McDermid wins ninth SCCA Runoffs title at Road America

Andrew McDermid captured his ninth Sports Car Club of America National Championship on Oct. 3, winning the American Sedan race at Road America in Wisconsin. Driving a Ford Mustang GT, the Detroit Region competitor started from pole and held off Daniel Richardson’s Chevrolet Camaro by 0.849 seconds.

The victory came during the first of two championship race days at the 63rd Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs. American Sedan was the final race on the opening Hagerty Race Day, following Touring 2. The event is the championship meeting for the SCCA’s amateur road-racing program, with 23 classes competing for gold medals across the two days.

McDermid completed the 52.62-mile race in 42 minutes, 3.824 seconds, at an average speed of 75.063 mph. His No. 24 WeatherTech/Discount Tire/Motorsta Mustang led all 13 laps, despite sustained pressure from Richardson throughout the contest.

A close fight at the front

McDermid made the best start from the front row and reached Turn 1 in first place. A substantial lockup in Turn 2 briefly brought Richardson close enough to challenge, but the pole winner remained ahead. Ross Murray, who began third, initially retained that position before Michael Kamalian moved his Ford Mustang GT past him on the second lap.

The leading Mustang and Camaro then began to pull clear of the rest of the field. Richardson recorded an early fastest lap, several tenths quicker than McDermid, before a full-course caution compressed the gaps and brought the competitors back together.

McDermid again led when racing resumed. Richardson’s Camaro appeared to have an advantage through the corners, while McDermid’s Mustang produced greater straight-line performance. That contrast repeatedly opened and closed the distance between them, but Richardson never found a way past.

The battle for third changed several times. Murray recovered the place from Kamalian soon after the restart, but Kamalian later regained it. Murray’s race ended on lap nine after mechanical trouble forced him to retire.

Philip Smith, who had started fifth, then advanced into third late in the race. Kamalian responded on the penultimate lap, passing Smith to reclaim the final podium position. Smith finished fourth, followed by Kent Biddinger and Andy Schniedermeyer.

Ninth title for McDermid

Richardson continued attacking in the closing laps, but McDermid reached the chequered flag first. The win added another national title to the eight he had already secured, while Richardson finished second in what he described as the final race for his vintage Camaro.

SCCA.com, which reported the race, said McDermid celebrated in familiar fashion by spinning the Mustang’s rear tires at multiple corners around Road America. He and Richardson later joined Kamalian on the podium, where they sprayed Mazza sparkling wine.

McDermid credited the performance of his car and praised Richardson’s drive after the finish, calling the result “wonderful.” Richardson, a two-time National Champion, said he had hoped to place the Camaro on the top step but was proud of what it achieved in its final appearance.

Kamalian described his third-place finish as the outcome of an eventful race that included a spin and a prolonged effort to stay with the two leaders. His recovery also earned him the Sunoco Hard Charger Award.

The provisional race data lists McDermid as the only lap leader. The fastest lap was a 2:28.471, recorded at 98.153 mph. Kamalian’s third-place finish completed the podium after a race featuring a 75.063 mph average speed.

Runoffs continues at Road America

The 2026 Runoffs are being staged at Road America, with the two Hagerty Race Days determining the year’s national champions. The meeting represents the top level of SCCA amateur motorsport and forms part of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program.

Competition continues on the second championship day. The SCCA is providing an online broadcast through its official YouTube channel, presented by Mazda, while live timing and scoring are available through SCCA.com/live.