Category: Seasonal

Fall Season Opener: Thrills, Spills, and Record-Breaking Wheels on Sep-05-2026!

Thank you all for making our return to Saturday racing a huge success!

⚠️ This report was primarily generated by an AI model.

What an electrifying start to the fall season at Stewart Raceway! Racers gathered for a day filled with fiercely competitive slot car action, the welcoming return of some familiar faces, and the exciting debut of a new visitor. The tension on the track was palpable as drivers pushed their machines to the limits, leading to astonishing new track records across multiple classes and lanes. And, as always, the camaraderie was just as strong off the track, highlighted by a truly excellent lunchtime feast that fueled both bodies and rivalries.

Overall Season Opener Standings

The overall results showcase a day of consistent performance and strategic driving across three diverse races. While every driver pushed for glory, the top spots were hotly contested, with mere laps separating the leaders.

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 236 174 1653.916
2 Dustin Jolley 230 166 1651.870
3 Dean Donaldson 225 152 1657.767
4 Tracker Clay 203 114 1802.855
5 Tom Warren 198 117 1757.204
6 Eric Lane 146 85 920.165
7 Jerry Pearson 142 85 912.650

The season opener delivered on its promise of competitive racing, with a tight battle at the top. Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) showed exceptional skill, securing a strong second place overall, just a few laps shy of the leading position. Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) rounded out the top three, demonstrating his consistent speed.

We were thrilled to welcome back Eric Lane of Fast Lane Racing and Jerry Pearson of Hairball Racing, both making their return to Stewart Raceway after a significant layoff. Their presence added to the competitive spirit, and we hope to see them back on the track soon! A special shout-out goes to our latest visitor, Tom Warren from Castro Valley, who put in a remarkably solid driving performance in his first outing with us, securing a commendable 5th place overall.

Race 1: Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set)

Track: SR3 Road Course Tight Esses
Class: Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set)
Date: Sep-05-2026 12:29

The opening race saw an intense battle on the SR3 Road Course Tight Esses. The nimble Mega G+ Formula E cars, set by Dean Donaldson, proved to be a challenging but rewarding class for the drivers. After seven hard-fought segments, the results were incredibly close, especially at the top.

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 78 55 530.421
2 Dustin Jolley 78 53 569.486
3 Dean Donaldson 76 53 541.805
4 Jerry Pearson 73 47 581.999
5 Eric Lane 72 41 573.632
6 Tracker Clay 69 38 595.460
7 Tom Warren 67 42 569.505

Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) drove an outstanding race, matching the leader in laps but ultimately finishing second by points. Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) also had a strong showing, demonstrating why these cars are his “set.” The returning drivers, Jerry Pearson (Hairball Racing) and Eric Lane (Fast Lane Racing), quickly found their rhythm, securing solid mid-pack finishes. Tom Warren from Castro Valley showcased excellent adaptability in his debut, earning valuable points.

Photos for Race 1

Event Photo for Race 1

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 201_Sep-05-2026_SR3RoadCourseTightEsses.html

Race 2: Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan

Track: Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course
Class: Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan
Date: Sep-05-2026 13:34

The second race moved to the Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course, featuring the Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan class. These lightweight cars demand precision and control, and the drivers certainly delivered.

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 80 61 350.294
2 Dustin Jolley 79 61 321.788
3 Dean Donaldson 76 48 342.139
4 Eric Lane 74 44 346.533
5 Jerry Pearson 69 38 330.651
6 Tracker Clay 67 36 355.894
7 Tom Warren 65 41 356.846

Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) once again proved to be a formidable contender, finishing second by a single lap, but tying for points with the leader. His performance in this class was a highlight of the day. Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) secured another podium finish, showcasing his versatility across different car classes. Eric Lane (Fast Lane Racing) and Jerry Pearson (Hairball Racing) continued their strong return, demonstrating that their time away hasn’t diminished their racing prowess. Tom Warren (Castro Valley) maintained his consistent performance, adapting well to the different track and car dynamics.

Photos for Race 2

Event Photo for Race 2

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 90_Sep-05-2026_StewartRacewayIIStraightRoadCourse.html

Race 3: Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle

Track: SR3 Road Course Tight Esses
Class: Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle
Date: Sep-05-2026 15:06

The final race of the Fall Season Opener brought us back to the SR3 Road Course Tight Esses, this time with the classic Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody cars. This class often highlights driver skill over raw speed, with its unique handling characteristics.

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 78 58 773.201
2 Dustin Jolley 73 52 760.596
3 Dean Donaldson 73 51 773.823
4 Tracker Clay 67 40 851.501
5 Tom Warren 66 34 830.853

Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) secured another strong second place, tying in laps with Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) but pulling ahead on points for a well-deserved second-place finish. Dean Donaldson’s performance was consistent, placing him firmly in third. Tom Warren (Castro Valley) continued to impress with his steady driving, adapting well to a different car class on the SR3 track, finishing a respectable fifth.

Photos for Race 3

Event Photo for Race 3

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 203_Sep-05-2026_SR3RoadCourseTightEsses.html

New Track Records

The Fall Season Opener was not just about fierce competition; it was also a day for etching new names into the Stewart Raceway history books! A remarkable number of new track records were set, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our drivers.

Track Class Lane Driver Date Lap Time Record Type
Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan 1 Dustin Jolley 2026-09-05 3.664s Race
Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan 2 Dustin Jolley 2026-09-05 3.443s Race
Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan 3 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 3.551s Race
Stewart Raceway II Straight Road Course Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan 4 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 3.665s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set) 2 Dustin Jolley 2026-09-05 5.713s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set) 3 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 5.863s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set) 4 Dustin Jolley 2026-09-05 5.875s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Mega G+ 1.7 Formula E Cars (Dean Set) 5 Dean Donaldson 2026-09-05 5.878s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 2 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 7.464s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 3 Dustin Jolley 2026-09-26 6.657s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 4 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 7.590s Race
SR3 Road Course Tight Esses Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 5 Steve Stewart 2026-09-05 7.364s Race

Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) demonstrated incredible speed, setting multiple new track records in both the Viper V-SPEC Lite Lexan and the Mega G+ Formula E classes. Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) also etched his name into the record books, proving his mastery of the Mega G+ cars. These achievements are a testament to the skill and competitive spirit of our racing community!

Stewart Raceway continues to be a vibrant hub for slot car enthusiasts, with a rich history of racing and camaraderie. Events like these further build upon that legacy, creating new memories and setting new benchmarks for performance. We look forward to many more exciting races and the return of all our valued drivers in the future!

⚠️ This report was primarily generated by an AI model.

Overall Standings by Division – September 6, 2026

This report summarizes the overall performance from the Fall Season Opener, categorizing drivers by their respective divisions.

Master Division Standings

Name Laps Points
Steve Stewart 236 174
Dustin Jolley 230 166
Dean Donaldson 225 152
Jerry Pearson 142 85

Analysis:
The Master Division saw intense competition, with several veteran drivers pushing the limits. Dustin Jolley (Team Jolley) delivered a stellar performance, securing a strong second place overall with an impressive 230 laps and 166 points, demonstrating consistent speed and strategic driving. Dean Donaldson (Full-Speed Racing) also showed his class, rounding out the top three overall with 225 laps and 152 points, a testament to his continued prowess on the track. A particularly welcome sight was the return of Jerry Pearson (Pearson Racing) to Stewart Raceway after a long layoff. His driving was solid, completing 142 laps and scoring 85 points, a promising start back into the competitive slot car scene. Track owner Steve Stewart finished first in the division, but the spotlight truly shone on the competitive depth displayed by the field.

Advanced Division Standings

Name Laps Points
Eric Lane 146 85

Analysis:
The Advanced Division saw a significant return with Eric Lane (Fast Lane Racing) gracing Stewart Raceway once more after a considerable hiatus. Eric immediately demonstrated that he hasn’t lost his touch, putting in a commendable performance with 146 laps and 85 points. His return is a fantastic addition to the racing community, and we eagerly anticipate seeing more of his “Fast Lane Racing” style in future events.

Amateur Division Standings

Name Laps Points
Tracker Clay 203 114
Tom Warren 198 117

Analysis:
The Amateur Division delivered some truly exciting racing, highlighted by impressive lap counts from its competitors. Tracker Clay led the division with an outstanding 203 laps and 114 points, showing remarkable consistency and speed for an amateur driver. Close behind was our latest visitor, Tom Warren, all the way from Castro Valley. Tom made an immediate impact with a solid driving performance, completing 198 laps and remarkably earning more points (117) than Tracker, indicating strategic lane choices and clean racing. His debut was nothing short of impressive, and we hope this isn’t the last we see of Tom at Stewart Raceway!

Junior Division Standings

There were no Junior Division drivers participating in the Fall Season Opener according to the provided race results.

⚠️ End of AI‑generated content.

2026 IROC Championship “Under The Lights”: A Spectacle of Speed and Precision, Where Every Lap Counted!

⚠️ This report was primarily generated by an AI model.

Event Dates: July 2-3, 2026

The SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane was alive with the roar of tiny motors and the scent of ozone this past July 2nd and 3rd, hosting the highly anticipated 2026 IROC Championship “Under The Lights.” This year’s event delivered a nail-biting display of slot car racing, with championship points fiercely contested across four official races, culminating in an electrifying finish. Beyond the intense competition, the camaraderie was palpable, fueled by the fantastic array of food and drink brought by all participants – a testament to the vibrant community spirit that thrives at Stewart Raceway. As always, the track, meticulously maintained by Stewart Raceway, provided a challenging yet fair battleground for all classes.

While all races showcased incredible skill, the championship title for the 2026 IROC event was decided by the cumulative results of the first four official races. The competition was incredibly tight, with mere laps separating the top contenders, making for one of the closest IROC finishes in recent memory at Stewart Raceway. The spirit of IROC (International Race of Champions), designed to pit top drivers against each other in equally prepared cars, was on full display, pushing every racer to their limits.

Cece Caro, an advanced class driver, showed incredible grit and consistency throughout the official championship races, securing a remarkable 3rd place overall finish in the coveted IROC event. Her performance, accumulating 308 laps and 185 points, clearly demonstrates her rising prowess on the track, making her a formidable competitor in the Advanced class.

Amateur driver Tracker Clay continued his steady ascent in the ranks, demonstrating consistent improvement across the races he entered. His dedication is clearly paying off, as he posted solid lap counts and points, constantly pushing his personal bests.

We also extend a warm welcome and highlight the impressive debut of our newest driver, Carlo Fernandez. Carlo quickly adapted to the competitive environment, putting in respectable performances and showing great potential for future events. His eagerness and speed hint at a bright slot car racing future.

While the top spot for the official championship went to Steve Stewart with 315 laps and 229 points, the battle for the podium was incredibly close, with Dean Donaldson hot on his heels, just 7 laps behind, and Cece Caro tying Dean in total laps for the official races. John Rogers also delivered a strong performance, securing a high overall finish with consistent driving. Kevin Webster and Andy Gersh both showed strong competitive spirit with solid lap counts and points in the official races. Dustin Jolley, despite only participating in one official championship race, made his mark with a win in the MegaG+ 1.5 Lexan Team Jolly Rogers class, showcasing his potential.

These events continue to uphold the rich tradition of slot car racing, echoing the history and passion often shared on stewartraceway.org, where every race is more than just a competition – it’s a community gathering, a test of skill, and a celebration of speed and precision.

2026 IROC Championship Overall Standings (Official Races 1-4)

Driver Total Laps Total Points Best Fastest Lap (Overall in Class)
Steve Stewart 315 229 5.281
Dean Donaldson 308 218 5.379
Cece Caro 308 185 5.522
John Rogers 304 203 5.374
Andy Gersh 298 185 5.764
Kevin Webster 291 179 6.058
Carlofornia Fernandez 270 140 5.756
Trakker Clay 199 114 6.083
Dustin Jolley 80 51 6.004

Race 1: MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (Official Championship Race)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-02-2026 18:44
Class: MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (i)

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Steve Stewart 79 58 6.122
Dean Donaldson 78 56 5.799
Cece Caro 78 52 5.803
Andy Gersh 74 42 5.982
John Rogers 71 47 5.685
Kevin Webster 71 47 6.202
Trakker Clay 66 40 6.341
Carlofornia Fernandez 65 34 6.362

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 167_Jul-02-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

 

Race 2: MegaG+ 1.7 Formula e (Official Championship Race)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-02-2026 19:36
Class: MegaG+ 1.7 Formula e (i) 18v

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Steve Stewart 79 61 5.281
John Rogers 76 54 5.374
Kevin Webster 76 53 6.058
Dean Donaldson 75 53 5.379
Cece Caro 77 50 5.522
Andy Gersh 72 45 6.028
Trakker Clay 64 32 6.083
Carlofornia Fernandez 60 28 5.756

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 168_Jul-02-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

Race 3: Wizzard Storms (Official Championship Race)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-02-2026 20:58
Class: Wizzard Storms (i)

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Steve Stewart 79 54 5.908
John Rogers 78 53 5.768
Andy Gersh 76 52 5.764
Dean Donaldson 76 51 5.674
Cece Caro 77 49 5.756
Carlofornia Fernandez 73 38 5.964
Kevin Webster 71 37 6.074
Trakker Clay 69 42 6.215

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 169_Jul-02-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

Race 4: MegaG+ 1.5 Lexan Team Jolly Rogers (Official Championship Race)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-02-2026 21:54
Class: MegaG+ 1.5 Lexan Team Jolly Rogers

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Dustin Jolley 80 51 6.004
Dean Donaldson 79 58 5.879
Steve Stewart 78 56 5.692
John Rogers 79 49 5.872
Andy Gersh 76 46 6.330
Kevin Webster 73 42 6.058
Carlofornia Fernandez 72 40 5.897
Cece Caro 76 34 5.955

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 170_Jul-02-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

Race 5: MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix (Unofficial)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-02-2026 23:02
Class: MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Steve Stewart 77 55 5.947
Dustin Jolley 76 51 5.655
John Rogers 76 47 5.717
Dean Donaldson 75 47 5.833
Cece Caro 73 42 5.792
Kevin Webster 69 40 6.231

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 171_Jul-02-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

Race 6: Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (Unofficial)

Track: SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane
Date: Jul-03-2026 00:01
Class: Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle

Name Total Laps Total Points Fastest Laptime
Steve Stewart 78 55 6.498
John Rogers 78 49 6.448
Dustin Jolley 75 53 6.699
Cece Caro 73 42 6.699
Kevin Webster 67 36 7.083

View Detailed Race Report: RaceReport_ 173_Jul-03-2026_SR3RoadCourseSqueezeLane.html

NEW TRACK RECORDS

The following new track records were established during this event:

Class Lane Driver Time Lap Time
MegaG+ 1.7 Formula e (i) 18v 2 Steve Stewart 20:22 5281
MegaG+ 1.7 Formula e (i) 18v 4 Dean Donaldson 20:22 5379
MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix 2 Dustin Jolley 23:45 5655
Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 2 Steve Stewart 00:33 6910
Tyco 440-X2 Wide-Pan Porche 935 Hardbody (i) Jolle 4 Steve Stewart 00:33 6498
MegaG+ 1.5 Lexan Team Jolly Rogers 2 Dean Donaldson 22:49 5903
MegaG+ 1.5 Lexan Team Jolly Rogers 5 Steve Stewart 22:49 5692
MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (i) 2 John Rogers 19:27 5685
MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (i) 3 Cece Caro 19:27 5803
MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (i) 4 Dean Donaldson 19:27 5967
MegaG+ 1.7 Modified (i) 5 Dean Donaldson 19:27 6129
Wizzard Storms (i) 2 Steve Stewart 21:46 6146
Wizzard Storms (i) 3 Dean Donaldson 21:46 5674
Wizzard Storms (i) 4 Cece Caro 21:46 5756
Wizzard Storms (i) 5 Andy Gersh 21:46 6120
MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix 3 Steve Stewart 23:45 6162
MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix 4 Dustin Jolley 23:45 6257
MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix 5 Steve Stewart 23:45 5947

These new records highlight exceptional driving performances across various classes and lanes on the challenging SR3 Road Course Squeeze Lane. Drivers like Steve Stewart, Dean Donaldson, Dustin Jolley, John Rogers, Cece Caro, and Andy Gersh pushed the limits, setting new benchmarks for speed and precision. Notably, Steve Stewart established multiple fastest lap records in various classes and lanes, demonstrating his mastery of the track. Dean Donaldson also made his mark with several new records, particularly impressing in the MegaG+ 1.7 Formula e and Wizzard Storms* classes. Dustin Jolley showed impressive pace in the MegaG+ 1.7 FireBird Camaro Deans Mix, while John Rogers set a blistering pace in the MegaG+ 1.7 Modified. Cece Caro and Andy Gersh also contributed to the record books, underscoring the high level of competition and individual achievement at this event.

* Wizzard Storms were run at a higher voltage than previous records were set with.

⚠️ End of AI‑generated content.

Thank you all for making our 2026 IROC Championship a great success!

Okay, shut up and drive!

2026 Season Kicks Off With A Friday Night “Under The Lights” Event

3-ohm Mayhem in the PR-5 GT IROC race.

We were shooting for a doubleheader (Friday night and Saturday), but we couldn’t field enough teams for Saturday. Probably a good thing, since Friday night’s event went well past 1:00 AM.

Short Story
Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 312 178 3420.310
2 Dustin Jolley 303 157 3494.790
3 Dean Donaldson 274 131 3578.762
4 Mike Langell 262 98 3506.202
Race 1: Jag Hobbies PR-5 GT F1/Indy Hardbody (IROC)

The latest fleet addition to Stewart Raceway, these cars are very nearly as fast as a Viper V-SPEC L4 car, and they’re out of the box. I think with a paper Modified body, they’ll be as fast, or faster. Put some aftermarket silicon tires on them, and look out!

The new IROC set debuts on SR2’s straight road course in a 30-lap fuel race with no marshals and the Track Call FOB.

Dustin came off the starting line blazing in this one after only a few minutes of warm-up. Dustin won two segments, Home Cook’n won two. Dustin took the overall win with some superb driving and some good fortune in the final segment. Mike Langell (pronounced “Looungell”), had a significant first segment, besting Home Cook’n by 3 laps!

Going into the final segment, Home Cook’n had a very slim lead of just one point on Team Jolley, who managed a very nice 2nd place finish in the tricky Red lane in Segment 3. Home Cook’n managed to get a nice gap on everybody early on, but racing is never over until the checkers fly. In the last few laps, Home Cook’n got tangled up in a crash, and Dustin managed to get through the carnage and pulled ahead for the win. Never give up!  Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Dustin Jolley 114 58 1743.112
2 Steve Stewart 113 56 1728.365
3 Mike Langell 97 42 1751.195
4 Dean Donaldson 88 32 1767.821
Race 2: Mega G+ 1.7 Corvette C8 (IROC)

Back to SR3’s Fast Esses road course… New Expert driver, Dean Donaldson, had a terrific run in this one with a 1st and two 2nd place segment finishes. Dean prefers Vipers, but this result shows that he’s more than capable of driving the “less-stuck” cars as well.  Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 99 58 862.716
2 Dean Donaldson 96 53 859.096
3 Dustin Jolley 94 49 855.746
4 Mike Langell 86 28 864.304
Race 3: Jag Hobbies PR-5 GT F1 Hardbody (IROC)

Yep, we ran this awesome IROC set again on SR3. This time, Kathy handled the Race Director chores and flagged the race. This race was pretty competitive in the first segment, but not all that close in the end. Team Jolly and Team Full-Speed (Donaldson) remained very close throughout the battle, with Dustin placing 2nd in three segments and Dean placing 3rd in three. Team Langell had clearly over-hydrated before or during the final race and would finish well off the pace, though he did have a few blazing laps to his credit.  He’s on target for “2026 Best Young Driver.”  Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 100 64 829.229
2 Dustin Jolley 95 50 895.932
3 Dean Donaldson 90 46 951.845
4 Mike Langell 79 28 890.703

It’s a bit too early in the season to post points standings (See overall results above). However, Team Jolly obviously earned his 2025 Rookie of the Year honors, and Team Full-Speed continues to improve his driving skills.

So, how did the new Jag Hobbies PR-5 GT platform do? On SR2’s straight road course, Home Cook’n clicked off a 3.464 in the Blue lane. With Eric Lane’s Viper V-SPEC L4 F1/Indy set, Jordan Walker clicked off a 3.119 lap in the Blue lane back in July of 2024. On SR3, the fastest lap for Eric’s way cool Viper set is a 4.526 in the White lane. Dustin clicked off a blazing 3.695 lap Friday night in the Blue lane with the PR-5 GT. This is the fastest lap I know of on SR3!

We’re not going to be able to pull off an “Under The Lights” event this coming week, but Saturday or Saturday night are possibilities. Stay tuned for invites.

Okay, shut up and drive!

2025 Season Opener – Into the fire and onto the podium.

Wow, what a turnout!  Our first “official” race of the 2025 season opened with a bang. We had 14 drivers in the mix: four Experts, five Juniors, and five Sportsman drivers, including two new drivers visiting Stewart Raceway for the first time!

 

The Short Story

Sportsman driver Jared Johnson 3rd overall, and first-time Stewart Raceway driver Dave Rowland finishes 4th overall. Expert driver George Peters leads the Expert points chase by 58 points.

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 George Peters* 238 232 1645.44
2 Steve Stewart* 159 174 1158.701
3 Jared Johnson 169 142 1292.315
4 Dave Rowland 144 142 1291.611
5 Aaron Castro* 139 120 868.844
6 Coe Rowland 136 110 1353.497
7 Arlo Roland 132 106 1255.253
8 Abe Maddox 112 101 908.988
9 Shaylin Maddox 102 83 846.329
10 Jerry Pearson* 79 58 496.859
11 Matthew Johnson 67 42 518.012
12 Eric Lane 66 40 498.861
13 Cameron Bill 50 32 411.714
14 Madeline Johnson 54 28 507.557

* Expert driver

After about an hour of open practice, racing got underway at 12:15. The first race of the 2025 50/50 Racing Series was the increasingly popular MegaG+ 1.7 Modified class, a speedy and straightforward racing platform that anybody can be competitive with.

Race 1: MegaG+1.7 Modifieds

This race should have had nine drivers. However, the Race Director mistakenly dropped two drivers from the lineup: Cameron Bill and himself. Jerry Pearson very nearly bagged his first race win as an Expert driver in this one. Jerry won the first two segments and never finished worse than 2nd through his rotations. In the end, Aaron Castro knocked Jerry off the top podium spot by winning all four of his rotations. Team Johnson’s leader, Jared Johnson, drove well and took the runner-up position against three Expert drivers!  Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Aaron Castro 80 64 476.54
2 Jerry Pearson 79 58 496.859
3 George Peters 79 55 488.663
4 Jared Johnson 71 42 491.625
5 Matthew Johnson 67 42 518.012
6 Eric Lane 66 40 498.861
7 Madeline Johnson 54 28 507.557
Race 2: MegaG+ 1.7 Modifieds (IROC)

This one was a dogfight between all categories of drivers.  Team Maddox Junior driver Abe Maddox led this one through the first three segments, winning his first two rotations and demonstrating he’s an incredibly talented driver capable of running with both Sportsman and Expert drivers. This race was highly competitive at every level, with wins by Junior, Sportsman, and Expert drivers. In the end, GP Design’s George Peters edged out Aaron Castro for the top podium spot by just two points and one lap. Junior phenom Abe Maddox bumped Home Cook’n off the final podium step with a win in the final segment. Aaron Castro set a new lap record on the Fast Esses road course in his first rotation with a 5.397 lap in the White lane. Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 George Peters* 60 58 404.21
2 Aaron Castro* 59 56 392.304
3 Abe Maddox 56 55 412.669
4 Steve Stewart* 59 52 401.707
5 Dave Rowland 56 49 434.333
6 Shaylin Maddox 55 45 396.168
7 Arlo Roland 51 40 426.627
8 Coe Rowland 52 36 440.038
9 Cameron Bill 50 32 411.714

* Expert

Race 3: Viper Super 7 NASCAR “Fast” Lane Set (IROC)

This is a six-car set that Sportsman driver Eric Lane donated to our racing program. The big stories in this race were Jared Johnson making his first podium visit with 3rd place overall and one of our newest drivers, Dave Rowland, who pulled off a hard-fought 4th place overall. Actually, pretty impressive driving by everybody in this race. Jared Johnson won two segments, while Dave Rowland won one segment. While I didn’t feel like the cars were all that easy to drive, George and Home Cook’n set new lap records on each of the four active lanes. George clicked off a 5.505 lap record in the Green lane, and Home Cook’n managed a 5.486 lap record in the Blue lane.   Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart* 60 61 436.907
2 George Peters* 60 58 447.943
3 Jared Johnson 60 56 461.831
4 Dave Rowland 54 51 497.803
5 Abe Maddox 56 46 496.319
6 Shaylin Maddox 47 38 450.161
7 Arlo Roland 49 34 493.029
8 Coe Rowland 48 32 508.47
Race 4: Viper V-SPEC F1/Indy 1.7 Lexan (Eric Lane Set) (IROC)

Another IROC six-car set donated by Eric “Fast” Lane. Until Eric arrived on the scene, I’d never driven a Viper V-SPEC IROC set. The cars cost $50 each! Not my first choice for a new IROC set. This final race of the day was quite competitive also, with the two Experts just three points apart going into the final segment, and Sportsman driver, Jared Johnson landing yet another podium finish on the day. Another new Junior driver from the Team Rowland, Coe Rowland jumped from last place going into the final segment to 4th overall with a well-timed 3rd place finish.  Details

Place Name Laps Points Total Time
1 Steve Stewart 40 61 320.087
2 George Peters 39 61 304.624
3 Jared Johnson 38 44 338.859
4 Coe Rowland 36 42 404.989
5 Dave Rowland 34 42 359.475
6 Arlo Roland 32 32 335.597

2025 50/50 Series Points Standings After Round 1:
Place Name Laps Points Total Time
Sportsman
1 Jared Johnson 169 142 1292.315
2 Dave Rowland 144 142 1291.611
3 Shaylin Maddox 102 83 846.329
4 Eric Lane 66 40 498.861
5 Cameron Bill 50 32 411.714
Junior
1 Coe Rowland 136 110 1353.497
2 Abe Maddox 112 101 908.988
3 Arlo Roland 132 106 1255.253
4 Matthew Johnson 67 42 518.012
5 Madeline Johnson 54 28 507.557
Expert
1 George Peters 238 232 1645.44
2 Steve Stewart 159 174 1158.701
3 Aaron Castro 139 120 868.844
4 Jerry Pearson 79 58 496.859

What a day of racing! I’ll try to get a video of a very close finish between George and Aaron in Race 2 (MG+ Modified IROC). Speaking of video, we have the whole day on video, so I’ll try to get the photo finish clip and the event video posted ASAP.

A big welcome to our newest racing team, Team Rowland! Hopefully, Dave, Arlo, and Coe will join us again soon. They jumped right in without practice and raced the last three races with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship–awesome! Thanks to everyone for showing up and making Round 1 a great event!

We’ll see what happens next weekend; it could be a track day or race day, depending on who’s available.

Okay, shut up and drive!

2024 IROC Championship Track Records Set, Champs Crowned, Video Posted

– November 2, 2024 –

The 2024 IROC Championships were held on one day with four different races, including qualifying.

Qualifying Lap Records (MegaG+ 1.7 “Modified” IROC Set)
    1. Steve Stewart with a 5.755 lap in the White lane.
    2. Kevin Webster with a 6.284 in the Green Lane.
Race 1: (Team Forza MG+ 1.7 Camaros Lexan IROC Set)
    1. Steve Stewart with a 4.524 in the White lane.
    2. George Peters with a 4.595 in the Green lane.
 Race 2: (Viper-Jets Can Am Lexan IROC Set “SPEC-JET”)
    1. Steve Stewart with a 6.256 in the White Lane.
    2. George Peters with a 6.415 in the Blue lane.
Race 3: (Retro Vipers “Maximum Leeway” Lexan IROC Set)
    1. Steve Stewart with a 8.875 in the White lane.
    2. Aaron Castro with a 9.514 in the Green lane.
Race 4: (Eric Lane’s MG+ 1.7 “Scooby Doo” Vans IROC Set)

No new records. Fastest lap is Steve Stewart with a 5.519 in the Blue lane.

IROC Champs

Expert Category: Home Cook’n
Sportsman Category: Eric “Fast” Lane.

A video of Qualifying and all four races can be found on Rumble.com here. Sorry, didn’t have time to post separate videos for each event.  Sadly, no background sound was recorded, just the RMS audio.