The championship races of the 63rd Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® at Road America kicked off on Oct. 3, 2026, during the first of two Hagerty Race Days held at the world famous 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit. With cool 59-degree and a solid cloud cover, the Mazda-powered Formula Enterprises® 2 (FE2) class took to the course mid-morning with Tire Rack Polesitter and Atlanta Region member Franklin Futrelle leading the eight-car field toward the green flag. Futrelle was followed by second-place qualifier Steve Whitston and third-place qualifier Darryl Wills.
When the green flag dropped for the 13-lap sprint race, four-time National Champion Futrelle, in the No. 97 Factory 97 Motorsports FE2, got the jump on the rest of the field and grabbed an early lead into Turn 1. Then on lap two, Central Carolinas Region’s Paul Schneider, who qualified fifth, moved up the field in his No. 73 Comprent Motorsports/Loria Medical FE2 and passed Wills, in the No. 47 Hillenburg Motorsports FE2, for third. Schneider immediately began to challenge second-place driver Whitston.
While Schneider and Whitston battled for second place, Futrelle stretched his legs, gaining a second per lap over the entire field. On lap three, Schneider made his move and got the pass over Whitston for second place, but Whitston didn’t quit and stayed on Schneider’s gearbox.
While Futrelle walked away from the field with determination (setting his fastest time on lap eight), things heated up for third place with Houston Region’s Wills challenging Whitston for that coveted podium. On lap nine, Wills had a huge slide in Canada Corner, obviously giving it everything to catch Whitston. Wills collected himself and continued the chase. Then three laps from the checker, Whitston went off between Turns 5 and 6, handing third to Wills.
When the checkered flag flew, Futrelle scored his fifth National Championship with an 11.176sec lead over second-place finisher Schneider. Wills claimed the final podium spot.
Futrelle was all smiles after the race. “[It’s a] special day! JD, my crew chief all week long, showed up from Athens a week early and prepped this car, and it’s the best car I’ve ever had,” he said. “He’s got a ton of podiums, but this is his first championship as a crew chief, so, shout out to JD, good job!”
After the race, second-place finisher Schneider, who finished third last year, said, “One step closer! I’m looking forward to Road Atlanta next year. Hopefully I can get the win there!”
For his part, Wills enjoyed the race. “It’s the best thing you can do, without a doubt,” he said before heading to the podium celebration to spray Mazza sparkling wine. “It’s a great little car, gets around here in a hurry, it’s a lot of fun.”
Will Franklin finished fourth, Tom Burt fifth, and Mark Greb sixth. The Sunoco Hard Charger Award went to Schneider for his charge from fifth on the grid to second.
The 63rd Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® is the pinnacle of American amateur motorsports and crowns Sports Car Club of America™ Champions as part of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program. In 2026, two Hagerty Race Days at Wisconsin’s Road America decide 23 gold-medal winners.
The live, online Runoffs Broadcast presented by Mazda features video over both competition days at SCCA’s Official YouTube Channel. Live timing and scoring for each race is also available at SCCA.com/live.
Below are provisional results for Saturday’s Formula Enterprises® 2 race at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs; with finish position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, and laps completed.
- 1, (1), Franklin Futrelle, Augusta, GA, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
2, (5), Paul Schneider, Charlotte, NC, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
3, (3), Darryl Wills, League City, TX, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
4, (4), Will Franklin, Covington, GA, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
5, (8), Tom Burt, Shoreline, WA, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
6, (7), Mark Greb, Iowa City, IA, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
7, (6), Dean Oppermann, Minooka, IL, SCCA Ent FE2, 13.
8, (2), Steve Whitston, Georgetown, TX, SCCA Ent FE2, 10.
Race Stats
Length of Race: 52.62 miles
Overall Time of Race: 29:33.587 (avg. 106.815 mph)
Margin of Victory: 11.176 seconds
Fastest Race Lap: 2:11.881 (110.500 mph)
Lap Leaders: #97, Laps 1-13
Sunoco Hard Charger: #73 Paul Schneider
Photo by Jay Bonvouloir
