Justin Adakonis (No.23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) earned his first-ever Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin win on the streets of St. Petersburg and held off two-time series champion Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) to do so.

On a wet but drying Grand Prix of St. Petersburg street course, Bobby Gossett (No. 44 BSI Racing) displayed a patience beyond his years all the way to the checkered flag on Saturday. Gossett took his first-ever Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin race win ahead of two-time series champion Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering).

The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin paddock got quite the surprise on Friday morning when rookie Matt Novak (No. 11 Advanced Autosports) earned the Motul Pole Award for Round Three at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The tricky nature of the temporary street circuit makes experience so important and the likelihood of a rookie turning the fastest qualifying lap slim.

After a record-breaking grid size to open the season, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is headed to the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida with 42 cars. Two of those Mazda MX-5 Cup machines will be piloted by world-renowned drivers Sebastien Bourdais (No. 38 McCumbee McAleer Racing) and Earl Bamber (No. 21 Hendricks Motorsports), who are making guest appearances in Rounds Three and Four.

After making his Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin debut at Martinsville Speedway last October, Earl Bamber (No. 21 Hendricks Motorsports) has returned for another crack at the series. The two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner will rejoin Hendricks Motorsports for Rounds Three and Four at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Street course.