LEXINGTON, Ohio (May 14, 2022) - Matthew Dirks (No. 76 McCumbee McAleer Racing) earned his first Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires pole position at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He will share the front row with 2021 series champion Gresham Wagner for today’s race at 12:10pm ET.

Dirks is no stranger to Mazda MX-5 Cup, but he is a new name for the front row of the grid. He chalks his performance up to luck.

“I’ve been to Mid-Ohio before,” Dirks said. “I was here for the 2019 Spec Miata Nationals and in 2020 I came here twice with MX-5 Cup. I guess my luck has turned. I haven’t been able to get a super good qualifying until now. I got a lot of help from my teammate and that was great and thanks to my crew chief for giving me a fast race car.”

Dirks will have his McCumbee McAleer teammate Sam Paley (No. 28) starting behind him in third.

The green flag flies for Round Five of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup at 12:10pm ET on Saturday, May 14 at 12:10 pm with live streaming on RACER.com.