The 18th Mazda Shootout once again included a scholarship for female drivers to compete in the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup season. Three up-and-coming women participated in the shootout, with Ashlyn Speed impressing the jury the most and earning a $100,000 scholarship for her chance to race in the series next year.
The Mazda Shootout, created in 2008, provides emerging drivers the chance to compete in a full season of the Mazda MX-5 Cup, one of America’s most competitive racing series, known for equal cars and intense battles, often culminating in photo finishes.
In addition to the top prize, a runner-up and a women’s scholarship are awarded, ensuring at least one woman is among the winners. Out of 31 nominees, 12 finalists were chosen this year, including three female contenders: Ashlyn Speed, Camryn Reed, and Stephanie Anderson.
The women’s initiative, first awarded to Savannah Little in 2021, has seen recipients like Laura Hayes, Heather Headley, and Sally Mott make significant progress during their MX-5 Cup seasons in the following years. All of them made impressive steps forward during their racing seasons in the MX5 Cup and their racing career since then.
Here are this year’s female scholarship competitors:
Ashlyn Speed
Texan racer Ashlyn Speed, unrelated to Scott Speed, started in karting and recently transitioned to car racing when given a chance to drive a Miata. She won the SCCA Southern Conference Championship in 2023 and aimed to compete in F1600 this season, but funding constraints held her back.
“The opportunity to race with MX-5 Cup and the scholarship would be a huge benefit for me", she said. "I know funding is almost every racer’s barrier and it really sucks, but the scholarship would allow me to race next year in MX-5 Cup and I think it would help my career in general.”
Stephanie Anderson
At 43, Anderson, who began racing Spec Miatas in 2009, is the Mazda Shootout’s oldest participant. She’s a regional champion with a strong record, including a fifth-place finish in the Hoosier Super Tour this season, along with two podiums.
“I definitely stand out! I think there’s pros and cons to it (being the oldest)", she commented. "I think I have more racing experience, in terms of door-to-door scenarios. I have many years of experience, but at the end of the day I’m an adult and in my mind there’s still all these responsibilities when I leave the track."
"I think the younger drivers have the advantage of focusing on driving. It’s awesome that Mazda is not just focusing on the younger drivers. It’s super cool that I’m 43 and in the competition.”
Camryn Reed
Reed, a successful kart racer, has represented Team USA in the T4 Nations Cup for four years. She debuted in a Miata this season, winning the STL class at an SCCA weekend at Daytona.
“This is a wonderful opportunity that will allow me to learn from others", Reed said.
"The MX-5 Cup series is so prestigious and has led to so many great drivers so to have the chance to race with greats allows me to be great. I think the challenge is really just staying focused, completing my tests and performing the best I can do.”
Following two days of evaluations at Homestead Miami Speedway, three drivers received scholarships for the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup, presented by BFGoodrich Tires, and three drivers were selected for the factory team in the Spec MX-5 Challenge, presented by Toyo Tires.
The jury added a third factory driver, with Joey Andrews, Vinnie Meskelis, and Emy Kissick joining the supported team to invest in future talent. Noah Harmon won the champion scholarship of $150,000 to compete in next year’s MX-5 Cup, while Helio Meza took the $100,000 runner-up prize.
Ashlyn Speed will succeed Sally Mott as the latest recipient of the Women Scholarship.
Speed was also selected as the brand ambassador for the series title sponsor, Whelen Engineering, becoming the first female to do so.
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup season kicks off January 22-24 at Daytona International Raceway, with six more events to follow, promising some of the world’s closest racing.
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