Rounds three and four of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BF Goodrich® Tires take place at the only street course on the 2022 schedule: The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. After a rainy season opener at Daytona International Raceway, the drivers were looking forward to a warm and sunny event by the ocean. Although a scenic drive, the competition on-track is intense as the circuit is highly technical, leaving no room for error as most of the track is surrounded by concrete walls.

Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) is building momentum with a win in this year’s season opener, moving him into the championship point lead ahead of the St. Petersburg double-header. However, you can expect the competition to be tight with former teammate Chris Nunes (No. 32 Formidable Racing) hot on Thomas’ heels in the point standings. Nunes, the sophomore standout earned a podium at Daytona and will no doubt be racing for victory at St. Petersburg where he finished third and sixth last year.

Another driver to watch is Connor Zilisch (No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports) who will be experiencing this street circuit for the first time. The rookie impressed many at Daytona with his impeccable car handling in the tricky conditions and is currently the top rookie in the championship. Zilisch is showing exactly why he was chosen as the latest Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout Scholarship winner.

Track sessions for the Idemitsu MX-5 Cup presented by BF Goodrich® begin Thursday. The first race is set for 1:40pm PT on Friday, February 25. The second race will go green at 7:00am PT on Saturday, February 26. Both races will be streamed live on RACER.com.