(BROWNSBURG, Ind.) March 2, 2018 – Robert Stout, the 2017 Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup Rookie-of-the-Year, has re-signed with McCumbee McAleer Racing for the upcoming 2018 MX-5 Cup series season. Stout’s No. 28 MX-5 will again feature partners Lucas Oil Products, Lucas Oil Racing TV, SC Fuels, Impact Racing and CatSpot.

Coming off a dominating 2017 season that saw Stout win the $50,000 Rookie-of-the Year award and finishing 3rd in the final driver standings, Stout returns with the singular aim of winning the 2018 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship. Stouts long-standing relationship with his primary sponsor Lucas Oil Products continues for its 13th year in 2018. As well, Stout’s partnership with Impact Race Products will enter its 11th year this coming season.  Also returning to support Stout’s efforts are SC Fuels, Mazda Motorsports and CatSpot Organic Cat Litter.

“We’re excited to be back in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series for 2018,” said Stout. “The racing last year was as tough as any I’ve seen and I’m sure this year will be no different! The gang from Mazda have created the only real path to the pinnacle of the sport with their Road to the 24 and the series itself is a wonderful group to race with. We missed the goal of winning the Championship last year by a couple of spots but there is nobody better than McCumbee McAleer Racing to chase it with and we couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to race with them again! Hopefully we can give the team back-to-back Championships!”
 
“There’s no question that Robert has the talent to win the championship,” said former MX-5 Cup champ Stevan McAleer of MMR. “His speed has always been there and his feedback is as good as any we have worked with, that along with a year of experience will be a lethal combination this season. We fully expect a solid run at the Championship.”
 
Stout along with the rest of the multi-car MMR team will begin the chase for the 2018 Championship this weekend March 3 and 4 with an official series test at Barber Motorsports Park – also the site for Rounds 3 & 4 in April.
 
The 2018 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires schedule features four INDYCAR weekends, including a return to the popular Portland International Raceway, in Portland, Oregon, for the first time since 2008. The championship season will conclude in October at the Monticello Motor Club, just 90 minutes from New York City.

Each of the six weekends features two 45-minute races for a 12-race championship. The MX-5 Cup champion earns a $200,000 Mazda Road to 24 (MRT24) Scholarship.

2018 Battery Tender Global  MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires schedule:
March 3-4             (TEST) Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala.
                             (With Verizon IndyCar) 
March 23-25         Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas  (With Pirelli World Challenge)
April 20-22            Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (With Verizon IndyCar) 
June 22-24           Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (With Verizon IndyCar)
July 27-29             Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (With Verizon IndyCar)
Aug. 31-Sept. 2    Portland International Raceway, Portland, Ore.  (With Verizon IndyCar)
Sept. 28-29           Monticello Motor Club, Monticello, N.Y. (Headliner)
Challenge Cup     TBD
 
About Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires:
The MX-5 Cup race cars start as complete MX-5 road cars from the Hiroshima, Japan factory before being transported to engineering development partner Long Road Racing in Statesville, North Carolina where they are produced into a race car. The process includes disassembly of the production car, welding and paint of a full roll cage and interior, and assembly of the race car, adding more than 250 motorsports-specific parts. Other components of the car, including the  SKYACTIV 2.0 liter engine are sealed to ensure even competition and a cost-effective platform.

The Battery Tender Global  MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires is the signature spec series for the  Road to 24 (#MRT24), the sports car counterpart to the Road to Indy (#MRTI). On both paths, Mazda-powered champions earn a scholarship to advance their career. The MX-5 Cup champion earns a $200,000 scholarship.


About Lucas Oil Products: 
Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company's marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA.

About Robert Stout:
Robert Stout has been racing for 12 years, eight of those at the professional level of sports cars and oval racing including Grand-Am/Rolex series, Continental Tire series, IMSA, Pirelli World Challenge, King of the Wing Sprint car series (competing in 900HP asphalt winged sprint cars) and the USAC Silver Crown. Stout has driven sports cars across all classes including GT, GS, GTS, ST, and TC.