Ashlyn Speed (Mansfield, TX), winner of the 2024 Mazda Women in Motorsport Initiative Scholarship will race with Hendricks Motorsports in the 2025 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin.

The scholarship brings with it $100,000 dollars towards the 2025 Series which will see Ashlyn race at all seven double-header rounds at some of the most famous road courses in North America.

That schedule starts at Hendricks Motorsports home venue, Daytona International Speedway in January where the MX-5 Cup will support the world-famous Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

Ashlyn, at 18 years old, is also set to become the first ever female Brand Ambassador for Series Naming Sponsor Whelen Engineering with her Mazda carrying prominent branding for the Chester, Connecticut-based manufacturer of first responder tech.

She enters the Mazda MX-5 Cup on the back of success in single seaters having taken the Championship win in SCCA’s FX Southern Conference Championship in 2023.

Kimberlee Hendricks, Team Principal Hendricks Motorsports:

“We are excited to have Ashlyn Speed join our team for the 2025 season of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin.

“Our team mission is to develop drivers on and off the track through educating in car dynamics, driving techniques, race craft and mindset, all while building their confidence and tools to win.”

Ashlyn Speed, Driver Hendricks Motorsports Mazda MX-5 Cup:

“When deciding on a team for the 2025 MX-5 Cup season, we interviewed all of the teams, each of them strong. But I felt that Hendricks Motorsports was the best fit for helping me to achieve my goals.”

“Between Mazda Motorsports, Whelen and Hendricks, we have a powerhouse behind us. I can’t wait to see what we’re able to achieve together in 2025.”

Peter Tiezzi, Whelen Engineering General manager of Motorsports:

“We’re thrilled to have Ashlyn representing Whelen in 2025. We are passionate about investing in the future of motorsports and are excited to watch her grow her skills and career in the Whelen MX-5 Cup next year.”