RECAP: Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – 2025

Written by: 

Brian Fisher

Published: July 15, 2025 at 13:21

 | Updated: July 15, 2025 at 22:51

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Photo by:

 [photo_credit_acf field="first_name"] [photo_credit_acf field="last_name"]

The Mazda MX-5 Cup races at CTMP provided edge-of-seat entertainment. In Race 1 on Saturday, BSI Racing teammates Tyler Gonzalez (number 57) and Helio Meza (number 27) formed a single-file pack with the rest of the field. After two late caution periods set up a two-lap dash to the finish, Gonzalez led the field on the final green. The last-lap run was picture-perfect: Gonzalez defending Meza into the final corners, and the number 57 Miata nipping number 27 by just 0.222 seconds at the stripe. Gonzalez celebrated his fifth win of the season—all by leash-and-carrot drafting—and gave BSI a 1–2 finish (Meza second). Defending champion Jared Thomas, who started at the back due to a penalty, climbed back toward contention before a late incident.

Race 2 on Sunday was cut short by a storm. As ominous clouds gathered, Wagner (number 81 RAFA Racing/Michelin) made the decisive move. He pushed past Nathan Nicholson (number 56) and others in the final minutes, taking the lead just as lightning struck. The race was red-flagged at that instant, freezing the running order. Gresham Wagner was awarded the victory—his first of 2025 and 14th career MX-5 win. Jeremy Fletcher (number 22 MMR) and Nate Cicero (number 83 McAleer)—Wagner’s teammates—were credited with second and third, completing an MMR podium sweep. Wagner noted he “wanted to lead every lap” and was glad to give the team a long-awaited win. Justin Adakonis (number 23 MMR) earned hard-charger honors; a grid drop forced him to start last, yet he gained 10 places in the rain-shortened event.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gonzalez’s photo finish: Race 1 ended chaotically, with Gonzalez edging teammate Meza by 0.222 seconds after multiple cautions.
  • Wagner wins under red: In Race 2, lightning halted the race as Wagner grabbed the lead; the number 81 Miata took victory with fellow MMR drivers filling the podium.
  • Team sweep: MMR-backed cars dominated Sunday (Fletcher, Cicero alongside Wagner), while BSI completed Saturday’s 1–2 with Thomas chasing at the front on Lap 16.
  • Weather decides again: A race shortened by weather handed Wagner a win and brought the weekend to an early close.

Comments