Skip Barber Racing School is thrilled to welcome Jaylan Battley, the winner of the 2026 Skip Barber Race Series Winter Shootout, to the grid for the full 2026 season of the Skip Barber Race Series. Battley, from Houston, Texas, impressed instructors and senior members of the Skip Barber Race Series during the Winter Shootout at Circuit of the Americas earlier this year. Based on his performance there, Battley was awarded a prize package of nearly $100,000, which he will use to jump-start his racing career and join the Skip Barber Race Series. He follows in the footsteps of drivers such as Alexander Rossi in winning a scholarship to propel their motorsports journey with Skip Barber. “Winning the Winter Shootout makes this opportunity even more meaningful,” Battley said. “It validates the work I’ve put in and gives me the chance to compete in a highly structured, professional environment that focuses on driver growth. At this stage, it’s about sharpening racecraft, consistency, and execution at a higher level.” Battley will compete in the eight-race season, which begins later this spring. There, he’ll train alongside Skip Barber’s top instructors and compete with fellow rising talents from the world of sim racing, karting, and more. “I’m excited to be back in the Skip Barber paddock, where my racing journey started. Competing in the Skip Barber Race Series feels like building on that foundation with a clearer understanding of who I am as a driver.” The Skip Barber Race Series Winter Shootout was a two-day program at Circuit of the Americas that evaluated drivers’ performance on track, their personality off track, and a myriad of other factors. In meetings with Skip Barber staff, post-session debriefs with instructors, and behind the wheel of the car, Battley excelled. “I approached the weekend knowing that every lap and every interaction mattered. Being consistent, disciplined, and coachable has always been part of how I approach driving. The Shootout reinforced that those fundamentals matter at the highest levels, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to carry that into the 2026 season.” Throughout the year, Jaylan and his younger brother Braxton Battley will be competing under the Battley Motorsports brand, a family-run program. Braxton, who is nine-years-old, will begin competing in karting this season. You can follow Jaylan on Instagram at this link.