The Sports Car Club of America™ (SCCA®) has crowned road racing’s best amateur competitors from across North America for more than six decades at a winner-take-all National Championship race. The tradition continues for a 63rd time this Sept. 28-Oct. 4 in Wisconsin at America’s National Park of Speed during the 2026 Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs®.
Tucked amongst rolling Kettle Moraine hills between the delightful towns of Plymouth and Elkhart Lake, Road America hosts the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program’s ultimate gathering for a third straight year. It’s a legendary event at a wonderous 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit that never disappoints.
Established in 1955 and widely considered one of the finest racing facilities in the United States, the stunning venue is a park-like grounds with 640 acres of amazing spectator opportunities. Fantastic concessions add even more to an experience pierced by high-speed excitement for hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
This year’s crop of SCCA racers, teams, and volunteers are already on site, with many making the most of a couple test days that precede Thursday and Friday qualifying. The excitement then comes to an energetic boil Saturday and Sunday during Hagerty Race Days. For a rundown of upcoming on-track activities, click the button below to access the current event schedule.
The Week’s Party Plans
The Runoffs highlights intense competition, for sure, but the annual meetup is about so much more. It’s a chance for Club members from around the country to come together and celebrate their community while having #funwithcars. A lot of that reconnecting with friends occurs during various activities and parties.
Around 6 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, Sept. 29, things get going with a track walk for anyone on site. Circuit entry is at “pit out.” Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because cars, trucks, ATVs, side‐by‐side vehicles, scooters, and two‐wheeled motorized vehicles are NOT permitted on course during the open walk period. Golf carts, team tuggers, pedal bicycles, and ADA Mobility Devices are allowed, but can only travel at a normal walking speed.
Happening at the same time Tuesday evening is the Volunteer Worker Refuel going on at the Road America Center. That party includes food and drinks for all the volunteers who make the Runoffs possible.
The evening of Wednesday, Sept. 30, holds another opportunity for healthy exercise, but this time with a fabulous excuse to end track walks early at the bottom of the Moraine Sweep. That’s because the Turn 5 Tailgate party is back this year between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time. Beers, burgers, and bratwurst will again be on that menu.
Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m., head over to Road America’s Victory Circle to take in the Formula Vee® Hall of Fame induction celebration. This year’s ceremony will honor the Lazier family (Bob, Buddy, Jaques, and Flinn), as well as longtime competitor and engine builder Brian McCarthy.
Thursday evening will also see another Volunteer Worker Refuel going on at 6 p.m. in the Road America Center. An SCCA Women On Track and Women in Motorsports North America gathering will also be held at the same time in the same location that evening, with food and drinks supplied for all.
Friday is a doozy when it comes to end-of-day entertainment. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a Tire Rack Pole Award celebration held at Road America’s Victory Circle. That’s followed by this year’s #2Fast2Tasty Block Party, which is made possible thanks to the event’s title sponsor, Mission Foods. The Block Party will be centered around victory circle and includes an expanded catering queue so everyone gets plenty to eat. Victory circle is also where the 2026 Worker of the Year Presented by Mazda awards will begin at 7:30 p.m., that way everyone can experience the surprise and jubilation.
Need to know where to go? Click the link below to check Runoffs maps for Road America.
Be Part of the Runoffs Experience
The Runoffs at Road America is an event that shouldn’t be missed. So many sights, sounds, friends, laughs, and great racing are yet to come. All of it is best enjoyed in person, and spectator ticket prices are very reasonable for a motorsports event of this magnitude.
A full-event pass, which includes gate admission and general parking for Thursday through Sunday, is well worth the investment. A full rundown of pricing and ways to get tickets can be found by clicking the link below.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
