February 27, 2023 – All nerves and anxiousness for the 2023 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich season subsided at the season opener at the Daytona International Speedway a few weeks ago. Now, with the third and fourth rounds set to take place this weekend, the excitement is ramping back up and drivers are eager to claim those crucial, early-season championship points. One driver who has come out of the gates swinging this season is Max Opalski, driver of the number two car for Copeland Motorsports. Opalski returns this year for his first sophomore season with much experience, and motivation, under his belt from the 2022 season.
“Coming home from Daytona, I’m feeling at the top of my game,” Opalski explained. “I worked hard to earn my best qualifying result and then best finishing result in the series to date at the season opener, and I believe I’m on a team that can carry me all the way to the top. Being just shy of a podium in Daytona makes me hungrier than ever, and I am hoping that St. Petersburg this weekend will be the home of my first trophy and some additional championship points.”
Max Opalski currently sits in seventh out of thirty drivers in the MX-5 Cup championship points table and will look to improve on that statistic this weekend at the barrier-lined circuit. The temporary Florida street course began construction earlier this month providing drivers and audiences with a 14-turn, 1.8-mile scenic view of both downtown St. Petersburg and the Gulf of Mexico.
With a quick two-day race weekend ahead on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Max Opalski will warm up with two practices on Friday followed by a qualifying session that will set the grid for race one. Returning for their final on-track day on Saturday, Max and Copeland Motorsports will give it their all in two 45-minute races. Both races in St. Petersburg will be available for livestream this weekend at https://www.imsa.com/tvlive/.
Stay tuned to the Max Opalski Racing social media pages for news, information, photos, and results from the event weekend and throughout the 2023 season.
St. Pete Event Schedule: (Eastern)
Friday, March 3rd
Practice one: 7:50-8:20 AM
Practice two: 11:15-11:45 AM
Qualifying: 5:15-5:35 PM
Saturday, March 4th
Race one: 7:55-8:40 AM
Race two: 4:45-5:30 PM