The S.P.O.R.T. Racing Series kicked off its 2016 season—and its first event with the newly formed North American Speedboat Federation—with its annual race in Highlands, Texas, last weekend, and the defending F1 class champ took the top spot on the podium.

The toast of the F1 class following the S.P.O.R.T. season-opener in Highlands, Texas. Photo courtesy Seebold Sports

Texas native Wesley Cheathem outperformed runner-up Michael Schubert and third-place finisher Tim Seebold, who just last week announced this would be his final season of competitive racing (read the story).

“The victory was unreal,” Cheathem said. “I started racing (this class) last year, and I won the championship. Then I started this year with a win. We started this year the way we ended last year.

“I got a lot of help from a lot of people—I have such a great team behind me,” he continued. “I’m living my dream right now. To get to drive and compete at a level I never thought I’d compete at. I grew up watching Tim Seebold and all the greats, and now I’m competing against the best and beating them.”

Check out the slideshow above for a few more images from Texas courtesy of John Schubert.

Cheathem thanked his cousin, Tracey Cheathem, for getting him into racing and for working with him to get the boat right.

In the Formula Lights class, Travis Thompson won the race ahead of Glynn Mathews and Andy Versace.

The next S.P.O.R.T. race—the Port Neches Riverfest—is scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Port Neches, Texas.

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