Podium Club 'Young Gun' Ends First Ligier Junior Formula Season in Style

14-year-old racing prodigy and Podium Club patron Jack Speth put an exclamation point on his stellar 2026 Ligier Junior Formula Championship campaign last weekend at Barber Park, taking a final round victory to finish runner-up behind title-winner Edward Kennedy by 13 points.

Speth’s season was defined by relentless drive, highlighted by a dramatic win in the series' weekend finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Trailing in the tense battle for the title, Speth executed a brilliant last-lap maneuver in race 1, making a decisive pass in Turn 6 to secure his fourth W of the year.

"I tried to put the pressure on in Turn 1, but it didn't work, so I just focused on the exit of 2 and 3 and figured I had nothing to lose going into the hairpin," said Speth. So, I decided that I'd either go out with a bang or just go home — go big or go home."

Despite missing out on the overall championship, Speth put together an impressive rookie single-seater season, achieving a podium finish in all 13 races, and taking four race wins.

The Tucson native started racing karts at seven, collecting Arizona regional titles and national top-five results in SKUSA, ROK, and Rotax competition. Speth moved to cars at 12 in Spec Miata and became a regional GT4 champion a year later. He is one of many talented 'Young Guns' who practice or receive competition driving instructions at the Podium Club's 2.32-mile road racing circuit in Casa Grande.

For the upcoming 2027 racing season, Speth hopes to step up to the US FIA F4 championship, remaining with Kiwi Motorsports, the team that runs one of the most competitive, multi-car grids in the series. As a rookie driver who impressed all with his discipline, determination, and speed, Jack is looking forward to making an announcement as soon as winter testing begins.