'Stone Cold' trades the ring for the desert in second act of competition

Austin wins twice in off-road racing this year

Plans to expand schedule next year despite vehicle crash

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, an iconic figure in WWE professional wrestling. [Getty Images]

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, 61, the face of WWE professional wrestling, has found a new arena for his competitive fire — the rugged desert. The man widely regarded as the most popular star in WWE history is now pursuing a second athletic career in off-road motorsport.

Wrestling Observer and F4W Online, two US outlets covering professional wrestling, recently reported that Austin has wrapped up his 2026 off-road racing schedule and plans to expand his competition slate next year.

Austin competes through his own team, Broken Skull Racing, in events organized by the Valley Off Road Racing Association, known as VORRA, held in Nevada.

"The 2026 Broken Skull Racing season is over," Austin wrote on social media. "We will be competing in the Stock Moto class again next year." He added that he plans to take on the full VORRA schedule as well as the King of the Hammers, the Mint 400 and Vegas to Reno.

His results this year have drawn attention. Austin won the Stock Moto class at the Prospector 250 in Nevada in March, crossing the finish line eighth overall out of 45 vehicles. He claimed the same class title again at the Night Vision 250 in July.

The season was not without setbacks. At the Stomping Grounds 300 in August, a driving error left his vehicle too damaged to finish the race. Austin and his co-driver were uninjured. He acknowledged the mistake at the time and said the experience had taught him a great deal.

At the Monster Dash on Oct. 24 — the final race of the season — Austin showed strong form in qualifying and the early stages but could not complete the second moto. He nonetheless made clear his intention to enter more events next season.

Traces of his wrestling past remain on his race car. The Kawasaki vehicle Austin drives carries the number 316 — a direct nod to his signature WWE catchphrase, "Austin 3:16," brought from the ring to the racetrack.

President Donald Trump (left) and Bobby Lashley (right) shave the head of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, held by 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, at WrestleMania 23 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, in April 2007. McMahon received the shaving penalty after his representative Umaga lost to Trump's representative Lashley in the "Battle of the Billionaires" match. [Getty Images]

Austin was the defining star of WWE's late-1990s golden era. His shaved head, blunt manner and black vest became his trademarks, and he built a wide following by relentlessly defying the villainous authority figure Vince McMahon. His post-match ritual of cracking open cans of beer in the ring became one of wrestling's most recognizable celebrations. His finishing move, the Stone Cold Stunner — dropping an opponent's jaw onto his shoulder — was his calling card.

Austin retired in 2003 before making a one-off return at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 to face Kevin Owens. His move into off-road racing is not entirely recent: he won the VORRA Sportsman UTV class season championship in 2024 and has consistently competed since.

His appetite for competition has not dimmed since leaving the wrestling stage. In an interview with Sports Illustrated in May, Austin said he had fallen deeply in love with off-road racing and wanted to keep competing for as long as possible.

The legendary wrestler who once subdued opponents before roaring crowds now chases victories amid engine noise and desert dust. At 61, Austin's competitive drive is very much alive.

yjc@heraldcorp.com