Photo: ROAR Racing (source)
The American nitro on-road season had its most anticipated appointment. The ROAR Nitro On-Road Nationals 2026 have just delivered their verdict at The Groove RC in Sheridan, Illinois, with five national titles handed out across a particularly stacked field. Here’s the full breakdown of the podiums and the key takeaways from this championship.
Five classes on the ROAR Nitro On-Road Nationals 2026 program
Run under the authority of the American federation ROAR (Remotely Operated Auto Racing), this year’s event brought together five distinct classes: Masters, GT, 1/10 Sedan, Sportsman Exhibition and 1/8 Open. A lineup that covers the essentials of nitro on-road racing in the US, from 1/10 sedan bodies to big 1/8 on-road cars, with a Sportsman class designed to support up-and-coming drivers.
The Groove RC layout, one of the top nitro on-road tracks in the United States, served as the ultimate judge all weekend. As is often the case in nitro, consistency in the final and pit-stop quality made as much of a difference as raw lap speed.
Podiums by class
| Class | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | Chuck Moon | David Lee | Matthew Reddick |
| GT | Jose Almonte | Juan Gascot | Irvin Cole |
| 1/10 Sedan | Jacob Cerrato | Max Kuenning | Jerry Guerra |
| Sportsman Exhibition | Ryan Leland | Chris Glover | Mike Becker |
| 1/8 Open | Diego Morganti | Chris Tosolini | Ralph Burch |
1/8 Open: Diego Morganti wins the premier class
Diego Morganti took the title in the weekend’s fastest category, 1/8 Open, ahead of Chris Tosolini and Ralph Burch. A class where the slightest setup mistake on shocks or clutch is paid for in full over a long final.
In GT, Jose Almonte proved the strongest against Juan Gascot and Irvin Cole. In 1/10 Sedan, Jacob Cerrato won ahead of Max Kuenning and Jerry Guerra. In Masters, the class reserved for veteran drivers, Chuck Moon claimed the title ahead of David Lee and Matthew Reddick. Finally, the Sportsman Exhibition class went to Ryan Leland, followed by Chris Glover and Mike Becker.
Nitro on-road is still alive and well in the United States
While brushless power has taken up a lot of space in competition, these Nationals are a reminder that nitro on-road still has a very active core of enthusiasts in the United States. Engine noise, in-race refueling and tire wear management: the discipline keeps a flavor all its own, and the level on display at Sheridan confirms it hasn’t lost any of its intensity.
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