Under blue skies with temperatures expected to top out in the mid 70-degree range, the first of two qualifying days is already underway at Road America for the 62nd SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco. Each of 23 car classes competing this year will have a 21-minute session on course today, giving racers the chance to produce their best lap around the legendary 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit that curls through the region’s rolling Kettle Moraine hills.
Taking place Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, 2025, in Elkhart Lake, WI, the Runoffs brings together some of the best drivers from around the country to compete in winner-take-all contests that crown National Champions within the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program.
Fans can follow qualifying developments online Thursday and Friday, Oct. 2-3, as competitors march toward the Tire Rack Pole Award. Live timing/scoring, as well as an audio presentation, can be found at SCCA.com/live. Announcers Gregg Ginsberg and Dan Bullis are behind microphones to cover qualifying developments, too, which can also be heard at SCCA’s Official YouTube Channel.
Sunoco 260 Thursday
This opening day of qualifying is “Sunoco 260 Thursday.” Drivers in each class whose best qualifying time comes closest to including .260 will earn 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car. A list of winners will be published to SCCA.com by 8 a.m. Central Time on Friday. Those same winners will also receive official confirmation via the email address they supplied during Runoffs registration, as well as instructions for retrieving their reward.
Sunoco’s 260 race fuel has been highly regarded for years. Sunoco’s 260 GT is a street-legal (in most states), oxygenated, unleaded gasoline designed for high performance street cars, muscle cars, classics, street rods, motorcycles, and the like.
With a 100-octane rating, Sunoco 260 GT allows increased boost levels in supercharged or turbocharged applications as compared to lower octane “pump” gas. It’s engineered to not harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors, and contains a comprehensive additive package for greater engine protection and reduced fuel system deposits. It’s also compatible with two-stroke synthetic and mineral-based engine oils, and safe for carbureted and fuel injected engines.
As well as being the presenting sponsor of this year’s Runoffs, Sunoco has also been the Official Fuel of SCCA since 2001. The company has been powering victories on and off the track for more than 100 years, which is why Sunoco is trusted to fuel more than 50 series of racing, driving, and winning – including the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, SCCA Pro Racing, SVRA, and NASCAR. Sunoco also helps keep Thursday’s event running at Road America by fueling volunteers and event staff with food and beverages at lunch.
Thursday Evening’s “Rock the Block Party”
When on-track action simmers down late Thursday afternoon, that doesn’t mean the day’s excitement is done. Instead, the fun percolates back up at 6 p.m. with a “Rock the Block Party” centered around Road America’s Victory Circle in the paddock.
America’s National Park of Speed takes on a festival vibe with food, folks, games, music, and beverages during this annual Runoffs gathering. The New England Region and Inside the SCCA podcast have teamed up to dole out brats, grilled cheese, and beers from Wisconsin. Chris Taylor Racing – in conjunction with Cross Thread and Goodyear – will be serving up the same. The Prod Party will have Mexican food, and SCCA Women on Track plans to offer some pulled pork.
Not enough free food and drinks for you? Well, SCCA’s National Staff will also be dishing out chili, Mazda Motorsports looks to hold a cornhole competition alongside beer, and SCCA’s Central Division has dessert covered with ice cream and cake. SCCA’s Tech Team will hold some games, and don’t forget the Oddball draw/race going down in the pedestrian tunnel.
The SCCA Gear tent, located next to “Rock the Block Party” confines and filled with tons of branded swag, will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday night, too. That’s a terrific opportunity for volunteers to redeem their $15 gift certificate on some really cool stuff to remember the 62nd SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco in Wisconsin.
Not Too Late to Get to Road America
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Sunoco at Road America shouldn’t be missed. The aromas, sights, sounds, and thrills are best enjoyed in person, and spectator ticket prices are very reasonable for a motorsports event of this magnitude.
A three-day pass, which is good Oct. 3-5, is only $80 at the entry gate and includes parking and paddock access. Single-day admission is a deal at $30 for Friday, or $45 for Saturday or Sunday. Anyone 16 years old and younger gets in free with a paying adult. SCCA members get a 20% discount on passes, which you can learn more about at the Runoffs ticket webpage.
Photo: Peyton Long on track at Road America in the No. 52 Spec Racer® Ford Gen3 car
Photo by Andy Howe
