Anything can, and did, happen when Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin takes to Daytona International Speedway. A large-scale incident at the start of the race collected several key players and set the stage for Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) to take his third series victory at Daytona on Friday.

Since 2021, the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin has started its season at Daytona International Speedway and has produced some of the best racing of the year. Thursday was no different, as Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 BSI Racing) went from 14th on the grid to the top step of the podium in mixed conditions and under the speedway lights.

Biggest Daytona grid in history includes six female drivers

If there’s one thing Bryce Cornet wants more than anything else this Christmas, it’s a full-season ride in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin. He didn’t spend much time behind the wheel in 2024, but he has been making sure he ends up on Santa’s ‘nice’ list.

Helio Meza and Ashlyn Speed win $100,000 scholarships