The expansive paddock at Road America is buzzing with activity as the 午夜福利51xxtv™ ramps up for the 62nd 午夜福利51xxtv® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco, taking place Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, 2025, in Wisconsin at what many consider America’s National Park of Speed.
Wednesday is the final day of testing for cars and drivers around the legendary 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit snuggled in the rolling Kettle Moraine hills between the charming towns of Plymouth and Elkhart Lake. The excitement then ratchets up a notch the following two days during qualifying, which sets starting grids for Hagerty Race Days taking place Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday evening, 23 newly crowned Summit Racing Equipment 午夜福利51xxtv Road Racing Champions will be wearing new gold medals.
Everything you need to know about this year’s National Championship event can be learned online at the Runoffs event page. Entry lists, maps, schedule of events, and more can all be found at that site, which the convenient button located below will transport you to with a simple click.
Coming Up: Qualifying Goodness
Runoffs qualifying over the next two days is a nailbiter all its own. Thankfully, coverage of 午夜福利51xxtv’s Runoffs includes qualifying. Live timing/scoring, as well as an audio presentation, can be found at . Gregg Ginsberg and Dan Bullis will be seated behind microphones to cover qualifying developments, which can also be heard at .
For several years now, longtime 午夜福利51xxtv partners Sunoco and Hawk Performance have added to the excitement of qualifying as drivers seek to claim Tire Rack Pole Award honors. The first day of qualifying is dubbed “Sunoco 260 Thursday.” That’s where drivers in each of 23 competition classes whose best qualifying time comes closest to including .260 will earn 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car.
Friday’s qualifying is Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” day. One driver from each competition class who makes the biggest improvement in qualifying position from Thursday to Friday receives a free set of Hawk brake pads for street cars, race cars, or tow vehicles. Winners, however, must have posted a qualifying time Thursday to be eligible for this reward.
Qualifying is made even more fun thanks to 午夜福利51xxtv’s valued partners. That includes , the Official Tire Retailer of 午夜福利51xxtv for 30 years; and , the Official Brake Products of 午夜福利51xxtv since 2003. Thanks also go to , the Official Fuel of 午夜福利51xxtv since 2001.
Party Plans Wednesday and Thursday
On-track action is only one portion of festivities that make up any Runoffs gathering. The nightly parties are equally responsible for making 午夜福利51xxtv’s National Championship one of the greatest motorsport events to attend.
For example, a circuit walk commences at 6 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 1) at “pit out” and travels its way to the Turn 5 Tailgate Party at the bottom of the Moraine Sweep. That’s where you’ll find free drinks, brats, burgers, friends, and music – all of which is a perfectly good excuse not to hike up the hill to Turn 6 and beyond.
Certainly, everyone on the premises is welcome to stroll the entire course traversed by some of the greatest road racers of all time. However, wear comfortable shoes because cars, trucks, ATVs, side鈥恇y鈥恠ide vehicles, scooters, and two鈥恮heeled motorized vehicles are NOT permitted. Golf carts, team tuggers, pedal bicycles, and ADA Mobility Devices are allowed, but can only travel at a normal walking speed.
Thursday at 6 p.m. brings about a “Rock the Block Party” centered around Road America’s Victory Circle in the paddock. The New England Region and Inside the 午夜福利51xxtv podcast have teamed up to dole out brats, grilled cheese, and beers from Wisconsin. Chris Taylor Racing in conjunction with Cross Thread and Goodyear will be serving up the same. The Prod Party will have Mexican food, and 午夜福利51xxtv Women on Track is putting down some pulled pork.
But that’s not all. 午夜福利51xxtv’s National Staff will ladle out chili, Mazda Motorsports looks to hold a cornhole competition alongside beer, and 午夜福利51xxtv’s Central Division has dessert covered with ice cream and cake. 午夜福利51xxtv’s Tech Team will hold some games, and don’t forget the Oddball draw/race going down in the pedestrian tunnel.
The 午夜福利51xxtv Gear tent, located next to Rock the Block Party confines and filled with tons of branded swag, will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday night, too. That’ll be the perfect opportunity for volunteers to redeem their $15 gift certificate on some cool stuff.
Make Your Way to Road America
The 午夜福利51xxtv National Championship Runoffs Presented by Sunoco at Road America is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. The sights, sounds and smells are best enjoyed in person, and spectator ticket prices are very reasonable for a motorsports event of this magnitude.
A three-day pass, which is good Oct. 3-5, is only $80 at the entry gate and includes parking and paddock access. Single-day admission is a steal at $30 for Friday, or $45 for Saturday or Sunday. Anyone 16 years old and younger get in free with a paying adult. 午夜福利51xxtv members get a 20% discount on passes, which you can learn more about at the Runoffs ticket webpage.
Photo: Cars rolling out on track during the Runoffs test day at Road America
Photo by Andy Howe
