Head Referees
Head Referee
Steve Clark
Montague, Michigan
Steve Clark returns to the Speedway, earning a place in the coveted five-timer club. In addition to his time at the Greatest Spectacle in Robotics, he served as a referee at Worlds in 2023, 2024 and 2025, as well as the Kalahari Signature Event. He boasts event credits at State Championships in the highly competitive states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Perhaps his most significant robotics accomplishment is being father to Ellie Clark, a member of the Battlebots. Coming from Montague, Michigan, Mr. Clark has spent 13 years involved with VEX Robotics.
Head Referee
KaBao McCarver
Jackson, Tennessee
KaBao McCarver is returning to the Speedway for the fifth time. This will be her third-straight Speedway event as a referee. Throughout her nine seasons as a referee, she’s been a Head Referee at the VEX Robotics World Championships, Indiana State Championships, Tennessee State Championships, and countless other Signature Events. Her motivation to become a Head Referee was sparked because, in her own words, “she was a terrible spectator and an annoying mom.” She hails from Central Tennessee.
Head Referee
John Queen
Richwood, Ohio
John Queen will come back home again to the Speedway in 2025 for the third time. He’s been a referee at five World Championships and 26 different Signature Events, including the Kalahari Signature Event and the LAUNCH Signature Event — both hosted in his native Ohio. He’s also been a Head Referee at 14 different State Championships, including Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. When he’s not serving as a Head Referee, he is teaching himself Mandarin Chinese.
Head Referee
Caleb Stoeffler
Greenfield, Indiana
Indiana's own Caleb Stoeffler returns for his fifth appearance at the Speedway Signature Event, bringing years of dedication and expertise to the role. After serving as a Scorekeeper Ref for the past four seasons, Caleb steps into the role of Head Referee for the first time at this event. His deep understanding of the competition stems from 10 years as a VEX Robotics competitor and driver.
He has honed his officiating skills at numerous local Indiana competitions, and his résumé includes standout credits such as Head Referee at VEX Worlds, the Bristol Signature Event, the Indiana State Championship, and Tennessee State Championship.
Head Referee
Spencer Yates
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Spencer Yates will return to the Speedway as a member of our elite six-timer club. One of the most visible referees from the Midwest, he served as a Head Referee at State Championships in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Washington. Other event credits include the Haunted, Gateway to the West, Great Planes, Mecha Mayhem, Sugar Rush Signature Events, and VEX Worlds. When he’s not serving as a referee, you can find him cheering on German football team Borussia Dortmund as a super fan. Mr. Yates, an Eagle Scout, is from Bellevue, Washington.
Emcees
Emcee
JonDarr Bradshaw
Cleveland, Ohio
Returning to the Speedway for the second time is JonDarr Bradshaw, a highly experienced VEX announcer who has appeared multiple times in the VEX Worlds Dome. He’s spent more than eleven years voicing matches and introducing teams. His previous event credits include last season’s Michigan State Championship, three LAUNCH Signature Events, and several editions of the VEX Robotics World Championships. JonDarr is a former military aviator who went on to work at NASA for nearly three decades. He leverages his professional experience and passion for STEM to help inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. Mr. Bradshaw comes to Speedway from Cleveland, Ohio.
Emcee
Keegan Ohta
Mililani, Hawaii
In 2024, Keegan Ohta brought the hype of the Speedway Signature event to a new level. We are thrilled to have him back in 2025! Known for his commentating at the VEX Worlds Dome, he’s been an announcer for six editions of the VEX Robotics World Championships, seven editions of the Hawaii State Championships, and the Pan-Pacific Signature Event. When he’s not announcing robotics matches, he is an esports commentator. Mr. Ohta will travel all the way from Mililani, Hawaii.
Judges Advisors
Judges Advisor
Sheldon Phelps
Zionsville, Indiana
Sheldon Phelps, a Presenting Sponsor of the Speedway, also serves as Judge Advisor, a role he’s held since 2019. Previous event credits include the VEX Robotics World Championships, the Indiana and Tennessee State Championships, the Sugar Rush Signature Event, and the Battle for Vegas Signature Event.
Beyond the robotics arena, Mr. Phelps is a Partner at Chrysalis Global, a full-service consulting firm. A devoted racing enthusiast, Sheldon boasts a remarkable ability to recall every Indy500 winner from races held during his lifetime.
Judges Advisor
Gina Wade
Huron, Tennessee
Gina Wade is in her third year of being on the judging team for the Speedway Signature Event. This will be her first year as an in-person key volunteer. In her eighth year of VEX Robotics, Ms. Wade is recognized across the world as a top-notch judge for notebooks. Her event credits include two years at the VEX Robotics World Championships, two editions of the Indiana State Championships, the Haunted Signature Event, and the Tennessee State Championship. Ms. Wade is from Huron, Tennessee.