Spec Miata Race 1
18 laps were ahead for our Spec Miata, and SM2 field for Sunday’s doubleheader races, leading to some drivers using Friday’s Chase Races to practice for Sunday’s double header.
Alex Bertagnoli set the benchmark in a shortened qualifying session, caused by Greg Sorg losing a wheel, with Bertagnoli still finding time to set a 1:37.328, almost ⅓ of a second quicker than second and third place drivers Mike Ryan, and Samuel Bowman, who were .001 off each other’s quickest lap. Eli Dysart was .046 behind Samuel Bowman, starting alongside him on row two for race one. The race went green for our 20 Spec Miata drivers, with everyone getting off to an accident free start. A little attrition ensued during Spec Miata’s first race, starting with Conor Ryan pulling in to retire from the race after four laps from a broken cam sensor. Four laps later, Josh Dale lost a wheel, causing him to pull off at turn 10, shortly before halfway. Five laps later on lap 14, Luke Satterfield, who was still navigating his 13th lap, lost a wheel at turn nine, leaving him stuck on the grass. This would bring out the Lexus pace car, and would unfortunately end Spec Miata’s race under yellow, with Alex Bertagnoli winning the race leading every lap, with Mike Ryan holding onto second, and Eli Dysart rounding out the podium, preventing 11th place starter, and points leader Ethan Tyler from moving up one more spot, as Ethan Tyler, and Samuel Bowman rounded out Spec Miata’s top five finishing drivers.
SM2 Race 1
SM2 had a slightly bigger field than Spec Miata, as 23 drivers would take the start for SM2’s first race. Dean Schilling’s 1:38.872 would have not only been good enough for 13th for Spec Miata, but more importantly gave him pole for SM2. Joining Schilling on the front row was Jeff Neumann, setting himself a lap of 1:39.028. Pete Dale’s lap was 0.039 off Neumann, putting him third, with Chuck Batinovic alongside him on row two. Thomas Greenwood set a time just
over half a second off polesitter Schilling, and would round out not only SM2’s top five, but also rounding out the drivers who were within 1.2 seconds off polesitter Dean Schilling.
As was the case for Spec Miata, the race had a clean start with battles ensuing right away. Jeff Neumann got ahead of Dean Schilling however Dean Schilling would take back the lead one lap later. The battle for third between Pete Dale, and Thomas Greenwood however possible contact resulted in Pete Dale pulling off at turn 10, where his son Josh retired from the Spec Miata race earlier. After we had more battles up and down the SM2 field, Dean Schilling would eventually pull away from Jeff Neumann to win SM2;s first race, with Neumann second, and Alan Zocher rounding out the podium, barely holding off Chuck Batinovic. Lucas London rounded out the top five SM2 finishers, keeping both sixth place Thomas Greenwood, and Friday’s Chase Race Pro winner, and seventh place SM2 finisher, Mark Stadalsky at bay.
Spec Miata Race 2
For Spec Miata’s second race, all drivers, barring Luke Satterfield, would take the start for race one, as qualifying for race two was set by the fastest race laps from race one. Ethan Tyler started from pole, with race one winner, Alex Bertagnoli started from second. Both of them, plus Eli Dysart, and Samuel Bowman would pull away from the rest of the grid at the start. Conor Ryan’s race two would unfortunately end up worse than his first race, retiring on lap three, one lap earlier than he did race one. A little later, Eli Dysart missed a shift, making contact with Samuel Bowman, dropping Bowman down to fourth, and Eli Dysart down to ninth. Right at the halfway point, Matt Alexander went wide at turn eight, causing him to pull into the pits, and retire from race two. Samuel Bowman got back around Mike Ryan for third on lap 10, as Josh Dale also made a pass for position against Bob Groselak on the tenth lap for the tenth position. One lap later, Eli Dysart continued his charge back up the field, getting ahead of Taro Kushida at turn eight. Three laps later on lap 14 at turn eight, our battle for the lead hit a boiling point, as Ethan Tyler, and Alex Bertagnoli made contact, causing Ethan Tyler to spin onto the grass, making him fall down to 13th when he crossed the line with four laps to go. One lap later though, Ethan Tyler pulled into the pits to retire from the race. On the final lap, Samuel Bowman took the lead from Alex Bertagnoli, as both drivers battled for the lead up until the final corners, where Alex Bertagnoli would take back the lead, finishing first on track, with Samuel Bowman right behind in second, Mike Ryan rounding out the podium in third, and Eli Dysart in fourth, with our top four finishers separated by .522, just over half a second. Taro Kushida would round out the top five, just ahead of sixth place Lee Werner, and seventh place Eamon Ryan.
SM2 Race 2
In SM2, 19 drivers from race one set the grid for race two, as Dean Schilling led us to green for our fourth and final 18 lap Sunday Miata event. Schilling would immediately get the jump on the rest of the SM2 grid, as other SM2 drivers would jockey for position. Alan Zocher passed Mark Stadalsky for sixth at turn 11 on lap eight, while four laps later at the same turn, Pete Dale passed Chuck Batinovic. Mark Stadalsky would get back around Alan Zocher to take sixth, but Stadalsky would not serve as the sole driver to overtake Zocher before the end, as Alan Zocher would drop from eighth to tenth on the final lap, staying inside the top 10. Towards the front however, Dean Schilling would sweep SM2, winning ahead of second place Jeff Neumann, with Thomas Greenwood rounding out the podium for race two. Pete Dale was a second away from reaching the podium, finishing fourth in race two, giving him a much better result than he had in race one, as Chuck Batinovic rounded out SM2’s top five race two finishers.
With two Miata races remaining on October 10th on South Track, and the day of Oktoberfast, October 17th for this year, our Spec Miata races from this past weekend continue exciting both drivers, and members of Autobahn Country Club. Let us not forget October 7th’s media day for the unveiling of the new North Track layout! The racing this year has been exciting and fascinating to watch, and we hope to see you October 10th, and our final livestreamed races of 2026 on October 17th!
