January 19, 2026 – JTR Motorsports Engineering will kick off the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin season in a big way, bringing an impressive nine-driver lineup to the iconic Daytona International Speedway for the championship’s opening round, January 21–23.
The Daytona International Speedway road course will host the opening doubleheader during the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated starts to the MX-5 Cup season. With one of its largest team entry to date, JTR Motorsports Engineering continues to demonstrate its commitment to driver development, competitive excellence, and depth across the paddock.
The JTR Motorsports Engineering Daytona driver lineup includes:
· #96 Jared Thomas
· #26 Peter Atwater
· #8 Justin Gravett
· #81 Chris Hutter
· #66 Jamison Riley
· #46 Chris Allen
· #34 John Salerno
· #82 Woody Heimann
· #5 Gresham Wagner
Each driver will tackle the unique challenges of Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course with their own goals. With a track that is known for close racing, drafting battles to the finish, and razor-thin margins, the Daytona opener traditionally sets the tone for the entire MX-5 Cup season.
“Bringing nine cars to Daytona is a huge statement for our organization,” explained Dave Thomas of JTR Motorsports Engineering. “The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup is one of the most competitive series in North America, and having this level of driver depth speaks volumes about our program. We’re excited to see this group hit the track together and open the 2026 season strong.”
The expanded lineup features a mix of returning drivers and fresh faces, blending experience with emerging talent. With two wheel-to-wheel races during the opening weekend, the focus for JTR Motorsports Engineering will be on execution, consistency, and maximizing results across the entire driver roster.
Kicking off the on-track action on Wednesday, JTR Motorsports competitors will get up to speed with two practice sessions before qualifying and the first wheel-to-wheel action of the season on Thursday. Race two will take place Friday morning.
Weekend Schedule
Wednesday, January 21
Practice 1 – 1:00-1:40pm
Practice 2 – 4:15-4:45pm
Thursday, January 22
Qualifying – 11:55am-12:15pm
Autograph Session – 2:30-3:00pm
Race 1 – 5:15-6:00pm
Friday January 23
Race 2 – 10:00-10:45am
Watch Live all weekend long HERE.
As the green flag waves on the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin season, all eyes will be on JTR Motorsports Engineering as the team looks for strong results at Daytona and beyond.
For more information on JTR Motorsports Engineering, please contact Dave Thomas via email HERE or visit their website at www.JTRMotorsportsEngineering.com.