It’s been a long time coming for Adam Adelson. The Wright Motorsports driver has been rising through the ranks alongside teammate Elliott Skeer, who he describes more as a brother, but the championship title has eluded them over the years. Until now.
Adelson’s progression in motorsports has been rapid, quickly leveling up and collecting a lot of hardware along the way. This season saw him walk away with three wins, including the Indy 8 Hour victory, and seven podiums, culminating in him being crowned an SRO America champion following a hard-fought and well-earned battle.
Though he is still fresh in the racing scene, his background in the world of cars is much more extensive. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California, and went on to work in research and development designing military vehicles, all stemming from his longtime love and passion for cars and going fast.
“It’s a crazy mix of emotions,” said Adelson when reflecting on his trajectory. “I was working as a mechanical engineer before I started in motorsports, and I really just wanted to test myself to see how far I could go as a racing driver. My main goal at first was to learn more about cars, since the automotive industry is where I wanted to be in the future. I've always had a strong affinity for cars, and that’s why I became an engineer—to understand how to design them. I felt that knowing how to drive a car quickly and understanding what a car is doing would help me do that.”
He recently pivoted towards full-time racing, leaving behind his previous engineering job in order to focus on the path forward. However, he credits his background and experience with his advanced ability to understand car dynamics and his rapid development as a driver.
“Once I realized I had enough talent to compete at a serious level, my bigger goals shifted more toward racing,” he explained. “It’s just been a dream come true. I didn’t come into the sport expecting this level of success, but when I saw that it was possible, I put my head down and worked toward it, realizing the sky was the limit. The success this year has been validation for me, showing that I’ve been making the right decisions and approaching things the right way. Even though I haven’t always been able to focus solely on racing as much as I’d like, I’m excited for what the future holds. For now, I’m just trying to enjoy everything I’ve achieved so far.”
He also had high praise for his teammate Elliott Skeer, whom he met during a track day session, and has played a critical role in Adelson’s progression as they continued to take the next steps together.
“Elliott and I clicked right away,” he recalled. “He saw potential in me, and we started working together. We gelled really well together right from the get-go. I began racing in a Porsche-only club series on the West Coast and found immediate success. My first race weekend, I finished third in the first race and second in the next two, and then won my first race at COTA the next weekend. I was over the moon about it. That was when I realized the effort I’d put into becoming fast around a track had paid off competitively.”
“Elliott really committed to coaching me, and I dedicated myself to learning everything I could to get to the front of the field,” he continued. “We planned to run in GT4 America and then move up to GT3 in 2024 or 2025, but the success came so quickly that we made the jump in 2023. I think it was one of the best decisions for my career. Those initial stepping stones were crucial in helping me understand what was needed to race at a professional level, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to get to where we are now.”
The sensational pairing have been able to connect on a professional level, but the friendship formed off-track has made a significant impact as well. Together, they were able to learn from each other as Adelson sought to improve his skills behind the wheel, while Skeer was continuing to evolve as a coach.
“He had to learn how to coach someone with big ambitions like mine, and I had to learn from him at a rapid pace,” Adelson detailed. “We spend a lot of time together, both at the track and back in Southern California. Our friendship makes the journey special, even though it can be intense at times. He’s one of my best friends, and I wouldn’t be where I am without him, and I think the opposite is true in a way as well. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to help each other achieve some lifelong goals.”
They are both able to focus on the task at hand and achieve the best possible results, but Adelson admits that the learning experience has been massive for both parties. As they navigated ups and downs over the course of the years, it only made them even more prepared for a fierce championship campaign which was only decided in the final round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Adelson has always opted to bring his cheery approach into each event, as he feels a positive attitude is what helps him perform at his best. In order to keep the team in good spirits, even in times of high pressure, he tells a joke before climbing on board in the car.
“For me, the more relaxed I am, the better I end up doing,” he stated. “I can get quite nervous at times before a qualifying session or a race, and telling a joke in order to keep things light hearted with the crew helps me deal with the nerves, which in turn improves my performance. I like to be happy, bubbly, and conversational.”
Nevertheless, the tough lessons and difficult outcomes in previous years made him even more prepared for the day all the pieces would come together. It taught him about navigating risk management, how to adapt to new situations, and the value of consistency.
“Winning at Indianapolis and finally getting a championship after so many close calls is indescribable,” he expressed. “It meant the world to me. Indy had always been tough on us, and to win there was incredibly validating. I knew championships wouldn’t come easy, and I never expected to be in contention as often as I was. Each step up in a new class or series felt like another chance, even though it made learning harder because of the high stakes. To finally win at a track that had treated us poorly in the past—it’s just surreal. It makes all the sacrifices worth it; quitting my job, racing nearly 30 weekends a year, and missing important life events. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s been life-changing.”