P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It took 17 years for the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin to have a repeat champion. But it only took another year for the super-competitive one-make series to have its second repeat win…
Gresham Wagner became the first repeat champion of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin after 17 years, and he achieved his second championship in 2024, securing victories at Daytona, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Wagner expressed his pride in joining the exclusive club of repeat champions and highlighted the personal satisfaction of achieving this feat twice. Despite facing tough competition from drivers like Jeremy Fletcher and Jared Thomas, Wagner managed to hold his ground and emerge as the victor, surpassing Thomas by only 60 points at the end of the season. Wagner acknowledged the evolution of the MX-5 Cup series, with an influx of young, talented drivers and increased competitiveness leading to tighter races and the need for a more patient and strategic approach on track. This shift in dynamics required Wagner to adapt his racing style and mindset, focusing on maximizing control over what he could influence and minimizing uncertainties to secure his second championship triumph.
