For the first time ever, the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is set to tackle an oval track, and it’s no ordinary one. The iconic Martinsville Speedway, home of NASCAR legends, will host the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 this Saturday, October 26, in a historic event that promises adrenaline-pumping action with over $60,000 in prize money up for grabs.
This unique event is the culmination of months of preparation to bring the Mazda MX-5 Cup to an oval, a thrilling first for the series. The famed “Paperclip” is about to see Michelin tires blaze its surface as a mix of regular MX-5 Cup drivers and oval specialists take on the challenge.
Among the contenders is newly crowned series champion Gresham Wagner, who’ll be driving the No. 5 for McCumbee McAleer Racing. While Wagner didn’t take part in the open test at Martinsville in August, his Virginia short-track roots and participation in a feasibility test over a year ago give him an edge. “I’m very lucky to have Chad and MMR… they’ll have everything sorted for me to be quick,” Wagner said.
Also in the hunt for victory is two-time MX-5 Cup champion Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering), alongside the 2024 MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year, Westin Workman (No. 13 BSI Racing), and other notable names like Nathan Nicholson and Sally Mott, who both tested at Martinsville.
The event is drawing big names from within and beyond the MX-5 Cup regulars. Veteran racer Tom Long, typically seen in race control, will return to his roots, dusting off his 2005 Miata Cup champion skills for a chance at glory. Another fan favorite, Selin Rollan (No. 87 Rollan Racing/BSI Racing), who has shifted focus to his aviation career, is making a triumphant return, stating, “Martinsville has been a bucket list track for me… I cannot wait to make history and chase a clock!”
On the flip side, oval racing specialists like CARS Tour regulars Brandon Pierce (No. 02) and Landen Lewis (No. 31), along with ARCA driver Andy Jankowiak (No. 2), are banking on their short-track expertise to outmaneuver the Mazda regulars and take home the $25,000 prize—and perhaps more importantly, the iconic Martinsville grandfather clock.
The race format itself will add to the suspense. A 100-lap showdown, with a stage break at lap 50, will keep competitors on their toes. And in a twist, yellow flag laps won’t count until after the stage break, ensuring that no one loses a lap in the first half, ramping up the intensity as drivers battle for not only the top 10 finishing spots but also additional prize money for the top three at the stage break.
For motorsport fans, this historic event will be streamed live on IMSA’s YouTube channel, with the green flag set to drop at 6 p.m. ET. Whether it’s Mazda experience or oval racing prowess that triumphs, one thing is for sure—this will be a race to remember.
