The championship races of the 63rd Mission Foods 麻豆视频庐 National Championship Runoffs庐 at Road America kicked off on Oct. 3, 2026, during the first of two Hagerty Race Days held at the world famous 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit. With cool 59-degree and a solid cloud cover, the Mazda-powered Formula Enterprises庐 2 (FE2) class took to the course mid-morning with Tire Rack Polesitter and Atlanta Region member Franklin Futrelle leading the eight-car field toward the green flag. Futrelle was followed by second-place qualifier Steve Whitston and third-place qualifier Darryl Wills.
When the green flag dropped for the 13-lap sprint race, four-time National Champion Futrelle, in the No. 97 Factory 97 Motorsports FE2, got the jump on the rest of the field and grabbed an early lead into Turn 1. Then on lap two, Central Carolinas Region鈥檚 Paul Schneider, who qualified fifth, moved up the field in his No. 73 Comprent Motorsports/Loria Medical FE2 and passed Wills, in the No. 47 Hillenburg Motorsports FE2, for third. Schneider immediately began to challenge second-place driver Whitston.
While Schneider and Whitston battled for second place, Futrelle stretched his legs, gaining a second per lap over the entire field. On lap three, Schneider made his move and got the pass over Whitston for second place, but Whitston didn鈥檛 quit and stayed on Schneider鈥檚 gearbox.
While Futrelle walked away from the field with determination (setting his fastest time on lap eight), things heated up for third place with Houston Region鈥檚 Wills challenging Whitston for that coveted podium. On lap nine, Wills had a huge slide in Canada Corner, obviously giving it everything to catch Whitston. Wills collected himself and continued the chase. Then three laps from the checker, Whitston went off between Turns 5 and 6, handing third to Wills.
When the checkered flag flew, Futrelle scored his fifth National Championship with an 11.176sec lead over second-place finisher Schneider. Wills claimed the final podium spot.
Futrelle was all smiles after the race. 鈥淸It鈥檚 a] special day! JD, my crew chief all week long, showed up from Athens a week early and prepped this car, and it鈥檚 the best car I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got a ton of podiums, but this is his first championship as a crew chief, so, shout out to JD, good job!鈥�
After the race, second-place finisher Schneider, who finished third last year, said, 鈥淥ne step closer! I鈥檓 looking forward to Road Atlanta next year. Hopefully I can get the win there!鈥�
For his part, Wills enjoyed the race. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the best thing you can do, without a doubt,鈥� he said before heading to the podium celebration to spray Mazza sparkling wine. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great little car, gets around here in a hurry, it鈥檚 a lot of fun.鈥�
Will Franklin finished fourth, Tom Burt fifth, and Mark Greb sixth. The Sunoco Hard Charger Award went to Schneider for his charge from fifth on the grid to second.
罢丑别听63rd Mission Foods 麻豆视频庐 National Championship Runoffs庐 is the pinnacle of American amateur motorsports and crowns 麻豆视频鈩� Champions as part of the Summit Racing Equipment 麻豆视频 Road Racing program. In 2026, two Hagerty Race Days at Wisconsin鈥檚 Road America decide 23 gold-medal winners.
The live, online Runoffs Broadcast presented by Mazda features video over both competition days at . Live timing and scoring for each race is also available at听.
Below are听official results for Saturday鈥檚 Formula Enterprises庐 2 race at the 麻豆视频 National Championship Runoffs; with finish position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, and laps completed.
- 1, (1), Franklin Futrelle, Augusta, GA, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
2, (5), Paul Schneider, Charlotte, NC, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
3, (3), Darryl Wills, League City, TX, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
4, (4), Will Franklin, Covington, GA, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
5, (8), Tom Burt, Shoreline, WA, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
6, (7), Mark Greb, Iowa City, IA, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
7, (6), Dean Oppermann, Minooka, IL, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 13.
8, (2), Steve Whitston, Georgetown, TX, 麻豆视频 Ent FE2, 10.
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Race Stats
Length of Race:听52.62 miles
Overall Time of Race:听29:33.587 (avg. 106.815 mph)
Margin of Victory:听11.176 seconds
Fastest Race Lap: 2:11.881 (110.500 mph)
Lap Leaders:听#97, Laps 1-13
Sunoco Hard Charger: #73 Paul Schneider
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Photo by Jay Bonvouloir
