Mazda MX-5 Cup and Mazda Road to Indy series to race in doubleheaders this weekend
IRVINE, Calif. (June 21, 2018) – The Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, one of North America’s classic road racing circuits, will play host to 71 Mazda race cars and drivers this weekend. Taking to the 4.0-mile circuit will be the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.
Both MX-5 Cup races will be streamed live on Mazda’s YouTube Channel. Race one will start on Friday, June 22 at 2:25 PM ET and race two will start on Sunday, June 23 at 11:05 AM ET. Sunday’s Indy Lights race will have same-day coverage on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, June 23 at 10:00 PM ET while live streaming for all three Mazda Road to Indy races will be available at RoadToIndy.tv.
Idemitsu MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich
After sweeping the previous MX-5 Cup weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, Nikko Reger has established a commanding lead in the season championship with 18 points in hand over second placed Selin Rollan. Rollan, the recipient of this year’s Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship, has one victory and is in second place in the championship just ahead of Bryan Ortiz, the winner of the first race of the season.
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
After sweeping the month of May by winning the Freedom 100, as well as both races at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, Colton Herta has moved into the lead of the Indy Lights championship. His teammate at Andretti Autosport, Pato O’Ward, sits just six points behind in second place on the strength of his three victories this season. Third in the championship is Santi Urrutia, who claimed a race victory at Road America in 2016.
The Road America races are a home event for Aaron Telitz, from Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires
The dominating form that Parker Thompson has displayed through the first seven races of the season – including victories at the Indianapolis road course and Lucas Oil Raceway – have taken him into a clear lead of the Pro Mazda championship. Entering Road America, Thompson is 40 points clear of second-placed Carlos Cunha who is just one point ahead of third-placed Rinus VeeKay.
Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda
Also dominating the early part of the season has been rookie Kyle Kirkwood. Three victories, including the previous race at Lucas Oil Raceway and two additional top-five finishes in USF2000 have seen him stretch out a 61-point advantage after six races. Alex Baron, with two wins on the season, is second in the championship while another rookie, Jose Sierra, is five points behind in third.