DRIVING MATTERS + VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS = MAZDA MX-5 CUP @ VIR

August 24, 2016 by Mazda

ALTON, Virginia (August 24, 2016) – The Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires enters the final third of the $200,000 chase for the 2016 Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). This will be the first visit for the MX-5 Cup to VIR since 2012.

Nathanial Sparks, a native of Spanish Fork, Alabama (No. 8 Sick Sideways), moved to the top of the standings after the last doubleheader weekend. Sparks has a 27-point lead due to his amazing consistency of podium finishes with six top-five finishes in the first eight races.

After the last race, Sparks noted that 'It feels pretty good to be leading the (overall) points this year especially after all the things that have happened this year. I haven't won a race yet. I've just been finishing well. I didn't have an exciting weekend at CTMP but I came away with the points lead and that's something I'm really excited about for myself and my Sick Sideways team.'

The races will be broadcast live on www.MazdaLive.com and will include commentary from the Radio Le Mans team.

Rounds 9 and 10 Live Stream Schedule:

6:15 p.m. (Eastern) Saturday, August 27, 2016 VIRginia International Raceway – Race #1

8:45 a.m. (Eastern) Sunday, August 28, 2016 VIRginia International Raceway – Race #2

Weekend story leads:

◾A recent repaving of the track promises close action and new track records for the class.

◾Among those teams with strong local connections to VIR are MEATHEAD Racing, and McCumbee McAleer Racing.

◾Sam Barnett, a Virginia Tech alumnus, will be racing at his home track with MEATHEAD Racing at VIR.

◾MEATHEAD Racing will be collecting new books and toys during the race weekend to fill Jake's Toy Box within Dr. Bear's Closet at Children's National in Washington, D.C. Jake's Toy Box was created by MEATHEAD Racing founder Mike Collins and his wife Wendy in honor of their son, Jackson 'Jake' Collins.

◾The battle for Rookie-Of-The-Year is a tight battle between Mark Drennan (No 50 WindingRoad.com/TFB Performance) and Chris Stone (No 12 ALARA Racing).

◾Joey Dasilva, from New Bedford, Massachusetts will be making his series debut in the No 07 Ives Motorsports MX-5.

◾The 100th MX-5 Cup race car is being delivered this month to the Monticello Motor Club.

◾There will be a Mazda Owners Corral at VIR. http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3915529/mazda-car-corral-danville-virginia-international-raceway?partner_id=240&cobrand=vir

◾The MX-5 Cup racers will be holding an autograph session for fans in the Battery Tender MX-5 Cup paddock on Saturday at noon.

Track Location:

VIRginia International Raceway

1245 Pine Tree Road

Alton, VA 24520

http://virnow.com/

Photo credit: Mazda
posted on conceptcarz.com