Day 1 – Wednesday, June 18
After wrapping up work at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jeremy and I loaded the trailer and hit the road before 7 p.m., with a 12-hour overnight drive ahead of us to make Thursday's load-in. Thankfully, years of experience have made these hauls feel shorter — we arrived safely just before 9 a.m. Central.
With the rest of the crew not arriving until later, setup duties fell on Jeremy's and my very tired shoulders. But we got everything unloaded and in place just before a major storm rolled through — our new awning once again proving to be a game-changer. We wrapped up around 5 p.m., grabbed some dinner, and finally checked in to the hotel for some well-earned sleep.
Day 2 – Thursday, June 19: Practice
The full team was now on-site and ready for a busy day. Austin had three practice sessions, and from the very first laps, he showed strong pace, ranking in the top 3 of his class all day.
But this day was about much more than lap times. Just weeks before, Austin’s beloved therapy dog Indy passed away. Indy wasn’t just a pet—she was a calming force in Austin’s life and played a crucial role in his early racing days. One of Austin’s dreams was always to give Indy a ride in the race car, but because she didn’t like being picked up, it never happened. This weekend, however, she finally got her ride. Austin placed Indy’s ashes in the car, so she could take one last lap with him around Road America. It was a deeply emotional and special moment for all of us.
Day 1 at the Track recap video (only watch if you have Kleenex)
Day 3 – Friday, June 20: Practice, Qualifying & Race 1
A jam-packed day with four sessions on track. Overnight rain left the track wet for morning practice. We sent Austin out on slicks for a reconnaissance lap — Road America is huge and conditions can vary across its layout. He radioed in confidently after Lap 1 and managed to top the timesheets in very tricky conditions — moments like these show Austin’s incredible talent behind the wheel.
The second practice was a write-off due to multiple red flags, but we entered qualifying feeling good. Unfortunately, Austin’s best lap was nullified by another red flag just as he was crossing the start/finish line, resulting in a P4 qualifying position.
Race 1 saw Austin avoid chaos in Turn 1 and slot into P3 by the end of the first lap. A long caution period followed due to multiple incidents, and when racing resumed, Austin gave chase to P2 but simply ran out of laps. He crossed the line in third — another podium added to what’s shaping up to be a great season.
What stood out most? The incredible local support. Austin has built a real fan base at Road America — RWA shirts and hats were everywhere, and the crowd at the podium ceremony was overwhelmingly made up of Austin supporters. It was genuinely heartwarming.
Day 2 at the track Recap Video
Day 4 – Saturday, June 21: Race 2
Only one on-track session today, but there was no sleeping in — we were up early to meet fans and sell merch. Road America hosted a Radical karting event in the morning, and Austin couldn’t wait to jump in. Unsurprisingly, he won — still sharp as ever in a kart!
Later that afternoon, it was time for Race 2. Austin had a bold start, charging up to second by the end of Lap 1. After a few scattered cautions, he brought it home in P2 — two podiums in two races! The crowd at the podium was even bigger than the day before, and the cheers were unforgettable. These moments remind us how much of an impact Austin is making.
Day 3 at the track Recap Video
Day 5 – Sunday, June 22: Race 3
Thanks to his strong finish on Saturday, Austin started Race 3 from the front row and was hungry for the win. But right from the green flag, something wasn’t right. He was struggling with straight-line speed and quickly dropped back through the field.
On Lap 3, a hit from behind pushed his bumper into his right rear tire, effectively ending his race. Back in the pits, we discovered a failed brake master cylinder was causing the brakes to drag — a heartbreaking mechanical failure on a weekend filled with so much promise.
Still, two podiums out of three races and sitting third in the championship — with the gap to P2 shrinking — it was a weekend to be proud of.
Day 4 at the track recap video
Next Up: Our Biggest Challenge Yet
In less than four weeks, we hit the road for our most ambitious trip yet — a 42-hour journey to iconic Laguna Seca. Stay tuned — the adventure continues!
#RacingWithAutism #AustinRiley #RadicalCup #RoadAmerica #ThankYouForYourSupport
