Calmer winds and clear skies ushered in the final day of the 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races.
It was a day of fast times and exciting finishes.
For the fifth year in a row, the fan-favorite Dreadnought took home the coveted Unlimited Gold trophy.
Sport Class reigning champion placed third in the gold race with Jeff LaVelle flying Race 39 reclaiming the title.
STOL Drag completed their first year as an official race class with Steve Henry flying Yee Haw 6 taking the inaugural title.
The National Aviation Heritage Invitational awarded the Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong Trophy to the 1945 Spitfire, owned by Charles Somers of McClellan Park, Calif. Trophy presentations were given by Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson, Clay Lacy, Dick Rutan and Sean D. Tucker.
The performer lineup concluded with spectacular displays by the F-35A Lightning II, the V-22 Osprey and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, all shaking the stands with their signature sounds.
Below are the full list of Gold Race Results:
Unlimited Class Results: Joel Swager flying Dreadnought completing the course in 08:49:687 at an average speed of 426.896 mph
Jet Class Results: Peter Stavrides flying Viper completing the course in 05:36:737 at an average speed of 502.362 mph* (*unofficial pending protest)
Sport Class Results: Jeff LaVelle flying Race 39 completing the course in 07:02:030 at an average speed of 400.834 mph
T6 Class Results: Chris Rushing flying Barons Revenge completing the course in 07:23:814 at an average speed of 234.862 mph
Formula One Results: Justin Meaders flying Limitless completing the course in 06:19:022 at an average speed of 237.020 mph
Biplane Class Results: Jake Steward flying Bad MoJo completing the course in 05:21:765 at an average speed of 209.398 mph* (*The Tom Aberle Memorial Gold Race was canceled. Results based on Heat 3A results.)
STOL Results: Toby Ashley flying Carbon Cubs completed the race in 0:58:05.
