. One thing that sets their dynamic apart is the lack of pressure put on Bhegade to win races. Bhegade’s parents have done a great job recognizing his innate interest in succeeding, which has allowed Bhegade to grow without unnecessary stress.

K1 Speed supports this approach to parental involvement and see it as the best way for kids to get into racing. We want kids to be excited about racing, not worried about upsetting their parents. 

“My parents play a very important role,” Bhegade said. “My dad is the one who helps me all the time with my racing — he takes me to huge events early to practice, so I can do well in the actual race. If I make any mistakes, he’ll help me and is always there to support me. My mom makes sure that I never race on an empty stomach, or else I won’t perform well.” 

When he’s not leading races at K1 Speed Toronto, Bhegade races karts at outdoor tracks such as Goodwood Kartways in Ontario, Canada. 

A four-time winner of K1 Speed Toronto’s junior league, Bhegade’s most memorable race was his first league victory. “It was from fourth to first, it felt really good… really special,” Bhegade said.  

Karting has helped reinforce Bhegade’s confidence in himself both on and off the track. When asked what sets him apart from other competitors, Bhegade credited his “hard work and dedication.” These traits are further exemplified by Bhegade’s commitment to schoolwork, always finishing his homework either before or after going to the track. 

A natural talent, Bhegade has never had a dedicated karting coach. Instead, Bhegade relies on the support of his parents and advice from older karting enthusiasts.

Like many young racers, Bhegade dreams of racing Formula 1. Inspired by drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Bhegade is joining a karting series with an impressive first-place prize — a complete Formula 4 car. Bhegade is on the right track to accomplishing his dream, and we at K1 Speed are happy to be part of his journey. To keep up with Bhegade’s racing career, follow @iam.arnav7 on Instagram.