McCumbee McAleer Racing (MMR) has announced the confirmation of three drivers for the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires season.
This year’s Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout scholarship winner, 18 year-old Nate Cicero of Pound Ridge, N.Y., was awarded a scholarship valued at $110,000 and has chosen MMR, car number to be confirmed. Also, 23 year-old John Jodoin of Barrington, Ill., and 19 year-old Matthew Dirks of Johnstown, Colo., are both returning to the team. The two will be behind the wheel of the No. 39 and No. 76 cars, respectively.
“Everyone at MMR is thrilled to have both Matthew and John back with the team in 2023. The chemistry these guys had with not only the team, but also their teammates was second to none. I feel that Matthew and John both turned some heads last season and I expect them to pick up right where they left off and be contenders immediately when we get to Daytona,” team owner Chad McCumbee said.
Co-owner Stevan McAleer added, “We are ecstatic for Nate Cicero to join McCumbee McAleer Racing. I’ve worked with him since the beginning and he is certainly a huge talent that has come through my Karting program. He will without a doubt be a championship contender come January, and if you put our returning team members Matthew Dirks and John Jodoin with him, there should be lots of podiums and wins in 2023 for this trio.”
Cicero is optimistic about running with MMR for the MX-5 Cup season.
“I’ve seen how hard everyone on the team works to provide the best equipment, so I know I have a great team behind me to go for the championship. After an amazing first test, Daytona can’t come soon enough. I would like to thank Mazda Motorsports for their support in providing the scholarship that made this possible,” Cicero finalized.
Meanwhile Jodoin, who showed admirable pace during his first full season, is also excited about his chances in 2023.
“With the great coaching and knowledge from MMR, along with my development as a driver, I look forward to seeing what is to come in 2023. Thanks to Race Caddy and LSC Development for their continued support,” Jodoin concluded.
“I am looking forward to another energetic season of Mazda MX5 Cup racing,” Dirks said. “In addition to having a slightly different driver lineup running with our awesome team, McCumbee McAleer Racing, one of our teammates is a Mazda Shootout scholarship winner. It will be very interesting to see what my teammates and I have in store for our competitors. Let’s do some racing.”
The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BF Goodrich will kick off on January 25-27 at the 12-turn, 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway Road Course.