With six drivers already carrying the Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) banner at the most recent race, a new driver has been added for the upcoming event at the VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) and onwards through the 2022 season. Joining HMS will be Brazilian racer Bruno Smielevski, who comes with a long list of accomplishments; he looks to add Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (Mazda MX-5 Cup) race winner to his colorful resume of his lifetime motorsports results.

With the 2022 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup) season-end on the horizon, Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) continues to grow their driver-winning program. With multiple wins this season, a new name will be added to the team’s roster with Thomas Annunziata as he makes the move up to an IMSA Pro license for his national motorsports campaign and joins a championship-caliber team.

It was a winning weekend for Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) during the second half of back-to-back race weekends. Taking on the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (MX-5 Cup), rookie Connor Zilisch stole the show earning a pair of pole positions and his first two victories in the series to dominate the 4.014-mile, 14-turn Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. With those results, Zilisch jumps to third in the overall series point standings and first amongst the rookie competitors. Additionally, Hixon Motor Sports earned the VP Clean Image Award at Road America.

Like he has on a few occasions so far in 2022, Tyler Gonzalez will compete in a pair of racing divisions on the same weekend. Set to take on the 3.37-mile, 11-turn, Watkins Glen International Raceway, Tyler Gonzalez will compete in both the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge programs. Piloting a Copeland Motorsports prepared MX-5 Cup entry in one effort, the Floridian will enter the Michelin Pilot Challenge with Van Der Steur Racing as he co-drives with Rory Van Der Steur.

With a couple of events in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich Tires under his belt in 2022, Max Opalski is returning to the track this weekend at a new facility for him. Set to do battle in the series that provides the closest wheel-to-wheel competition in North America, Opalski is looking to turn his season around this weekend at the 3.37-mile, 11-turn Watkins Glen International Raceway in Corning, New York.