KEY STAFF

Steve Clark returns to the Speedway, earning a place in the coveted six-timer club. In addition to his time at the Greatest Spectacle in Robotics, he served as a referee at Worlds in 2023–2026, as well as the Kalahari Signature Event. He boasts event credits at State Championships in the highly competitive states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Coming from Montague, Michigan, Mr. Clark has spent 14 years involved with VEX Robotics.

KaBao McCarver is returning to the Speedway for the sixth time. This will be her fourth-straight Speedway event as a referee. Throughout her ten seasons as a referee, she’s been a Head Referee at the VEX Robotics World Championships, Indiana State Championships, Tennessee State Championships, and countless other Signature Events. Her motivation to become a Head Referee was sparked because, in her own words, “she was a terrible spectator and an annoying mom.” She hails from Central Tennessee.

THE John Queen joins the four-timer club in 2026. He’s been a referee at seven World Championships and 30+ Signature Events, including the Kalahari Signature Event and the LAUNCH Signature Event — both hosted in his native Ohio. He’s also been a Head Referee at 15 different State Championships, including Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. When he’s not serving as a Head Referee, he is teaching himself Mandarin Chinese.

Indiana's own Caleb Stoeffler is BACK AT THE TRACK for his second time as a Head Referee. This will be his sixth Speedway Signature Event, bringing years of dedication and expertise to the role. He serves as a Head Referee at the Indiana State Championships and was selected as a Head Referee for the Grand Finals at the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championships. His deep understanding of the competition stems from 10 years as a VEX Robotics competitor and driver, during which he competed at The First Running of the Speedway Signature Event in 2019.

Ellie Clark makes her Speedway Head Referee debut in 2026. Ellie boasts multiple credits in the VEX Worlds Dome and has previously served as a Head Referee at multiple signature events and state championships. A former V5 and VEXU competitor, Ellie is now one of the Midwest's most recognizable referees. When she's not making calls on VEX fields, she's a team member on Bloodsport, a combat robotics team featured on the hit show Battlebots.

Sheldon has been a driving force behind the Speedway Signature Event since its founding in 2019, bringing both organizational vision and passionate sponsorship to every edition. A Indianapolis 500 enthusiast, Sheldon can name every Indianapolis 500 winner since he was born. He serves on the partnership team at Chrysalis Global and serves as the Chairperson of the Board of the Chrysalis Global Foundation. As a judge adivsor, his event credits include the VEX Robotics World Championships, multiple Signature Events, as well as the Indiana and Tennessee State Championships.

Gina Wade is in her fourth year of being on the judging team for the Speedway Signature Event. This will be her second year as an in-person key volunteer. In her ninth year of VEX Robotics, Ms. Wade is recognized across the world as a top-notch judge for notebooks. Her event credits include three years at the VEX Robotics World Championships, two editions of the Indiana State Championships, the Haunted Signature Event, and the Tennessee State Championship. Gina is from Tennessee.