(Image Credit: Courtesy/Madera Speedway Facebook)

By Jett Schwaier

SMILE SUNDAY

Medicine Hat Speedway champion makes his mark in California at Madera Speedway

Feb 1, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Madera Speedway in California hosted the Jr. Late Model Combine, with Rhett Pearce being the lone Canadian on the track.

The 12-year-old from Crossfield, Alberta, has been racing for about 3 years and spends most of his track time at the Medicine Hat Speedway, where Pearce won a championship in the fall of 2025.

The speedway in Madera organized the combine on Jan. 23 to 24, focused on skill development with drivers receiving instruction from experienced racers, using spotters and learning race lines, car control and off-track skills such as interviews and sponsorship awareness.

A full roster of 16 drivers aged from 12 to 16 were selected to attend the combine.

The championship season Pearce had in Medicine Hat included multiple podium finishes and concluded with an awards banquet recognizing drivers’ achievements.

What's On

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: February 13-16

Feb 13, 2026

In the Community

Save-On-Foods supports Medicine Hat Public Library's Honeycomb House

Feb 05, 2026

What's On

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in February

Feb 01, 2026

The Medicine Hat Speedway and the local community have given Peace strong support, recognizing him as one of their own.

Pearce competes in a Mini Cup car, often described as a half-scale NASCAR-style vehicle for races mainly in Medicine Hat and at the Edmonton International Raceway.

(Image Credit: Rhettro Racing Facebook)

The Legend cars at the combine, however, were styled after classic hot rods with manual transmissions.

(Image Credit: Michelle Pearce (Rhett’s Mom))

Pearce said it was challenging to learn how to handle the cars at the combine, and it took some adjustment.

“It was fun, definitely cool racing new cars that are standard,” Pearce said.

“It was a little tricky at first, trying not to stall and just getting it going,” he added,

“Once you get out on the track, it’s much easier to shift gears because you’re not using your clutch when you’re shifting gears, which is nice on those cars.”

Pearce’s father, Roy, said watching his son compete at the level in Madera was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

“Knowing how much faster he’s running than he does up here [in Canada], very nerve-wracking,” Roy said.

“Super excited and over the moon for your son and for your family,” he added.

“Anybody who’s a parent can relate when someone gets an accomplishment as he did.”

Roy said the experience was a significant step for Pearce in his development as a driver, opening the door to potential future racing opportunities in the United States.

“One of the parents there has already reached out and wants him to come down to Southern California and maybe Nevada and run some mini sprints,” Roy said.

Pearce said racing in Medicine Hat, Edmonton and California have each been highlights of his journey, pointing to his championship victory in 2025, and his first races in larger cars in Madera as moments he’ll never forget.