Sam Paley, the 2021 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires Rookie of the Year, will again pilot the #28 McCumbee McAleer entry. The Villa Hills, Kentucky native and Indiana University Sophomore will return to MMR for his second run at the MX-5 Cup Championship. Paley is viewed as one of the country’s bright young racing talents. The former karting champ and open-wheel driver will continue his transformation into sports car racing in the ultra-competitive MX-5 Cup Series.

A successful businessman and entrepreneur in several different industries, as well as an accomplished driver, Matt Curry is set to join Copeland Motorsports in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires. Confirmed to the program for the first event at the Daytona International Speedway at the end of January, Curry will join the already announced trio of Jameson Riley, Max Opalski, and Tyler Gonzalez.

In what is set to be a busy season for Hixon Motor Sports (HMS), fifteen-year-old karting sensation Connor Zilisch will contest the complete Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires 2022 season (MX-5 Cup) with a race winning program at HMS. As part of a dual program effort, Zilisch will also compete in the Trans-Am TA2 class as he builds his motorsports racing resume.

Competing with Copeland Motorsports since his move to cars in 2018, Tyler Gonzalez is set to retain his driving duties with the team in 2022. As a fixture in the Copeland Motorsports family since his move from karts to cars, Gonzalez will pull double duty in 2022 as he will race in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich® Tires with Copeland Motorsports.

Looking to follow in the footsteps of several Copeland Motorsports graduates, Max Opalski is set for his assault on the 2022 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich. With a schedule that will see competition at some of North America’s premier facilities, Opalski will begin his quest for race wins, podium results and the 2022 Rookie of the Year award beginning January at the Daytona International Speedway.