Indy Lights champ Kaiser enters Global MX-5 Cup Showdown

Monday, 02 October 2017


By Marshall Pruett / Image by IMS Photo



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Mazda's $75,000 Global MX-5 Cup open invitational showdown at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will have new Indy Lights champion Kyle Kaiser in the field.

Set to make his Indy 500 debut in 2018, along with a handful of other Verizon IndyCar Series starts as a result of winning the $1 million prize he earned from Mazda for clinching the Lights title, California's Kaiser is expected to be joined by other drivers who race outside of the Global MX-5 Cup series as part of a rich and diverse grid.
With another big check on the line, and the race taking place at his home track from Oct. 13-15, Kaiser's cash grab could reach $1,075,000 if he can take down series champion Patrick Gallagher, runner-up Nathaniel Sparks and other Global MX-5 Cup specialists.
"We were talking about all of the great drivers in the Mazda Road To Indy and Mazda Road To 24 family who might really enjoy this event, and I thought of Kyle because he has raced an MX-5 before, and with all of his success in Indy Lights, we got to talking and he jumped right in at the idea," Mazda Motorsports director John Doonan told RACER.
Although Doonan wouldn't be drawn on some of the other open-wheelers that could land on the Monterey entry list, at least one IndyCar driver is known to have expressed an interest in finding a seat.
"The thing we appreciate about Kyle is he's a racer," Doonan said. "He raced Mazdas, all kinds, and wants to try a different challenge against other Mazda racers who, like him, have reached the top of their category. He won't have it easy. Not against Patrick Gallagher, Christian Szymczak, and so many others who have spent years of their lives competing in MX-5s.
"There are a few other drivers, possibly from IndyCar, possibly from IMSA, maybe World Challenge, who've contacted teams about availabilities...I'm confident Kyle won't be the only unexpected name to announce."