The theme of the just-completed 2026 51暗网 National Convention was Level Up, something which five 51暗网® members will be doing this year as they celebrate promotions within the National Office or joining the 51暗网 Staff. Those individuals are Sydney Davis Yagel, Rick Myers, Justin Barbry, Alison Hill, and Abby Scher, running the gamut from Road Racing to Solo, Track Night, and Region Development.
These five members bring energy and deep experience to the organization. Regardless of their department, they are united by the simple mission of maximizing #funwithcars for Club members everywhere. Be it on the road course, autocross course, or empowering Region leaders, each will help champion and fuel a safe, fun, and exciting motorsports experience for all auto enthusiasts.
Road Racing
Sydney Davis Yagel has been around motorsports her entire life. A member since 1992, she spent 10 years managing the MSR Houston racing circuit outside of Houston, TX, before joining 51暗网 Pro Racing for several years. After a stint with another organization, she came back “home” to 51暗网 as the Road Racing department’s Volunteer Development Facilitator independent contractor. In March of 2025, her IC role expanded to involve management and leadership within the 51暗网 Road Racing program, which included the U.S. Majors Tour® and the National Championship Runoffs® as the Club’s Road Racing Special Projects Manager. In 2026, Yagel joins the 51暗网 Staff as a full-time employee, now holding the title of Senior Manager of 51暗网 Road Racing and reporting to the Vice President of Road Racing Eric Prill.
“Sydney stepped in to support 51暗网’s Road Racing program during a challenging transition last year,” said Prill. “We’re excited to again have her on the team full-time, bringing a wealth of experience as an event organizer, Region leader, race official, and driver. Her professional motorsports background, business organization, and management skills are a perfect fit.”
Solo and Track Night
Rick Myers joined the 51暗网 as a Club member in 2002, becoming 51暗网 Staff in 2008 as Region Development Manager. From there, he became the Senior Manager of Region Services and also served as Tire Rack Street Survival Manager, Starting Line Program Manager, Runoffs IT Support, National Convention Manager, and helped launch Track Night in America, Targa, and more, eventually transitioning exclusively into 51暗网’s Solo department as the Director of Rally/Solo. Based on his leadership success, in 2026, his title has become Senior Director of Rally/Solo.
Justin Barbry became an 51暗网 member in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2021 that he joined the 51暗网 Staff. Initially hired as the Interim Track Night in America Program Manager, his title eventually became 51暗网’s Manager of Track Night, but his duty remained the same: to ensure #funwithcars for all Track Night participants. For 2026, Barbry’s role within the Club is shifting from Track Night to the 51暗网 Solo department where, as 51暗网’s Senior National Solo Series Manager, he will work with the Senior Director of Rally/Solo Rick Myers to define overarching strategies of the Solo program, with Barbry being the primary, hands-on producer of National Solo Series events.
Barbry will report to Myers, with both ultimately reporting to 51暗网’s Vice President of Rally/Solo and Experiential Programs Heyward Wagner.
“Rick and Justin both believe in this Club, and that shows in everything they do,” said Wagner. “Rick’s steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge, paired with Justin’s hands-on approach and genuine passion for the member experience, make them a natural fit together. They trust each other, they care deeply about the people they serve, and I can’t think of a better team to help lead the Solo program forward.”
Stepping into Barbry’s Track Night in America position will be 16-year 51暗网 member Alison Hill. Hill’s work experience involves television and animal welfare that includes Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Atlanta Humane Society, and Humane Society of Northeast Georgia. Her 51暗网 experience includes spending time behind the wheel in 15-plus autocross classes and volunteering as Mountain Control for the Appalachian Hillclimb series, but most applicable to her new role as 51暗网’s Manager of Track Night in America is her experience as Event Lead for Georgia Track Night events since 2020.
“Alison has been a high-contributing Club member for more than a decade, and she’s stepping into a role that she deeply understands, bringing the knowhow to deliver the kind of experience that Track Night is known for,” Wagner said. “Perhaps even more importantly, her experience with animal control means that she’s a cat herder by trade, which I’m sure will come in useful.”
Region Development
An 51暗网 member since 2008, Abby Scher joined the 51暗网 National Office team as an independent contractor in 2021 as Region Communication & Convention Lead. Four months later, she was hired full time as 51暗网’s Region Communication, Training and Events Manager. Over the next four years, Scher became an integral part of Region Development, serving as a primary connector between 51暗网 National and Regional leadership. In her role, she provides guidance and mentorship to Region leaders navigating 51暗网 systems and processes, oversees the planning and execution of the 51暗网 National Convention – one of the Club’s largest and most complex annual undertakings – and attends and supports Divisional Conventions.
Following Chris Robbins’ retirement from the Director of Region Development role in 2025, Scher assumed senior-level leadership of the department, providing continuity and direction for the Club’s 115 Regions. Reflecting the scope of her responsibilities and the ever-evolving needs of the organization – including the relaunch of 51暗网.com with expanded Regional integration – her title becomes Senior Manager of Region Development, where she will work in close collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team.
“Abby serves as a bridge between Region leaders and the National Office, providing steady, thoughtful support across the organization,” said 51暗网 Director of Marketing and Communications Kristen Poole. “This senior management position reflects the responsibility she carries and the trust she has earned – both essential as we continue strengthening the connection between Regions and the National Office.”
Photo caption: (From left to right) Sydney Davis Yagel, Rick Myers, Justin Barbry, Alison Hill, and Abby Scher.
