Willison Looks to Carry Million Dollar Momentum into Granite Can/Am Shootout

Monroe WA - 2026 is already off to a strong start for one of the Northwest's top

pavement Sprint Car racers.

Langley, British Columbia’s Aaron Willison started his year off strong Apr. 10th at Five

Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, nabbing a $30,000 payday and scoring the first

ever main event for the Race 4 the Million Sprint Car Series.

Willison did so in a chassis he built in his own garage in just 88 days. The win was an

emotional one, with Willison dedicating it in memory of his west coast car owner Rod

Rendle, who passed away in the lead up to the event.

“I had a great friend riding with me today, this is dedicated to the life and memory of Rod

Rendle,” Willison said from victory lane following the win.

Willison had to contest with NST rival Jeff Montgomery, with the two racers battling up to

the final restart of the race before Willison emerged victorious. The veteran competitor

said that the Northwest one-two finish was a testament to the quality of competition in

the region.

“I said to Jeff on the front straight that we all just drove 3,000 miles to have a Saturday

night show at Saratoga (Speedway),” said Willison to Pavement Pounder’s David Sink

following the race.

“It speaks to the quality of cars and quality of racers that come out of the Northwest,

because when we’re up there me and him don’t win every weekend.”

Willison will be behind the wheel of his own 41 car for the first time since the end of the

2017 season this weekend for the Granite Can/Am Shootout. The last time Willison

raced the car at Evergreen Speedway he won his first Rory Price Memorial before

transitioning to running with the Rendle Brothers in 2018.

(Aaron Willison flashes under the checkered flag after his first Rory Price Memorial win in 2017, Photo by Don Laidlaw and Wildlight Motorsports Photography) 

Last year in the inaugural Can/Am Shootout Willison tangled with Brad Aumen while

leading. This year Willison will look for redemption and to start his Northwest Sprint Tour

season off on the right foot as he races to honor the memory of his car owner and

friend.

You can see Willison and the rest of the Northwest Sprint Tour in action May 9th for the

Granite Construction Can/Am Shootout at Evergreen Speedway.