Bellefontaine’s Jerome Wickham Finishes Racing Season with Strong 2nd Place at Newcastle Motorsports Park

Local racer Jerome Wickham closed out an exceptional 2025 kart racing season with a 2nd place finish at Newcastle Motorsports Park, capping off a year filled with growth, consistency, and competitive success.

Now in his third year of competition, the Bellefontaine Middle School seventh grader entered the season with ambitious goals: to claim at least one race victory and secure a top-five finish in the 14-race KRA series. When the checkered flag waved on October 16, he had far surpassed those expectations.
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Throughout the year, Jerome competed in 20 races across Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, earning an impressive list of accomplishments:

• 🏁 6 pole positions
• 🏎️ 14 top-three qualifying finishes, including 2nd at the CKNA Grand Nationals
• 🥇 3 race wins
• 🏆 15 top-five finishes
• 🏁 4th overall in the KRA Championship standings
  
  

Reflecting on the season, Wickham said:
“It could have been better, but it certainly could have been worse. Racing isn’t always just about being fast; it’s a complex puzzle where everything has to align. I’m optimistic and excited for next season and will be working hard this winter to prepare physically and mentally for the move to the Junior categories.”

Next season will bring new challenges as Jerome transitions into an adult-size kart capable of reaching speeds up to 80 mph. The Midwest regional racing season begins in April, and Jerome is already focused on preparing for the competition ahead.

Beyond the racetrack, Jerome has taken an active role in his own career—leading sponsorship outreach, creating digital content, and managing his social media growth. His online presence has expanded rapidly, seeing a 2000% increase in views and doubling of followers this season. He has already secured a major partner for 2027, with more sponsorship announcements coming soon.

Jerome expressed gratitude for his community and sponsors:
“We couldn’t have accomplished any of this without the incredible support from our partners, donors, and fans. I’m so thankful for everyone who believed in me.”

He extends special thanks to his partners: Harvey Auto Group, Stilo USA, Redline Synthetic Oil, Bearded Man Coffee, Malco Automotive Detailing Products, Connected Technology Solutions, and a heartfelt thank you to Brewfontaine, which will host a Dine and Donate event in the coming months to support his continued racing journey.
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As Jerome prepares for his 2026 racing season, Bellefontaine will be cheering on one of its own—a young driver proving that dedication, community, and hard work can drive success both on and off the track.