Caldwell Racing Goes All-In for 2026 With New Team Lineup and Sponsors Ahead of Multi-series Season

Fort Worth, Texas – February 11^th, 2026

Written By: Matthew Hledin

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.

Baron Mernik & Cooper Caldwell - P1 AquaX: Sheboygan (2025)

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.

Cooper Caldwell - P1 AquaX: Kissimmee (2025)

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.

Baron Mernik - IJSBA World Finals LHC (2025)

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.

Straus Mernik - Swan MX Lonestar Day & Night Series (2025)

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.

Leroy Whittaker - IJSBA World Finals LHC (2025)

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.