Some would argue that racing is so simple as getting in a quick automotive and being first to the end. If solely.
Racing is a maze of classes, codecs and extra that must be assiduously navigated by these trying to make a profession from it. Over time that’s led to drivers specializing in ovals or street racing, sports activities vehicles or inventory vehicles. Longtime followers will recall when some drivers frequently crossed over from one style of racing to a different, and there are indicators that the tide may very well be turning again to these days.
Kyle Larson and Jimmie Johnson have been latest examples, and one needn’t look far down the beginning listing of any latest Rolex 24 At Daytona to see a convergence of stars from completely different segments of the game. What’s extra, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Sequence schedule options 5 completely different street and road course races, with a sixth becoming a member of in 2025.
Testing at Martinsville Speedway gave the MX-5 Cup regulars valuable monitor time – two hours in whole – plus the possibility to apply race begins and restarts. The consensus is that racing on the Virginia half-miler will likely be severe enjoyable.
With that in thoughts, conversations started greater than a 12 months in the past to attempt a novel experiment. The powers that be from IMSA, NASCAR, Martinsville Speedway and Mazda Motorsports got here collectively to ask what in the event that they held an MX-5 Cup race on an oval? Quickly after, an preliminary feasibility take a look at was quietly carried out. Then, in July of 2024, the announcement was made: the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Offered by Michelin will run a non-championship race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
“NASCAR at the moment isn’t the identical because it was 10 years in the past when it comes to the automotive, the street programs and the leisure issue,” says Mazda Motorsports Senior Supervisor Jonathan Applegate. “That’s produced a need for a hybrid driver, one who isn’t essentially coming from ovals and who can adapt to street programs. On the identical time, MX-5 Cup drivers are more and more open not solely to racing in sports activities vehicles, but in addition seeing what alternatives lie in inventory vehicles. So, this occasion is a chance for all of the events concerned to broaden their story and it permits the Mazda MX-5 Cup Sequence to additional place itself as pathway to the upper ranks of racing, be it sports activities vehicles or inventory vehicles, or a mixture of the 2.”
A profitable pre-event take a look at held at Martinsville Speedway, Aug. 26, confirmed the power of the MX-5 Cup vehicles, drivers and groups to supply a terrific race on the half-mile Martinsville oval. The 100-lap MX-5 Cup race will be a part of the 200-lap NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour finale to comprise the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 weekend.
Greater than 20 drivers participated within the Mazda MX-5 Cup take a look at at Martinsville Speedway, Aug. 26, together with collection regulars in addition to drivers with ARCA, CARS Tour and different oval expertise, however zero time in an MX-5 Cup automotive. They’ll race for actual on Oct. 26.
Aside from just a few baseline setup suggestions, the Mazda MX-5 Cup vehicles will compete unchanged from their road-racing configuration and the sphere is open to drivers from different collection. The take a look at included oval collection drivers from each ARCA and the CARS Tour.
“I believe this can be a great alternative for all concerned,” declares Chad McCumbee, co-owner of McCumbee McAleer Racing and an skilled driver of each oval and street racing collection. “I could be biased right here, however I believe this can open some doorways for lots of people and all of the collection concerned, and there’s no telling what might come out of this. There’s little doubt that at the moment’s driver must be well-rounded, it doesn’t matter what side of the game you’re concerned with. From my very own expertise, I’ve realized a lot from racing on each ovals and street programs that it’s made me higher general, whether or not I’m racing my Late Mannequin or racing in a sports activities automotive.”
Every little thing is pointing to this Mazda MX-5 Cup one-off at Martinsville being a hit. What the longer term holds is to be decided, however this may very well be a turning level.
Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell has been an enthusiastic supporter of Mazda MX-5 Cup vehicles racing on the half-mile oval in Virginia proper from the beginning, and he thinks it’s going to be a giant night time on Oct. 26.
“We’re actually wanting ahead to this; I believe it’s going to be an impressive present,” he says. “Regardless of the place they run, the followers love MX-5 Cup races. So we ran the checks and everybody got here away feeling actually constructive, and the speak within the space with our followers has been unbelievable. Everybody’s curious to see what it’s all about.
“This would be the first time because the early Nineteen Fifties that on open-top automotive has raced right here at Martinsville, so it’s bringing again a few of how we began, but it surely’s additionally an opportunity for individuals to observe a automotive that’s very near the one they will drive on the road racing right here on our monitor.”
Presenting race winners with a clock is a Martinsville custom. Excellent news is, the MX-5 Cup winner will get one.
And sure, Campbell confirms that consistent with custom, the winner’s trophy will certainly be a clock. It simply wouldn’t be Martinsville with out one…
Observe Mazda MX-5 Cup to be taught extra about upcoming races together with the 2025 schedule, till then try the 2024 season championship at Highway Atlanta and extra on The RACER Channel.
