International Soap Box Derby

Our 2026 Class of the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame at the Awards Show

Congratulations once again to Patrick Murphy, Jim Jedd, and Larry Gallimore! Thank you for all you've done for Soap Box Derby gentlemen!

Looking to preserve the unforgettable memories made at the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby? Purchase our $25 Photo Bundle from the link below and we'll email you a link to download all of your photos by the end of July! Please include Champ Name & Car Number.

https://commerce.soapboxderby.org/product/2026-all-american-photo-bundle/

As our staff enters full clean-up mode, we want to extend our sincere THANK YOU to all of the Champs, families, and volunteers who helped make this week possible. Despite the many curveballs we faced throughout Race Week, I truly hope this was an unforgettable year for your family.

The Derby Experience is why we do this. It has never been solely about what happens on Saturday. It is about the friendships you make, the memories you create, and the lifelong connections that are formed along the way. Everything we do is centered around our Champs, and our commitment remains unwavering in providing a truly Champ-focused experience.

We also recognize that this year brought a number of changes. Some of those changes worked exactly as we had hoped, while others did not unfold the way I envisioned. Change can be uncomfortable, and not every new idea will be a home run. However, change is necessary to stimulate growth in our program.

If we continue simply rinsing and repeating the same things year after year, we will never evolve. And if we fail to evolve, the traditions of the Soap Box Derby and the Derby Experience that so many generations have cherished could eventually be lost. Our responsibility is not simply to preserve our history, but to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to create the same lifelong memories that so many of us hold dear.

Over the past year, I have often used the analogy of “rebuilding the car.” It has been no secret that, over the past five or so years, we have largely been operating on auto-pilot. But in just one year, we have begun laying the foundation for the next generation of champions and our journey toward Derby 100.

Through the support of new and recommitted sponsors who believe in our vision, the relaunch of key fundraising initiatives, and a renewed focus on our mission, we are building momentum toward an even brighter future. We have strengthened our relationships within the Akron community and remain committed to ensuring that the International Soap Box Derby continues to thrive both as a world-class competition and as a leader in youth education and STEM programming.

Perhaps most importantly, we have assembled an incredible Headquarters team made up of former racers and dedicated staff who truly believe in our mission and share one common goal: creating the best possible experience for our Champs.

Every day, this team comes to Derby Downs with passion, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. They support one another, think outside the box, and are never afraid to embrace change if it means strengthening the Derby Experience. Their dedication, teamwork, and belief in our mission are helping position the Soap Box Derby not only for next year, but for Derby 100 and the generations of champions who will follow.

Equally important is our incredible volunteer family. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers serving on our many commissions, and nowhere was that commitment more evident than within the Competition Commission. Throughout Race Week, this group worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes and long after many had gone home.

Their commitment, teamwork, and willingness to tackle every challenge head-on were instrumental in making this event possible. The countless hours they dedicated throughout the week exemplify the passion, and volunteer spirit that have made the International Soap Box Derby special for nearly 90 years. Simply put, without these volunteers, the Derby Experience that so many families cherish would not be possible.

As we continue “rebuilding the car”, there will undoubtedly be additional changes in the years ahead. Some will succeed immediately, while others may require adjustments and refinement. But I can promise you this: every decision will continue to be made with one thing in mind, protecting, strengthening, and growing the Derby Experience for future generations.

Over the coming weeks, we will release our 2026 Race Week Survey and encourage all participants to complete it. We want to hear the good, the bad, and everything in between. Your feedback is critical as we continue improving and ensuring that future Champs and families can create the same lifelong memories and friendships that make this organization so special.

Thank you once again for being part of the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby and congratulations to our Champions and winners from the week! While World Champions were crowned on Saturday, I hope that the true victory for your family was found in the friendships made, the experiences shared, and the memories created throughout the week.

The road to Derby 100 continues, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Derby Downs on July 17th 2027!

The Winner of the $300 Gift Card to the Parts Store is Jacob Abbott from Maryland! Congratulations and thank you, Jacob, for all you did this week!

The winner will be notified via email with all details.