The new Northern California resident held off teammate for home track victory and moves to championship lead

Current Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires point leader Connor Zilisch (No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports) battled to the front from fifth on the grid to win Saturday’s Round Five race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. He was followed across the line less than a half-second ahead of reigning series champion Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering), with now-local driver Aaron Jeansonne coming home third to continue his strong start to the 2023 season.

Cup Car to Be Unveiled at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California on May 12, 2023

Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) will start from pole in Saturday’s Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires Round Five race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. He will share the front row with Aaron Jeansonne (No. 24 JTR Motorsports Engineering).

The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires returns to its spiritual home this week at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. It’s the track where the series made its debut in 2006 and where the current ND generation MX-5 Cup car made its debut in 2016. There’s just something about the twists, turns and undulating elevation of this Northern California track that makes the MX-5 come to life.