SCCA champ Calvin Stewart: Good things come to those who wait

After more than 20 years of effort, Calvin Stewart is finally getting the recognition he deserves. The longtime SCCA Formula 500 racer from Novi, Mich., not only won the 2015 F500 championship at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB, he has now claimed the coveted Mark Donohue Award. He is also one of three nominees for the SCCA President's Cup, to be awarded at the SCCA National Convention later this month.

The Mark Donohue award is presented annually by the Road Racing Drivers Club to a driver who displays outstanding performance, competitiveness and sportsmanship during the SCCA Runoffs. The award is named after the legendary Mark Donohue. Donohue won an SCCA National Championship in 1961 and then went on to win the Indianapolis 500 as well as many Can-Am, Trans Am and IROC races. Donohue also wrote the seminal book "The Unfair Advantage" about his racing career.

"Praise the Lord, we won the Mark Donohue Award!" Stewart exclaims. "We're going down to Daytona the week of the 24. David Donohue and Bobby Rahal present the award. I'm in awe – just blown away with the success we had this year. I can't wait!"

SCCA's President's Cup is also presented annually to a driver demonstrating ability, competitiveness and success at the SCCA Runoffs. The award was originally presented by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Prior winners include Roger Penske, Skip Barber, Bobby Rahal, Jim Hall, and Paul Newman, among many others. This year's nominees include Stewart, Spec Miata champion Jonathan Goring, and Formula Vee champion Michael Varacins.

"I got a call from SCCA President Lisa Noble, and she invited us down to the convention," Stewart says. "It'll be wonderful if we won that, too, but it's a blessing to even be nominated. We're just excited to have the opportunity to be there."

For Stewart, the road to all this glory started over 20 years ago. "Our first run at the Runoffs was in 1994," Stewart recalls. "We sat on the front row my first time at the Runoffs. In the morning warm-up we were a second and a half quicker than everyone, so I knew we were going to win. At the one-minute board on the grid, my engine wouldn't start. We had broken a ring on the way to the grid!

"We had several other opportunities. We led it once and Elivan Goulart and I got together and he flew over my car at 125mph! The next year we were leading it by a country mile and we broke a clutch belt."

But Stewart kept working until he made it to the top step of the podium. "First, I'd like to praise the Lord for giving us the opportunity, and of course my wife and family have been great supporters," Stewart says.

"We've been knocking at the door, but it hadn't happened until now. We finally got all the pieces right and we had a dominant car at the Runoffs. Jay Novak and I designed and built this car a couple years ago. We've been working on it together to develop the car and I'm very thankful for the work he's put in. Robinson Racing was also crucial this year."

Looking to the future, Stewart is planning to stay in SCCA Club Racing. "I've been offered a few opportunities, but it's difficult with family and budget to do more than I'm doing now," Stewart admits. "My focus is on getting ready to try and win at the Mid-Ohio SCCA Runoffs in 2016. This year is already made – I could have stopped when we won the SCCA national championship. Good things come to those who wait."