Saito Motorsport Group is proud to bring driver Michael Carter back to the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires for the VIRginia International Raceway event on August 25-28. Carter needs no introduction to MX-5 Cup fans as he is the 2018 MX-5 Cup Shootout winner, 2019 Rookie of the Year, 2020 Champion and runner-up in 2021.

“We are excited to announce Michael Carter as a driver for Saito Motorsport Group,” SMG team owner Jay Saito said. “I have been a fan of Michael as an individual and a driver since I met him last year and I am delighted he has accepted our invitation to work together. Michael is a talented, bright, and extremely quick driver and we have full confidence that he will be able to show the capabilities of our program.”

Saito met Carter and his father Mickey at a MX-5 Cup race in 2022 as he sought information on how to build his own MX-5 Cup program. They kept in touch and after Saito bought a car and started the team’s MX-5 Cup journey, he knew that if the seat ever became available, he’d ask Carter to step in.

"I want to thank Jay and Saito Motorsport Group for the invitation to be a part of their MX5 Cup program at VIR. Jay has put together a top tier program at SMG, and I’m looking forward to representing the team and having some fun next week,” Carter said.

For more information about Saito Motorsport Group, visit www.saitomotorsport.com.