Musical Race Cars

By the end of the 2026 Historics weekend, Newman had raced both his cars, Smith had raced both Newman’s cars, Duncan had raced Campbell’s car, and Duncan’s spare engine had been in Campbell’s car, with which he won the Battle of the Brits 2 race, and in Duncan’s car. Oh, and Sahawneh completed his novice requirements by racing a second weekend in Campbell’s #70 “Arnold Car”.

Campbell (12) going wheel to wheel with Eldridge (38) through turn 9, with Duncan’s motor under the bonnet.

While the 2026 Pacific Northwest Historics was especially busy in this way, it was also an example of the camaraderie, cooperation, teamwork, and generosity that are the foundation of the Sprite-Midget Challenge.

Campbell went out for a laid-back warm-up session on Friday morning and came in on a flat-tow with a broken cam follower. Before he was out of his suit, Duncan had delivered his spare motor to Campbell’s paddock, insisting that it go in the car. And when Duncan’s motor lost its second head gasket of the weekend and he needed the motor back, Campbell offered him the 12 car for the last Saturday race, after which they got busy swapping things around.

Said Campbell, “I was as excited to see Rod race my car as I was about anything all weekend.”

Duncan’s spare motor going into Campbell’s car on Friday. The hoist, Tipton’s, was used on three cars over the weekend.
Duncan racing Campbell’s #12 Bugeye into turn 9 late on Saturday.
Duncan and Campbell confer after Duncan’s race in Campbell’s car.
Duncan’s spare motor coming out of Campbell’s car Saturday evening.
Work went on well into the night on Saturday, with many hands pitching in.

Smith raced Newman’s #76 car Friday and Saturday because his iconic #8 Bugeye is in for repairs. Newman insisted Smith use the car for the weekend. They swapped cars on Sunday and Smith, in Newman’s #4 Sebring-tribute Sprite, noted a suspension issue that, once fixed, will resolve a long-standing handling problem with the car.

Smith (76) wheeling through turn 3b in Newman’s #76 car.
Photo by Gary McMillan.

Sahawneh, meanwhile, made every session in the recently restored #70 “Arnold Car” Bugeye, provided by Campbell, having also recently raced the car in Spokane, his first weekend of vintage racing.

Sahawneh in the #70 “Arnold Car” Bugeye at the 2026 Historics.
Photo by Bill Dolph
Sahawneh, left, raced to his first SMC award in Campbell’s #70 yellow Bugeye.

Stories like these are many, common, and go back years now. They aren’t exceptions or exceptional, they are frequent and the norm. While we race competitively on-track, we return to the paddock as better friends, eager to share stories from the race, a burger from the grill, and a beer from the cooler. Parts, knowledge, tools, and elbow grease are shared just as freely.

Campbell and Newby: Wheel to wheel on track, hugs in the paddock (even when Campbell is wearing his infamous “trouble” shirt).

Does this sound like your kind of racing and community? We’re here to help you find a Spridget to race, a driver’s school, gear, and, when at the end of a race day, a cold beer. Contact us to get started in wheel to wheel road racing now.