FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2026) — AAG Racing announced today that Chuck Mactutus and primary partner The Salty Dog Cafe will join the team’s driver lineup for Rounds 1 and 2 of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), Jan. 21–23 during the famous Rolex 24 event.
The Chapin, S.C., racer prepares to take his talents to the next level. Mactutus, the 2022 Hoosier SuperTour National Champion, has excelled in the Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 ranks with 19 combined wins. He has also earned wins in the AMG Academy and WRL GP3 class and finished top of his class last season in ChampCar at Virginia International Raceway (VIR).
The 28-year-old driver is involved in many facets of motorsports including being a certified SCCA flagger/corner worker where he worked many events in 2023 and 2024. Mactutus also owns “Chuck’s Racing LLC” where he works with clients providing driver coaching to help support his Spec Miata racing. Away from the track, Mactutus is currently working on an undergraduate cyber security certificate through the SANS Technology Institute.
As a team, AAG Racing returns to Daytona looking to replicate last year’s success where the team earned a second-place podium finish following the MX-5 Cup’s closest finish of the regular season during Race 2 with a 0.038 margin of victory. For Mactutus, he enters Daytona looking to go one step higher after a Daytona career-best finish of second place in last season’s SARCC Championship race back in August.
AAG Racing kicks off the 2026 season Jan. 21–23 at the World Center of Racing. See Mactutus and The Salty Dog Cafe No. 60 Mazda MX-5 on track at Daytona during the historic Rolex 24 week. The season opener will broadcast live on the IMSA YouTube channel, RACER YouTube channel, and IMSA.TV.
To stay connected with AAG, Mactutus, and The Salty Dog Cafe, follow @aag.racing, @chucks_rascing, and @thesaltydogcafe on Instagram, AAG Racing and The Salty Dog on Facebook, and Charles-Dylan Mactutus on YouTube.
Chuck Mactutus quotes:
Racing at Daytona during the Rolex week for your MX-5 Cup debut, what are your thoughts going into this race?
“My first thought is to enjoy the opportunity, and then crucially make a good impression on the field and try to utilize the draft to be in the right position at the end for the long run to the line.”
What carryover is there from your Spec Miata and SMX success that you feel you can translate to the MX-5 Cup?
“The cars are quite different in they drive and draft, but in general the very close race craft and strategies should translate quite well as nearly all of the successful MX-5 Cup drivers have come from Spec Miata.”
Talk about your partnership with The Salty Dog Cafe and being a member of the Salty Dog Racing team?
“It’s been a great privilege to have that support of such a well-known South Carolina business and being there to help the team grow and learn and do so well last season.”
Team and partner quotes:
“Chuck is one of the best Miata racers in the entire world, and it was only a matter of time until he dipped his toes in the MX-5 Cup, I’m just happy it is with us. Chuck has great pace in these types of cars, and he has fantastic close-quarters racing race-craft. He will definitely have a chance to win at Daytona, and I’m excited to see how he does,” said Sam Paley, team manager of AAG Racing.
“Salty Dog Racing is proud to have Chuck on our team and we look forward to Chuck’s continued success in 2026!” said Bob Gossett, president of The Salty Dog, Inc.
About AAG Racing
Based in Southwest Florida, AAG Racing is the sister company to Autotechnik Racing and has been involved in Mazda racing since the early 2000s. With championships in multiple series, AAG Racing has developed a legacy of speed, precision and determination on and off the track. From grassroots beginnings, the team has continuously evolved, driven by a passion for motorsports and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The team’s mission is to push the boundaries of performance, innovation and teamwork, fostering a culture where every member contributes to its success. AAG Racing is committed to precision engineering, strategic racing and talent development to remain competitive at every turn. The team also provides young drivers with a clear ladder from karting through club racing to professional sports car racing. AAG Racing’s entry into the MX-5 Cup Series marks the next step in its planned growth.
About Salty Dog Racing
Salty Dog Racing is an affiliate of The Salty Dog Cafe, which has locations on Hilton Head Island SC, Charleston SC, Key West FL, and Bluffton SC.
Chuck Mactutus is a member of the Salty Dog Racing Team, along with Bobby and Ellie Gossett.