The 2026 Hemmings Great Race is barreling toward its finish line, and Middle Tennessee’s own Stones River Racing Team is right where they want to be—out front. After successfully completing Stage 6 on Friday, the team continues to lead the X Division as the nine‑day, 2,300‑mile endurance rally pushes into its final weekend.
This year’s Great Race began June 20 in Springfield, Illinois, launching more than 120 vintage vehicles—1974 and older—onto the legendary Mother Road. As an official Route 66 Centennial event, the rally winds through 17 host cities before ending in Pasadena, California.
Friday’s route took competitors from the cool pines of Flagstaff, Arizona, westward toward the desert heat of Laughlin, Nevada. It’s one of the more demanding days of the rally, requiring sharp focus, steady nerves, and flawless teamwork. From Laughlin, teams will cross into California for the last two stages before Sunday’s grand finish.
Representing the Stones River Car Club of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Middle Tennessee team is led by veteran driver Jeremy Byrd and powered by three young navigators who have become local celebrities in their own right: Ayden Schoenfield of Riverdale High School, along with Carson Byrd and Owen Mosley of Siegel High School.
Unlike traditional races, the Great Race is all about precision—maintaining exact assigned speeds over hundreds of miles without GPS, modern navigation tools, or even a speedometer. It’s stopwatch math, teamwork, and pure concentration from start to finish.
With six stages behind them, the Stones River Racing Team sits comfortably in first place in the X Division, a position that reflects both preparation and grit. Byrd says watching the students rise to the challenge has been the best part of the journey.
“This event is about much more than competition,” he said. “These young men have spent countless hours preparing, learning precision rally techniques, and working together as a team. Watching them perform at this level has been incredibly rewarding.”
The team already made history in 2024 as the first middle school group ever to win the Great Race, beating out college teams nationwide. Now, they’re aiming to add another chapter to their growing legacy.
The 2026 Great Race concludes this Sunday (6/28/2026) in Pasadena, where teams will roll across the finish line after thousands of miles along Route 66 and iconic western highways. Stones River Racing extends its appreciation to sponsors, supporters, and the Middle Tennessee community for cheering them on every mile of the way.
They’re in the final leg now—and NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed. CLICK HERE for updates.
