With the much-anticipated opening event of the Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup Challenge Presented by BF Goodrich Tires this weekend, Maryland’s Copeland Motorsports has entered four drivers in their quest for race wins and podium results. Traveling back to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Michael Carter, Tyler Gonzalez, Tyler Maxson and Bryan Ortiz will look to battle at the pointy end of the field throughout the three-day event weekend.

“I am super stoked to have these four very talented drivers to race in our program,” explained Dean Copeland. “We have rookies and race winners but I am confident that all four can win on any given day. We have gone over everything to ensure that we are 100% ready for the season and it is time to get down to business.”

Returning to the Copeland Motorsports stable for his 2019 campaign is multi-time race winner Bryan Ortiz. As one of the fastest drivers in 2018, Ortiz put Copeland Motorsports on the top step of the podium on three different occasions and should be a favorite for the overall series title this year.

Joining Ortiz is Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship winner Michael Carter. Striking a deal with Copeland Motorsports and announcing his intentions last week, Carter in one of three younger drivers that will compete out of the Copeland Motorsports camp this week and is a very promising young talent.

Tyler Gonzalez and Tyler Maxson will level up from karting to cars this week in Texas. Both drivers are multi-time race winners and champions on the national level of karting and have been honing their skills in local and regional level competition in their Mazda Miatas, scoring podium results along the way.

Copeland continued, “We have a fifth car that we are looking to fill for our next event in two weeks’ time. Whether it be a new driver that is interested in a single event, or another driver that is looking at a full season program, we are ready to serve with a fully race prepared Mazda.”

With two practice sessions on the docket for Friday, qualifying will take place on Saturday morning before wheel-to-wheel competition kicks off with the first of two races Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning will be the home for race two of the weekend as there are two chances to claim the checkers in Texas.

Follow Copeland Motorsports drivers all weekend long via live timing by visiting www.MX-5Cup.com.