Championship Countdown - Jon DeGaynor: GT1 Challenge National Championship

December 18, 2025

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s GT1 Challenge debuted in 2025, allowing the opportunity for drivers of GT1 cars to compete in Trans Am with shorter schedules and more flexible vehicle specs.

Competing in five races this season, Jon DeGaynor was a standout in his No. 04 Speed Dream’n Racing Ford Mustang, winning all but one of the events he entered.

DeGaynor took the checkered flag in the season opener at Sebring International Raceway in his Mustang, a car previously raced by Ron Fellows.

"Well, first, I want to thank my father and the team for all their support," said DeGaynor, who was also running SVRA in multiple classes that weekend. "Two races right back-to-back with the Devon, and then this. It's really a pleasure to be here with the new class. It was a great weekend. I hope we put on a good show for the crowd and made Ron Fellows proud."

DeGaynor returned to action at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where he stood atop the podium once again, followed by a second-place finish at Road America in the class’s largest field yet.

As 2025 wound down, DeGaynor scored a victory at VIRginia International Raceway, then headed into the season finale at Circuit of The Americas, where he drove to Victory Lane for the fourth time this year.

“It's an honor to be running with the pros, and it's a testament to this team and to all the people that supported our car to be able to do a full season, put the points together, and to have this success,” said DeGaynor. “Between the guys at the Watt Shop, my coach, Johnny O'Connell, and all of the people that have helped me, I couldn't be prouder of it.”

On top of his first Trans Am title, DeGaynor also received the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association’s highest honor, being named the 2025 SVRA Driver of the Year.