MARBLEHEAD — At just 13 years old, Marblehead resident Calvin Bennett is already carving out an impressive path in the world of motorsports.
A seventh grader at Tower School, Bennett will head to California this May to compete in the K1 e-Kart National Championship Race (Teen Division), where he’ll face off against roughly 60 of the fastest young drivers from across the country.
Bennett earned his place on the national stage by capturing the Massachusetts State Teen points championship in 2025, a milestone that reflects both his natural ability and his rapid rise in a highly competitive sport.
Bennett’s journey into racing began with a childhood fascination for speed. “Since I was about six, I always liked watching fast cars,” he said, recalling how his early interest in NASCAR and Formula 1 quickly evolved into something more serious.
By age 10, a visit to a youth racing event in Connecticut changed everything. Within a week, his family had purchased his first race car—launching what would become a remarkable ascent through the ranks of youth racing.
What started as a weekend hobby soon became a passion. Bennett began winning races, and then championships, proving he had both the instinct and discipline needed to succeed behind the wheel.
This spring, Bennett will travel to Southern California to compete in the K1 e-Kart National Championship, an elite event showcasing the top teen drivers in the country. The electric karts used in the competition can reach speeds of up to 65–70 miles per hour, demanding precision, quick reflexes, and mental focus.
“I feel really lucky,” Bennett said. “A lot of things had to go right… and I’m really happy that I’m actually good at it too.”
Preparation for the event has been thorough. Earlier this year, Bennett traveled to California to practice on the very track he’ll race on, logging valuable laps to familiarize himself with its layout. Back home in Massachusetts, he sharpens his skills using a racing simulator, which is especially useful during the long New England winter offseason.
While the national championship is a major milestone, it’s only part of Bennett’s ambitious 2026 season.
This summer, he will compete in the NEMA-Lite racing series, becoming the youngest driver in the field. The series features experienced adult competitors racing high-speed cars — some reaching speeds near 100 miles per hour — on oval tracks across New England.
“It’s not just kids anymore,” Bennett said. “These are actual adults who have been doing this since before I was born.”
The transition marks a significant step up in both competition and intensity, but Bennett is eager for the challenge.
For Bennett’s family, the journey has been both unexpected and rewarding. With no prior racing background, they initially saw the sport as a casual activity. That quickly changed as Bennett’s talent became clear.
“Watching your child find that thing they love—it’s incredibly gratifying,” his father, Andrew Bennett, shared. “He just started winning, and he kept winning.”
He added, “It’s been a total revelation for us as a family. It’s the most fun we’ve ever had.”
Racing has since become a central part of their lives, requiring dedication, travel, and increasing financial investment. Like many aspiring drivers, Bennett and his family are exploring sponsorship opportunities to help support his growing career.
Despite his young age, Bennett is already thinking long-term.
“I take this really seriously,” he said. “A career in racing would be a lot of fun, and it’s kind of the only career that I see would really fit for me right now.”
With a state championship under his belt, a national competition ahead, and a bold step into adult racing circuits this summer, Calvin Bennett is proving that his future in motorsports is a dream already in motion.
As he prepares to represent Marblehead on a national stage, this young driver is just getting started.
