NASA Announces Big Prize for Spec Miata

Spec Miata competitors at the 2018 NASA Nationals have a shot at $130,000 in prize money

The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) announced a new Spec Miata competition at the 2018 NASA Championship at Circuit of the Americas that will award what they say is the largest purse in amateur racing history. The inaugural Toyo Tires Classic will take place during the NASA Championships presented by Toyo Tires on Sept. 13-16, 2018.

This unique race will award the overall winner at the event with a cash payout of up to $80,000. More than $131,000 in cash awards will be made available to Spec Miata racers taking part in the competition with two different random cash awards totaling $5,000. A hard charger award will bring a $10,000 payday, while many more unique incentives will be announced. Qualifying requirements to enter the Toyo Tires Classic will be very straight forward and follow the usual NASA Championship qualification format.

“This will be the richest purse in Spec Miata competition,” says Marc Sanzenbacher, Toyo Tires, Senior Manager of Motorsports. “Our goal was to put together a program that would bring Spec Miata competitors together in a way that has never been accomplished before. Our hope is that this new program will provide Spec Miata competitors with an annual pilgrimage that combines the camaraderie and festivities that NASA events are known for – combined with a financial benefit that has never been seen in the community. We look forward to the tremendous competition we expect to see at this event.”

“We’re really excited to announce this new program with our long-time partner Toyo Tires,” adds Jeremy Croiset, NASA’s Director of Business Development. “This new program demonstrates a level of commitment to the amateur racing community that is nearly unprecedented. We fully expect this to be the largest Spec Miata competition in history at one of the best tracks in the country, and we’re just getting started. Folks can expect much more info on this program in the coming weeks as we announce further details.”

Additional event format details will be announced in early 2018.