Registration for NASA’s Teen Mazda Challenge is now open and will remain open for new and returning drivers through May 1. As in years past, the TMC season runs from March through December. All March points will be tallied regardless of when a driver registered.
2025 marked a banner season, with changes and improvements to the Teen Mazda Challenge program. Those changes made it more competitive, more lucrative in terms of contingencies, and a better training ground for young drivers seeking a career in motorsports.
If you are not familiar with the new structure, here’s how it works. TMC is now a “designation” for drivers competing in a region in TMC in Spec Miata. TMC drivers will compete against all other Spec Miata drivers in a given region, and any other TMC competitors in that region as one class. TMC season points in a given region will be calculated as part of the regular regional SM season points.
In addition, there is now a TMC national points championship calculated from TMC drivers in all NASA regions nationwide, with contingencies and/or scholarships for the top three finishing TMC drivers nationwide. Drivers are not permitted to travel to another region to pick up some extra points.
TMC drivers competing in the 2026 NASA Championships will get a full podium of their own. The old program in which the top-finishing TMC driver earned the $5,000 Champion’s Award will now be divided among first- through third-place TMC drivers. Prizes are paid regardless of overall finishing position at the 2026 NASA Championships. Here’s how it breaks down: first places wins $2,500; second place wins $1,500, and third place wins $1,000.
“It took some extra time to create and launch the new registration page, so we got a bit of a late start to opening registration,” said Teen Mazda Challenge director Brett Becker. “We will leave registration open until May 1 to accommodate as many drivers as possible. That lets drivers in all NASA regions sign up at the same time so they can focus on the TMC racing season, which begins March 1.
“Spec Miata is such a great series for young drivers to showcase their skills and talent,” he added. “This year we are hoping to see Teen Mazda Challenge attract even more young drivers to make the field larger and more competitive than ever.”
