Three Shift Up Now athletes – Loni Unser, Hannah Grisham and Sabre Cook – will compete for Hixon Motor Sports (HMS) in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich at Daytona International Speedway on January 28th and 29th.
Competing in the MX-5 Cup for the second time, Unser will drive the No. 92 Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce car for Hixon Motor Sports. The 23-year-old, Hailey, Idaho native is currently working toward a full season for 2021.
“I am really looking forward to competing at such a legendary facility such as Daytona,” said Unser. “To be able to compete with Hixon Motor Sports during the Rolex 24 Hours is an opportunity that I will cherish. To follow up that event and race alongside the NTT IndyCar Series at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is really a dream for many, and I look to put my best foot forward.”
Grisham will make her MX-5 Cup debut driving the No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports car in partnership with automotive lifestyle brand Hagerty and Shift Up Now. The 20-year-old driver from Glendora, California is currently confirmed for two events in the 2021 season.
“I raced at Daytona a few years back at the World Karting Association (WKA) Daytona Kart Week, but this will be my first race on the big track,” said Grisham. “I’m really excited as it will also be my first Mazda MX-5 race. There are a lot of really talented drivers who have multiple years in the platform, so I am excited to see how I match up. It is going to be an exciting weekend, and I can’t wait to hit the track with Hagerty and Hixon Motor Sports.”
Cook will also be making her MX-5 debut in the Hixon & Apple Motorsports No. 37 car. The 26-year-old native of Grand Junction, Colorado is a W Series driver, competing around the world.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Hixon Motor Sports for this event and greatly appreciate them adding me in their driver roster,” said Cook. “This will be my first race at the Daytona International Speedway, and I cannot wait to race on such an iconic American track. To be able to take in the magic and excitement of the week of the Rolex 24 at Daytona for the first time will also be something special.”
The on-track action for the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup season-opener will start on Wednesday, January 27th. Fans can watch live on www.IMSA.com at the following times:
More event info can be found at www.mx-5cup.com.
