Birmingham, Ala. (21 April 2017) - With the support of Mazda, the Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires has partnered with IMS Productions to provide live streaming of the season-opening doubleheader event at Barber Motorsports Park on Saturday, April 22nd. The Mazda-owned series is launching a new chapter in 2017 as it will be sanctioned by INDYCAR and will be a part of four Verizon IndyCar race weekend events this season.

Birmingham, Ala. (21 April 2017) - Nathanial “Sparky” Sparks took the first Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires pole position of the year at Barber Motorsports Park on Friday as the 2016 series champion posted a quick lap time of 01:41.4396-seconds.

BEFORE THE GREEN FLAG: 31 identical Global Mazda MX-5 Cup racecars are ready to race. This weekend kicks off the 2017 Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires at the beautiful Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham Alabama.

IRVINE, Calif. (April 20, 2017) – Matt Cresci spent four years balancing life as a student at Santa Clara University, and as a Mazda club racer. Now, Cresci has graduated from both, and is looking at ever bigger challenges and opportunities. This coming weekend will see Cresci make his professional race debut in the Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires.

Robby Foley will return to action in the Battery Tender MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich tires for the opening rounds of the championship at Barber Motorsports Park. The 20-year-old from Randolph, NJ is also a student at Auburn University, making this weekend a secondary home race for the Mechanical Engineering student.