March 9, 2021 – A veteran in the motorsports world, multi-time race winner Dan Moen has joined the Hixon Motor Sports Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires series for the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring event. Taking place at Sebring International Raceway March 17-19th, Moen brings a wealth of experience to the team as he aims for the top step of the podium.
“Competing and running as well as we did at the opening event in Daytona has shown the competition and potential drivers in the series that we are one of the teams of choice,” added Bryan Hixon. “We have welcomed Dan to the HMS family with open arms at our recent Sebring test and will do our very best to ensure Moen has what is needed to stand on the podium.”
“Over my racing career, I have raced every generation of MX-5 Miata at pro and club levels but never the current ND2 MX-5, so this car is a natural next step, and I just love racing these cars!” explained Moen. “They are fantastic to drive and door-to-door racing is always exhilarating. Once I heard that Mazda MX-5 Cup was moving over to compete under IMSA, I couldn't resist joining the series. I think that IMSA is the best sports car racing in the world, bar none. The Series is very professional and runs at premier iconic tracks across the country. Running the Mazda MX-5 Cup races at the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring event will be a thrill.”
Driving the #73 Lemons of Love car at Sebring is close to Dan Moen and his professional career.
Moen added, “It will be an honor to drive the Lemons of Love car at the Sebring International Raceway. Lemons of Love is a truly remarkable organization that supports cancer patients and their families in many ways. I have spent my entire working life in health care, first as a Registered Radiologic Technologist and second for the last 35 years as a Health System/Hospital CEO. There is no higher calling than supporting cancer patients and their families as they seek effective treatments and cures. The car I will be driving at Sebring is the 2020 model of the current 2021 Flis Performance built Lemons of Love Cup car currently being raffled off to raise much needed funds for Lemons of Love and cancer patients.”
A motorsports veteran, Moen competed in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2016 and 2017 claiming ninth and fifth place results in the Touring Car class behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5. In 2012, Moen was a competitor in the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup in the Skip Barber class finishing third in race two of the Master division at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Moen has been a competitor in SCCA competition from 2009 to today in Spec Miata Super Tour both at National and Regional events. Dan has three consecutive class wins and one overall podium (with co-driver Elivan Goulart) at the Fun One Four Hour Enduros at the Watkins Glen International Raceway and was also the 2010 Skip Barber Southern Series Masters Champion.
“Joining HMS was an easy decision to make. The team is top-notch, providing highly competitive cars and a great experience for everyone involved,” added Moen. “Team Owner Bryan Hixon has brought together real talent at every level of the organization, including all of the drivers, Driver Coach Andrew Carbonell, Team Manager Shea Holbrook, and the entire HMS crew. This is just an amazing group of people dedicated to the success of HMS, and Bryan is the one who has made all of this happen. I can’t wait for the upcoming Sebring races and future events as well.”
The next event in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires will move to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring weekend. Taking place at the Sebring International Raceway March 17-19, Hixon Motor Sports will be back looking for the top step of the podium in their second event of 2021.