MX-5 Cup Round 11 at VIR: Timing Seals the Win for Jeremy Fletcher
VIRginia International Raceway, USA – Round 11 of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin unfolded as a strategic battle, with Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) claiming victory just before the final caution concluded the race prematurely.
The event saw significant drama even before the race began, with qualifying incidents impacting key competitors. Two-time champion Gresham Wagner (No. 81 RAFA Racing by MMR) crashed into the wall at Turn 9, forcing him to start at the back after substantial repairs. Another champion, Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering), also encountered trouble, hitting the tire wall and starting 13th.
Rookie Justin Adakonis (No. 23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) secured pole position, but the race’s early dynamics shifted as BSI Racing teammates Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57) and Westin Workman (No. 13) swiftly took the lead on the opening lap with a coordinated effort before the first full-course caution was issued.
After an early restart, Gonzalez and Workman maintained their lead, yet just moments later, Thomas’s race ended following another hard collision at Turn Three, leading to a second caution. As green flag racing resumed, a fierce contest began between BSI Racing and McCumbee McAleer Racing, with Nate Cicero (No. 83) briefly entering the fray.
Fletcher maneuvered into the lead at the Uphill Esses with mere minutes left, but a second caution at Turn 17 solidified his advantage as the race concluded under yellow. "I was just happy I could keep myself in that pack, keep the car cool and get it done in the end," Fletcher noted, continuing his dominance at VIR with another win.
Gonzalez expressed disappointment despite a strong performance, acknowledging a communication error regarding the yellow flag situation that hindered a potential 1-2 finish for BSI Racing. Workman reflected on his strategy to support his teammate, emphasizing teamwork over individual aims.
Wagner’s resurgence from last to fourth earned him the Penske Shocking Performance award for gaining 29 positions during the race. Nate Cicero finished fifth, while points leader Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 Advanced Autosports) crossed sixth.
The next round of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup is scheduled for Sunday at 10:40 a.m. ET, with live coverage on the RACER and IMSA YouTube channels.
