[Updated] Speedy Soeungs Send Five to States
Updated (Feb 24, 2026):
Eli Soeung was crowned the 2026 Tennessee Teen State Champion, putting up fantastic qualifying times and holding on for victory in the final. We had a chance to speak with Eli about his experience in the TN Championship: “I felt pretty good there; I was able to pick up the lines quickly,” Eli said about learning the K1 Speed Knoxville track.
Chris Soeung took second place in the adult class, earning a spot in the 2026 E-National Championship pool. “It was fun looking forward to it, and the fact that all five of us were competing there,” Chris said about preparing for the TN State Championship.
Now, the brothers are off to Southern California to take on the best K1 karters in America. The 2026 United States E-Karting Championship takes place May 2 – 3 at K1 Circuit Winchester. For more details, check out the World E-Karting Championship page.
Led by their uncle, Izriah, the four brothers — Chris, Ty, Haziah, and Eli — have leveraged extensive sim-racing experience to secure multiple Nashville podium finishes and qualifying spots for the upcoming Tennessee State Championship at 8 am on Sunday, Feb 1st, in Knoxville.
Chris Soeung
First Place — Adult
Chris is widely regarded as the most naturally gifted racer in the family. Throughout the 2025–2026 season, he has been a consistent frontrunner, often winning races outright. His speed is a benchmark for his brothers, and he played a pivotal role in the family’s strategic 1-2-3 finish during the season finale by helping to secure his younger brother’s position. Off-track, Chris enjoys riding dirt bikes around the family property with his brothers.
Izriah Osborne
Second Place — Adult
As the uncle who introduced the family to competitive karting, Izriah serves as both a mentor and a top-tier competitor. Formerly a racer of remote-controlled cars, he transitioned to K1 Speed’s electric karts and was instantly hooked. He frequently uses his experience to coach his nephews, particularly in high-pressure qualifying sessions.
Ty Soeung
Third Place — Adult
Ty brings a unique background to the track as an accomplished piano player. He credits his musical training for his high level of consistency and “muscle memory” when hitting apexes and managing lap times. Though he initially struggled with karting and simulator racing, he improved significantly over the season, culminating in a third-place overall season finish.
Eli Soeung
First Place — Teen
The youngest of the brothers, Eli has shown remarkable progress in a short time. In the previous year, he achieved just two top-five finishes. This season, he dominated with seven wins. His rapid ascent highlights the effectiveness of the family’s collaborative training approach and their passion for competing with the best of Nashville’s racing community.
Haziah Soeung
Third Place — Teen
Competing in the Teen division, Haziah overcame a slow start to the season this year. The self-proclaimed ‘slowest of the group’ dedicated himself to simulator practice and coaching from Izriah. Due to diligent practice, he began consistently appearing on the podium by mid-season. Eventually, Haziah earned enough points to secure a third-place finish in the Teen League’s season standings.
Next Up: Tennessee State Championship
Now, the Nashville family will head to Knoxville to compete in the 2026 Tennessee State Championship on February 1st. The championship brings together the best K1 Speed racers from Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis — battling for a state-podium finish and a ticket to the U.S. Championship at K1 Circuit Winchester in May.