Stephen Barnett Claims X275 Win at No Mercy 16 in Final-Round Thriller

Stephen Barnett delivered a composed and consistent performance at No Mercy 16 to capture the X275 event win in one of the class’s most competitive fields of the year. Starting from the No. 3 qualifying spot, Barnett navigated through tough matchups and capped off his weekend by defeating newly crowned X275 series champion DJ McCain in a tightly contested final round.

Event Highlights Qualified #3: 
Barnett put himself in a strong position early, qualifying third with a solid pass and earning a first-round bye to kick off eliminations.

Round 2:
Up against Marques Hatton, Barnett laid down a clean 4.139 at 173.90 MPH to take the round. Hatton ran a 4.241 at 165.58 MPH, but Barnett’s consistency held strong.

Round 3:
In the quarterfinals, Barnett went head-to-head with Troy Pirez Jr. and stayed locked in, running a 4.140 at 174.21 MPH while Pirez Jr. struggled to a 4.372 at 141.30 MPH.

Semifinals:
Barnett faced off with X275 mainstay Ron Rhodes next. The margin was tight, but Barnett’s 4.131 at 173.81 MPH edged out Rhodes’ 4.168 at 174.87 MPH to earn a shot at the final. 

Final Round:
In a marquee matchup, Barnett staged up against DJ McCain, who had already locked up the 2025 X275 points championship. Both racers were dead-even off the line, but Barnett held the edge all the way down, running a 4.129 at 174.01 MPH to McCain’s 4.140 at 173.27 MPH. It was the quickest run of Barnett’s weekend and the perfect way to seal the win. 

Looking Ahead 
Stephen Barnett’s X275 victory at No Mercy 16 was a testament to execution under pressure. In a class where thousandths matter, Barnett’s ability to stay locked in from start to finish paid off big. With the season wrapped and the off-season ahead, Barnett heads into 2026 with a statement win and strong momentum.

Stay tuned for more updates and recaps from the Radial Outlaws Racing Series.