This story has been updated with results.
The 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby championship drew national and international racers to Akron Saturday, July 18.
The Canadian wildfire smoke that blanketed the Akron area caused all July 17 derby events to be canceled. Alignment and wheel selection activities were done Saturday morning instead, but that didn’t stop racers from giving it their all.
Two contestants from Japan, Jinta Nakamura, 8, of the nation’s Kanagawa prefecture, and Yuumi Kon, 10, from its Saitama prefecture, made their first visit to Akron for the derby.
Both children said their favorite part of visiting the U.S. and Akron specifically was racing. They’ve both made some friends from the states during their stay.
Their race director, Noriko Yamamoto, has been bringing champions to the U.S. for at least 23 years.
“I am soap box derby missionary in Japan,” Yamamoto joked.
In order to burn off some energy without spending time in the wildfire smoke, Yamamoto took her charges, as well as their parents, to the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. They also visited the Greater Cleveland Aquarium earlier in the week.
Galloping to the finish line
The race was also a first for 11-year-old Lynel Lee from Staten Island, New York, and his family fan club. The latter was comprised of his mother, father, sister, aunt and grandmother.
The family sported bright yellow shirts with an outline of the New York City skyline and the words “Staten Island Soap Box Derby stock racing team / Go Mustangs!” in circus font.
A galloping mustang, which appears on Lee’s white car, is the mascot for his school, Anning S. Prall Intermediate School. He recalled practicing his derby car driving skills through the hallway of the school while classmates pushed him from behind.
One of his collectible pins, which participants trade with one another and act as souvenirs, has an American, Chinese and Japanese flag on it to display his heritage.
Lee was particularly impressed by the car designs in the local super stock division.
“They had like two two candy cars and one was a space car and they were actually really good racers,” he said.
FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby champions
The nearly 300 racers at the world championships ranged from ages 7 to 20. To qualify for Saturday’s race, competitors must have won their local race or earned enough points when competing in the derby’s rally program of races.
The racer divisions feature various car designs, with masters being the most advanced. The average race, also known as a “heat,” lasts between 27-29 seconds.
Here are the 2026 world champions.
Rally Stock Division: Amos Miller, 13, Stanwood, Washington.
Rally Super Stock: Alicia Swinderman, 13, Rittman.
Rally Masters: Melvin Spoelstra, 13, New Sharon, Iowa.
Local Stock: Theodore McFall, 10, Akron.
Local Super Stock: Drew Brand, 14, Omaha, Nebraska.
Local Masters: Dawson Crum, 20, Akron.
Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@usatoday.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 88th All-American Soap Box Derby attracts racers worldwide
Reporting by Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
