December 2nd 2025

Mazda Motorsports Showcases Next Generation of Talent and Momentum in MX-5 Cup Program

During Race Industry Week, Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports, highlighted the strength, depth and future direction of Mazda’s driver development ecosystem, headlined by the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Whelan and the recently completed 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout.

From a fresh, neutral venue for the shootout to a fiercely competitive youth-driven grid and an expanded presence in the IMSA paddock, Applegate painted a picture of a program that has become both a destination championship and a proven launch pad for professional careers.

New Venue, Level Playing Field: 2025 MX-5 Cup Shootout

For the latest edition of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout, Mazda moved the event to Circuit Florida, a new, private members-only track in Auburndale, Florida. Critically, the circuit was not available on any major simulator platform, meaning no driver could “pre-drive” the track in advance.

“We did that absolutely on purpose,” Applegate explained. “We wanted a truly even playing field. No prior laps, no sim prep—just raw ability, adaptability, and how quickly you can learn.”

The tight, technical layout – with limited long straights and heavy on precision – created a qualifying-style environment, ideal for evaluating rising talent transitioning from Spec MX-5 and grassroots road racing into MX-5 Cup machinery.

Scholarship Winners: Stallone, Lampe, Trainer Lead New Wave

The shootout awarded three MX-5 Cup scholarships plus two Spec MX-5 scholarships, representing $350,000 in support toward drivers’ 2026 programs.

Max Stallone – MX-5 Cup Champion Scholarship
A relative unknown to the Mazda team before the event, Stallone quickly became the story of the shootout.
“It was like he’d been there before,” said Applegate. “From the first session, he looked completely at home in the car.”
After a strong body of work across both days, he was named overall champion—via a surprise announcement after he had briefly assumed he’d been eliminated.
Ethan Lampe – MX-5 Cup Runner-Up Scholarship
A product of the Spec MX-5 ladder, Lampe arrived exceptionally prepared. Already familiar to Mazda through prior shootout participation, he reinforced his reputation as a serious contender and will be one to watch in the 2026 MX-5 Cup field.
Charlotte Traynor – Women’s Initiative Scholarship
Transitioning from karting into MX-5 Cup, Traynor contested six Cup races in 2025 to maintain rookie eligibility and get on Mazda’s radar.
“At the end of day one, she wasn’t the obvious choice,” Applegate admitted. “But she came out on day two and completely transformed—the improvement was massive.”
Her combination of on-track progress and off-track professionalism secured her the Women’s Initiative Scholarship.

In parallel, on the Spec MX-5 side, William Wallace and Lincoln Larson earned factory-supported programs for 2026 in SCCA Spec MX-5, with a clear eye toward future MX-5 Cup shootouts and beyond.

Inside the Shootout: More Than Just Lap Time

Applegate emphasized that Mazda’s scholarships are earned, not given.

From an initial pool of about 100 candidates, the field is narrowed via:

A racing résumé and bio
A personal video outlining background, goals, business plan, and why Mazda should invest in them

“That video is huge,” said Applegate. “It’s where we see who they really are—how they communicate, how they think about the sport, and whether they understand the business side.”

For the finalists at the shootout, the evaluation includes:

Multiple on-track sessions in MX-5 Cup or Spec MX-5 machinery
Progression from first session to last, not just peak lap times
Media interviews with series PR staff and broadcaster Shay Adam
Live-stream appearances and tough questions about performance, pressure, and how they would use the scholarship

“It’s a 360-degree assessment,” Applegate said. “We’re looking at speed, feedback, growth, communication, and how they’ll represent Mazda Motorsports on and off the track.”

A Young, Hungry Grid – and a Clear Ladder

Applegate noted a dramatic demographic shift in recent years: the MX-5 Cup grid is now overwhelmingly young, with many drivers in their late teens and early twenties, and many coming from non-traditional motorsport backgrounds such as indoor karting or entry-level grassroots series.

Back in 2019, Mazda conducted a deep review of MX-5 Cup and made deliberate choices to:

Elevate the series with major prize money and professional presentation
Cement it as a destination championship and a key step on the ladder to higher levels of sports car racing
Keep the program accessible and affordable enough to serve as the first professional step for talented privateers

The move to IMSA in 2021 was pivotal.
“Being part of the IMSA ecosystem and racing on those weekends gave us instant visibility,” said Applegate. “Teams, drivers, and fans who had never seen MX-5 Cup suddenly did—and they realized how serious the racing is.”

At the same time, the series has become attractive as a long-term home for professional “driver/entrepreneurs.” Past champions Jared Thomas and Gresham Wagner now run competitive teams and continue to race in the series, building sustainable businesses while mentoring the next generation.

NASCAR Connection, Martinsville Showcase & Earl Bamber

The bridge between IMSA and NASCAR tightened further with MX-5 Cup’s second non-championship event at Martinsville Speedway, run alongside a NASCAR weekend.

The 2025 Martinsville race also featured a special guest: two-time Le Mans winner and Cadillac factory driver Earl Bamber.

“He told us everyone in the IMSA paddock watches MX-5 Cup,” said Applegate. “He wanted to see what it was like from the inside.”

Despite his world-class résumé, Bamber discovered firsthand how demanding the cars and competition are.
“He came away with a new level of respect for the drivers in this series—and he wants to come back in 2026,” Applegate revealed, hinting at more marquee names possibly joining future rounds, including at St. Petersburg.

2025 Season Recap: Fletcher’s Rise and Return

The 2025 campaign saw Jeremy Fletcher claim the MX-5 Cup title in dramatic fashion at Road Atlanta after a powerful second half of the season.

His progression tells the story Mazda wants the series to represent:

2023 – Rookie season, 17th in points
2024 – Breakout year, 3rd in the championship fight
2025 – Champion after a dominant run of form

“He’s winning in everything he touches right now,” Applegate said. “He earned that $250,000 championship prize and he’s already chosen to reinvest it—he’s coming back in 2026 to defend his title.”

Fletcher will be joined by a stacked returning cast, including former champions and standout young talents like Jared Thomas and Nathan Nicholson, alongside the newest scholarship winners stepping up from Spec MX-5 and grassroots ranks.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Season and Return to Indianapolis

Mazda Motorsports is already focused on making 2026 another benchmark year for MX-5 Cup, including:

Return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the traditional IMSA weekend
“We did a COVID-era race there in 2020, but this time we’ll have the full fanfare,” Applegate said. “For me as an Indiana native, that’s special.”
Expanded commercial partnerships, including the integration of Motul as the official lubricant partner of MX-5 Cup
“Motul has a deep legacy in performance and sports car racing,” noted Applegate. “We’re excited to have them on board starting in 2026.”

With a refined ladder (from grassroots and Spec MX-5 to MX-5 Cup and beyond), strong OEM and series partnerships, and a continuous influx of young, hungry drivers, Applegate believes Mazda Motorsports is well-positioned for the next chapter.

“If you can prove yourself in MX-5 Cup,” he concluded, “the sky is the limit.”

About Mazda Motorsports

Mazda Motorsports provides factory support and a complete development ladder for drivers competing at all levels of North American motorsport, from grassroots club racing and Spec MX-5 to the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Whelan and beyond. With a focus on accessibility, affordability and pure driving enjoyment, Mazda Motorsports is committed to developing the next generation of champions on and off the track.

About Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Whelan

Sanctioned by IMSA, the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Whelan is Mazda’s premier spec racing series. Featuring identically prepared Mazda MX-5 Cup race cars built from the iconic MX-5 Miata, the series delivers some of the closest, most competitive racing in the world, with generous prize money, strong manufacturer support, and a proven path toward professional sports car careers.