One year ago, Jeff Barrow joined the SCCA® Road Racing department as the Club’s Director of Road Racing. During the 12 months that followed, the department benefited greatly from the years of professional experience and industry contacts Barrow brought to the role. Unfortunately, Barrow’s time as an SCCA Staff member is coming to a close, as he has chosen to take a position with another motorsports company; his last day with the SCCA will be March 24, 2025. Ensuring a seamless transition, Sydney Davis Yagel has expanded her role as the Club’s Volunteer Development Facilitator to include management/leadership roles with the SCCA Road Racing program, including the U.S. Majors Tour® and the National Championship Runoffs®. Her new title will be Road Racing Special Projects Manager.
“We were sad to hear that Jeff will be leaving us, but with recent changes, including the promotion of Scott Dobler to Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour Series Manager and the hiring of Barbara Hughes on the administration side, it allows us to take a slightly different approach to achieving our program and departmental goals through the balance of 2025,” said SCCA Vice President of Road Racing Eric Prill. “Sydney brings a wealth of experience as a Region leader, volunteer, driver, steward, and motorsports professional. We were fortunate to already have her on our team as an independent contractor, and are excited that she is able to expand her role in support of SCCA.”
Yagel’s new role will include being the primary Region contact for the U.S. Majors Tour and Hoosier Super Tour events, as well as coordinating the SCCA Staff, Super Tour Series Event Staff, and Regions to determine the annual Majors event schedule. She will also execute annual event agreements with Regions.
Assisting in the management of event operations at the 2025 Runoffs will also be part of Yagel’s new role. Among other things, she will offer support as one of the liaisons with the track’s event management, help manage vendor relationships, and will assist in securing rental equipment and supplies. Furthermore, Yagel will help manage Runoffs online registration as well as volunteer management and support, act as a liaison for the Executive Stewards, and assist with event support with the SCCA Road Racing staff and volunteers to deliver an outstanding event experience for all participants.
“I’m thrilled to expand my role within the SCCA Road Racing department,” Yagel said. “With a background that spans racetrack management, Region leadership, management of professional racing series, and more, this new position is something I can’t wait to jump into. By working hand-in-hand with Regions and volunteers, I know we’ll be able to make SCCA’s events the best they can be.”
While Barrow looks forward to his new motorsports role outside of the SCCA, he leaves knowing he’ll miss being a member of the SCCA Staff, but he’s confident in the Club’s future success.
“I am sad to be leaving what I always call my second family,” Barrow said. “It’s the people I will miss the most, but I’m certain I’ll see many of you at the track as my new position will keep me within the motorsports community. I am confident in the short year I was at SCCA we were able to put together a great team, and I have the utmost confidence in Sydney to help keep this ball moving forward.”
Yagel assumed the position of SCCA’s Road Racing Special Projects Manager on March 17, 2025, and will report to SCCA Vice President of Road Racing Eric Prill. Barrow’s final event as Director of Road Racing will be at the Hoosier Super Tour at NOLA during the March 22-23 weekend. His final day on staff will be March 24.
