06/13/2026
Day 5 of Alaska Speedweek 2026 is complete, and with that, another incredible Alaska Speedweek is in the books.
We woke up early after camping along the Parks Highway and started the final leg of our journey home. The weather continued to cooperate, giving us another beautiful Alaska day to enjoy before the final race of the week.
One of our first checkpoints was the famous Igloo along the Parks Highway near Cantwell. Originally built in the 1970s, the four-story concrete structure was intended to become a hotel and tourist attraction. Unfortunately, construction was never completed, and the building has sat unfinished for decades. Despite never opening its doors, the "Igloo City" building has become one of Alaska's most recognizable roadside landmarks and a favorite stop for travelers making their way through the Interior.
Another important checkpoint was the Alaska Veterans Memorial. Located at Byers Lake, the memorial was dedicated in 1998 and honors the sacrifices made by Alaska's veterans and active-duty service members. The memorial consists of several monuments recognizing veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and other conflicts, as well as those who have served during times of peace. Surrounded by breathtaking views of Denali and the Alaska Range, it serves as a powerful reminder that the freedoms we enjoy today were paid for by the sacrifices of others. Standing there today was a humbling experience. On behalf of our family, thank you to all veterans and active-duty military personnel for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to our country. Your dedication allows events like Alaska Speedweek to exist and allows us to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.
The Mustang continued its journey south, although not without one final challenge. The left front tire had picked up some debris in the bead during the excursion into the trees at Nenana. About every 45 minutes or so we found ourselves pulling over to add a little more air before continuing down the highway. It wasn't ideal, but it wasn't enough to slow us down.
One of the mandatory stops of the day was Miller's Market in Houston, where everyone enjoyed some well-earned ice cream before the final push toward home. After nearly a week on the road, it was a great opportunity to relax, laugh, and enjoy one last Speedweek checkpoint with family and friends.
The next stop for the Wilson's Performance Mustang was Peak Automotive in Wasilla. Their team immediately went to work inspecting the car and getting it ready for one last race. After looking everything over, we discovered the front K-member had shifted slightly during the off-road adventure in Nenana. Fortunately, nothing was bent or damaged. With some adjustments, we were able to get everything back into place, perform an alignment, and get the front end back where it belonged. The result was a Mustang that once again drove like a dream.
From there it was straight to Alaska Raceway Park for the final day of racing.
The Mustang hooked hard and performed flawlessly. In fact, it worked so well that I actually had to slow it down in order to hit the number I needed for the best possible average. My goal for the week was a 6.90 average, and when all the math was done, we finished with a 6.891 average. That's about as close as you can get.
Unfortunately, Alaska Speedweek attracts some incredibly talented racers, and a 6.891 average wasn't enough to contend for the overall win. However, we did manage to bring home one trophy—the Fastest Pass of the Event award—which is something we're incredibly proud of.
Looking back on the week, Alaska Speedweek delivered exactly what it was supposed to. We raced it. We drove it. And we survived it.
The Wilson's Performance Mustang covered a thousand miles of Alaska highways while towing a trailer full of tools, race fuel, spare parts, slicks, jacks, and everything else needed to support a week of racing. It endured rain, mud, construction zones, frost heaves, rough pavement, and even a trip through the trees in Nenana. Through it all, it kept going.
But what I'll remember most isn't the racing. It's the people. The campfires. The conversations. The incredible scenery. The friendships. The community support. The volunteers. The racers helping racers. The memories made with family.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped make Alaska Speedweek possible. Thank you to the volunteers, track operators, airport managers, sponsors, racers, and spectators who support this event every year.
Most importantly, thank you to my family for supporting this crazy adventure and helping make it happen. None of this would be possible without Joanna. She handled the motorhome, the kids, the long days, the unexpected challenges, and everything else that comes with a week-long racing adventure across Alaska. Speedweek may look like one person racing a car, but the reality is that it takes an entire family to make it happen.
And finally, thank you to God for the protection, the amazing weather, the safe travels, and the opportunity to spend another week doing something we love in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Until next year...
Alaska Speed Week Peak Automotive Alaska Raceway Park Alaska #1 Door Service, LLC Ignite Racing Fuel
