K1 Speed’s 100+ locations and 2 K1 Circuit locations are full of employees who represent what it means to be part of the K1 family. This month, we recognize 8 stand-out K1 employees.
Kristen Washington
TRACK SUPERVISOR – DAYTONA
Kristen grew up in a racing household and has been competing in motocross for 12 years. A highlight of Kristen’s racing career has been competing in Supercross at Daytona International Speedway, conveniently located across the street from K1 Speed Daytona. Notably, Kristen was among the top 40 in the world in 2020. Kristen worked at the Daytona center before it was taken over by K1 Speed. Truly a member of the team from the start, Kristen has helped create a sense of community among employees, even bringing in homemade cookies from time to time. One of the highlights of the job for Kristen is getting to interact with people from different countries, always keen to hear their stories and how they got into the world of racing. “She’s got a great attitude and always goes above and beyond. She’s even become a pretty great cashier who can and will step in if we have a call out or a staffing need. There isn’t much Kristen doesn’t do,” said Daytona General Manager Robert Negri.
David Celestine
TRACK SUPERVISOR – BUFFALO GROVE
David has always had a love for cars, and since starting at K1 Speed over a year ago, he’s become a frequent attendee at local car meets. When asked what he enjoys about working at K1 Speed Buffalo Grove, David mentioned that his role as a track supervisor is a natural fit and doesn’t feel like a typical job. As with many K1 Speed employees, David’s favorite part of the job is being able to race consistently. David has been learning the Buffalo Grove track and has brought down his lap times in hopes of teaching K1-on-1 classes someday. “David steps up and shows me he is someone I can depend on: always ready at a moment’s notice to come in and help if short-staffed, staying later if needed, and going above and beyond when he’s here working,” said Nicholas Hurst, the General Manager of Buffalo Grove. David’s willingness to be a team player is something we hope other K1 Speed employees can embody.
Josh Place
GENERAL MANAGER – TUKWILA
Before stepping into his role as General Manager of K1 Speed Tukwila, Josh built a strong foundation in leadership by managing a pizza restaurant and later serving as General Manager of his local Buffalo Wild Wings. With over 15 years of customer service experience, Josh brought a wealth of knowledge and energy to the launch of K1 Speed Tukwila, where he has been leading the team ever since. He thrives on engaging with guests, sharing racing tips, and encouraging participation in our Challenge GP leagues. His approachable style and racing insights help create a dynamic, welcoming environment for both newcomers and regulars. His passion for karting began when his father built a go-kart powered by a lawnmower engine, giving Josh a grassroots introduction to the sport. A dedicated three-sport athlete growing up, Josh now channels that same drive and discipline into growing sales, fostering team development, and building league participation at the track. Looking ahead, Josh hopes to take on a mobile leadership role, whether as a regional manager or part of the training team that helps launch new K1 Speed locations.
Caulder Trader
GENERAL MANAGER – DENVER
Caulder has been part of the K1 Speed family for over eight years. His love for racing took off after seeing Australian V8 Supercars at Circuit of the Americas in the early 2010s. “It absolutely blew my mind,” Caulder said. “I fell in love with it immediately.” Before starting at K1 Speed, Caulder participated in the Adult Challenge GP league and enjoyed the competitive atmosphere. When he saw a K1 Speed was opening closer to him in the Dallas area, he jumped on the chance to become a track operator. From there, Caulder worked his way up to general manager, which is the position he holds today at K1 Speed Denver. When asked what he enjoys on a daily basis, Caulder mentioned, “I do legitimately enjoy providing a fun, safe racing environment for our customers. I remember how I felt the first time I ever raced at K1, and I was absolutely blown away with how much fun I had with it. Now, I try to create that same feeling for others.” In his time with K1 Speed, Caulder has helped open new locations as part of the training team. Locations he’s helped open include K1 Speed Clovis and K1 Speed Cinnaminson. In total, Caulder has been the general manager of five K1 Speed locations. We are lucky to have someone with Caulder’s experience and hope his story inspires other employees.
Jeff Pope
HEAD MECHANIC – CONCORD
Originally hired as a cashier, Jeff has worked his way up to head mechanic and has shown himself to be an invaluable asset. Since being promoted to head mechanic, he has built up and trained three other mechanics while still keeping our fleet in working order. He has gotten the highest of praise from our regional mechanic Hilbert, and has even volunteered to rebuild rear differentials so that we don’t have to buy new ones each time,” said Concord General Manager James Bear. Growing up, Jeff’s favorite NASCAR driver was Jeff Gordon, citing their shared name as the main reason behind his support. Jeff’s first real introduction to the world of racing came via the NASCAR race experience in Columbus, Ohio, around 10 years ago, and he’s been hooked ever since. Before coming to K1 Speed, Jeff spent time in the Air Force and earned his marksman status. We appreciate Jeff’s innate work ethic and see his journey up the promotional ladder as an example for others to follow.
Carson Donnel
ASSISTANT MANAGER – DES MOINES
Carson first moved to the Des Moines/Grimes area to attend school, but his focus soon shifted toward growing within the company. Today, he serves as an assistant manager after steadily climbing the promotional ladder. A lifelong drag racing enthusiast, Carson comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport, with a legacy that spans two generations. He began racing at just eight years old in the Junior Dragster division, and some of his favorite memories include traveling to race events with his father, often stopping at local go-kart tracks along the way. Carson applied to the Des Moines location the moment he saw the job posting, eager for the opportunity to combine his passion for racing with his career. Starting out as a track operator, he worked his way up and formed strong bonds with coworkers along the way. Looking ahead, Carson hopes to remain with K1 Speed and eventually make a lateral move once he steps into a full manager role. Beyond work, his love for racing continues through competing in a weekly simulator league, having proudly secured third place in his first season.
Daron Jackson
TRACK OPERATOR – NEW ORLEANS
From a young age, Daron was captivated by racing; his fascination sparked after watching Disney’s Cars. Over the years, that spark has grown into a full-blown passion. A natural at engaging with people, Daron thrives on connecting with customers and building strong, meaningful relationships. When he’s not delivering exceptional customer experiences, he loves gaming and is currently exploring simulator steering wheels to enhance his virtual racing sessions. As an outgoing personality, Daron’s positive energy is contagious. He’s a beacon of enthusiasm at the New Orleans center, especially during high traffic periods. While he’s friendly and upbeat, Daron knows how to switch gears and be serious when it comes to ensuring customer safety. He values openness with his team and is always ready to pitch in, making him a committed and valued member of the New Orleans team.
David Morris
TRACK OPERATOR – K1 CIRCUIT WINCHESTER
David remembers visiting local go-kart tracks while growing up in the ‘80s and credits those experiences as the basis for his love of racing. Having worked in the food industry since he was 16, David’s role at K1 Circuit Winchester provides a new avenue for him to explore. In fact, David was in the process of applying for restaurant jobs when he decided to walk-in to K1 Circuit and drop off his résumé. This speaks volumes to David’s proactive, go-getter mentality. David also has a strong work ethic and enjoys the sense of accomplishment he feels after his shifts. “I like working hard and it makes the day go by fast. I can sleep well at night knowing that I’m not giving it half [effort],” David said. Having started a few months ago, David is excited to continue growing and climbing the promotional ladder. David’s approach to his position is one we hope other employees can use as a model for their own work.