Continuing a tradition that has long matched talent with opportunity, Mazda has announced the names of the 12 drivers who have been selected to participate in the 18th running of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. The winning driver will receive a scholarship valued at $150,000 to participate in the 2025 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin.
The finalists came from a pool of drivers with success primarily in Spec MX-5, Spec Miata and karting. Each driver was asked to submit a racing resume with career highlights, a bio explaining why they are a great fit for Mazda and a video detailing their interest in MX-5 Cup, what makes them successful and how they plan to support their racing career long-term. A panel of racing professionals and Mazda Motorsports staff reviewed the entries before selecting 12 individuals to invite to the Shootout.
Drivers selected for 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout:
Justin Adakonis
Stephanie Anderson
Ethan Goulart
Ethan Jacobs
Noah Harmon
Ethan Lampe
Helio Meza
Luke Pullen
Camryn Reed
Christian Sarnecki
Ashlyn Speed
Logan Stretch
These finalists will travel to Homestead-Miami Speedway, November 11 – 12. Each driver will be fitted to one of three Mazda MX-5 Cup cars prepared by Flis Performance. All drivers will have several timed lapping sessions around the track and receive data to debrief with a driving coach afterwards.
The winner of the Shootout will receive a scholarship valued at $150,000 to compete in the 2025 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season. A runner-up will receive a $100,000 value scholarship. As part of the Mazda Women in Motorsport Initiative, the best performing female driver will also receive a $100,000 scholarship.
“The long history of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout demonstrates the brand’s commitment to making racers dreams come true,” said Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports. “Since 2007, we’ve witnessed the MX-5 Cup Shootout Scholarship become the extra weight that tips the scales in a driver’s favor and helps launch their professional racing careers. As always, it’s going to be a tough call, picking three scholarship recipients, let alone one winner.”
Lap times are not the sole determining factor in choosing a winner; drivers will also be judged on their ability to understand data, implement recommendations from coaches, media savvy and general attitude.
Numerous drivers who have won the Shootout have gone on to be successful in Mazda MX-5 Cup. The last three Shootout winners have gone on to win MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year. Jared Thomas, who won the Shootout in 2019, went on to become the first two-time MX-5 Cup Champion and recently won the series’ first oval race at Martinsville Speedway.
The 2025 MX-5 Cup season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway, January 22 – 24.