On November 4-5, at Circuit Florida in Auburndale, Florida, 12 up-and-coming drivers will compete in the 19th edition of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. Only three will receive scholarships to participate in the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin season. The drivers come from around the world and bring a wide range of different experience to the two-day Shootout.
Meet six of this year’s finalists (click here to read Part 1):
 | Camden Gruber (Winchester, VA) Like most of his contemporaries, Camden Gruber started his motorsports journey in karts. Following a decade of successful karting endeavors, Gruber made the move to cars in 2021. He started with Spec Miata and ITS before moving to SMX in 2024. He ended his rookie season sixth in the SMX regular season points, and this year improved on that by finishing fifth, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. |
 | Matt Novak (Bartlett, IL) Runner-up in this year’s SMX regular season was Matt Novak. After graduating from karts, Novak took up Spec Miata and got his first victory in only his third race. He made his SMX debut in 2024 winning three races, while still competing in Spec Miata. He doubled his win total this year for a final tally of six SMX wins. Novak entered the final two Mazda MX-5 Cup races of the season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and finished both in the top 15. |
 | Sam Silver (St. Paul, MN) Following nearly a decade of kart racing, Sam Silver found Spec Miata to be the perfect choice for her move to car racing in 2010. Finding success in regional SCCA events, she moved up to Super Tour races and qualified for her first SCCA National Championship Runoffs in 2020. In her most recent Runoffs appearance, she finished 12th in Spec Miata. |
 | Max Stallone (Austin, TX) This Texan will drive anything you put him in, because he knows all seat time is valuable. Despite being only 19, Max Stallone has taken on a driving instructor role with several organizations, be they road racing, rally racing or sim racing. Not only do these coaching opportunities give him more seat time, but they help support his Spec Miata racing. Stallone has advanced quickly in the competitive category and was runner-up in the 2025 Spec Miata Hoosier Super Tour points. |
 | Charlotte Traynor (Fountain Hills, AZ) She may have only started her racing career five years ago, but Charlotte Traynor has proven to be a quick learner. It was just last year that she earned her SCCA license, and she’s progressed rapidly through the Spec Miata and SMX categories. Traynor took part in six Mazda MX-5 Cup races this year. She finished all six, with her best result coming at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, where she finished 18th in Race 2. |
 | Rocco Pasquarella (Boca Raton, FL) When it was time for Rocco Pasquarella to make the move from karts to cars, he jumped right into the deep end by choosing Spec MX-5. He was on pace quickly, however, and scored his first SMX race win in 2024 at Sebring International Raceway. He took another leap of faith this year when he entered the last four Mazda MX-5 Cup races of the season and came away with a best finish of eighth and even took home a Penske Hard Charger Award at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. |