On November 4-5, at Circuit Florida in Auburndale, Florida, 12 up-and-coming drivers will compete in the 19th edition of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. Only three will receive scholarships to participate in the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin season. The drivers come from around the world and bring a wide range of different experience to the two-day Shootout.

As one of the longest running and most prestigious driver talent searches in North American motorsports, the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout offers aspiring racers a chance to win a fully-funded ride in the professional Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup series.

The second-ever Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin race at Martinsville Speedway somehow matched— and maybe even exceeded— the thrills of the inaugural race. In a green-white-checker finish, Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) beat Westin Workman (No.13 BSI Racing) to the line by 0.003-second at the iconic half mile NASCAR track.

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin regular season may be over, but there’s still one race left on the 2025 schedule. This week the series makes its return to Martinsville Speedway for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.

International sportscar ace will make series and oval debut