Bacon takes second straight, all 8 championships officially up for grabs

The Scottsdale Ferrari Apex Challenge series presented by Coffin & Trout has reached it's halfway point. And with more records falling and more first-evers during round 4, every single championship is officially up for grabs. Including one that hasn’t changed hands in 3 years.

We're speaking of the Radical Gold championship where 20-year-old Jace Bacon captured his first outright class pole and second consecutive class victory. He now sits just two points behind Chris McMurry when the one-drop rule is factored in. McMurry didn’t go down without a fight though, executing a dramatic first turn pass, before suffering a mechanical three laps later.

The Gold class podium included Andy Voelkel... and for the first time this season... Jason Plotke, who came from the back of the field to second after an early race skirmish.

"I always try to make it as hard as possible on myself," joked Plotke. "I knew I had pace this weekend, which is better than previous races, so I had a lot of confidence. I just focused on hitting my marks and reeling everybody in."

Fourteen cars were featured in the Radical race and it was Ryan Fisher who prevailed in the Radical Silver class. He captured his third win in 4 tries and was followed by the ever-consistent Evan Wolf, who finished in second for the third straight race, followed by Carl Fredrickson. The trio appear to be the lead contenders for Radical Silver championship honors.

"I had a first lap spin last race so I wanted to come back stronger this weekend and know that I still have it, still have the pace. It was a great race and I did a lot better than I was hoping for and I'm very thankful to the team," said Fisher.

In GT racing, Joe Rainey snapped an 11 race winless streak, a period that included a frustratingly stubborn 8 second place finishes. The win was very well-earned by the Utahn, as Rainey got past both GT4 pole sitter Matt Crandall and contender Scott Dehlendorf in their Porsche Clubsports, while also holding off his son and two-time class champion Joey Rainey.

The Raineys were busy Saturday, also battling in Apex’s largest-ever 10-car Mazda Miata MX5 Cup field. Joey found himself second again, though this time to Tom Tait who took his third consecutive Cup win. Lucas Barnett completed the MX5 podium in the quickly growing class.

Brannan Hankins -- who had dominated all three of the previous GT3 class races -- had his hands full from green to the checkered flag. First with Jordan Darling, who appeared quicker in turns 1, 7, 8, and then with late charger Chris Hansen. The threesome comprised the GT3 podium and it was Hankins who took the top step once again.

In Time Attack Street Class, Geroge Leon won on his first appearance of the season, knocking off all three of the championship contenders Star Sawalqah, Jordan Swaldah and Jeff Koning. It was Leon’s first event since the 2022-23 season, where he raced twice and won twice.

If you’re interested in becoming an Apex member and racer and getting involved, please email info@apexmotorclub.com. Here’s a look at the midseason standings:

Radical Gold

82 - Chris McMurry

71 - Jace Bacon

55 - Jason Plotke

49 - Andy Voelkel

42 - Ralph Gilles

Radical Silver

88 - Ryan Fisher

71 - Evan Wolf

68 - Carl Fredrickson

60 - Jason Dyer

50 - Niko Kourouglos

GT3

77 - Brannan Hankins

56 - Chris Hanson

49 - Jordan Darling

43 - Ralf Ludwig

11 - Scott Needham

GT4

96 - Joey Rainey

81 - Joe Rainey

53 - Matt Williams

51 - Scott Dehlendorf

50 - Matt Crandall

MX-5 Cup

77 - Tom Tait

70 - Joey Rainey

55 - Jessica Rainey

55 - Joe Rainey

52 - Lucas Barnett

Time Attack – Street Car

74 - Star Sawalqah

65 - Jordan Sawalqah

61 - Jeff Koning

43 - Brett Voelkel

25 - George Leon

GTX

25 - Richard Strahota

20 - Ernie Spada

17 - Richard Kinsey

Time Attack – Race Car

75 - Joe Cattaneo

25 - Jeff Koning

20 - Rich Gramlich