Apr 25, 2016
SUPPLY, NC, April 25, 2016 -- McCumbee McAleer Racing, LLC, is pleased to announce a new and expanded car and driver lineup for the 2016 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Series presented by BF Goodrich Tires. Buoyed by the return of ModSpace and Premier Building Systems as primary support, MMR will add two new sponsors and three new drivers.
Building on an inaugural 2015 season which saw two wins, podium finishes and being named Battery Tender MX-5 Cup Team of the Year, owners Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer say they will expand to a six car team with an exciting cadre of drivers.
That lineup will be highlighted at the season opener at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (MRLS) this weekend with the addition of sponsors Spartan Cargo Trailers and Monticello Motor Club (MMC). Monticello members Justin Raphael in the #29; Chris Ohmacht in the #92; and Max Faulkner in the #82 join the team and will compete full-time.
Regulars from 2015, Aurora and Ari Straus will campaign the #17 ModSpace MX-5 and Pocono Raceway’s Nick Igdalsky will tackle MRLS in the #27 Premier Building Systems Mazda. Series regular, Charles Paquin, who will campaign his familiar #72 as the Spartan Cargo Trailers entry, will have Patrick Gallagher, 2015 runner-up in the Series, substitute for him at Mazda Raceway.
"We were very happy with how last year went as team owners,” said McAleer. “We not only worked hard on the driver coaching and car set ups, but we worked very hard to achieve the high levels of hospitality. Creating the whole package was a goal, so the two wins were icing on the cake. The MX-5 Cup Team of the Year award, and separately Chad and myself winning the Continental Tire Series Championship, I don't think we could have asked for anything else. This year we look to step it up a notch. We will run 6 cars in 2016 and look to operate at the same high levels as last season."
McAleer’s optimism for 2016 is strongly reinforced by MMR co-owner, McCumbee. “I feel so fortunate to be in this position with our McCumbee McAleer Racing team going into our sophomore season,” he said. “2015 was an amazing year overall and we are excited to expand our effort in 2016. It is an honor to be a part of the Mazda family and represent ModSpace Motorsports and Monticello Motor Club. We look to start off the first event in the inaugural season of the Global MX-5 Cup on a positive note and have another outstanding year. I am really looking forward to Mazda Raceway.”
ModSpace Motorsports is equally excited about heading to Mazda Raceway for the first Battery Tender MX-5 Cup event. “ModSpace is excited to kick off the 2016 season at MRLS,” stated William Mann, Vice President of Business Development for ModSpace. “This track is special to ModSpace because of our alignment with Mazda Motorsports. John Doonan, who spearheads the motorsports division for Mazda North America, has helped grow this sport through driver development as well as on the business side. He has been a great asset to our business and helped increase sales in the sports and entertainment division of ModSpace. This year’s MMR driver lineup is strong and experienced in the Series and we have great marketing partners, Spartan Cargo Trailers, Premier Buildings and Monticello Motor Club. So we look forward to a podium finish from them this weekend.”
In addition to MRLS April 29-May 1, the MMR schedule will continue with MX-5 Cup events at Watkins Glen International (May 13-15); Road America (June 16-19); Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (July 8-10); Virginia International Raceway (Aug. 26-28); and the season finale at Road Atlanta (Sept. 28-Oct. 1). In addition, MMR may also compete in other events throughout the year.
To keep up with all of the team updates and progress, follow MMR on Twitter (@McCumbeeMcAleer), Instagram (@McCumbeeMcAleerRacing) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McCumbeeMcAleerRacing). In-race updates will be made available via MMR’s social media as well as through the Race Monitor application which is available to download on computers, smartphones, and tablets.
McCumbee McAleer Racing (McCumbeeMcAleer.com):
Formed in 2015 by race car drivers and motorsports professionals, Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer, McCumbee McAleer Racing is top performing Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup series racing team. With the support of ModSpace, Premier Building Systems, Spartan Cargo Trailers, and Monticello Motor Club, the team earned race wins, podiums, and a Team of the Year award in its inaugural season. Now fielding six Mazda MX-5 Cup race cars in 2016, McCumbee McAleer Racing continues to aim for and reach exponential levels of success.