Mazda MX-5 Cup: Adakonis and Harmon Share Victories at VIR

Mazda MX-5 Cup: Adakonis and Harmon Share Victories at VIR

Rounds 9 and 10 of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin delivered intense drafting battles and tight finishes in sweltering mid-summer heat at VIRginia International Raceway.

Event Overview

  • Event: Michelin GT Challenge at VIR (Rounds 9 & 10)
  • Track: VIRginia International Raceway (3.27-mile road course)
  • Series: Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin

Round Winners

  • Round 9 (Race 1): #23 Justin Adakonis (McCumbee McAleer Racing)
  • Round 10 (Race 2): #12 Noah Harmon (Hendricks Motorsports)

Highlights

  • Adakonis Prevails Under Caution (Round 9): Championship leader Justin Adakonis secured his third win of the season in Saturday's race. Jared Thomas made a late pass for the lead, but race officials ruled the move occurred after a full-course yellow was deployed and instructed him to relinquish the position. The race finished under caution with Adakonis taking victory ahead of Thomas and Jeremy Fletcher.
  • Harmon Wins Round 10 Photo Finish: Sunday's sprint saw a classic multi-car MX-5 Cup draft battle to the checkered flag. Noah Harmon held off Jared Thomas by just 0.070 seconds, with Ethan Lampe taking third only 0.148 seconds behind the winner.
  • Stallone's Drive from the Back: Max Stallone claimed the Penske Shocking Performance Award in Round 9 after an engine replacement forced him to start dead last, cutting through the field to gain 25 positions and finish 14th.