E3 Spark Plugs-sponsored touring car racer Robert Stout is making headlines and building a career sure to be envied by his competitors and applauded by fans. At age 18 (plus one month and 16 days, to be precise), Robert recently made history as the youngest winner of the Touring Car class race at the Toyo Tires World Challenge at Long Beach Presented by Bondurant.
E3 Spark Plugs-Sponsored Racer Robert Stout
Robert lives in Brownsburg, Indiana and began his racing career in 2006. In just two years of competition, he was nationally ranked in the top 20 of 250 racers in his class. During this time, he competed in 82 races, landing 49 top-ten finishes, 29 top-fives, 18 podiums, five wins and five poles. In 2008, he moved up to cars and full size road courses, finishing the season third in the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Midwest Region points and fourth in the Great Lakes Region. Last year proved to be Robert’s breakout year. He ran his first full season in cars, winning both the NASA Mid-West and Great Lakes Regional Championships in the Performance Touring A division as well as the NASA PTA National Championship. The season’s 15 wins, 17 poles, 16 podium finishes and three championships in 20 starts earned Robert the NASA Great Lakes Driver of the Year Award.
In a constant effort to improve, Robert has worked with some of the nation’s top driving instructors including Doug Smith, Jonathan Miller, Stephan Bastrzycki and Kevin Kraus, who handles driver training and program development at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL and instructs at the Bondurant School of High Performance Racing, based in Phoenix, AZ. After just three hours working with Kevin, Robert hit speeds of 140 MPH behind the wheel of a full bodied Shelby Mustang at age 14.
To date, Robert’s career stats include 123 features, 24 wins, 40 podiums, 82 top 10s and 60 top fives. With a track record like that this early on, Robert undoubtedly has a big career ahead of him. This year, he will join Dan Gardner and the factory Toyota Scion team to run a full season in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Pro World Challenge series, which features eight weekends, 12 races and some of the country’s most accomplished drivers.
E3 Spark Plugs-Sponsored Racer Robert Stout's Winning Toyota Scion
“We at E3 Spark Plugs are proud to be associated with such a fine young talent as Robert Stout, congratulate him on his win, and look forward to a long partnership as he continues his racing career,” E3 Spark Plugs President Todd Arey said after Robert’s historic win at the Toyo Tires World Challenge. Besides E3 Spark Plugs, Robert also is sponsored by top racing industry and supporting industry names including Lucas Oil Products, Impact Racing, Kumho Tires, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink and MavTV.
Catch Robert’s behind-the-wheels talent this year at:
- Mosport International Raceway, May 21-23
- Watkins Glen International, July 2-4
- Streets of Toronto, July 17-18
- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 6-8
- Virginia International Raceway, September 10-12
- Utah Grand Prix Finale, October 1-3
