Fight for Mazda MX-5 Cup intensifies at VIR

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup returns to action this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway. Race 1 takes place Saturday, Aug. 22, at 5:45pm ET. Race 2 is scheduled for 3:30pm ET on Sunday, Aug. 23. Both races will be air live on RACER Network and the RACER+ App, as well as on the RACER YouTube channel.

Time is running out on the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin. The season is now past the halfway point, making the championship picture clearer. It’s the time of the year when those going for a championship think more about points during the race, while those not in contention are looking purely for race wins.

The next generation of Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup stars has definitely arrived. The top two drivers in the championship are only in their second year of competition and half of the race winners thus far have been first timers.

Justin Adakonis (No. 23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) is definitely in the mindset to capture points and not trophies. He leads Bobby Gossett by 160 points coming into VIR. Gossett has one more win than Adakonis so far, but Adakonis has been more consistent.

Hot on their tail is two-time champion Jared Thomas who could become the first-ever three-time Mazda MX-5 Cup champion.

Speaking of champions, the reigning champion, Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) has been having a rough season, but is coming to a track that he reigns supreme at. Fletcher has won the past four Mazda MX-5 Cup races at VIR and even though a repeat championship might be out of reach, he could still aim for winning six races in a row at VIR.

“The feeling going into VIR is always good, since my results there have been very good,” Fletcher said. “But I’m just looking for finishes and championship points. The wins come naturally and you can’t chase them. I know I’m fast. I know the MMR guys will have the car flying, so I just need to put myself in a good spot to finish and maybe I can go five for five or six for six.”

The contest for Rookie of the Year is very much up for grabs. Frankie Barroso (No. 48 Spark Performance) currently leads the way over Ethan Jacobs (No. 99 JDH Racing) by 230 points. Marcello Panniccia (No. 38 McCumbee McAleer Racing) is also a factor, just 40 points behind Jacobs.

Winner of the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout, Ethan Lampe (No. 31 Hendricks Motorsports) may not be in the hunt for Rookie of the Year after a tough start to the season, but a win in Round 8 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has him refocused for VIR.

“I’m really looking forward to VIR,” Lampe said. “CTMP definitely felt like a turning point for us, we showed the pace we know we’re capable of and finally started putting the pieces together. VIR is a place I’m excited to race at for the first time, and I think we’re in a good spot to keep the momentum going and fight for strong results.”

As regulars and rookies fight for points, they’ll have to be on the lookout for the eight newcomers who are joining the field for the first time at VIR. Many of these fresh faces coming from Spec MX-5 and karting are giving MX-5 Cup a try, while still maintaining rookie status should they compete in 2027.

In the past decade only one race at VIR had a margin of victory over one second, so you know the racing will be as good as it gets for MX-5 Cup Rounds 9 and 10 this weekend.

• Race 1 takes place Saturday, August 22, at 5:45pm ET. Race 2 is scheduled for 3:30pm ET on Sunday, August 23. Both races will be air live on RACER Network and the RACER+ App, as well as on the RACER YouTube channel.