The track is hot and intrigue palpable as the final day of qualifying is underway at Road America for the 62nd SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco. Each competitor within the 23 classes involved in this year’s event has one last, 21-minute session on track Friday to post their best qualifying time around the epic 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit positioned between Elkhart Lake and Plymouth in Wisconsin.
At stake is the front starting position during Hagerty Race Day contests. That advantage comes with both a tactical and psychological edge for those seeking victory and a gold medal proving they’re the best within the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program.
Things happen quickly on Friday, so be sure to follow all the action with live timing/scoring at SCCA.com/live. Gregg Ginsberg and Dan Bullis have also been seated behind microphones covering qualifying developments, an audio presentation which can be heard at SCCA’s Official YouTube Channel.
Hawk and Tire Rack Rewards Day
Cherished partners add so much every year to the entirety of Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program activities. That most certainly includes the final day of qualifying at the Runoffs, which is both Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” Friday and Tire Rack Pole Award day.
Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA® since 2003, adds an extra layer of excitement to qualifying by recognizing one driver from each competition class who makes the biggest improvement in qualifying position from Thursday to Friday. That go-getter receives a free set of Hawk brake pads for street cars, race cars, or tow vehicles. Winners, however, must have posted a qualifying time Thursday to be eligible for this reward. A list of winners will be posted within a story at SCCA.com by 8 a.m. Central Time on Saturday, Oct. 4, and awardees can retrieve their certificates by visiting the Contingency Table in Tech between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Please retrieve award certificates as soon as possible.
For nearly 30 years, championship winning drivers and teams have demanded Hawk Performance motorsports brake pads. The company leverages its experience on the track, and technology used in aerospace and the military, to make first-class products in the USA.
Hawk’s advanced technology is also available for daily-driven cars, trucks, and SUVs thanks to Hawk Performance street products. With the LTS compound for SUVs and Jeeps, Super-Duty pads for tow vehicles, and brake fluids for both the street and the racetrack, Hawk has every braking need covered, and learn more by visiting HawkPerformance.com. Then help out by giving Hawk a “like” on Facebook and Instagram.
Of course, that’s not all for Friday as Runoffs qualifying concludes with an elaborate Tire Rack Pole Award ceremony where the quickest receive $500 to spend at Tire Rack. Equally important is the competitive and psychological advantage gained by starting out front. It’s all a race to see who reaches the checkered flag first on their way to victory podium celebrations to spray a bottle from Mazza Wines, the Runoffs’ Official Sparkling Wine supplier for the last decade.
Before then, Hawk and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA for 30 years, as well as Hagerty, the Official Insurance Partner of SCCA since 2019, all stepped up to graciously supply lunch for hundreds of Runoffs volunteers who make this massive event possible Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Watch for Super Sweep Contenders
Established in 2009, the SCCA Road Racing Super Sweep is one of the most demanding accomplishments a Club racer can achieve. To merit the award in 2025, drivers must win one Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour race, a Hoosier Super Tour Points Championship, a U.S. Majors Tour® Conference Championship, and a National Championship Runoffs race – all within a single class.
Only two elite drivers earned Super Sweep honors in 2024, which obviously stands as testament to the immense skill and commitment required for the feat. That short list included Tyler Ladd from the E Production field. The other driver was Charles Russell Turner, who actually achieved the feat in back-to-back years. Last year it was Spec Racer® Ford Gen3, and the year before he claimed the honor in the Formula Enterprises® 2 class.
At Road America this year, 14 different classes have drivers who could achieve a Super Sweep – and more than 20 drivers are still in the hunt before Hagerty Race Days begin. Some drivers only require a Runoffs race win; others need a combination of factors to align.
It’s a complicated equation, especially when a Runoffs performance counts toward the Hoosier Super Tour Nationwide Points Championship. The best way to stay atop the situation is to pull up the SCCA Official YouTube Channel online for Runoffs Hagerty Race Day video broadcast coverage.
Friday Evening All Participant Party Plans
The “All Participant Party” – featuring Worker of the Year Awards Presented by Mazda – is on tap for Friday evening at the Road America Center. This is a chance for everyone to chill out, chat with friends, and celebrate some volunteers who make the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program run smoothly around the country.
That gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Oct. 3, with plenty of food and beverages available. This is the last chance for all SCCA members to come together for some camaraderie and fun before Sunday evening’s Memorial Toast. That final gathering, which closes the Runoffs each year, will occur at 6 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Road America Center. The Memorial Toast is a chance for all to remember those who have passed away but will always remain a part of SCCA’s family.
Photo by Jay Bonvouloir
