🇺🇸 James Newell

James Newell is a semi-professional racing driver competing in national solo-driver multiclass championships in the United States. He races spec Mazda Miatas in the SM class, primarily in SCCA Majors and NASA events, where he competes alongside amateurs and professionals in fields of up to 25 classes. His racing began in 2024.[1]

Across three seasons, Newell has started 22 times with six podiums and one win. His record in NASA's Spec Miata class yielded three podiums from nine starts in 2024 and 2025. In SCCA Majors he ran eleven times over 2025 and 2026 for two podiums. His signature result came at the 2026 SCCA Runoffs, where he won the SM class championship at Road America. That victory marked his only indexed win to date and came in his sole Runoffs appearance.[2]

Newell typically finishes behind established regulars in his fields. Semi-professional driver Travis Wiley, who has raced across SCCA Majors, NASA and Porsche Carrera Cup NA with 67 SCCA Majors starts, consistently outpaces him in shared events. Entry-level professional Dean Dybdahl, with 74 NASA starts, does likewise. Newell has beaten the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup ND2 champion Bobby Gossett multiple times across SCCA Majors and Regionals racing, a professional field where Gossett has 40 major-level starts.