2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Begins with Thrilling Photo Finish at Daytona
The 2026 season of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin commenced with a spectacular race at Daytona International Raceway, where Noah Harmon (#12 Hendricks Motorsports) claimed his inaugural victory in a razor-thin finish, edging out Justin Adakonis (#23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) by a mere 0.039 seconds.
A record-setting 45 cars gridded for Thursday’s Round One, culminating in a tightly packed lead group of approximately 16 cars over 45 minutes. Remarkably, eight contenders crossed the finish line within a 0.15-second margin, demonstrating the intense competitiveness of the series.
Notably, pre-race favorites faced challenges; reigning champion and polesitter Jeremy Fletcher (#22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) experienced suspension damage early on, while Gresham Wagner (#5 JTR Motorsports Engineering) spun at the Le Mans Chicane, necessitating an unscheduled pit stop.
Despite these setbacks, Westin Workman (#21 Hendricks Motorsports) led the pack to the white flag but willingly ceded the lead to Adakonis. Harmon, initially positioned third, navigated the final moments expertly. “I came out [of the Le Mans Chicane] in third… I could see a gap behind me and didn’t think they’d get a run,” Harmon reflected. His strategy paid off as he surged past the competition in the final stretch.
Harmon expressed elation at his first career win after a challenging previous season. “This is the one I would have wanted to win over any other race on the schedule… All my family and friends are here,” he stated.
Adakonis, starting from fourth, acknowledged the unexpected absence of Fletcher during the race and remarked on his own water temperature management challenges. “I didn’t see Noah on the bottom… It was super fun,” he said, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.
Finishing third, Josh Gossett (#20 JTR Motorsports Engineering) described the race as a chaotic rollercoaster, characterized by lead changes and the uncertainty of positioning. “I would move back to 10th and then I’d go back to first… I think I made the right decision choosing the high line at the end,” Gossett noted.
The top five was rounded out by Jared Thomas (#66 JTR Motorsports Engineering) in fourth and Julian DaCosta (#95 BSI Racing) in fifth.
In a standout performance, rookie Cam Ebben (#55 Advanced Autosports) overcame mechanical issues to surge from 45th on the grid, ultimately finishing 23rd, earning him the Penske Shocking Performance Award. Meanwhile, Ellie Gossett (#77 BSI Racing) was recognized as the highest-finishing female driver in her MX-5 Cup debut, finishing 32nd.
Race Results:
- Noah Harmon (#12 Hendricks Motorsports)
- Justin Adakonis (#23 McCumbee McAleer Racing)
- Josh Gossett (#20 JTR Motorsports Engineering)
- Jared Thomas (#66 JTR Motorsports Engineering)
- Julian DaCosta (#95 BSI Racing)
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season is off to an exhilarating start, setting the stage for intense competition in the races to come.
