Who Will Win the Runoffs? SRF3 and FE2

Two of the most intense classes to watch at the upcoming Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2025, SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco will be Spec Racer® Ford Gen3 (SRF3) and Formula Enterprises® 2(FE2). Why? Because these spec classes level the playing field – that means only the best drivers rise to the top.

If you’ve ever seen an SRF3 or FE2 race, you’ll know there are a lot of top-notch drivers at the Runoffs because there are always plenty within striking distance come the checkered flag. This makes predicting the winner of either class all but impossible.

Impossible, you say? Challenge accepted! You’ll find our best guesses below. Also know…there’s a solid chance the predictions below are utterly incorrect.

This isn’t our first time predicting winners of the 2025 Runoffs without actually having a clue. You can find our other attempts by clicking here.

This also isn’t SCCA’s first time hosting the Runoffs at Road America, which means we’ve got an incredible live stream of the entire Oct. 4-5 Hagerty Race Days planned, where you can enjoy the action from anywhere with internet access, be it camped out at Road America’s Turn 3 or on the other side of the world. Here are some links that will help you along the way:

Spec Racer Ford Gen3

If there's any race at the Runoffs that attracts the most discerning race fans, it's SRF3. The depth of the field of drivers and the evenly matched cars make an SRF3 championship race a hard-fought ballet between drivers of exceptional skill. That's certainly the case this year, with many past champions on the grid alongside newer drivers making their names known.

That's the case with Tyler Stephens, a phenomenon out of Oklahoma who's leading the Hoosier Super Tour in the class. He finished third at last year's Runoffs after starting in fourth position, so he's got what it takes to run up front for a whole Runoffs race. He’s also our pick to win this year.

"I race out of Hallett with Scott Stephens," Tyler says. "He sponsors me and a teammate, Peyton Long. We've been racing with him for about just over a year now, probably a year and a half. I grew up racing Karts since I was 10. Then my dad's always been racing Spec Racers, probably a good 20 years now if I'm not wrong. So around 16, I got in my first Spec Racer at Hallett and I just loved it ever since. I've been racing with SCCA for two years now. Last year was my first year, and this year my teammate and I have really taken off and won a lot of races."

With teammates all capable of finishing on the podium, the question of team orders is bound to arise.

"We work really, really good together," Stephens insists. "I don't think either of us is faster than the other. I think we can work really good together and it's just going to be a dog fight in the last lap or two between me and him if we pull away. Or if not, we're just going to have to figure it out."

One of the great things about being young and fast is really believing that the older guys are not really a whole lot better than you. Asked to reckon with the competition, Stephens is confident.

"They don't worry me or my teammate," he says, "but they are always the top 10. We always plan what we need to do to beat them. Especially Brian Schofield, Bobby Sak, Caleb Shrader, Robeson Clay Russell, all the fast guys. We always have a game plan going into the race, knowing what we need to do, what we need to accomplish to beat 'em. And we usually game it out very well – and if not, we have to figure it out on the fly. But yes, we're always concerned about them. They're always going through our mind just thinking what we need to do to beat 'em."

Asked how he plans to approach the track, Stephens has a smart (in a good way) answer.

"I think the biggest part, especially at Road America, is that it's such a big, long, fast track," Stephens says. "I think teamwork is going to be a really big part. We have to work together like we did at the June Sprints® and all year long. I think we have a really good shot at winning the Runoffs. We just need to work together very well. We’ve done that all year and I think we can do it again."

Formula Enterprises 2

Franklin Futrelle is no stranger to the top step of a Runoffs podium, having secured three prior gold medals in Formula Mazda and SRF3. In 2023, he claimed first place in SRF3 and second in FE2. Futrelle had to skip the Runoffs last year, but we think he's the man to beat this year.

"I missed last year's event because hurricane Helene destroyed my hometown of Augusta, GA, the day before I was supposed to leave," Futrelle explains.

Still, in a spec class like FE2, what matters are the drivers and the teams who set up the cars.

"My team, Comprent Motorsports, is the best out there," Futrelle insists. "They bring me a hot rod every time we run. I am also racing something every weekend. It's all about seat time, seat time, seat time."

Our pick for second position is Eric Wisniewski of Michigan. He has achieved multiple podium finishes, including a notable double win and lap record at the Mid-Ohio Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour in May of this year. Wisniewski also placed third in FE2 at the 2024 Runoffs.

In third place, we think Caleb Shrader of Oregon has what it takes to reach the podium, and he could do better than third depending on how the race plays out. Last year's champion Adam Jennerjahn of Indianapolis Region will also definitely be a factor.

With its level playing field, the FE2 class has become a proving ground for young drivers with aspirations in pro racing, so the bench is deep with talented and experienced racers who want to earn that championship and take the next step in their careers.

"My Comprent Motorsports teammate Paul Schneider will be one driver to watch, along with Gian Buffomante," Futrelle says. Buffomante showed his skills by winning FE2 at the June Sprints this year, so he knows both the FE2 platform and Road America.

"Gian is young and has been developing his craft over the past couple of years by driving all kinds of things," Futrelle explains.

Asked if there are any wild cards that could affect the race this year, Futrelle points to the fall colors in Elkhart Lake.

"The leaves," he says. "Last year the leaves clogging up radiator screens was an issue for our class along with some others."

Photos by Jeff Loewe

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