Iron Lions win eighth national championship in Solar Car Challenge

FORT STOCKTON – On Thursday afternoon, Greenville High School’s Iron Lions solar car team rolled into Fort Stockton – taking first place in the final stage of the 2026 Solar Car Challenge.

After completing the 115-mile stretch from San Angelo, the Iron Lions had finished a total of about 657 miles and had won their eighth national championship in the 12 years that Greenville High School has been participating in the event.

Out of the 24 teams from across the country who arrived at Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway on July 15 for a barrage of inspections, tests and technical adjustments, only 17 began the race on Sunday. The Irons Lions’ four direct competitors in the “advanced” division were: second-place winner Okemos Solar Racing Club from Okemos, Michigan; third-place winner Poly Solar Car from Pasadena, California; Palo Alto Solar Car and Racing from Palo Alto, California; and Garage 803 Racing from Mountain View, California.

This year’s Solar Car Challenge marked the Iron Lions’ second outing with their self-designed and built car, “Aurora,” after its debut in last summer’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge across the Australian Outback.

“We’re officially done after putting in so much time on our car working as a team,” a statement from the Iron Lions said. “It has all paid off.”

When the teams gathered for the awards banquet Thursday evening, the Iron Lions not only won the first-place trophy for the advanced division, but also won the event’s William Shih Award for demonstrating “the highest level of technical achievement.” Team captain Ethan Kiowski was also honored with induction into the Solar Car Challenges elite “Order of the Solar Cell” for his leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm.

“This race couldn’t be done without you guys from home rooting for us. It’s time to bring this trophy home to you all,” the Iron Lions said.