Jared Thomas will close an accomplished chapter of his racing career during the upcoming Motul Petit Le Mans weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, where he will make his final starts as a full-time driver in Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin competition.
Thomas’ full-time MX-5 Cup driving career is coming to a close following the 2026 season, but he is not retiring from driving altogether or stepping away from racing. Beginning in 2027, his primary driving focus will be a full-time IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge program. Within JTR Motorsports Engineering’s MX-5 Cup program, Thomas will assume an expanded role focused on driver development, coaching and engineering.
JTR Motorsports Engineering will continue its full Mazda MX-5 Cup program, building upon the organization Thomas helped establish and develop into one of the series’ leading teams. The team’s driver development program begins in MX-5 Cup and progresses through Porsche Sprint Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup, ultimately providing a pathway into IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition. Thomas’ increased involvement in coaching, engineering and driver development will allow him to pass along the knowledge gained during seven seasons of professional MX-5 Cup competition.
“MX-5 Cup has played an enormous role in my life and career,” said Thomas. “Mazda gave me the opportunity to begin my professional racing career, and this series helped shape me as a driver, engineer and team owner. Although my full-time MX-5 Cup racing career is coming to an end at Road Atlanta, I’m not retiring from driving or stepping away from racing. I’m making this transition so I can focus on my driver development, coaching and engineering role within our MX-5 Cup program while pursuing my driving career in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2027. I’m looking forward to helping our drivers and continuing to build JTR Motorsports Engineering.”
Thomas’ path to professional racing began when he won the 2019 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout, earning a $100,000 Mazda scholarship to compete in the 2020 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup season. He made an immediate impact during his rookie campaign, earning his first victory, four podium finishes and Rookie of the Year honors.
JTR Motorsports Engineering was officially established in 2019. In 2021, the organization officially began taking on driver development and customer racing programs. What started as a small operation quickly developed into a championship-winning, multi-car program.
Thomas captured his first MX-5 Cup championship in 2022 after earning three victories and six podium finishes. He successfully defended the title in 2023, becoming the first driver in series history to win two MX-5 Cup championships. His 2023 campaign included three victories and nine podium finishes across 14 races.
He finished second in the 2024 championship and added another milestone that October by winning the inaugural MX-5 Cup oval exhibition race at Martinsville Speedway. Thomas continued adding to his record with victories at Daytona International Speedway and on the streets of St. Petersburg in 2025.
Entering his final full-time MX-5 Cup weekend at Road Atlanta, Thomas has made 94 race starts, earned 11 victories and recorded 37 podium finishes. His career also includes two series championships, a championship runner-up finish, Rookie of the Year honors and the historic Martinsville exhibition victory.
Following the two races at Road Atlanta, Thomas will have 96 race starts, matching the number on his JTR Motorsports Engineering Mazda.
Road Atlanta holds special significance in Thomas’ MX-5 Cup career. He earned a victory there in the 2021 season finale, and it was also the site where he secured his second consecutive series championship in 2023.
While Thomas’ full-time MX-5 Cup driving chapter is coming to a close, the next chapter for JTR Motorsports Engineering is already underway.
“This is not the end of Jared’s involvement in MX-5 Cup,” said Dave Thomas, Team Manager of JTR Motorsports Engineering. “Jared’s experience behind the wheel, combined with his engineering background and understanding of these cars, makes him an invaluable resource for our drivers and the entire organization. JTR Motorsports Engineering remains fully committed to MX-5 Cup, and Jared will play an important role in the continued development and success of the team.”
Thomas will drive the No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering Mazda during the final two rounds of the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, September 30–October 2, as part of the Motul Petit Le Mans event weekend.
JTR Press Release
