JTR Motorsports Engineering has expanded its 2026 driver lineup in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, adding Michael O’Dell to the team’s stable for the remainder of the season.

The Detroit-area native will pilot the No. 46 entry beginning at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, June 5-7, with the remainder of the team’s Mid-Ohio lineup to be announced at a later date. The event will mark not only O’Dell’s series debut, but also the return of MX-5 Cup competition for the first time since March at St. Petersburg Street Circuit.

O’Dell brings a diverse racing background to the program, with experience in SCCA SRF3 Spec Racer Ford Gen3, Spec Miata, GR-RSC open-wheel formula cars, 250cc and 125cc Honda Shifter karts, 125 CIK TaG, K71 Laydown Enduro, Briggs & Stratton LO206 and Animal Sprint/Enduro competition, along with KT100 two-cycle sprint karts. Last season, O’Dell was invited to test an MX-5 Cup car at National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park.

JTR is actively competing for a season championship, as Jared Thomas sits 2nd behind Bobby Gossett entering Mid-Ohio in two weeks.

“Michael is exactly the kind of driver we love to work with at JTR Motorsports Engineering,” Dave Thomas said in a team release. “He’s hungry, he’s prepared, and he’s already shown he can win at every level he’s competed at. The way he progressed through the SCCA Super Tour field this past season, combined with his karting championships and the work ethic he brings to the shop, gave us a lot of confidence in adding him to our MX-5 Cup lineup. We expect him to be a serious contender right out of the gate, and we’re excited to see what he can do in the Mazda.”

 

Image Courtesy to Michael O’Dell