Daytona 2025 From A Drivers Perspective

From Ethan:

Practice 1: my main goal going into this event was to get a good amount of experience and try to come out with the podium. Practice one was wet and we ended up going on wet tires on a drying track. It was a safer option. We weren’t the fastest but we we kept the car on the track and we learned valuable things.

Practice 2: practice two we unfortunately had a mechanical failure on lap two in the bus stop. This wasn’t the ideal scenario going to qualify. With very limited seat time.

Qualifying:

In qualifying, we went out on brand new tires with the Lead pack. I was very nervous going out due to a limited seat time  so I didn’t think we’re gonna qualify towards the front. We ended up putting a P4. Unfortunately due to exceeding the maximum lap time it put us in P 19. It was totally my fault and I was sorry to the team. I told them I’d bring it back to them in the race.

Race 1: this was probably one of my best races ever I started a P 19 and every opportunity I had to pass someone  I passed someone  and then then finish on the podium and P2. I was pulling out for the win at the end of the race, but unfortunately the yellow came out. This was a very tricky race and mixed conditions, but I was super happy with the result. amazing debut.

Race 2: race to I was involved in probably one of the biggest wrecks in MX 5 cup history. I think we came away with limited damage and was able to continue but with damage I couldn’t go much far forward starting P 29. I came up to P12.

Overall, we came home with P2 and the drivers championship and leading the rookie championship. This was an amazing debut and I can’t wait to try to continue my MX 5 cup campaign. I can’t thank everyone enough.

From Nate:

Practice: We worked hard as a team to find the correct setup and to get Ethan up to speed so we could have both cars upfront even with challenging conditions during the day. After practice two, I was confident that we had two fast cars under the tent that could fight at the front in qualifying and the races!

Qualifying: After initially being set back due to almost being involved in another drivers incident, I was able to chase the pack down and set provisional pole for both races! This was my first pole position in MX5 Cup and to do it by over 7 tenths in my first race with the team was an amazing feeling.

Race 1: We got off to a great start building a very strong lead with another car in the wet but made the unfortunate call to switch to dry tires. Although the race didn’t come to us, we learned some valuable lessons that will help us as a team in the future. Fortunately Ethan was able to have an extremely strong fight through the field to Second Place in his debut race and earn the team a podium!

Race 2: After a very scary incident at the start behind me which Ethan was able to skillfully make his way through, I lead the entire race until the last lap. Unfortunately the Daytona draft and wrong positioning by myself got the better of me and I ended up 7th. We have great pace and an amazing package so that fills me with confidence heading into St.Pete!