BELOIT, Wis. (Aug. 15, 2025) — Advanced Autosport heads into the penultimate race at VIRginia International Raceway not only with championship-leading driver Nathan Nicholson building momentum, but also with a returning driver eager to make his mark on the MX5 Cup series.

Advanced joined MX5 Cup for a single race with Ethan Jacobs in 2024, and again with Nicholson at the end of that season. Leveraging years of Spec Miata and Spec MX5 experience, the team has built a winning package for Nicholson, its sole full-season driver. Strong results have drawn attention, attracting drivers such as Jacobs and Vaughn Mishko for multiple rounds this season.

Jacobs, who last competed with the team at Mid-Ohio in 2024, will make his first appearance of the 2025 season at VIR. Despite limited MX5 Cup experience this year, Jacobs is confident in his return to a winning team.

“I’m showing up to be in the fight,” Jacobs said. “I know what I can do, and I’ve got the right people around me to make it happen. The goal is to put down solid results and end the season on a high note.”

All three Advanced drivers recognize the importance of teamwork heading into the final two rounds.

“It’s a relief to have people I can rely on and work with out on track with me,” Nicholson said. “For much of the season, it’s been a one-man show here at Advanced, but bringing in talented drivers who can compete at a high level gives me the confidence I need to finish strong and close out my championship run.”

Looking ahead, the team views its larger lineup as just the beginning, not a one-off effort. The goal is to maintain a culture where every driver has the tools and support to compete for podiums at every race. For team owner Ben Merwin, staying competitive is the top priority. He knows that strong results have brought in more customers, and the best way to keep that momentum going is by fostering a winning environment where performance is always the focus.