The Spec Miata grid on Saturday was stacked – 51 cars deep, the kind of field that guarantees tight racing and nonstop action. But the biggest story wasn’t just the numbers. It was the return of Danny Steyn and Jim Drago, two longtime standouts back in the paddock after their terrifying crash at the 2024 Runoffs.
“You have no idea how overwhelming the emotions are coming back to the track,” Steyn said. “The SCCA family is something absolutely incredible. Until you’ve been forced away from it, you just have no idea how important it is to you.”
“I’m a little nervous, but not about the track or anything,” Steyn continued. “I’m just a little nervous that I don’t have what I had. At my age, the rate of falloff is quite precipitous.”
“Racing this weekend with all these accomplished drivers, I’m a little worried how far back I’ll be,” Steyn admitted with a chuckle. “But I want to run heads-up against the fastest kids that are out there, and these kids are incredibly quick.”
Any concerns about rust quickly faded.
After qualifying 20th in the packed field, Steyn carved through the traffic in Saturday’s race, climbing into the top 10 before the race ended under caution. That finish earned him the 10th starting spot on Sunday, where he battled both rising stars and wet conditions to secure a strong sixth-place finish.
But Steyn’s weekend was far from over.
He also competed in Super Touring Lite (STL) behind the wheel of the No. 09 Ocean Machinery Mazda MX-5, starting Saturday’s race from pole position. Reigning STL National Champion Mike Taylor grabbed the lead at the start, but Steyn fought back a few laps later and reclaimed the top spot. Once out front, he never looked back.
Sunday’s STL race brought even more drama. In wet conditions, Steyn and rival Nick Levrone fought a race-long battle for the lead. On the final lap, navigating through slower traffic in Turn 1, Steyn made a daring move to secure the position and take the checkered flag.
In his first Hoosier Super Tour weekend back, Steyn proved he hadn’t lost a step – earning two STL victories and reminding the field exactly what he’s capable of. 🏁
