The opening 16-minute qualifying sessions Thursday at the 63rdMission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® counted toward “Sunoco 260 Thursday” results. Drivers in each class whose best qualifying time came closest to including .260 in wet conditions have now earned 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car. Those on the list below should report to the Sunoco fuel truck behind Road America’s Victory Circle after 7 a.m. Friday and before noon Sunday to receive 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.
Sunoco has 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 kept the event running at Road America by helping fuel volunteers and event staff with food and beverages.
’26 Runoffs Sunoco 260 Thursday Winners
Below are the Sunoco 260 Thursday winners for the 2026 Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Each entry below includes the winning driver’s name, SCCA Region, and the last three digits of their posted time.
– American Sedan®: Philip Smith, Ohio Valley Region, 0.554 – B-Spec: Matt Downing, Ohio Valley Region, 0.276 – E Production: Bill Miller, Kansas City Region, 0.441 – F Production: Mark Sargis, Blackhawk Valley Region, 0.290 – H Production: Tom Broring, Washington DC Region, 0.102 – Formula Atlantic®: Shane Kennett, Colorado Region, 0.604 – Formula Continental®: Bill Johnson, Kansas City Region, 0.189 – Formula Enterprises® 2: Steve Whitston, Milwaukee Region, 0.265 – Formula F: Demetrios Constantinidis, Chicago Region, 0.360 – Formula 600:Sven de Vries, Saginaw Valley Region, 0.307 – Formula Vee®: Colin Satterley, Western Michigan Region, 0.247 – GT-1: Dan Speer, Blackhawk Valley Region, 0.185 – GT-2: Brad McAllister, Oregon Region, 0.304 – Prototype: No competitors on track in Q1 – Prototype 2:Peter Shadowen, Florida Region, 0.984 – Spec Miata: Nick Leverone, New England Region, 0.302 – Spec MX-5: Ryan Gutile, San Francisco Region, 0.310 – Spec Racer® Ford Gen3: Jackson Diehl, Tennessee Valley Region, 0.297 – Super Touring® Lite: Jon Sewell, Florida Region, 0.262 – Super Touring Under: Anthony Geraci, New York Region, 0.256 – Touring 2: Aaron Kaplan, Chicago Region, 0.208 – Touring 3: John LoGiudice, Milwaukee Region, 0.155 – Touring 4: Trenton Kramer, Ohio Valley Region, 0.251
Photo by Philip Royle
For a third year straight, Road America plays host to Summit Racing Equipment SCCA® Road Racing’s pinnacle event, the 63rdMission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs® happening Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, in Wisconsin. The circuit, arguably one of the finest in North America, travels 4.048 miles and consists of 14 turns. Along that path are 16 flag stations staffed by SCCA Flagging & Communication Volunteers whose goal is to both help competitors and keep them safe.
Midway between The Kink and Canada Corner sits station 11b on driver’s right. Manning that station for more than 20 years is Bert Hultman, who has been a member of SCCA’s Milwaukee Region for more than three decades.
“I did about four years at corner 12, then I did about six years at corner 14 through 1999,” Hultman remembers. And now for 23 years, he has spent nearly every single day at 11b, practically making it his home.
Creating a Home Away from Home
What has become Hultman’s “spot” was originally overgrown with nettles, raspberry bushes, poison ivy, and plenty of mosquitos in spring, summer, and fall. The corner station at that time consisted of only a flag hole and portajohn, giving 11b the appearance of a hobo camp, according to Hultman.
What exists at 11b today was all designed and requested by Hultman. That includes the basic structure, a table, desk, scatter shield, mirror, rain gutter, and more. He set out to make 11b his office, with portable shade and flag holders to boot.
A retired electrical engineer, Hultman said it’s just his nature to analyze a situation and produce better ways to do things.
“As an engineer, I’m always looking at problems and trying to solve them,” he said. “I’m always thinking about stuff all the time.”
From Humble Beginnings
Hultman’s entry into motorsports started back in the 1980s when he was designing intake manifolds for Chevrolet Corvairs. To say he was a Corvair fan would be an understatement as he eventually ended up owning 10 of them. In fact, he still has one in his garage today.
“Jon Brakke was running at Road America, and I watched him race his car with my manifold conversions on it,” Hultman stated. “That got me involved with SCCA. One thing led to another, and next thing you know I became a member in 1994.
“Then I got introduced to some of the SCCA people … and they said, ‘you could actually work here and be on the corners instead of just being a spectator,’” Hultman continued. “So, I did that and got hooked.
“It was fun,” Hultman said about the new adventure. “Met some new people, and there were new opportunities to see something different.”
Upon retirement in 2002, Hultman decided to devote more time to working corners at tracks such as Blackhawk Farms Raceway, GingerMan Raceway, Grattan Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and more. But he spent loads of time at the world-renown circuit nearest to his home in Milwaukee. Eventually, Road America hired Hultman to work events throughout the year, which is why he is found at 11b almost every single day.
“I was retired, so I didn’t have to do anything else anymore,” Hultman said about his new career at America’s National Park of Speed. “It’s a great retirement job. I can just come up here and work at the track and enjoy things.
“I love it. I can’t ask for anything better. It’s great. I have my hobby, doing corner working and other stuff, and it doesn’t cost me any money. I make enough to cover my expenses, and that’s what I’m looking for.
“There’s always new stuff to do and things going on,” Hultman said in summation. “You never go to work if you’re doing something you enjoy doing.”
Getting Involved
SCCA is a Club and works hard to open up options for anyone who loves having #funwithcars. While drivers competing for Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Program Championships are center stage this week at the Runoffs, there are hundreds of volunteers in action, too, taking advantage of a myriad of opportunities to be involved.
At any SCCA event anywhere in the country, there are countless members acting as motorsports artisans crafting an experience that ensures races run smoothly and safely. They also get up close to the action, often mingling with drivers and getting exceptional access to fantastic cars. SCCA members can be found in Registration, the Control Tower, Tech, on Grid, Flagging corners, and nearly everywhere else around a circuit.
Interested in learning more? Just walk up to an SCCA volunteer at any event and say “hello.” They’ll be happy to clue you in on how to get involved. A bunch more information can be found by clicking the link below.
Photo: Bert Hultman at home in corner station 11b at Road America
While the weather forecast for Road America in Wisconsin predicts light rain throughout most of Thursday with temperatures reaching the upper 60-degree mark, the vibe at America’s National Park of Speed is much, much hotter. The anticipation level is hovering around 135% as competitors are already on track during the first day of qualifying for the 63rdMission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®.
Most of the 24 car classes will have two 16-minute sessions on course Thursday to establish their best lap around the 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit that travels through the state’s Kettle Moraine region between the hamlets of Plymouth and Elkhart Lake. Everyone will then have a third qualifying session Friday that lasts 19 minutes, after which we’ll have our 2026 Tire Rack Pole Award winners.
A free video broadcast for both qualifying days is available online at the SCCA YouTube channel thanks to DriversEye Live. A few Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour announcers will provide the “call” during qualifying, with Brendan Kaczmarek and Gregg Ginsberg offering insight, along with the voice of Road America, Eric Mueller. Expect some special guests to visit the broadcast booth, too, throughout the days.
Live Timing/Scoring during qualifying can be monitored here. For more information about everything Runoffs related, click the link below.
The opening day of qualifying is “Sunoco 260 Thursday” once again this year. During the first 16-minute qualifying session, drivers in each class whose best time comes nearest to including .260 will earn 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car. Those winners will 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.
Sunoco has 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 Social Engagements
While there is lots of on-track action throughout this year’s Runoffs, taking place Sept. 28-Oct. 4, there is plenty of stuff happening at day’s end, too. Thursday’s off-track activity lineup opens at 6 p.m. Central Time with the Formula Vee® Hall of Fame induction celebration going on at Road America’s Victory Circle. 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 be held at the same time in the same location that evening, with food and drinks supplied for all.
Certainly, don’t forget about Friday evening’s festivities either. 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 option, 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.
Join the Party at Road America
There’s still time to get to America’s National Park of Speed to enjoy one more day of qualifying and two days of Runoffs competition. Known as one of the finest racing facilities in the United States, Road America’s park-like venue sits on 640 acres with absolutely amazing spectator opportunities. Fantastic concessions add even more to an experience that includes high-speed excitement enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
A full-event pass, which includes gate admission and general parking for Thursday through Sunday, is well worth the investment. A complete rundown of pricing and ways to get tickets can be found by clicking the link below.
Photo: Dean Kiriluk hustles his Formula Continental® machine around Road America in the rain on Thursday morning.
Photo by Philip Royle
Numbers play a significant role across all aspects of motorsport. From car settings to corner designations, segment times to laps remaining, digits are important. The 2026 Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®, taking place Sept. 28-Oct. 4 at Road America in Wisconsin, certainly has some behind-the-scenes numbers Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing fans might find intriguing.
80: That’s the number of Runoffs rookies on this year’s entry list. The last rookie to win? Ethan Lampe two years ago driving in Spec MX-5. All he’s done since is win it again last year, going two-for-two in Runoffs wins vs. appearances.
71: On the other end of that spectrum is Mark Weber, who has a Runoffs record 71 starts under his belt. The SCCA Hall of Famer should get to 73 this weekend with an E and F Production race. Second place on the “starts” list is interesting as it is currently a tie between Richard Colburn and Michael Pettiford with 51 each, and they’ll both make one start this year. Then there’s Michael Lewis, currently with 50 starts, who has two races on tap for the weekend. If all goes to plan, we’ll have Weber with his 73 starts and Colburn, Pettiford, and Lewis all at 52 by Sunday evening. Not much further back is Scotty B. White with 47 coming into the weekend. He’ll likely add three races this year, so he’s closing in fast!
45: Speaking of Colburn, he has made starts in 45 consecutive years. However, Weber showed up to race for the first time one season after Colburn’s inaugural visit. Technically, that means Weber’s multiple entries have pushed him over the top for consecutive Runoffs appearances.
76: Individual drivers on this year’s the entry list who have previously captured a National Championship. Those drivers represent 185 total titles.
24: The number of different drivers at this year’s Runoffs who have earned a silver medal, but never a gold. Another 30 have a bronze medal as their best finish.
10: One National Championship is impressive, but hitting double digits for your career is a Hall of Fame number. Michael Lewis (11) and Steve Sargis (10) have both done it and have a chance to add to that tally this weekend. The only other driver with a crack at leaving Road America with 10 championships is Tony Ave, who currently has five. Doing the math, that means Ave is entered in five classes this weekend!
3: The number of drivers who have won two championships in one year. Besting that mark is Jerry Hansen, who won three in 1971. If Ave were to sweep his races, that would absolutely shatter Hansen’s record and put Ave’s trophy-laden suitcase over the weight limit for the flight home.
57: Perhaps not a surprise, but SCCA’s Milwaukee Region leads the way in individual entries this year. A total of 57 drivers from the local Region are entered. Kudos also goes to the 17 drivers from SCCA’s San Francisco Region who have made the trip to Wisconsin.
Tracking Numbers Over the Next Few Days
Race fans can easily follow the numbers online thanks to a free video broadcast of qualifying available at the SCCA Official YouTube channel thanks to DriversEye Live. A couple Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour announcers will provide the “call” during qualifying, with Gregg Ginsberg and Brendan Kaczmarek offering insight along with the voice of Road America, Eric Mueller. Live Timing/Scoring during qualifying can also be monitored here.
Of course, contests during Hagerty Race Days will also be broadcast live at the SCCA Official YouTube channel. John Fippin, Brendan Kaczmarek, Larry MacLeod and Tom O’Gorman will provide the color and play-by-play during Championship events, with Heyward Wagner returning to his role in pit lane for race insight as well as immediate reactions from the podium finishers. Live Timing/Scoring during Hagerty Race Days can also be accessed here.
Perhaps the best way to follow the fun is in person at America’s National Park of Speed. 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.
In less than 24 hours qualifying will commence for the 2026 Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® taking place Sept. 28-Oct. 4 at beautiful Road America in Wisconsin. It’s the first chance for drivers to show what they’ve got for the other competitors this year, or the opportunity to get cars sorted before the winner-take-all contests go down Saturday and Sunday during Hagerty Race Days.
For a third straight year, the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program’s crowning event will tackle the fabulous 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit at America’s National Park of Speed that winds through the undulating Kettle Moraine region between the villages of Elkhart Lake and Plymouth. Over the two days of qualifying, drivers across all 24 different car classes will have two 16-minute sessions on course to establish their best lap time, followed by a 19-minute session on Friday.
A free video broadcast for both qualifying days will be available online at the SCCA YouTube channel thanks to DriversEye Live. A couple Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour announcers will provide the “call” during qualifying, with Gregg Ginsberg and Brendan Kaczmarek offering insight along with the voice of Road America, Eric Mueller. Expect some special guests to drop into the broadcast booth, too, throughout the days.
Live Timing/Scoring during qualifying can be monitored here. For more information about anything Runoffs related, click the link below.
Runoffs qualifying is made even more fun thanks to some of SCCA’s valued partners. That includes Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA for more than 30 years; and Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA starting in 2003. Thanks also go to Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA since 2001.
For several years now, Sunoco and Hawk Performance have added to the excitement of qualifying as drivers seek to claim Tire Rack Pole Award honors Friday evening. The first qualifying session this year is dubbed “Sunoco 260 Thursday.” That’s where drivers in each car class whose best qualifying time comes closest to including .260 will earn 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car.
Friday is then the Hawk “Brake-Through” Performer contest. One driver from each competition class who makes the biggest improvement in position from the second qualifying session to the third will receive a free set of Hawk brake pads for street cars, race cars, or tow vehicles. Winners must have posted a qualifying time previous to the third session to be eligible for this reward.
Road America is Spectator Heaven
Established in 1955 and widely considered one of the finest racing facilities in the United States, Road America’s park-like venue sits on 640 acres with absolutely amazing spectator opportunities. Fantastic concessions add even more to an experience that includes high-speed excitement enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
The Runoffs at Road America is an event that shouldn’t be missed. So many sounds, sights, and great racing are yet to come. All of it is best enjoyed in person, and spectator ticket prices are very reasonable for a motorsport event of this stature.
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.
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 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.
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.
SCCA® is smack dab in the middle of Championship Season, so it makes you wonder if many of the members listed below who are celebrating a milestone membership anniversary with the Club this month (that being 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 years) got so caught up in the excitement that they knew they HAD to become a member.
If this is the case, we’re going to see an even larger grouping of members on these anniversary listings 25 years from now, because this year’s Championship Season is bigger than ever.
Early September saw the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo® Championship Finale and the Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships (find out what happened by clicking here for ProSolo Finale info, and here for Solo Nats news), and those were followed in late September and early October with this year’s Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs® (which is taking place right now).
October brings the United States RoadRally Challenge®, which is wrapping the 100th anniversary of Route 66 into its three RoadRallies, and from there comes the RallyCross® National Championship Presented by Bingham Equipment Company right smack dab in the middle of the month. Then brand new for 2026 is the inaugural Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials National Championship, taking place the weekend after the RallyCross National Championship.
All of this means that this year’s Championship Season is briming with awesomeness (because of members like YOU!), and so far, it’s a thriller.
Don’t know what all of those Championship Season events are? Head to SCCA.com to find out, and follow along on SCCA’s Facebook page as we bring you the action as it happens.
The anniversary listing below notes each member’s name, Region of record, Division, and join/rejoin date. It’s important to point out that join dates for 1981 and earlier may list the first of the month rather than the actual day of membership.
25-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Jay Cartini, Central New York Region, NE, 9/5/2001 Anna Neave Crissman, North Carolina Region, SE, 9/5/2001 Thomas L Doerr, Milwaukee Region, CN, 9/20/2001 Mike Donofrio, Central New York Region, NE, 9/6/2001 Charles S Fullgraf, Chattanooga Region, SE, 9/26/2001 Larry Haynes, Rio Grande Region, RM, 9/7/2001 Daniel A Hoffman, New England Region, NE, 9/27/2001 Marsena Pardee, North Carolina Region, SE, 9/19/2001 Jeff Pollard, Lone Star Region, SW, 9/5/2001 Nadja Pollard, Lone Star Region, SW, 9/5/2001 James B Ray III, New England Region, NE, 9/5/2001 J Karl Sachs, Washington DC Region, NE, 9/5/2001 Randall Grant Smart, Houston Region, SW, 9/17/2001 Dennis E Smith, Salina Region, MW, 9/20/2001 Nancy R. Smith, Salina Region, MW, 9/20/2001 Christopher Stokes, Houston Region, SW, 9/17/2001 Miner Wilcox, Washington DC Region, NE, 9/7/2001 Jake Wright, Rio Grande Region, RM, 9/12/2001
30-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Paul Capel, New England Region, NE, 9/17/1996 John Cameron Croasdaile Jr., Central New York Region, NE, 9/25/1996 William J Farr, Texas Region, SW, 9/10/1996 Denise Renee Gass, Central New York Region, NE, 9/25/1996 Eric J Graunke, Chicago Region, CN, 9/11/1996 Andrew S Juner, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/26/1996 Susan E. Juner, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/26/1996 Jack Knapp, New England Region, NE, 9/12/1996 Michael A Lawler, Cal Club Region, SP, 9/11/1996 Lance Loughman, Western Michigan Region, GL, 9/19/1996 Ellen Lowery, Cal Club Region, SP, 9/10/1996 Suzanne Valerie Segal, Las Vegas Region, SP, 9/10/1996 Evelyn Vlasak, Buccaneer Region, SE, 9/17/1996
35-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Theresa Berry, Cal Club Region, SP, 9/10/1991 Nancy L Davis, Central Florida Region, SE, 9/26/1991 Elisabete M. Erlandson, Cal Club Region, SP, 9/10/1991 Ronald W King, Buccaneer Region, SE, 9/26/1991 Gary E Kramar, Texas Region, SW, 9/18/1991 Rod Markowicz, South Bend Region, GL, 9/10/1991 Craig Markusic, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/12/1991 William A Moore, Central New York Region, NE, 9/25/1991 Roderick O’Brien, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/6/1991 David W Packard, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/16/1991 Jeffrey Mark Pilson, Eastern Tennessee Region, SE, 9/20/1991 Lou Savino, Indianapolis Region, GL, 9/25/1991 Samuel Vassallo Jr, Washington DC Region, NE, 9/17/1991 Robert A Wagner, Milwaukee Region, CN, 9/5/1991
40-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Jeff Beck, Chicago Region, CN, 9/19/1986 Andrew Cotyk, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/29/1986 Michael B Dekutoski, Iowa Region, CN, 9/3/1986 Bill Dennis, Buccaneer Region, SE, 9/3/1986 Ron Dick, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/4/1986 Samuel A Eyer, Washington DC Region, NE, 9/29/1986 Larry Gallagher, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/29/1986 Paul Gipson, Arizona Region, SP, 9/10/1986 Cheryl T Kaiser, Northern New Jersey Region, NE, 9/23/1986 Robert Lambert, Salina Region, MW, 9/26/1986 Cindy Lee Mack, Western New York Region, NE, 9/9/1986 Kathleen McVicker, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/23/1986 Kenneth W McVicker, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/23/1986 Linda Miklovic, Northwest Region, NP, 9/18/1986 Joan Morrissett, Buccaneer Region, SE, 9/4/1986 Thomas W Morrissett, Buccaneer Region, SE, 9/4/1986 Kenford R Nelson, Detroit Region, GL, 9/16/1986 Linda E Rawson, Houston Region, SW, 9/30/1986 Jack P Richardson, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/18/1986 Robert E Rocho, Colorado Region, RM, 9/29/1986 Gregory Harold Smith, Arizona Region, SP, 9/26/1986 Anne E Vincent, Steel Cities Region, NE, 9/22/1986 Gregory F Vincent, Steel Cities Region, NE, 9/22/1986
45-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Chuck Cecil, South Carolina Region, SE, 9/1/1981 Douglas A Gall, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 9/1/1981 Mark McLaughlin, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/1/1981 Richard Leon Ratajczak, Central Carolinas Region, SE, 9/1/1981 Kenneth A Rodrigues, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/1/1981 John Rogers Smith, Southwest Louisiana Region, SW, 9/1/1981
50-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date John F Hartnett, Blue Mountain Region, NE, 9/1/1976 Bruce R Kalin, Western Michigan Region, GL, 9/1/1976 Suzanne D Kolker, Northern New Jersey Region, NE, 9/1/1976 Steve Wolf, Kansas City Region, MW, 9/1/1976
55-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Susan E Anderson, Southern Illinois Region, MW, 9/1/1971 J. Alex Bell Jr., Middle Georgia Region, SE, 9/1/1971 Jane Goodale, New England Region, NE, 9/1/1971 William Goodale, New England Region, NE, 9/1/1971 Peter B Harkins, North Carolina Region, SE, 9/1/1971 Jack Kolpack, Blackhawk Valley Region, CN, 9/1/1971 Steven C Lashley, Atlanta Region, SE, 9/1/1971 Edward C. Lublow, Western Michigan Region, GL, 9/1/1971 Edward V Mangone, Western New York Region, NE, 9/1/1971
60-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date Richard M Boonisar, New England Region, NE, 9/1/1966 Austin R Britton, Central Florida Region, SE, 9/1/1966 John J Cahill, Chicago Region, CN, 9/1/1966 Norm Conley, Wichita Region, MW, 9/1/1966 Dave Henry, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/1/1966 Michael P McDonald, New England Region, NE, 9/1/1966 Jon R Norman, San Francisco Region, NP, 9/1/1966 Dewitt A Payne, Susquehanna Region, NE, 9/1/1966 Gary Van Horn, Oregon Region, NP, 9/1/1966
70-YEAR MEMBERS Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date L A Delano, New York Region, NE, 9/1/1956 Frank S (Reb) Folbre, Texas Region, SW, 9/1/1956
Large spec classes where anything can happen? Sure, we’ll take a stab at predicting the winners of Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 at the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® at Road America. Surely this isn’t hard to do.
First is the Runoffs homepage, where you’ll find everything there is to know about the event. There’s also the driver’s entry list and event schedule, so you can discover who is racing, and when they’ll be on track. The spectator tickets link is useful for those who want to view the action on site, and SCCA’s YouTube channel link is also below, where Runoffs qualifying and Hagerty Race Days will be streamed live, presented by Mazda.
Now, check out who we think will win Spec Miata and Spec MX-5, then vote for your picks. Once you’ve voted, scroll back up and hit the “See previous responses” link. If you don’t like the results, refresh the “Who Will Win?” article and vote again.
Spec Miata
One thing has occurred to us: it’s 2026! That means we can just ask AI to pick the winner , right? Well, it’s just as confused as the rest of us.
Claude says: “if you want a single name, Nick Bruni is the smart pick as the reigning three-time champ, but Spec Miata at the Runoffs is notorious for chaos.” Not bad. Not bad.
Prefer Google AI? It tells us: “If forced to bet on just one driver in this incredibly volatile class, the smart money is on Preston Pardus.” Sounds like a good guess.
ChatGPT says its watching Danny Steyn most closely, “but the evidence doesn’t establish a sufficiently clear favorite to say he is definitively the most likely winner.” We’d agree.
We also know that key will be drivers working together to get to the front.
So, add Jim Drago and Brett Kowalski (who won at the Chicago Region June Sprints®) to the above list. Then watch out for the Sneaky Moose (Meese? Mooses?) Tyler Brown and Kyle Greenhill; keep an eye on Elivan Goulart and John Salerno; and don’t forget Logan Stretch, who’s coming on strong in the pro MX-5 Cup, with Max Stallone.
Honestly, we have no idea who’s going to win this one, and neither does artificial intelligence.
Since I’ve been told I HAVE to pick someone to win, let’s go with Tyler Brown to win, Kowalkski to finish second, and Steyn third.
But remember that Pardus-Bruni dead heat from a few years back? I think everyone would like to see Drago and Steyn share one of those.
Spec MX-5
Spec MX-5 may be slightly less up in the air than Spec Miata, but not by much.
The real wildcard in this is who might make the leap over from the pro MX-5 Cup race at Road Atlanta in time to start from the rear of the field at the Runoffs. Ethan Lampe, the two-time (and only) defending Spec MX-5 National Champion, is one of those. Cam Ebben is another, and he was the Tire Rack Polesitter last year. Can you come from the back and win this race? We’re not sure. But it’ll be fun to watch.
Let’s assume the win comes from someone who sets a qualifying time in the currently 24-car class.
Camden Gruber was second last year to Lampe, and should be quick again. William Wallis has had a spectacular season, and we’ve got our eyes on him. Weston Duchak was second at the Chicago Region June Sprints.
One more mention if we step away from the teenagers for a minute. Richard James has written a lot of “Who Will Win?” articles over the years as a former writer and editor of SportsCar Magazine. He’ll need a lot of things to go wildly correct to land on the podium on the track, but we wanted to see his name in the body of the text instead of as a byline.
So who is it going to be? All signs point to Camden Gruber to finally grab the top spot. Wallis hasn’t been far behind, so call him second. And third? Well, maybe one of the hot shoes from the back can get there. We’ll pick Lampe to go three-for-three on podiums, but just in a bronze this time.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
If you’ve missed any of the other articles in the series where we try to predict the winners of the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® at Road America, you’ll definitely want to click here. We’ve taken a guess at many of the 24 total races, then asked you to vote for who you think will win.
Up for prognostication today is Formula Atlantic®, Formula Continental®, Prototype, and Prototype 2. These are fast race cars, putting down some of the quickest times around Road America’s 4.048-mile, 14-mile circuit that’s a hop, skip, and jump west of Sheboygan, WI.
Sure, we have no clue who’ll win, but it’s fun to guess. And it’s also fun to have you vote on who you think will win – which is exactly what we’re going to do below. But before we get there, we have a handful of links that should prove helpful.
First up is the Runoffs homepage, where you’ll find everything there is to know about the event. Then there’s the driver entry list and event schedule, allowing you to discover who is racing and when they’ll be on track. Finally, there’s a link to spectator tickets for those who want to view the action on site, plus a link to SCCA’s YouTube channel, where Runoffs qualifying and Hagerty Race Days will be streamed live:
Formula Atlantic is by far the fastest of the formula classes, which means keeping up at a Runoffs pace takes dedication by both the driver and their crew. From Dzus fasteners to the nut behind the wheel, everything needs to be perfect to score a win. This year, we think Dudley Fleck and his team are the ones who best fit that description, so we’re giving him the nod to win.
Admittedly, last year didn’t go as planned for Fleck. A third place starting position turned into a six-lap dash before making contact with a Prototype car, bringing his race to an end. It was heartbreak for the 2024 Formula Atlantic National Champion, but we think he’ll be channeling that into massive amounts of speed this year.
If you’ve been following along with this year’s “Who Will Win?” articles, you’ll know that multi-time Runoffs winner Tony Ave is running a lot of classes. One of those classes is Formula Atlantic. Ave’s relationship with the Runoffs and FA is probably best described as “love-hate.” His first Runoffs appearance in the class came in 1994, when he qualified second but finished 10th. Following a long break in the class, he stepped back into Runoffs FA competition in 2024, where he qualified third and finished third; in 2025, he one-upped that with a second-place qualifying run. That race didn’t go so hot, though, with him turning precisely zero laps. We suspect he’ll rectify that this year with a run to second place.
In third, we expect to see James French. French has had a bit of a struggle in the class recently, qualifying fourth in 2025 only to be caught up in the incident that also sidelined Fleck. The year prior? His 2024 fifth-place start turned into a DNF. But wind the clock back to 2021 and you’ll discover he not only scored the Tire Rack Pole in the class, but he also won. And 2020? He won the P1 National Championship.
Put another way, French is fast and could prove our winner’s prediction utterly wrong.
Who else will be running up front? If we had to name two who will be applying pressure, we’d say Shane Kennett (who finished second in 2025) and John McAleer (no Runoffs wins, but he’s always a contender).
Formula Continental
Brandon Dixon to win. Michael Varacins in second. Brian Tomasi third. There. Prediction done.
Want to know why?
When it comes to the Runoffs, Dixon gets the job done. In 12 trips to the Runoffs, he’s landed on the podium five times, with two of those being wins: 2012 in Formula 1000 and 2025 in Formula Continental. It’s the latter that makes him our pick to win, because not only did he win, he did so by qualifying on the Tire Rack Pole and running flag to flag. Second place Brendon Cronin was 2.6sec back, then it was a seven-second gap to Tim Minor in third. As of this writing, Cronin and Minor were vacant from the Runoffs entry list, which gives Dixon breathing room.
But not much, because Michael Varacins is on the entry list. After winning seven Runoffs titles in Formula Vee®, Varacins moved to Continental full time in 2019. He’s a fast learner, so nobody was surprised when he earned his first FC Runoffs podium in 2020. Then in 2024, he won the class. If anyone can stop Dixon from winning this year, it’s Varacins.
Or maybe Brian Tomasi.
Tomasi is a two-time FC Runoffs National Champion, winning in 2004 and 2010. He took a mini hiatus after 2011, but since his semi-regular return to the Runoffs in 2017, he’s scored three top fives in four attempts. Last year, he finished third. This year, we think he’ll land in third once more – but if Dixon and Varacins start battling, Tomasi will be there to take advantage.
Prototype
Bart Wolf knows his way around a Runoffs race. His journey began just after the millennium with 13 years racing in Sports 2000 – nearly half of those years he wrapped the race on the podium. He “retired” from Runoffs competition for about a decade, but when he returned in 2023, he did so in Prototype, earning a sixth-place P2 finish in 2023, followed by a P2 win in 2024, and a third-place finish in Prototype last year. So, yes, Wolf “only” has one win, but right now, he’s as dialed in as it gets, and we think that foreshadows a win in 2026.
Lee Alexander has run a number of classes through the years, including CSR, DSR, Formula Atlantic, and Prototype. And in every one, he’s seen success. His two Runoffs wins don’t tell the complete story, as you’ll discover that Alexander’s “default” is a top five at the Runoffs. That’s exactly why we expect to see him in contention for the win this year – his last two Runoffs races were fourth-place finishes. Missing the podium by such a tiny amount makes you want it even more.
Last year’s Prototype winner was Jason Miller. That was a loooooong journey with a huge payoff. Still, we don’t anticipate him backing up the win, although we’d love to see it happen.
Others who’ll be in contention for a podium finish? Five-time Runoffs Champ Lawrence Loshak should never be ignored, nor should last year’s second-place Prototype finisher Perry Richardson or past Protype Champ Todd Vanacore.
Prototype 2
We’re knee deep in our Runoffs predictions, and if it’s not obvious by now that we’re making wild guesses while hoping to sound intelligent, then you’ve not been reading close enough.
So who will win the Prototype 2 race? Uhh…let’s check the Magic 8 Ball…
Tim Day Jr! What an excellent guess!
Let’s look at his Runoffs stats: 12 trips to the Runoffs, two third-place finishes, four seconds, and two wins, all driving in a Protype class. Add in his three Tire Rack Poles along the way, and if ever there was a driver to bet on for P2 this year, it’s Day. He’s also had a good year in the Super Tour, landing three first-places and a second. Add in that he’s coming off a second-place Runoffs finish in 2023 and a third in 2024, and he’s our man!
Except Magic 8 Ball says Greg Gyann shouldn’t be counted out. His Runoffs stats are just as impressive, with seven podiums (two of them wins) in 10 Runoffs starts. His Super Tour year is going well, too.
And on a third shake, Magic 8 Ball turns up Mike Reupert. 2026 will mark his 31st Runoffs! In that time, he’s won the Runoffs twice, although those were in the 1990s. It’s unlikely he’ll have the pace to run with Day and Gyann, but if one of them falters, he’ll be there to capitalize.
Is our Magic 8 Ball wrong?
Photo by Jeff Loewe
The Southeast RallyCross® Divisional Challenge, otherwise known as the Southern Sweet Tea Challenge, finally took place Sept. 19-20, 2026, in Hollytree, AL. The event was postponed in May due to heavy rain and flooding, with the hope for drier weather later in the year – which sort of happened.
A dry September with low rainfall led to dry initial conditions, but rain showers in the area allowed for varying conditions throughout Saturdays competition. A short Saturday morning shower (arriving just as Group 2 headed out) knocked down the dust and cooled things off for the morning’s four runs. A longer pop-up rain cell during lunch delayed the afternoon runs about 40 minutes; there was concern it would leave things slick for the first afternoon heat, but the dry dirt soaked it up quickly, leading to tacky and fast runs through the 70 second courses for the afternoon. Three runs were completed in the afternoon, helped along by welcome lingering cloud cover and reduced dust due to the scattered rain.
A BBQ dinner and social completed that day.
The Sunday course was shorter, averaging about 50 seconds per run. The lingering rain held off, leaving the day hot and dry with dust kicking up. A total of six Sunday runs were completed, for a total of 13 competition runs for the weekend.
On Course
A total of 52 drivers took part in the event, with the Rally Truck class the largest of the weekend with nine drivers. Steve Cerqueira brought home third place in the first outing for his new-to-him Ranger, with his three cones being the difference in a 4.66sec gap to second. Eli Drennan took second in his S10, while the win went to Jason Stewart, also in an S10, by 9.04sec.
Stock Front had five drivers. Dillon Broyles got third place finishing in Shawna Bowman’s Civic Si after fighting throttle issues in a Mazda 3. Bowman managed second place in the rebuilt Fire Ant Civic after a collision last year. Bowman was also the recipient of an SCCA® Women on Track scholarship, using that funding to attend this event. Meanwhile, taking the win was Austin Hulings, also in a Civic. That might be a pattern to watch.
Stock Rear had a great shootout between Josh Armantrout in his Lotus Elise and Logan Altmyer in his Nissan 350Z. The lead swapped a couple of times, but in the end it was a single cone that cost Armantrout the win by 0.6sec on Sunday. Part of what made the battle so entertaining was the size and power disparity between the two cars – the compact, featherweight Elise going toe-to-toe with the much larger 350Z made for great entertainment.
Stock All had six entries. William Morris in his silent-but-fast Polestar EV took home third place. The battle for first was between father-and-son duo Charles and Shelton Wright in their Focus RS, with Shelton grabbing the win by 5.6sec over Charles.
Ther were eight drivers in Prepared Front, and plenty of cones were had. Ryan Hard in his Acura pulled out third place while Christian Retterer kept the hammer down for second. The win went to Matthew Thompson in his Fiesta ST. Gaps were 6 to 7 seconds in the end.
Prepared Rear saw the battle of the European manufactured sports cars, with Jeremiah Hemphill in his BMW Z3 winning, leaving Casey Tolbert in second in his Porsche 944.
Mod Front had another father-son duo of Logan and Bill Dehne in their indestructible Nissan Sentra that has more miles on it than a Kenworth truck. Taking third was Logan, with second going to Bill. Top class honors went to Colin Kilby with a runaway win in a uniquely liveried Cavalier that was hard to miss.
Mod Rear had eight drivers. Bob White managed to keep his BMW E30 rocking all day for third place. In second place, Davis Faver had to manage some RX-7 issues, but through determination and stubborn effort held on for second. The win went to Leon Drake, who was back in Porscharu for the event after he borrowed the car back from Bob Seelig due to continuing teething issues on Frankaru, Leon’s MA car.
In Mod All, the battle for second was close – 1.1sec was the deciding factor. Benji Knox lost the fight with some cones and took third while Nicholas Stoll grabbed second. Jason Fuller stayed clean and ran off with the win in his heavily modified Subaru Impreza RS.
The UTV class pitted Rogerio Balbino against Johnathan Coatney. Rogerio collected cones while Johnathan only picked up one but, in the end, Rogerio barely hung on to win by the closest margin of the event – only 0.107sec separated the two drivers over the entire weekend.
Onto the Championship
A lot of dedicated people came together to put this event on, and it showed the best of #funwithcars within the SCCA. A huge thanks goes to everyone involved.
With another Southern Sweet Tea Challenge and the final RallyCross Divisional Challenge event of the season in the history books, drivers now look to the Oct. 16-18, 2026, SCCA RallyCross National Championship Presented by Bingham Equipment Company at the Camp Verde Equestrian Center just north of Phoenix, AZ.
Photo by Amanda Davidson with Redline Pictures and Motion
The Production category in SCCA® Road Racing competition is traditionally the link from the “old school” SCCA classes to the present and, coincidentally (or because of that), it provides outstanding racing. A mix of car builds and driver skill, Prod can be as intense as it gets. Which is exactly the type of racing we’re expecting in H, F, and E Production at the Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®.
Hitting Road America right as Wisconsin’s fall colors come in, if last year’s racing was any indication, these three Prod classes will wow spectators around all 14 turns of the 4.048-mile circuit. Want proof, just watch last year’s H Production race where one driver took it to the limit – and beyond.
Before we get to our predictions for who will win in the three Production classes (and then ask you who you think will win), we have some links you’ll want to keep on hand.
First is the Runoffs homepage, where you’ll find everything there is to know about the event. There’s also the driver’s entry list and event schedule, so you can discover who is racing, and when they’ll be on track. The spectator tickets link is usefeul for those who want to view the action on site, and SCCA’s YouTube channel link is also below, where Runoffs qualifying and Hagerty Race Days will be streamed live:
Now, check out who we think will win, then vote for your picks. Once you’ve voted, scroll back up and hit the “See previous responses” link. If you don’t like the results, refresh the “Who Will Win?” article and vote again!
E Production
Our current rule for predictions: if Tony Ave is entered, he’s planning on winning, and if you pick someone else, it better be for a darn good reason. That’s especially true in E Production, where Ave leads the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour points and has put together a spectacular season in his MX-5.
In this case, though, we may have a good reason. Tyler Ladd has already won back-to-back Runoffs in the class, so it’s impossible to ignore him. The BMW Z3 he drives? Six straight Runoffs wins. Still, if we’re going to bet against Ladd and that BMW, it’s only because Ave plays to win. Wow, this is a toss-up.
Jon Brakke was on pole last year with his Z3; Tim Shreyer’s BMW 325i has made its way to the pointy end of the grid, too. Both deserve consideration for running up front.
But all streaks must end eventually – we think. So, Tony Ave gets the nod (and the pressure of our pick) with Ladd in second (but we won’t be surprised if it’s Ladd back on top of the box). For third, we’ll go with Shreyer – at least for now.
F Production
A visit to the unofficial internet home of Production racing says it all: F Prod might bring the best race of the weekend. A poll on ProdRacing.com currently shows nine drivers with votes to win, and we don’t think everyone is voting for themselves.
Where to start? The adjustments in year two of what we used to know as GT-Lite cars is a complicating factor; the list of former National Champions (Chris Bovis, Peter Shadowen, Michael Lewis, Cliff Ira, Ken Kannard, Mason Workman, Craig Chima, Graham Fuller, Peter Shadowen) adds another.
Only three can visit the podium, and only one can win. Let’s take a stab at this.
We’re leaning toward the full production-based cars over the course of the long race distance, so we can break it down from there.
Workman won two years back in his Miata and leads the Hoosier Super Tour this year; plus, with a 15-year-old racer son (we talked about him in this “Who Will Win?” article), he may need to grab his wins while he still can. It’s hard to count out an Acura Integra in the Runoffs at Road America, so take a hard look at Kannard and last year’s Tire Rack Polesitter David Strittmatter. The Miata of Stephen Simonds wouldn’t be a shock, and the Lotus Super Seven of Chima has risen to the occasion multiple times.
Just because we’re leaning to the production-based builds doesn’t mean we’re entirely sold. How have Bovis and Shadowen managed with the class transition? That could upend everything. I mean, the changeover didn’t seem to keep Bovis off the top step of the F Prod podium last year.
Picking an H Production winner feels like taking an internet quiz, and a few questions can get you to the answer.
Looking for the quiet, classic, boring answer with a proven car and driver who has pulled off the feat 10 times in a car that is an SCCA icon?
How about a modern interpretation of the class in a car that towers above the rest, quite literally, in the hands of a multi-generation National Champion?
Want the thrill of boom or bust, podium, or mechanical gremlin, will it hold together long enough to go the distance, just like old school H Prod racing?
We can provide you an answer for each. You’re not wrong if you select 10-time National Champ Steve Sargis in his Triumph Spitfire, seven-time Runoffs gold medalist Jesse Prather in the Mazda2, or two-time National Champ Chris Schaafsma and the VW mafia in his Volkswagen GLI. In our predictions, we also considered Matt Brannon and his Fiat X1/9.
Ultimately, we’re going with Steve Sargis, Prather, and Schaafsma, in that order. We won’t be surprised if that shuffles; we also won’t be shocked if it’s entirely off the mark. We’ll find out at the end of 13 laps.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
Where are you going to be on Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026? Watching the Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®, that’s where! The winner-take-all road races at Road America will soon hit the 4.048-mile, 14-mile circuit, and while we don’t know who will win the 24 championship races that are about to take place, we’re going to guess anyway. Why? Because it’s fun!
Today’s business is predicting Formula F, Formula Vee®, and Formula 600. Before that, though, check out these links.
There’s the Runoffs homepage, where you’ll find literally everything you need to know about the event. The Runoffs driver entry list and event schedule will be useful tools if you plan to follow the racing action. Then there’s a link to spectator tickets for those who want to view the racing on site, along with a link to SCCA’s YouTube channel, where Runoffs qualifying and Hagerty Race Days will be streamed live:
Keep reading to discover who WE think will win, then vote on who YOU think will take the gold.
Formula F
Fourteen-year-old David Ybarra is staring down his first Runoffs, and things are looking good. Leading the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour point race in Formula F with two wins each at Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen, plus a win and a second at the Chicago Region June Sprints®, you’d think he’d be our pick to win. After all, what a great story that would be. But no, we’re going to hang our hat on someone who finished 14th at last year’s Runoffs.
Jonathan Kotyk sits third in the Super Tour points and, yes, he finished 14th at last year’s Runoffs. But that 14th place represents unfinished business. The Tire Rack Polesitter in 2025, Kotyk could have won it all, as he could have in 2024 when he started second and finished eighth, and 2023 when he started and finished second. Go back to 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2018, though, and you’ll find that Kotyk can, indeed, win the Runoffs, and we think this is his year to up his Runoffs gold medal count to five.
Back to young Ybarra – we wouldn’t be shocked if he spoils that prediction. He’s on a roll, and there’s no doubt that he wants his rookie year to end in Runoffs glory.
Calvin Kautz is one of those drivers who you’re shocked to learn hasn’t won the Runoffs. He’s fast and often in the hunt. Remember how we said Kotyk started second at the 2024 Runoffs? That’s because Kautz took the pole that year. And in 2023 when Kotyk finished second? Kautz was only two spots back, setting a fast lap during the race that was just 0.186sec off Kotyk’s pace.
We think this race finishes with Kotyk up front, Ybarra second, and Kautz in third, but that’s with Tazio Stefanelli and Nathan Down ready to pounce.
But we could be wrong.
Formula Vee
Thirty nine. That’s the number of entries there are in Formula Vee this year (as of when we wrote this, anyway). And if you’ve ever watched a Formula Vee race a the Runoffs, you’ll know that I’m about to say that 39 is also the number of racers who could potentially win the class this year.
There’s a bit of hyperbole there, but it’s not far off.
Let’s jump to the punchline. Andrew Whitston will win. At least, he could. At least, that’s who we’re going to predict will win. But the winner could be Zachary Whitston. The winner could also be Alex Scaler. It’s one of those three. Probably. Maybe. Or Andrew Abbott. Or another Whitston – Steve. We’ll stop there and tell you our reasoning.
Andrew hasn’t finished worse than fifth in the class since 2015, landing on the podium eight times, winning three of those times. He’s also leading the Hoosier Super Tour with a number of wins, two of which came at Road America for the June Sprints. If you’re going to place a bet, he’s the one to go with.
Second in the Super Tour points is Zachary Whitston. He’s running strong this year, and while his Runoffs history doesn’t include a win, it has placed him on the podium three times. Zachary is our pick to finish second.
Third in Super Tour points is Steve Whitston. He doesn’t have as many podiums as the other Whitstons, but his one Runoffs podium was a win in 2024. But Steve is NOT our pick to finish third.
Being last year’s FV National Champion, Alex Scaler is the one with a target on his back, but this year we think he’ll be able to hold off only one of the Whitstons. That will place Scaler on the podium, but third this year.
Yes, we also mentioned Abbott as a potential for the win, and we’ll stick to that statement. He finished third at the Runoffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He earned the Tire Rack Pole in 2025, but scored a DNF in the race. That sounds like unfinished business to us.
Formula 600
Formula 600 is back! And we think it picks up exactly where it left off at the Runoffs, although maybe in a slightly different finishing order.
James Weida won the class in 2024, and we don’t see any reason why the two-time class champ doesn’t add another notch to that belt, especially when you consider that those two Runoffs wins both came at Road America – and low and behold, the Runoffs is at Road America this year. Add in that he took a pair of wins at Road America earlier this year during the June Sprints, and things look pretty good for Weida.
Finishing second at the 2024 Runoffs was Calvin Stewart, with Aaron Ellis in third. That order could switch this year, putting Ellis in second and Stewart third. Why? Honestly, we’re just mixing things up because it seemed lazy to pick the exact same podium from 2024. Also, Ellis beat Stewart at the June Sprints, so if we’re looking to justify the switch, that would be it.
But really, we’re not going to even feign surprise if the podium is a complete repeat from two years ago. Or if Stewart or Ellis win and Weida is third. Or if Sven de Vries pokes his nose in and lands on the podium.
This one really is a tossup.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
October’s nearly here, which means the competition season is winding down. At least, that’s what you’d think. For SCCA’s National and Divisional RoadRally events, the opposite is true, with October playing host to five National and Divisional SCCA® RoadRallies, with three of those taking place in the same weekend.
The action hits the road on Oct. 8-11, 2026, at the 31st running of the United States RoadRally Challenge® (USRRC), hosted this year by St. Louis Region. The South by Southeast National Course Rally, Great River Road National Touring Rally, and Route 66 Ramble National Touring Rally combine to make a USRRC you’ll never forget, especially since it’s leaning into this being the 100th anniversary of a road that is the true definition of Americana: Route 66.
While the USRRC is one of SCCA RoadRally’s most prominent events of the year, it’s also open to all experience levels. Whether you’ve been rallying for decades or you’ve only just heard of the sport, the USRRC will bring the thrills.
If you’re within a day’s drive of the USRRC’s headquarters in Edwardsville, IL, this is one event you’ll want to hit before winter kicks in. If you’re further than a day’s drive…come anyway! It’s an adventure worth having.
The following Sunday, SCCA’s Milwaukee Region hosts the Kettle Moraine Colors Divisional Course Rally. On Oct. 18, teams will gather at the Kohl’s department store in Johnson Creek, WI, with a 110-mile jaunt through the Moraine and Drumlin region, which includes twisty paved roads, hills, and ample curves.
Wrapping the month will be the There and Back Again Divisional Tour Rally on Oct. 25. Hosted by Philadelphia Region and headquartered in Middletown, DE, this 100-mile rally starts at the Charles Price Memorial Park in Middletown, then ends back in Middletown, but this time at the Crooked Hammock Brewery.
While this one is a Divisional RoadRally, it has been designed with newcomers in mind, so all turn instructions are supported by official mileage, with no tricks or traps. As the event registration page states: “Just pay attention to the route instructions to stay on-time and enjoy the drive.”
The three USRRC RoadRallies, the Kettle Moraine Colors Divisional Course Rally, and the There and Back Again Divisional Tour Rally will all utilize the Richta GPS checkpoint system, so be sure to download the app before the event weekend.
And if you’ve gotten this far in this article and are wondering what SCCA RoadRally is, this link will get you started. But the long and short of it is that each team has a driver and a navigator in a street-legal car, the event takes place on public roads, and all traffic laws are followed.
And it’s a blast.
Photo by James Heine
Bridgestone and the Sports Car Club of America™ are partnering, naming Bridgestone as the Official Tire of SCCA, but the partnership runs far deeper than that. For one, Bridgestone will offer deals to SCCA members as part of the Club’s Member Benefits program. Furthermore, Bridgestone will work directly with SCCA’s Track Night in America® Driven by Tire Rack, supporting SCCA Women on Track initiatives, and step front and center in SCCA’s Club Spec classes, including Solo Spec Coupe.
“Partnering with Bridgestone is something that simply makes sense,” says SCCA Vice President of Rally/Solo and Experiential Programs Heyward Wagner. “Bridgestone understands SCCA members, with the company developing products with SCCA competition in mind. Bridgestone knows what makes SCCA members tick, and we couldn’t be happier to join forces with a tire company that aligns so much with SCCA’s ethos.”
Bridgestone’s and SCCA’s involvement dates back some 20 years, with that history paving the way for an official partnership that supports competitive and enjoyable motorsport experiences for drivers at every level.
“Bridgestone and the SCCA share a core commitment to making motorsports accessible, educational, and fun,” said David Colletti, President of Consumer Original Equipment Tires, North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “Partnering as the Official Performance Tire of the SCCA and SCCA Club Spec furthers our investment in the heart of the racing community while enabling us to deliver peak Potenza performance every single weekend.”
As part of this partnership, Bridgestone will offer discounts to members and non-members alike during a specific month in 2027 for an entry into a Track Night in America event, offering co-branded t-shirts to those taking advantage of the discount. This not only keeps money in the bank for all, but it also introduces non-members to the world of SCCA.
Bridgestone will help support SCCA Women on Track, an initiative that lowers the barrier to motorsports for females through scholarships, education, and more. In 2026, SCCA Women on Track offered more than a dozen scholarships alongside driver development programs to help support women in motorsports. With the help of Bridgestone, the program’s reach will continue to grow.
This announcement will also see a shift for SCCA’s Club Spec program, with Club Spec Mustang, Club Spec MX-5, and Club Spec Cayman all utilizing the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ beginning in the 2027 season. Solo Spec Coupe will also shift to this Bridgestone tire.
“We couldn’t be more excited to move the entire Club Spec fleet, including Solo Spec Coupe, to Bridgestone beginning next year,” said Wagner. “Tire testing by SCCA members on Club Spec cars at the Test-n-Tune course at the 2026 Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships confirmed that this tire performs at the level needed for Club Spec and SSC. Top of our list was a tire that can perform in autocross and on the racetrack, but also be durable enough to use on the street. The RE-71RZ will not disappoint.
“Bridgestone’s wholehearted support of the cars and drivers showcases that Club Spec and SSC are truly worldclass,” Wagner added.
Check out driver impressions of the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ from the tire test that took place at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships:
For more information about Bridgestone and the Potenza RE-71RZ, check out bridgestone.com.
Photo by Philip Royle
The Mission Foods SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® is taking place Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2026, at Road America in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine, and we can’t wait. The winner-take-all road races will see hundreds battle on the track’s 4.048-mile, 14-mile circuit for the right to call themselves SCCA’s next National Champions, and while we don’t know who will win those 24 championship races, we can guess.
Yet, it’s not as easy as that, because when it comes to Spec Racer® Ford Gen3 and Formula Enterprises® 2, those battles could go in any direction. In many cases, it’s no stretch to say that any driver running in the top 10 in SRF3 coming into the last lap could pull off the win. Still, we’re going to guess who we think will pull off the victory – but before we get there, we’ve got links.
Up first is the Runoffs homepage, where you’ll find literally everything you need to know about the event. Also below is the driver’s entry list and event schedule, so you can discover who is racing, and when they’ll be on track. Then there’s a link to spectator tickets for those who want to view the action on site, along with a link to SCCA’s YouTube channel, where Runoffs qualifying and Hagerty Race Days will be streamed live:
Keep reading to discover who WE think will win, then vote on who YOU think will take the gold.
Spec Racer Ford Gen3
I honestly don’t know why we even try to predict the winner in SRF3. It’s a hopeless endeavor. Totally, completely, and utterly hopeless. With more than 40 drivers entered, this is a fool’s errand.
Still, here we go.
Peyton Long is coming up sevens. He’s been to the Runoffs twice before, finishing seventh in 2024, then starting and finishing seventh in 2025. This year, his number seems to be ones and twos, as he currently sits second in the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour, earning that position thanks to five second-place finishes and four wins. His performance at the Chicago Region June Sprints® wasn’t strong enough to put him on the podium, but we don’t think that matters – we anticipate that he’ll be on the top step at the Runoffs.
We mentioned that Long is second in the Super Tour point standings. In first is those standings is Tyler Stephens. He’s got a bundle of first- and second-place finishes this year. He’s also got a pair of third place finishes at the Runoffs (and considering he’s only raced at the Runoffs twice, that’s super impressive). We expect he’ll add a second-place Runoffs finish to his racing resume this year.
Unlike the two we just mentioned, Brian Schofield is far from a new name at the Runoffs. A regular since 2004, Schofield has nine Runoffs podium finishes, with two of those being wins. He’s currently third in the Super Tour points, and we expect him to be third at the Runoffs.
Or maybe Schofield wins, with Long in third. Or maybe It’s Stephens up front. But then there’s Robeson Clay Russell to consider – maybe he takes the win. Or perhaps it’s Bobby Sak, or Tyler Stephens or last year’s Champ Caleb Shrader or, or or…
As of this writing, there were 43 drivers entered, and we’ve named just seven. Expect the 36 others to be ready to pounce should the opportunity arise.
Formula Enterprises 2
Spec classes are so hard to predict the winners, but this year, we think we’ve got it figured out. In FE2, it’s Franklin Futrelle, although it’s not in the bag.
Futrelle is on a roll, winning FE2 in 2025 and finishing second in 2023. In 2023, he won SRF3, which was his second Runoffs gold medal in a row in that class. The guy’s hot right now, and we think those good times keep rolling through this year’s Runoffs.
Yet we see Steve Whitston as a threat to that prediction. Whitston brings a Runoffs win of his own to this game, only his was in Formula Vee®, a class that isn’t “spec,” but might as well be when you look at how close the racing is. If anyone can knock Futrelle out of the top position, it’s Whitston.
Paul Schneider is another one who knows speed. Schneider is always knocking on the door in this class, with four podium medals in his trophy case. He’s the kind of racer who can apply pressure and capitalize when his strategy pays off – although he could get distracted by a mirror full of Daryl Wills.
Our guess right now? Futrelle in first, Whitston second, Schneider third. But keep in mind that our track record for predictions is iffy at best.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
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