First to the Finish
First to the Finish offers an inside look at the thrilling 2024 MX-5 Cup racing season. This six-part docuseries follows the journeys of three standout figures in the world of motorsports—two talented drivers and a dedicated team owner—as they navigate the challenges of racing at the highest level. The series captures the heart of the MX-5 Cup, a series known for its competitive edge, camaraderie, and relentless pursuit of excellence. First to the Finish showcases the challenger spirit that defines Mazda and its commitment to racing, passion, and resilience.
#54, BSI Racing
Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Heather Hadley made an immediate impact in the Mazda MX-5 Cup, finishing in the top 16 overall during her rookie season. Starting at age nine in indoor karting, Heather has since competed in various motorsport disciplines, supported by her family’s unwavering dedication to her dream.
At 22, Heather is balancing her passion for racing with academic pursuits, soon graduating from the University of North Carolina. As she enters her second season in the MX-5 Cup, this year is crucial in proving her potential as a professional driver and setting the stage for the next phase of her racing career.
Prior racing experience:
5 championships in go-karting, 5 national and world championships in legend car racing, several track records.
Why MX-5 Cup?
"I want to race in MX-5 Cup because it forces me to be a better driver and person outside of the car. It challenges me in every way, always keeps me on my toes, and has taught me so much about what it means to be a professional racing driver. I also absolutely love the people in the MX-5 Cup paddock. They are some of the most professional, knowledgeable, kind, and amazing people I've ever met in my life."
#15, JTR
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Sally Mott may be in her rookie year, but she’s already making waves in the Mazda MX-5 Cup. After winning a scholarship at the MX-5 Cup Shootout and securing sponsors for the 2024 season, she’s firmly established herself in professional racing.
Starting at 15, Sally quickly made up for lost time, dominating go-karting leaderboards from a young age. She’s fully dedicated to her racing career, training with at-home simulators and driver programs. With no backup plan, Sally works relentlessly to secure sponsorships and manage the financial realities of the sport, knowing that every mistake on the track comes with a hefty cost to her dreams.
Prior racing experience:
2022 Greater Houston Karting Championship, 2022 GCKI Karting Championship, 2nd at TSRS regional kart race
Why MX-5 Cup?
"It is a challenging series that teaches amazing race craft, car control, media skills, and will be a launching pad to the rest of my career."
Team Owner & Principal
BSI Racing
Shea Holbrook is a trailblazer in both motorsports and business. As Principal of BSI Racing, she successfully transitioned from a champion driver to a team owner. With seven Pirelli World Challenge wins and a spot in the 2019 W Series, Shea has proven herself on the track and built strong business partnerships throughout her career.
Before turning 30, she founded and managed her own multi-car racing team, Shea Racing. Now, alongside her husband Nick, she co-owns BSI Racing, with a focus on expanding their racing empire. A mother of two, Shea balances family life while leading her team to success, embodying the roles of mentor, leader, and businesswoman in the fast-paced world of motorsports.
Prior racing experience:
1st female driver to win a Touring Car race at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, several Top Five finishes in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series, multiple top finishes in Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championship, 2nd place in Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car A Championship, several track records.
Why MX-5 Cup?
"Mazda MX-5 Cup offers the most competitive career building motorsports platform in the country specifically geared towards young drivers but also a destination series to earn a living in. The MX-5 Cup driving style is a blend between sports car and NASCAR making the races absolutely wild to watch."
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is Mazda’s premier spec racing series, offering over $1,000,000 in prize money and scholarships each year. It provides an ultra-competitive field where drivers can prove themselves and earn real prize money to accelerate their motorsport careers.
MX-5 Cup race cars begin as complete MX-5 road cars from Mazda’s Hiroshima factory, which are then modified at Flis Performance in Daytona Beach. These cars are fitted with over 250 race-specific parts, including a FIA-approved roll cage, and undergo extensive on-track and lab testing to ensure peak performance, safety, and endurance. The cars are sealed for parity, so results depend on driver skill rather than equipment.
As one of the most cost-effective racing series in the U.S., MX-5 Cup attracts both experienced pros and rookies, with thrilling, close racing that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Mazda fans, MX-5 owners, and race fans alike can easily connect with the series, seeing a clear link between their road cars and the race cars they cheer for.
