After nine days, more than 2,300 miles, and countless split-second decisions, the Stones River Racing Team has claimed the 2026 Great Race X Cup Division Championship, finishing the prestigious cross-country rally with a cumulative score of 2 minutes, 11 seconds under perfect time.
Traveling in “Bonnie”, a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain, the team crossed the finish line in Pasadena, California, on June 28 after an unforgettable journey from Springfield, Illinois, proving that preparation, perseverance, and teamwork can overcome every obstacle.
Representing Middle Tennessee, the championship team was led by veteran driver Jeremy Byrd and included three student navigators: Ayden Schoenfield (14) of Riverdale High School, and Carson Byrd and Owen Mosley, both 15-year-olds out of Siegel High School.
Unlike traditional racing, the Great Race is a time-speed-distance rally, where competitors are not racing each other—they’re racing the clock. Teams must navigate a prescribed route, maintain exact assigned speeds, and arrive at checkpoints at precisely the right moment, all without the aid of GPS or modern navigation technology. Every second matters, making precision, communication and trust essential to success.
The road to the championship was anything but easy.
On the final full day of competition, June 27, the team traveled from Laughlin, Nevada, to San Bernardino, California, facing some of their toughest challenges of the week. Along the route, they were delayed by two trains and became trapped behind a cluster of slow-moving vehicles. Despite those setbacks, the team delivered another strong performance, finishing the day just 34 seconds off perfect time, before receiving a 5-second penalty.
On Sunday, they completed the final leg into Pasadena and secured the X Cup Division Championship, ranking 16th overall among all competitors out of the over 140 cars.
The X Cup division consists of teams of young people, generally in some sort of group or shop class, competing in the event. The driver must be 21 years of age or older, though the navigator must be 21 years of age or younger.
“This victory represents months of preparation and the incredible dedication of these young men,” Byrd said. “They learned to trust each other, solve problems under pressure, and never let adversity change their focus. I couldn’t be more proud of what they accomplished.”
The championship continues a tradition for the Stones River Racing Team. In 2024, the team made Great Race history by becoming the first middle school team to win the event, competing against college teams from across the country. Carson Byrd, the only returning member of that historic championship team, now adds an X Cup Division Championship to his growing list of accomplishments while helping mentor a new group of student navigators.
Over the course of 2,300 miles, these young navigators gained invaluable experience in leadership, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork while traveling America’s back roads and historic communities.
For more information on the Great Race, visit greatrace.com.
