When the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires 2023 schedule was revealed on August 5, there was one event missing from the calendar. That date is now confirmed to be WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

Descending on the Virginia International Raceway (VIR) this past weekend, Copeland Motorsports driver Max Opalski was determined and ready. Taking on rounds eleven and twelve of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires, the rookie driver showed his progression matching his career-best finish on Saturday before fighting in the top-five on Sunday.

It was a winning weekend for Copeland Motorsports at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). With three drivers entered in rounds eleven and twelve of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich, Tyler Gonzalez scored a victory for the team driving from last to first on Sunday while Max Opalski ran inside the top-five on both race days. Jameson Riley had two steady days earning top-15 results after improving from his qualifying results both days.

Rookie standout Connor Zilisch (No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports) earned his third Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires victory of the season in Sunday’s race at VIRginia International Raceway. After a race-long battle with defending champion Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) and defending rookie of the year Sam Paley (No. 28 McCumbee McAleer Racing), Zilisch beat Wagner to the finish line by a half-second.

Tyler Gonzalez (No. 51 Copeland Motorsports) scored his third Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires win of the season at VIRginia International Raceway after starting from the last row of the grid on Saturday. Gonzalez fought through the field for 45 minutes to take the win by 0.076-second over Connor Zilisch (No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports). Defending champion Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) completed the podium.