Caldwell Racing isn’t easing into 2026—they’re stacking the deck.
Fresh off a strong 2025 campaign in P1 AquaX, the Texas-based team is rolling straight into the inaugural IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series with an expanded rider lineup, new technical partners, and a schedule that touches nearly every major corner of the sport. Between IHRA, WXGP, and select IJSBA events, Caldwell Racing is clearly positioning itself as an all-in, everywhere-you-look program for the coming season.
The timing couldn’t be better. IHRA’s new Pro Watercraft Series debuts in 2026 with a $250,000 prize pool and a stated goal of elevating watercraft racing alongside its established Offshore Powerboat Racing platform. For teams looking to grow visibility and sharpen their competitive edge, the series represents a major opportunity—and Caldwell Racing is one of the first to plant its flag.
“We’re confident our team will be competitive across all relevant areas in 2026,” said team owner John Caldwell, pointing to both sponsor support and momentum carried over from last season.
A Lineup Built to Win—and Grow
Headlining the 2026 effort is Camden Powell (#44), who joins Caldwell Racing to compete in Pro Ski GP and Pro Endurance. The 22-year-old Purdue University senior has already proven he can run at the front, finishing third overall in Pro Enduro during the 2023 P1 AquaX season while battling factory-backed talent. Powell’s résumé spans endurance and closed-course podium
s, and Caldwell made it clear the motivation behind the signing was simple.
“We went after Camden because we believe he can win,” Caldwell said. “I’m into winning.”
On the endurance side, Cooper Caldwell (#193) returns after back-to-back championships in P1 AquaX’s 200AM (2024) and 300 AM (2025) classes. The Fort Worth native enters 2026 focused on defending his 300 AM title while continuing to prepare for an eventual step into the Pro Endurance ranks. He’ll also contest select closed-course events, including WXGP and Pro Watercross stops, after earning a runner-up finish in Runabout Stock at the 2025 IJSBA World Finals.
Another young standout, Baron Mernik (#297), continues his rapid rise after an impressive rookie pro season in 2025. The 16-year-old finished third overall in P1 AquaX’s 200 AM Endurance class, notching wins at Kissimmee and Clearwater, and followed that up with multiple strong results a
t the IJSBA World Finals in stand-up competition. In 2026, Mernik is expected to race across several ski classes while also entering select endurance events.
Rounding out the rider lineup is Straus Mernik (#55), who transitions from motocross into personal watercraft racing in the Sport Spec AquaX class. While new to the water, Straus brings high-level motorsports experience and will continue contributing to Caldwell Racing’s team management efforts. He also enters 2026 as a member of Monster Energy’s Monster Army, representing the brand both on dirt and on the water.
Experience in the Pits—and on the Course
Behind the scenes, Leroy Whittaker (#777) returns as Caldwell Racing’s Head Team Mechanic. Based in the Cayman Islands, Whittaker brings extensive technical experience along with recent competitive success, including the 2025 Cayman Islands Watercraft Association Amateur Limited Championship and a second-place finish in Pro Runabout at the 2026 East End Surf Challenge. His role will be critical as the team juggles multiple riders and series throughout the year.
New Partners, Broader Reach
Caldwell Racing’s 2026 program is backed by a mix of returning and new partners. Longtime supporters Monster Energy, MTI Boats, J Caldwell Custom Pools, Circus Media House, Jettrim, Jettribe, Dean Strong, and RP Elite Motors & Marine remain on board, while Kommander Yamaha, Riva Racing / MapTuner, and 6D Helmets join the program for the upcoming season.
Off the water, fans can expect continued behind-the-scenes coverage through Caldwell Racing’s YouTube series with Circus Media House, offering a look at race prep, travel, and the day-to-day grind of a modern multi-series program.
With proven riders, emerging talent, and a schedule that spans endurance, closed-course, and festival-style events, Caldwell Racing heads into 2026 with one clear goal: compete at the front—and help push the sport forward while doing it.
Full press release follows below.
Caldwell Racing Goes All-In for 2026 With New Team Lineup and Sponsors Ahead of IHRA Pro Watercraft Series
Fort Worth, Texas – February 4th, 2026
After a highly successful 2025 season in the prestigious P1 AquaX Series, Caldwell Racing is carrying its momentum into the off-season, wasting no time in preparing for the highly anticipated inaugural 2026 IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series.
This new chapter for Caldwell Racing arrives close behind the launch of the all-new IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series, a championship series driven by a “Bold Vision for the Sport” and highlighted by a $250,000 prize pool for the 2026 season. With plans to partner alongside IHRA’s Offshore Powerboat Racing Series, the initiative is poised to elevate visibility and
unlock new growth opportunities for both sports.
Caldwell Racing will also compete in the WXGP Series during the 2026 season, a three-event, festival series designed to unite high-speed watercraft racing with community engagement and celebration. Last but not least, Caldwell Racing is excited to participate in select IJSBA-sanctioned Pro Watercross National Tour events as part of its “Road to Havasu” campaign.
“I feel like this is going to be a great year for watercraft racing,” said Caldwell Racing owner John Caldwell. “With the continued support of our sponsors and the momentum our race program carries from 2025, we’re confident our team will be competitive across all relevant areas in 2026.”
Caldwell Racing is grateful for the continued support of its valued partners, including Monster Energy, MTI Boats, J Caldwell Custom Pools, Circus Media House, Jettrim, Jettribe, Dean Strong, and RP Elite Motors & Marine, while also welcoming new partners to the
program: Kommander Yamaha, Riva Racing / MapTuner, and 6D Helmets.
2026 Caldwell Racing Team Line Up
Camden Powell – #44
Pro Ski GP / Pro Endurance – Syracuse, IN
Joining the Caldwell Racing program for the 2026 season is 22-year-old Camden Powell of Syracuse, Indiana. A senior at Purdue University, Powell brings proven success at the highest levels of personal watercraft competition. During the 2023 P1 AquaX season, he finished third overall in the Pro Enduro class while competing against the sport’s top Sea-Doo- and Yamaha-
backed athletes. His versatility extends beyond endurance racing, with multiple podium finishes in closed-course competition, including a second-place result in Pro-Am Ski GP on the Pro Watercross Tour.
“We went after Camden because we believe he can win. I’m into winning,” said Caldwell Racing owner John Caldwell. “Adding a rider of Camden’s caliber to our lineup brings a new level of excitement as we head into the highly anticipated 2026 season.”
Cooper Caldwell – #193
300 AM Endurance – Fort Worth, TX
Widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in personal watercraft racing, Cooper Caldwell will continue his career in the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series’ 300 AM Endurance class for the 2026 season. After claiming the 2025 P1 AquaX 300 AM class
championship, and the 2024 200AM class championship, Cooper enters 2026 focused on defending his title while continuing to sharpen his skills in preparation for a future move into the Pro Endurance ranks.
Cooper will also compete in closed-course racing at select WXGP and Pro Watercross Tour events in the Runabout Stock class, where he earned a second-place finish at the 2025 IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Baron Mernik – #297
GP3 Ski / 200AM Endurance – Fort Worth, TX
In his first professional racing season in 2025, 16-year-old Baron Mernik made an immediate impact on the P1 AquaX circuit, finishing third overall in the 200 AM Endurance class, highlighted by notable race wins in Kissimmee and Clearwater. He also competed in stand-up competition at the IJSBA World Finals, where he earned third overall in Junior Ski Modified 1100, sixth overall in Junior Ski 4-Stroke Lites, and seventh overall in Amateur Ski Modified 1100.
Baron is slated to compete across multiple stand-up categories, along with select runabout endurance classes, during the 2026 season.
Straus Mernik – #55
Motocross / Sport Spec AquaX – Fort Worth, TX
New to personal watercraft racing but no stranger to high-level motorsports competition, Straus Mernik will expand his racing efforts from motocross to watercraft in 2026, competing in the Sport Spec class. Alongside his on-water program, Straus will continue to support Caldwell Racing’s team management efforts while remaining focused on his motocross career.
Additionally, Straus has been selected for Monster Energy’s Monster Army program for the 2026 season, where he looks to represent the iconic “Green Claw” on the podium—whether on dirt or on the water.
Leroy Whittaker – #777
Team Mechanic & Cayman Rider – Cayman Islands
Rejoining Caldwell Racing for the 2026 season is team mechanic Leroy Whittaker of the Cayman Islands. In addition to his extensive experience as a professional PWC mechanic, Whittaker is also a proven competitor on the racecourse. He captured the 2025 Cayman Islands Watercraft Association National Tour Amateur Limited Championship and has opened the 2026 season with a strong second-place finish in the Pro Runabout class at the 2026 East End Surf Challenge.
Whittaker will serve as Caldwell Racing’s Head Team Mechanic throughout the 2026 season, providing technical support and race-day assistance to Camden, Cooper, Baron, and Straus as needed.
Beyond competition, Caldwell Racing will continue its YouTube content series in partnership with Circus Media House, offering viewers an inside look at the team’s race program—from practice sessions and race weekends to the lifestyle that surrounds the sport.
With a proven foundation, an expanded 2026 lineup, and strong partner support, Caldwell Racing heads into the season focused on performance, growth, and elevating the sport both on and off the water.
