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drivers from numerous Mazda grassroots programs to compete for a scholarship valued at $110,000 to race in MX-5 Cup. This year’s recipient is Nate Cicero (No. 83 McCumbee McAleer Racing). Though he is second in the rookie standings coming into the season, he has never raced at Laguna Seca before. Another component of the MX-5 Cup Shootout is the Women in Motorsports Initiative, which awards a $75,000 scholarship to a female driver. This year’s winner is Heather Hadley (No. 54 Spark Performance) who hails from Vallejo, California. Hadley has never raced at Laguna Seca, but she was lucky enough to ride in the Mazda pace car here in 2012, which may have sparked her love for Mazda. The last time the series raced at Laguna Seca, it was Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) who won both weekends en route to the 2021 MX-5 Cup Championship. That year, Laguna served as the penultimate round of the season, and Wagner’s double-win gave him the cushion he needed to seal the deal in the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta finale. Wagner did not repeat his MX-5 Cup Championship in 2022, instead it was Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) who claimed the title. There has never been a repeat champion in series history and both Wagner and Thomas have had difficult starts to the season. They could each use a boost this weekend to jumpstart their hopes of making MX-5 Cup history. These are just some of the drivers to watch in this immensely talented field, so get ready, because you’re about to witness two wild races! Green flag waves at 11:50am on Saturday, May 13* and Sunday, May 14 at 8:35am*. All races are available to re-watch on the IMSA YouTube Channel. * schedule subject to change
Sports) comes into the WeatherTech Raceway event as the championship leader. The 16-year-old has visited the podium three times in the first four races of the season, most recently a win in Round Four on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. “I’ve only been to Laguna Seca once for a Trans Am race in 2022, but it is definitely one of the top three coolest tracks I’ve ever been to,” Zilisch said. “The views, the hills, the area, the track itself, it’s all gorgeous and I really enjoyed my time there. That being said, going back in the Mazda MX-5 Cup is going to be a ton of fun. Looking back on older races from back in the day, the track races well, and hopefully we will be able to carry the momentum from our Race 2 win at St. Pete and keep the Hixon Motorsports team atop the boards in California. I’m leading the championship, which is exciting, but unfortunately, I can’t even race the whole season due to conflicts, so it’s kind of just like a pat on the back at this point. However, I have been contributing to the team championship, and I’ve helped the team achieve better results, which is really almost a more significant accomplishment for me. I love running with HMS and enjoy everyone’s company every time we go racing. Hopefully Laguna Seca treats us as well as St. Pete did!” Only 60 points behind him in the standings is a driver with a special connection to the track; Aaron Jeansonne (No. 24 JTR Motorsports Engineering) recently relocated to Northern California and considers Laguna Seca his home track. His love for the circuit isn’t just because of its location, Jeansonne won the 2022 NASA Spec Miata National Championship here last September. Something Zilisch and Jeansonne have in common is winning the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout (Zilisch in 2021 and Jeansonne in 2020). This annual event invites young
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