October 20, 2026 - Mazda Motorsports has determined the list of nominees eligible for the 2026 Mazda Shootout, an annual competition that awards multiple scholarships in two categories: Spec MX-5 (SMX) and MX-5 Cup. At the end, Mazda will give away more than $300,000 to help promising drivers achieve their racing dreams.
The nominee list is a combination of automatic and at-large selections. Automatic selections go to drivers who have won a club racing national championship (NASA or SCCA) in a Mazda-powered vehicle. At-large nominees are drivers who haven’t won a national championship, but have shown exceptional racing talent, not necessarily in a Mazda-powered car, or even in sports cars.
To be considered for a spot in the Shootout, nominees must submit a racing resume, driver bio and video. Through these items, drivers must include why they should be selected, how they financially plan to continue their career beyond Mazda MX-5 Cup and what work they have done away from the track to further their goals. Additionally, they must explain why they would be a good brand ambassador for Mazda.
“Mazda’s support for emerging talent has become a benchmark across the racing industry in North America,” Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate said. “Time and time again our scholarship programs have helped push a driver to the next level of their professional career and in many cases, successful drivers have credited Mazda with keeping their racing dream alive.”
The Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout is two days of on and off-track evaluation by a panel of judges selected by Mazda. The winner receives a $150,000 scholarship to compete in the 2027 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin. A runner-up scholarship valued at $100,000 is also up for grabs.
Mazda Motorsports has shifted its approach to the Women in Motorsport Initiative. Instead of selecting one female driver to support for a season, several different female drivers will be chosen throughout 2027 to participate in select Mazda MX-5 Cup races. These drivers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to the MX-5 Cup and IMSA paddock, gain experience in the car, and potentially earn an invite to next year’s Shootout.
Run in conjunction with the MX-5 Cup Shootout is the Spec MX-5 (SMX) Shootout. This program follows the same format, but with younger, less experienced drivers trying to get their sports car racing careers started. In the end two drivers will be selected to be “Mazda Factory Drivers” in the 2027 SMX season and receive financial support throughout.
Many drivers who win the Spec MX-5 Shootout go on to compete for and win the MX-5 Cup Shootout. For example, Westin Workman started his foray into sports car racing by winning the Spec MX-5 Shootout, then the MX-5 Cup Shootout, the 2024 MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year title and this year was named the recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship.
Nominees have been contacted via email and have until October 23 to submit their materials. The finalists selected to participate in the Shootout will be revealed on November 6.