By: Erin Cechal

The 2007 Mazda MX-5 Cup Season Begins in Houston

Houston, Texas - It's hard to believe it"s already been a year, but the time has come for season two of the SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup. If the fast-paced, door-banging action of last year’s debut season was any indication, the series has another thrilling season on tap for 2007.

The start of an MX-5 Cup race is always a hair-raiser (Sykes image).

All the days spent testing and late nights at the shop will come to fruition this weekend when the SCCA SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup season gets underway on the concrete-lined course of JAGFlo Speedway at Reliant Park for the Grand Prix of Houston. Although it won’t be the series’ first street-course event, it will be the first time the MX-5 Cup cars have raced under the lights. That’s right, the green flag waves Saturday night at 8:35 p.m. (CST) on the opening round of the Championship.

Who will emerge from Houston the Mazda MX-5 Cup point leader? Even the most seasoned Vegas odds maker would have trouble giving you a line on that one.  Without 2006 Champion Jim Daniels in the mix, this year’s championship is wide open.

Jason Saini (#28 AutobarnMazda/Saferacer.com) is certainly a title contender this year. In addition to being his teammate, Saini was runner-up to Daniels in the 2006 Championship and ended the season with a win at Road America in addition to four other top-five finishes. Saini and several of his MER teammates are from Texas. Could being on home turf work to their advantage this weekend?

Leading the Alara Racing contingent is Ara Malkhassian (#11 Alara Racing). Malkhassian finished fourth in the points last year on the strength of three top-five performances, including a second-place finish at the season finale. Malkhassian will be part of an eight-car army this weekend, which could prove advantageous for data and race strategy, but could stretch the team’s resources to the limit.

Pratt Cole (#88 RP Motorsports) might have finished higher in the points last season had he not missed a round at Lime Rock Park. Cole picked up steam late in 2006, qualifying in the top-five three times in the second half of the season.

Although he has yet to race in Mazda MX-5 Cup competition, many drivers will have their sights set on young Andrew Caddell (#30 TeamMER/AimSport/PinnacleMazda). The 2006 SCCA Spec Miata National Champion won an MX-5 from Mazda after beating out two other SCCA National Champions in a unique shootout during the off season. No doubt the Mazda MX-5 Cup regulars are eager to see what Caddell is capable of this weekend.

These are just a few of the drivers who could grace the podium this weekend, but as the series proved last year, all bets are off until the checkered flag flies.