January 9, 2026 – JTR Motorsports continues to add to its 2026 driver lineup with the addition of Chris Hutter. Added to the team’s squad for the 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Hutter brings experience from the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America series to the high banks of Daytona and the ultra-competitive Mazda MX-5 Cup program.
“We’re excited to welcome Chris to JTR Motorsports for the Mazda MX-5 Cup opener at Daytona,” explained Dave Thomas, Team Manager of JTR Motorsports. “He comes to us with a strong background from Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and we believe that experience will translate well to the MX-5 Cup platform. Chris is a great addition to our lineup, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do with our program.”
For Hutter, the opportunity represents both a new challenge and a chance to apply his previous experience in a new environment.
“I’m really looking forward to joining JTR Motorsports and making the jump into the Mazda MX-5 Cup series,” added Chris Hutter, who will pilot the #81 JTR Motorsports entry. “This is one of the most competitive single-make championships in North America, and I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned in the Porsche Sprint Challenge program into the Mazda. The goal is to fight for the results that JTR Motorsports deserves and make the most of this opportunity starting at Daytona.”
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway, where drivers will take on the famed high banks as part of the action-packed weekend that also features the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The season opener serves as a proving ground for teams and drivers alike as the championship battle begins.
With Hutter joining the lineup, JTR Motorsports continues to strengthen its presence for the opening round as the team prepares to compete at the front of the grid in one of North America’s premier sports car racing series.
The 2026 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season will officially begin with the first two wheel-to-wheel races of the year at Daytona International Speedway, taking place January 21–23 during the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend.
For more information on JTR Motorsports Engineering, please contact Dave Thomas via email at HERE or visit their website at www.JTRMotorsportsEngineering.com.