The Stones River Car Club, a region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, selected three Rutherford County high school students to compete in the 2026 Great Race, one of the world’s premier vintage automobile endurance rallies.

Ayden Schoenfield (14) of Riverdale High School, Carson Byrd (15) of Siegel High School, and Owen Mosley (15) of Siegel High School will serve as navigators and team members during the nine-day journey across the historic Route 66 corridor in June, representing the Stones River Car Club. The students will be joined by veteran Great Race competitor and driver Jeremy Byrd. Together, they will leave Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday, June 20, and travel to Pasadena, California, covering more than 2,300 miles while learning navigation, teamwork, automotive history, and problem-solving skills. The 2026 event celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and will feature an estimated 120 vintage vehicles from around the world.

Unlike a traditional speed race, the Great Race is a precision time-speed-distance rally where drivers and navigators must accurately follow a prescribed course without the use of GPS or modern navigation aids. Teams earn points based on their ability to maintain exact speeds and arrival times throughout the competition.

In 2024, Stones River Racing Team became the first middle school team ever to win the Great Race X-Cup Division, competing against and defeating teams from colleges and universities across the country. Their achievement demonstrated that dedication, preparation, and teamwork can overcome even the most experienced competition.

For the three young competitors, the experience represents much more than a cross-country road trip.

“This opportunity allows these students to learn skills that cannot be taught in a classroom,” Jeremy Byrd, president of the Stones River Car Club, said prior to the race. “They will gain experience in navigation, teamwork, responsibility, automotive history, and perseverance while representing our community on a national stage.”

The students worked alongside members of the Stones River Car Club to prepare for the event, learning the fundamentals of rally navigation, route calculations, and the operation and preservation of antique automobiles. Through this hands-on experience, they are helping ensure that appreciation for America’s automotive heritage continues with the next generation.

The Stones River Car Club’s participation in the Great Race is also part of a broader effort to introduce young people to collector cars, transportation history, and the educational opportunities available through automotive hobby organizations.

The 2026 Great Race will conclude in Pasadena, California, on June 28, after following much of the historic Route 66 route through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.

For more information on the Great Race, visit greatrace.com.