SM2 started the year with the rarity of having fewer drivers than our Spec Miata class, with 17 SM2 drivers in comparison to Spec Miata’s 20. Pete Dale scored pole with a time of 1:13.276, under a tenth faster than Mark Stadalsky in second. The only other drivers to achieve a qualifying time under a 1:14 were second row starters, Jeff Neumann, and Bruce Malter.
Our 17 SM2 drivers had 25 laps ahead of them as they took the green, with our front row starters, Pete Dale, and Mark Stadalsky missing a shift at the start, giving fourth place Bruce Malter the lead after the first corner. It could have been worse for both Dale, and Stadalsky, as Dave Yong from eighth fell down to last once lap one was completed. Bruce Malter would lead the first seven laps before Pete Dale, and Mark Stadalsky taking back their 1-2 starting positions from lap eight onwards. At the halfway point of the SM2 race however, a full course caution ensued, with birthday boy Randy Cochran’s car losing power, and David Batinovic having a small fire in his car, ending both of their races. The race would resume with seven laps to go, with Mark Stadalsky losing three positions after the race restart. To the contrary, Jean Jodoin gained three positions, but would fall down to the back of the pack, after spinning out at the final corner with five laps to go. Jeff Neumann caught race leader Pete Dale, and would take the lead from the polesitter with three laps until the end. Despite some mid-pack chaos in the closing laps, from separate incidents involving Noel Sacks, and Dan Schrementi, the race would remain green with Jeff Neumann winning in SM2 ahead of polesitter Pete Dale in second, with Joe Miklos barely keeping third ahead of Mark Stadalsky with Bruce Malter rounding out the top five.
Our first races for this past weekend really shows how exciting this year will be, also giving us a little showcase for what we will see on May 8th-9th for Springtime Speedfest!
May 8th will have our second round of our Pro/Sportsman Chase Races, with the second round of the members Kart League starting off our May 9th day of racing, followed by our livestreamed Full track Spec Miata/SM2 race, and the first race of the year for our GT and Radical/Wings N’ Things series.
The livestream will take place on Autobahn’s YouTube channel @AutobahnCC, so if you are unable to be with us for Springtime Speedfest, we hope to see you watching the livestream of our races on May 9th! Here’s to a fast and fun 2026 season of racing!
