2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup

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The 2021 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BF Goodrich was a single-make motor racing championship, the 17th season of the Mazda MX-5 Cup and the 1st under a new sanctioning agreement with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The series began on January 28 at Daytona International Speedway, and concluded on November 12 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta after 14 rounds. Gresham Wagner won the driver's championship, earning Spark Performance the entrant's championship as well. Sam Paley won the Rookie of the Year championship with McCumbee McAleer Racing.

Schedule

The schedule was initially announced on October 28, 2020, and features 14 rounds across seven double-header weekends. [1] On December 17, 2020, the schedule was revised, along with the 2021 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [2]

On January 6, 2021, the St. Petersburg event was rescheduled from its March date to April 23–25, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [3]

On February 8, 2021, IMSA announced an additional double-header event to be held during the 12 Hours of Sebring event weekend in March. Rounds 3 and 4 at Sebring will serve as a replacement for a future race venue to be announced at a later date. Thus, the 2021 MX-5 Cup Championship will still be composed of 14 rounds at seven tracks. [4]

On April 7, 2021, the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park event scheduled for July 2-4 was cancelled due to COVID-19 quarantine requirements. [5]

All races are 45 minutes in length.

Rnd.CircuitLocationDates
1 Daytona International Speedway (Road Course) Flag of the United States.svg Daytona Beach, Florida January 27-29
2
3 Sebring International Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Sebring, Florida March 17-19
4
5 Streets of St. Petersburg Flag of the United States.svg St. Petersburg, Florida April 23–25
6
7 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Flag of the United States.svg Lexington, Ohio May 14–16
8
9 Road America Flag of the United States.svg Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin August 6–8
10
11 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Flag of the United States.svg Monterey, California September 10–12
12
13 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Flag of the United States.svg Braselton, Georgia November 10-12
14
Source: [6]

Confirmed Entries

All competitors utilize the Mazda MX-5 Cup car, modified to their homologated racing specification by Flis Performance.

TeamNo.DriverRounds
Flag of the United States.svg Carter Racing Enterprises08 Flag of the United States.svg Michael CarterAll
Flag of the United States.svg Copeland Motorsports4 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Bryan Ortiz 1–8
26 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Atwater R 1–2, 5–8
38 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Williams R 1–10
41 Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars  R All
43 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Atanasio R 1–2
51 Flag of the United States.svg Dean Copeland11–12
Flag of the United States.svg Hixon Motorsports37 Flag of the United States.svg Sabré Cook  R 1–2
42 Flag of the United States.svg Preston Pardus 1–2
47 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Hixon1–12
63 Flag of the United States.svg Savanna Little R 1–10, 13–14
72 Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Grisham R 1–2
Flag of the United States.svg Connor Zilisch  R 13–14
73 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Moen3–4
87 Flag of the United States.svg Selin RollanAll
92 Flag of the United States.svg Loni UnserAll
98 Flag of the United States.svg Derek Ware1–2
11 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Carbonell9–10
22 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alex Berg R 13–14
Flag of Ireland.svg Irish Mike's Racing95 Flag of the United States.svg Todd Buras3–4
Flag of the United States.svg JTR Motorsports Engineering 32 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes R All
96 Flag of the United States.svg Jared Thomas All
82 Flag of the United States.svg Woody Heimann R 7–14
26 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Atwater R 9–14
97 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Williams R 11–12
69 Flag of the United States.svg Anthony McIntosh  R 13–14
Flag of the United States.svg McCumbee McAleer Racing 13 Flag of the United States.svg Jenson Altzman R All
28 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Paley R All
31 Flag of the United States.svg John Jodoin R 3–4, 8–12
48 Flag of the United States.svg Zachry Lee3–8,11–12
55 Flag of Russia.svg Moisey UretskyAll
89 Flag of the United States.svg Justin PiscitellAll
Flag of the United States.svg Provision Motorsports24 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Jeansonne R 1–14
99 Flag of the United States.svg Drake Kemper1–8, 13–14
43 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Atanasio R 3–4
99 Flag of the United States.svg Drake Kemper1–8, 13–14
Flag of the United States.svg Bruno Carneiro 11–12
Flag of the United States.svg Slipstream Performance12 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Globe3–4, 7–10, 13–14
20 Flag of Argentina.svg Hernan Palermo1–4, 7–14
33 Flag of Russia.svg Alex BachouraAll
36 Flag of the United States.svg David StaabAll
Flag of the United States.svg Spark Performance5 Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner All
Flag of Guatemala.svg Team Guatemala Racing59 Flag of Guatemala.svg Juan Hernandez Leiva R 1–8
Sources: [7]

 R  = Eligible for Rookie's Championship

Race Results

Rnd.CircuitWinning DriverPole PositionFastest LapHard Charger
1 Daytona Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Jenson Altzman
2 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Preston Pardus Flag of Argentina.svg Hernan Palermo
3 Sebring Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes Flag of the United States.svg Todd Buras
4 Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Sam Paley Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Todd Buras
5 St. Petersburg Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Jeansonne
6 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of Russia.svg Alex Bachoura
7 Mid-Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars
8 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of Argentina.svg Hernan Palermo Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars
9 Road America Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter
10 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter Flag of the United States.svg John Jodoin
11 Laguna Seca Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of Russia.svg Alex Bachoura
12 Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Bruno Carneiro Flag of Russia.svg Moisey Uretsky
13 Road Atlanta Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner Flag of the United States.svg Connor Zilisch Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes
14 Flag of the United States.svg Jared Thomas Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan Flag of the United States.svg Jared Thomas Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars

Championship Standings

Points System

Championship points are awarded at the finish of each event according to the chart below.

Position123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930 or below
Points350320300280260250240230220210200190180170160150140130120110100908070605040302010

For each race, bonus points are awarded for the following:

AwardPoints
Pole Position10
Most Race Laps Led10
Fastest Race Lap10

Driver's Championship

IMSA recognizes Driver champions based on the total number of championship points earned during the season.

Pos.DriverDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLBonusPoints
1234567891011121314
1 Flag of the United States.svg Gresham Wagner 1331173422511161204330
2 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Carter912221664146331004240
3 Flag of the United States.svg Selin Rollan6419118171322521104150
4 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes4101210361215719347103430
5 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Paley25722202215326599203410
6 Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars 1392675473128947403210
7 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Piscitell564251993571023761002980
8 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Jeansonne81264102113198432082202800
9 Flag of the United States.svg Jared Thomas 32258211652422DNS5821102750
10 Flag of the United States.svg Jenson Altzman1625276417112210671010802560
11 Flag of the United States.svg David Staab221617141112142011112022131202190
12 Flag of Russia.svg Alex Bachoura18241613911182120141113171702120
13 Flag of Russia.svg Moisey Uretsky2421192616131991513149211102040
14 Flag of Argentina.svg Hernan Palermo271411248109218191121101900
15 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Hixon14191517131422131615171501820
16 Flag of the United States.svg Loni Unser25261815710162314121614DNSDNS01760
17 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Bryan Ortiz 111113365151201740
18 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Williams2122141222810181916181801740
19 Flag of the United States.svg Drake Kemper19851117DNS258181401540
20 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Atwater151781921DNSDNS171517122001490
21 Flag of the United States.svg Savanna Little23232019142023141718191801440
22 Flag of the United States.svg Zachry Lee91615151711101601390
23 Flag of Guatemala.svg Juan Hernandez172723181279401320
24 Flag of the United States.svg Woody Heimann201713221212141501230
25 Flag of the United States.svg John Jodoin102321913110990
26 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Globe22212416182020190880
27 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Atanasio101524200550
28 Flag of the United States.svg Preston Pardus 7720500
29 Flag of the United States.svg Todd Buras850490
30 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Carbonell6190370
31 Flag of the United States.svg Sabré Cook 12130370
32 Flag of the United States.svg Connor Zilisch 22510360
33 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alex Berg16130330
34 Flag of the United States.svg Anthony McIntosh 15160310
35 Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Grisham20200220
36 Flag of the United States.svg Bruno Carneiro 222110200
37 Flag of the United States.svg Derek Ware26180180
38 Flag of the United States.svg Dean Copeland21230180
39 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Moen21270140
Pos.DriverDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLBonusPoints

Bold = Pole Position

Italics = Fastest Race Lap

Underline = Most Laps Led

† = Post-race penalty; moved to back of class

Entrant's Championship

Each Entrant receives championship points for its highest Car finishing position in each class in each race. The positions of subsequent finishing cars from the same entrant are not considered in the results and all other cars are elevated in the finishing positions accordingly.

Pos.EntrantDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLBonusPoints
1234567891011121314
1Spark Performance1331173422511161204450
2Hixon Motorsports6419110171322521404350
3Carter Racing Enterprises912221664146331004280
4 JTR Motorsports Engineering 321283651575321204040
5 McCumbee McAleer Racing 25464225326568203950
6Copeland Motorsports10151335473128947403600
7Provision Motorsports8854102113884320814103500
8Slipstream Performance1914111391114209118131112103280
9Team Guatemala Racing172723181279401860
10Irish Mike's Racing850510
Pos.EntrantDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLBonusPoints

Bold = Pole Position

Italics = Fastest Race Lap

Underline = Most Laps Led

Rookie's Championship

Rookie points are awarded based on the Car’s finishing position for each Rookie Driver, with the finishing positions of Cars without Rookie Drivers not considered in the results and all other Cars with Rookie Drivers elevated in the finishing positions accordingly.

Pos.DriverDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLPoints
1234567891011121314
1 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Paley257222022153265994290
2 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Nunes41012103612157193474250
3 Flag of the United States.svg Luca Mars 139267547312894744140
4 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Jeansonne8126410211319843208223920
5 Flag of the United States.svg Jenson Altzman162527641711271067101083720
6 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Williams212214122281018191618182870
7 Flag of the United States.svg Savanna Little2323201914202314171819182740
8 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Atwater151781921DNSDNS17151712202390
9 Flag of Guatemala.svg Juan Hernandez17272318127942030
10 Flag of the United States.svg Woody Heimann20171322121214151930
11 Flag of the United States.svg John Jodoin102321913111490
12 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Atanasio10152420990
13 Flag of the United States.svg Connor Zilisch225520
14 Flag of the United States.svg Sabre Cook1213520
15 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alex Berg1613470
16 Flag of the United States.svg Anthony McIntosh 1516460
17 Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Grisham2020440
Pos.DriverDAYSEBSTPMOHELKLGAATLPoints

† = Post-race penalty; moved to back of class

References

  1. "Mazda MX-5 Cup Unveils 2021 Schedule with New Partner IMSA". www.mx-5cup.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. "IMSA West Coast Swing Moves to September for 2021". IMSA. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. "Mazda MX-5 Cup Set for New Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Date". www.mx-5cup.com. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  4. "Sebring added to MX-5 Cup schedule, Daytona openers on TV". RACER. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  5. "Mazda MX-5 Cup Removes Canadian Tire Motorsport Park from 2021 Schedule". www.mx-5cup.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  6. "Schedule". www.mx-5cup.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. "Pre-Event Entry List" (PDF). IMSA. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.