The most recent Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin race winner, Justin Adakonis (No. 23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) continued his hot streak by logging the fastest lap in Friday practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

It has been a quiet three months since the checkered flag flew in St. Petersburg, but it’s finally time for the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin to return to the racetrack for Rounds 5 and 6 this weekend. The setting is Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, which never fails to produce some of the best racing of the season. A field of 39 cars is expected, including a few new faces that could shake up the championship.

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.