Mazda MX-5 Cup headed to Martinsville oval

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Jul 17, 2024 | IMSA, Martinsville Speedway

Photograph Courtesy Mazda MX-5 Cup

You heard correctly–the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin will race door handle to door handle on the famed Martinsville Speedway on October 26.

The event will not count toward the points championship. But, the race will pay, with the top 10 earning a minimum of $1000 and the victor getting $15,000 and a Martinsville Speedway iconic grandfather clock.

The day will have two practice sessions, single-car qualifying, and a 100-lap race split into two stages. Yellow flag laps don’t count for the first half. Additional prize money will be awarded to the top three at the end of the first stage.

Official announcement made below:

 

Join Free Join our community to easily find more IMSA and Martinsville Speedway news.
Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/17/24 11:49 a.m.

Two-piece suits required? (Note: That comment was mainly for JG’s benefit.)

JG Pasterjak
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
7/17/24 11:52 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

Two-piece suits required? (Note: That comment was mainly for JG’s benefit.)

Hot is hot.

And I think it's either clickbait and they;re just making the announcement FROM Martinsville because they happen to be there, OR...

MX-5 Cup. Which would be unbelievably awesome, especially for the Flis' parts sales.

jmabarone
jmabarone HalfDork
7/17/24 12:03 p.m.

After they did the test, I joked with my buddy about racing for the win by just running through the pits on every restart.  He said he'd spot for me.  

If anyone wants to sponsor, let me know.  I have experience at Martinsville.  

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/17/24 12:16 p.m.

MX-5 at Martinsville would be awesome. 

Flis will need to bring an extra truck full of fenders. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/17/24 12:17 p.m.

And while we await the big news, some (possible) related watching:

 

JG Pasterjak
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
7/17/24 1:00 p.m.

Todd Flis just shared this on his personal socials so I'm gonna say that's a clue.

wae
wae UltimaDork
7/17/24 1:14 p.m.

You're going to have to explain to me why that would be worth watching.  I don't get the appeal of any racing on an oval track and multi-class racing on one seems like an even worse idea.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/17/24 1:21 p.m.

I’m thinking this times 30 or so would be pretty exciting. 

 

And, JG, check it out: Ed Senf in the background!

wae
wae UltimaDork
7/17/24 1:22 p.m.

I went and found that video trying to see what it was all about but I need less talky-talky and more zoom-zoom, I think...

DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
7/17/24 2:06 p.m.

I have been to Martinsville and it was the first NASCAR race I had ever attended and I brought my 11 year old son with me.  Disappointingly, it is a super-short track and cars can't even get up to speed before hitting the brakes.  If there was ever a track to induce insanity, this is it!  I think it was by lap 5 (only 495 to go!) I asked my son, "Hey, want to go get a hot dog?"   The Mazdas would be better on such a track, don't ask me why, but I can visualize it.  If they put in some cones, that just may be fun to watch.

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
5IeWeQR6z5uFLD5qhOwdFnGYFQgSb7fNMeD4xaLrMdOj6iv2p9SdHXj1uegDbdwM