LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 7, 2024) – In the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin’s return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer Racing) set the fastest practice time on Friday. Wagner’s lap of 1:35.668 was set in the afternoon at the 2.258-mile circuit.

Wagner has won at Mid-Ohio twice before, but the morning session was a totally new experience, since the track recently underwent a repave.

“I didn't test here and it's been a year since we’ve raced here,” Wagner said. “So, for me, it was a new experience going out in the morning and I wasn't sure what exactly to expect. I struggled a bit getting up to speed with it, but toward the tail end of the session in the morning, I kind of wrapped my head around it and got comfortable, so coming back out in the afternoon with more experience, I was definitely looking to put down a faster lap.”

Wagner’s practice time is faster than the current Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup race lap record at Mid-Ohio and is close to the qualifying lap record of 1:35.3177, which is held by Wagner already.

“I don't know about the track record,” Wagner said. “It's so much about the weather and the conditions. I'd say it's possible, but again, I need to figure out what my game plan is going to be. You don't ever get the fastest lap right off the bat, but you also can't afford to wait around too long with these quick sessions. Everything will have to come together but hopefully I'm in the top five or top 10 because I think I have a good car.”

Mazda MX-5 Cup qualifying takes place at 10:35am ET, Saturday, June 8. Race 1 follows later the same day at 3:25pm ET. The race will be streamed live on RACER.com and IMSA.tv.