YOUNG RACERS WIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SATURDAY’S 88th FIRSTENERGY ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY
Akron, Ohio – July 18, 2026 – Nearly 300 young racers from across the United States and from Canada and Japan participated in the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby held here today, for the chance to win a share of $36,000 in Bill Speeg Memorial Fund college scholarships.
Racers between the ages of 7 and 20 spent months building their gravity-powered race cars to compete in local Soap Box Derby races to earn their trips to the championships at the world-famous Derby Downs track in Akron.
Winners of the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby were determined today:
● Stock Division: Racers (7-13) compete in cars built from kits, which assist the Derby novice by providing a step-by-step assembly of a basic style car
○ Local Winner: Theodore McFall, 10, Akron, Ohio.
○ Rally Winner: Amos Miller, 13, Stanwood, Washington.
● Super Stock Division: Racers (9-18) build and compete in a larger, heavier model car, also from a kit
○ Drew Brand, 14, Omaha, Nebraska.
○ Rally Winner: Alicia Swinderman, 13, Rittman, Ohio.
● Masters Division: Racers (10-20) compete in sleeker, more sophisticated cars, built from kits
○ Local Winner: Dawson Crum, 20, Akron, Ohio.
○ Rally Winner: Melvin Spoelstra, 13, New Sharon, Iowa.
The Soap Box Derby season runs year-round in more than 80 cities around the world, culminating in the annual World Championship, with Local and Rally racers in each division:
● Local Racers: Winners automatically qualify for the championship race
● Rally Racers: Winners accumulate points to earn the chance to compete for a national title
B-roll from the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby WorldChampionships is available at:
● Highlights from the final of each championship race in Local and Rally divisions
● Sound bites from each division winner in Local and Rally divisions
Video source: FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby
For additional information visit www.soapboxderby.org
Media Contact:
Bob Troyer, FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby Public Relations
Chair
(312) 543-6703
