Mazda MX-5 Cup makes its historic oval racing debut at Martinsville Speedway on October 26, 2024, marking a significant crossover between road racing and NASCAR oval racing traditions.

This groundbreaking non-championship race emerged from collaborative efforts between IMSA, NASCAR, Martinsville Speedway, and Mazda Motorsports, responding to the growing trend of cross-discipline racing. The event features MX-5 Cup cars running 100 laps on Martinsville's half-mile oval, alongside the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour finale.

The cars will compete in their standard road-racing configuration with minimal setup changes, and the field welcomes drivers from various racing backgrounds, including ARCA and CARS Tour competitors. A successful pre-event test in August 2024 demonstrated the viability of this unique racing format.

"NASCAR today isn't the same as it was 10 years ago," explains Jonathan Applegate, Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager. "This event allows MX-5 Cup to position itself as a pathway to both sports cars and stock cars, reflecting the modern need for versatile drivers."

The race marks the first time since the early 1950s that open-top cars will compete at Martinsville. In keeping with tradition, the winner will receive Martinsville's signature clock trophy.

This innovative event represents a potential turning point in American motorsport, bridging the gap between different racing disciplines and creating new opportunities for drivers and teams alike.

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