After more than 20 years of effort, Calvin Stewart is finally getting the recognition he deserves. The longtime SCCA Formula 500 racer from Novi, Mich., not only won the 2015 F500 championship at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB, he has now claimed the coveted Mark Donohue Award. He is also one of three nominees for the SCCA President's Cup, to be awarded at the SCCA National Convention this weekend.
The Mark Donohue award is presented annually by the Road Racing Drivers Club to a driver who displays outstanding performance, competitiveness and sportsmanship during the SCCA Runoffs. The award is named after the legendary Mark Donohue. Donohue won an SCCA National Championship in 1961 and then went on to win the Indianapolis 500 as well as many Can-Am, Trans Am and IROC races. Donohue also wrote the seminal book "The Unfair Advantage" about his racing career.
"Praise the Lord, we won the Mark Donohue Award!" Stewart exclaims. "We're going down to Daytona the week of the 24. David Donohue and Bobby Rahal present the award. I'm in awe – just blown away with the success we had this year. I can't wait!"
SCCA's President's Cup is also presented annually to a driver demonstrating ability, competitiveness and success at the SCCA Runoffs. The award was originally presented by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Prior winners include Roger Penske, Skip Barber, Bobby Rahal, Jim Hall, and Paul Newman, among many others. This year's nominees include Stewart, Spec Miata champion Jonathan Goring, and Formula Vee champion Michael Varacins. The winner will be announced at the SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet presented by Mazda during the SCCA National Convention at the South Point Hotel and Casino on the evening of January 23, 2016.
