Sally Mott returns to Mazda Mx-5 Cup for sophomore campaign, joins Shift Up Now

After a successful debut season in Mazda MX-5 Cup 2024 scholarship winner Sally Mott will be back for a second season in Mazda MX-5 Cup with JTR Motorsports Engineering, having also joined the Shift Up Now athlete roster.

Photo credits: Halston Pitman

The Mazda MX-5 Cup is not just one of the most exciting series in North America; it also demonstrates the series' commitment to diversity and progress by featuring an increasing number of female drivers on the grid.

As we approach the start of the 2025 season, one of them will be Sally Mott, who had a breakthrough debut season in 2024 after earning the prestigious Mazda MX-5 Cup Women’s Initiative Scholarship in 2023.

Making significant strides in her first year, Mott achieved several top-10 finishes and now aims for even greater success in her second season, joining Jared Thomas Racing (JTR).

In 2024, Mott debuted full time in the Mazda MX-5 Cup with Spark Performance, quickly climbing the ranks and delivering impressive performances. She finished 12th overall in the championship standings, with a 6th-place at Canadian Tire Motorsort Park as her best result, and repeatedly claimed the award for the top female finisher throughout the season.

The Texan began her racing journey in karting before progressing to Spec Miata and eventually competing in club-level racing, where she earned the Mazda scholarship that paved the way to the MX-5 Cup.

In a major development for her career, Sally will be supported by Shift Up Now for the 2025 season, joining the influential collective that champions women in motorsport, in a pool of talents that include several other talented female racers in North American championships. Mott has also recently competed in the WRL with the AE Victory Racing Audi R8 GT4, teaming up with fellow Shift Up Now drivers.

Mott’s livery for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup will feature a bold, bright pink design inspired by Iron Dames, ensuring her car is easily recognizable when the season kicks off during the final weekend of January at Daytona, as part of the IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona support program.

“I’m very excited about my sophomore year in MX-5 Cup, as I’ve been working very hard behind the scenes to come back stronger than ever", Mott commented. "My goal is to have consistent top-fives and multiple podiums this year. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m more determined than ever to make my goals a reality.”