SPOOKY SPECTACULAR - GATEWAY HEADS-UP MAFIA 2026 GRAND FINALE - World Wide Technology Raceway

Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by WWTR TWO DAYS. 360+ CARS. NEARLY $30,000 IN PAYOUTS. ONE UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND. By Chris McCrossan Some races are good. Some races are memorable. And then there are weekends that remind everyone why we do this in the first place. The Gateway Heads-Up Mafia’s 2026 Grand Finale was built to be bigger than anything we’d done before. Two days of racing. A brand-new Friday night class. Hundreds of race cars. Big payouts. Five coveted Wally trophies on the line Saturday. And a facility full of racers who traveled from across the Midwest to be part of it. When the smoke finally cleared, the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia had delivered a season finale that put Midwest small-tire racing on full display. The weekend brought together local legends, nationally recognized racers, traveling teams, families, sponsors, and fans for an event that continued to push the boundaries of what this grassroots program could become. And we were just getting started. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23: NO BILLET FRIDAY A NEW CLASS. A NEW CHALLENGE. AN ABSOLUTELY WILD NIGHT. Friday was about trying something different. The Gateway Heads-Up Mafia introduced NO BILLET FRIDAY, a new heads-up class designed to bring another level of competition to the weekend and give racers something special to kick off the finale. And the response? Exactly what we hoped for. More than 180 cars filled the property Friday night alone, with 15 competitors entering No Billet Friday and the rest of the racers preparing for Saturday’s main event. The pits were packed with out-of-town teams, familiar faces, and some serious horsepower. We were thrilled to welcome names like Beater Bomb and Brian “Beetlejuice” Britt, teams from Wisconsin’s Street Outlaws programs, and plenty of our own local racing legends. Having racers of that caliber make the trip to WWTR says a lot about the direction this program is heading. For Friday’s track preparation, TVC was in the house with Kurt Johnson leading the charge on the racing surface. The track initially became incredibly sticky, and as temperatures dropped and the evening dew began settling in, the conditions started to change. Teams had to adapt as the night progressed, putting both their equipment and their tuning to the test. By the semifinals, moisture on the surface was becoming a factor. Racing pushed deep into the early morning hours, with the program running until approximately 2:30 AM. Rather than force a questionable final round, the remaining four competitors—Joey Hiykel, Blake Neeley, Brian Schneider, and Dan Schell—agreed to split the $5,500 in prizes and money. But we still needed a winner. In true racing fashion, the final decision came down to a chip draw, with Joey Hiykel taking home the winner’s trophy and Brian Schneider claiming runner-up honors. Congratulations to all four competitors for putting on a show and helping make the inaugural No Billet Friday a success. A special thank-you goes to Carter Motorsports, who stepped up before the event with a $500 gift certificate for the class. The biggest takeaway from Friday? This new class has potential. The cars were fast, the competition was fierce, and the response was strong enough that the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia is already looking at bringing No Billet Friday back in 2027, with a few possible tweaks to make it even better. This was a successful first run, and we can’t wait to see where it goes. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24: THE GRAND FINALE 180+ MORE CARS. FIVE WALLY TROPHIES. NO SHORTAGE OF HORSEPOWER. After a very late Friday night, Saturday morning came quickly. Gates opened at 8:00 AM, with the track going hot at 10:00 AM. Yes, racers, crews, and staff were running on limited sleep—but the weather was outstanding, the pits were full, and everyone knew what was at stake. TVC and the WWTR staff went to work preparing the surface, spraying, dragging, rotating, and making adjustments as conditions evolved. They weren’t just trying to get through the day. They were working toward a surface capable of producing exceptional numbers. And the track came alive. Unfortunately, the day delivered another unexpected challenge during second-round qualifying. While the crew was cleaning up an oil-down in the right lane, the track scrubber suffered a hydraulic failure that spread oil into the left lane. Just when you thought we’d seen everything. What followed was an all-hands-on-deck recovery effort involving the WWTR and TVC crews, fire trucks, specialized cleaning agents, and plenty of manual labor. The team worked through the problem and got the facility ready for racing again. The incident forced a return to the pits and resulted in an approximately two-hour delay before we could resume with Eliminations Round 1. But the racers stayed with us, and the show went on. Food trucks and concessions kept everyone fueled, and WWTR even handed out free Ted Drewes ice cream to the kids. Add in the pit-side trick-or-treating, packed staging lanes, and the Halloween atmosphere, and Saturday became much more than just another day at the dragstrip. It was a full weekend experience. And once eliminations got underway, the racing delivered. THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY Friday and Saturday combined for more than 360 reported car appearances across the two days. Saturday’s class payouts totaled $24,200, with another $5,500 in prizes and money split among the No Billet Friday finalists. Here’s how Saturday’s classes stacked up: Gangsta 28’s — 18 entries | $10,400 payout | Wally on the line Small Tire Limited — 31 entries | $6,300 payout | Wally on the line Outlaw Street — 7 entries | $1,700 payout | Wally on the line Street Warrior — 19 entries | $2,900 payout | Wally on the line Real Street — 14 entries | $2,400 payout | Wally on the line 7.0 Index — 5 entries | $500 payout Small Tire Limited also received a special boost from B&B Kustoms for 3rd place, who contributed an additional $200 and carbon door-bar covers for third place. We appreciate the extra support for the racers. These numbers represent what can happen when racers, sponsors, and a facility work together to build something worthwhile. Now let’s get to the winners. SATURDAY’S CLASS CHAMPIONS GANGSTA 28’S — THE THREE-SECOND BARRIER FALLS AGAIN 18 entries | $10,400 payout | Wally on the line If there was one performance that defined the weekend, it was Brandon Carter’s. Brandon Carter didn’t just win Gangsta 28’s. He made history. Brandon took the final-round victory over Joe Rabiola with a blistering 3.901-second eighth-mile pass at 197.33 MPH. Let that sink in. A 3.901. At 197.33 MPH. On a 275-width tire. And it wasn’t a one-time fluke. Brandon put down two separate three-second eighth-mile passes during the event, establishing a new small-tire track record at World Wide Technology Raceway. His 3.901 became the headline number, while the event results recorded a top speed of 197.74 MPH for Logan Duvall. This is the kind of performance that makes people stop what they’re doing and look toward the track. The kind of number that gets talked about long after the trailers leave the property. Congratulations to Brandon Carter on an extraordinary performance and a well-earned Gangsta 28’s championship. The Midwest small-tire scene is alive and well—and Brandon just gave everyone another reason to pay attention. SMALL TIRE LIMITED — 31 CARS, ONE CHAMPION 31 entries | $6,300 payout | Wally on the line If you’re looking for one of the best places in the Midwest to test your combination, compete against serious local talent, and experience some of the most unpredictable racing around, Small Tire Limited continues to deliver. The class brought 31 competitors to the property for the season finale, making it one of the deepest fields of the weekend. The random chip-draw index for this event was 5.10, continuing the format that has helped make Small Tire Limited a standout part of the program. Rather than locking the class into a single index for the entire season, racers must adapt to the number drawn at each event, with indexes ranging from 4.90 to 5.30. When eliminations were complete, Cody Schellmeyer emerged as champion, defeating Nate Morris in the final. Cody took the win with a 5.168 at 129.18 MPH, while Nate ran a 5.097 at 140.39 MPH. Thirty-one cars. A random index. A field full of competitors who know how to race. That’s Small Tire Limited. And with the support of B&B Kustoms adding a little extra incentive for third place, the class had even more reason to fight through the field. OUTLAW STREET — LUKE WELMON TAKES THE CHAMPIONSHIP 7 entries | $1,700 payout The Outlaw Street class brought its 8.60-index competition back to the track, with seven entries battling for the win. The final round paired Luke Welmon against Dan Saitz. Luke delivered an 8.603 at 150.83 MPH to secure the championship, while Dan ran an 8.556 at 150.35 MPH—just a little too quick for the 8.60 index. The numbers show just how tight the competition was. Dan had the quicker elapsed time, but breaking out handed Luke the victory. Congratulations to Luke Welmon on another strong performance and a well-earned win. STREET WARRIOR — KAMERON GALLOWAY TAKES THE WIN 19 entries | $2,900 payout Street Warrior brought serious depth to the finale, with 19 cars competing in the 9.50-index class. When the field narrowed to two, Kameron Galloway and Big Block Bob lined up for the championship. Kameron took the win with a 9.796 at 108.90 MPH, defeating Big Block Bob’s 9.867 at 140.65 MPH. Dan Harris claimed the top qualifying position with a 9.501 at 142.32 MPH. With 19 entries, every round mattered, and getting through the field required more than just a quick car. Congratulations to Kameron and everyone who came out to compete in Street Warrior. REAL STREET — BRADLEY KAEMMERER COMES OUT ON TOP 14 entries | $2,400 payout | Wally on the line Real Street continued to showcase the kind of racing that makes index competition so entertaining. Fourteen competitors entered the 10.75-index class, and Bradley Kaemmerer worked his way into the final against Geoff Dugopolski. Bradley took the championship with a 10.868 at 122.57 MPH, while Geoff ran a 10.809 at 111.55 MPH. Jake Madding earned the top qualifying position with a 10.763 at 124.27 MPH. Congratulations to Bradley on closing out the season with the Real Street win. 7.0 INDEX — KARSON ELKINS GETS IT DONE 5 entries | $500 payout The 7.0 Index class brought five competitors to the season finale, with Karson Elkins and Troy Baldwin making it through to the final round. Karson took the win with a 7.156 at 90.22 MPH, defeating Troy’s 7.585 at 90.32 MPH. And here’s a fun fact about our 7.0 Index champion: Karson also won the TRG Motorsports 7.90 Junior Dragsters class. Two classes, two finals, two wins. That’s a pretty incredible way to close out the season! Congratulations to Karson on an outstanding weekend. PHIL’S PLUMBING STREET MX — SCOTT LEONARD DOUBLES UP The motorcycles brought their own brand of excitement to the finale. In Phil’s Plumbing Street MX, Scott Leonard lined up against Phil Humphrey in the final round. Scott took the championship with a 9.145 at 128.86 MPH, while Phil posted a 9.455 at 145.13 MPH. Chadwick Willey secured the top qualifying position with a 9.477 ET. Scott wasn’t finished yet, either. 8.90/9.20 SC MX FINAL Scott Leonard returned to the winner’s circle in the 8.90/9.20 SC MX final, defeating Ace Willey. Scott ran an 8.921 at 134.55 MPH, while Ace posted a 9.362 at 144.46 MPH. Two finals. Two wins. Congratulations to Scott Leonard on an outstanding weekend. TRG MOTORSPORTS 7.90 JUNIOR DRAGSTERS — THE NEXT GENERATION IS RACING HARD One of the things we love most about the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia is seeing young racers develop their skills and compete alongside the rest of the racing community. The TRG Motorsports 7.90 Junior Dragsters brought the season to a close with Mason Reichardt facing Colton Koontz in the final round. Mason took the win with a 7.959 at 78.87 MPH, while Colton ran a 7.930 at 81.37 MPH. Mason also claimed the top qualifying spot with a 7.910 at 82.45 MPH. Congratulations to Mason, Colton, and all the junior racers who joined us throughout the season. You’re a big part of the future of this sport, and we’re proud to have you at the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia. A WEEKEND THAT TOOK A VILLAGE The racing was incredible, but the story of this weekend goes far beyond the scoreboards. It took a tremendous amount of work from the WWTR staff and TVC to prepare and maintain the surface across two long days. It took racers willing to travel hundreds of miles, crews working late into the night, sponsors investing in the program, and families spending their weekends at the track. It took patience through changing track conditions, a major oil-cleanup situation, and a two-hour delay on Saturday. And it took some serious ingenuity. When the oil cleanup on Saturday turned into a full-blown challenge, the WWTR and TVC crews had to get creative. At one point, the ingenious idea of using a mattress to help clean up the racing surface entered the picture. A mattress being pressed into service as a drag mat was definitely not on our bingo card for 2026—but when you’re determined to get the track back in racing condition, you use what you’ve got! It was an all-hands-on-deck effort, and the team kept at it until we were ready to race again. That kind of dedication is exactly why we appreciate the WWTR staff and TVC team. Through it all, the racing community kept showing up. The Gateway Heads-Up Mafia is operated by Jeremy Mifflin of Mifflin Racing and Chris McCrossan of McCrossan Motorsports, along with their families. We’re racers ourselves. We understand the time, expense, preparation, and commitment that go into bringing a car to the track. We know what it means to race late into the night, to fight through eliminations, and to put everything on the line for one more pass. This program was built around that experience. We wanted to create a place where our friends could compete, where racers could win meaningful payouts, where families could spend time together, and where small-tire racing could continue to grow. Looking at what happened October 23rd and 24th, we think we’re getting there. Nearly $30,000 in combined reported class payouts and Friday prizes. More than 360 reported car appearances across two days. Five Saturday Wally classes. A new small-tire track record. And a brand-new class with enough potential to bring back next season. That’s a season finale worth celebrating. THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS None of this happens without the businesses that support the program and believe in what we’re building. A huge thank-you to every one of our sponsors for helping us put money back into the racers’ hands and make events like this possible. Our 2026 sponsors: Mifflin Racing McCrossan Motorsports Integrity Tattoos Carter Motorsports Xtreme Detail HPJ Performance AC Towing CBI Street Cars B&B Kustoms Neighborhood Service Arod’s Body Shop Thomure’s Performance Superior Home Remodeling Keizer Race Wheels Mid Mo Drywall Midwest Waffle House Street Team Automotive Detroit Battery Company Wicks Aircraft Vallow Flooring Weber Chevrolet Weber Ford And to Brad, Nettie, WWTR management, ownership, and the entire World Wide Technology Raceway staff: thank you for giving us the opportunity to build this program at your facility. The work you put into the surface, the response to the oil-downs, and the effort to keep this event moving made a real difference. We appreciate the trust and support, and we look forward to doing even more together. 2027: WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED As we close out the 2026 season, one thing is clear: the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia has outgrown what we originally imagined, and we’re not interested in standing still. We want the entire country to know that small-tire racing is alive, well, and thriving in the Midwest. We’re already developing plans for 2027, including the possibility of more two-day events like this one. No Billet Friday has given us another opportunity to expand the program, and we’re looking at ways to make next season bigger, better, and more rewarding for the people who support us. We also welcome new sponsors who want to be part of that growth. If your business wants to reach a passionate racing audience and help support a program built around grassroots competition, reach out to Chris McCrossan or Jeremy Mifflin. Come talk to real racers about your business, your goals, and how we can work together to make an impact in 2027. We have ideas to take this to the next level, and the right partners can help make them happen. To every racer who entered, every sponsor who contributed, every crew member who worked late, every family who came out, and every fan who stood along the fence: thank you for making this more than just a race. This program belongs to the community that supports it. Your feedback, your participation, and your passion shape what we do next. We’re two racers who wanted a playground for our friends. And by God, we built one. SEE YOU IN 2027. GATEWAY HEADS-UP MAFIA Built by racers. Fueled by competition. Driven by passion. Small-tire racing is alive and well in the Midwest. And we’re just getting started.