LEXINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 25, 2020) – Robert Noaker (No. 13 Robert Noaker Racing/Slipstream Performance) earned his third Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires pole position of the 2020 season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Friday. He will share the front row with his nearest Championship rival Michael Carter (No. 08 Carter Racing Enterprises).

Robert Noaker is always fast at Mid-Ohio; he won his first race here in 2018, won again in 2019 and was on the podium in both races two weeks ago. His 2018 victory earned him the Guinness World Record for youngest driver to win an IndyCar-sanctioned race (14 years, 178 days).

He continued the trend in qualifying on Friday, earning the provisional pole position with a lap of 1:36.1841. That time is 0.80-second slower than the pole time from two weeks ago, but Noaker noted that the different rubber being laid down by the IMSA-sanctioned series this week has changed the grip level of the track.

“It comes down to the tires that the other series are running,” Noaker said. “IMSA runs Michelins and IndyCar runs Firestone. It comes down to that and where the rubber is laid before you go out. It also helped that we got the setup down a little better. The car felt great.”

The pole position adds a bonus point to Noaker’s championship total. Chasing him for the title is Carter, who qualified second with a time of 1:36.2142. Carter is fresh off of his first Global Mazda MX-5 Cup win two weeks ago at this very track.

Selin Rollan (No. 87 Spark Performance) will start third followed by rookie Matthew Dirks (No. 76 White Racing) whose fourth-place grid spot is his best yet. Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance), another former Mid-Ohio race winner, completes the top five.

The green flag will fly for Round Seven of the Mazda MX-5 Cup at 4:05pm ET. Live timing and radio will be available at https://www.mx-5cup.com/results/live-timing.