From Autobahn to the IMSA Ranks: Eli Dysart Makes His Global MX-5 Cup Debut This Weekend in Indianapolis.
Autobahn Country Club member and homegrown racing talent Elias “Eli” Dysart, 18, will make his IMSA racing debut this weekend, competing in the No. 15 Global MX-5 Cup car at the Tire Rack.com Battle on the Bricks, September 18–20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — his first race at the professional level.
Eli will pilot for McCumbee McAleer Racing (MMR), a championship-winning MX-5 Cup team based in Supply, North Carolina, founded in 2014 by veteran racers Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer. MMR enters the weekend fresh off a 2025 Global MX-5 Cup championship and has fielded winning cars in the series every year since 2015.
Eli will share the paddock this weekend with his Autobahn garage mate Ethan Tyler, who races for BSI Racing — two Autobahn-raised drivers taking the track together on the national stage.
Race Weekend Schedule (all times Eastern)
Friday, Sept. 18 — 5:15 pm: Qualifying
Saturday, Sept. 19 — 9:40 am: Race #1 (45 minutes)
Sunday, Sept. 20 — 10:15 am: Race #2 (45 minutes)
Both races will stream live on the IMSA YouTube channel.
From the Club Karting Track to the Pro Grid
Eli’s path to this weekend runs directly through Autobahn Country Club. He began karting at Autobahn in June 2023 and moved into Spec Miata competition in August 2024, quickly becoming one of the most decorated young drivers to come through the club’s Driver Academy:
- 2025 Spec Miata (SM2) Club Champion
- 2024 Spec Miata (SM2) — podium finish in his debut race, three podiums in his rookie season
- Autobahn Young Driver Award (October 2025)
- 1st Place, Ready to Race, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (December 2025) — invited by former F1 driver and Dream Racing Motorsport team owner Enrico Bertaggia to test a Lamborghini Huracan GT3, finishing the weekend with a commanding win
This season Eli has already carried that momentum beyond Autobahn’s gates, racing SCCA Spec Miata events at Daytona International Speedway, Thompson Speedway, Summit Point Motorsports Park and Palmer Motorsports Park. This weekend’s Global MX-5 Cup start at Indianapolis is his first race at the professional tier.
Thank You, Autobahn
None of this happens without the coaching, track time, and community at Autobahn Country Club. Eli and his family want to extend special thanks to:
Ben Hasbrouck, instructor, for the coaching that shaped Eli as a driver
Mike Gritter, Director of Racing, for the guidance and opportunities that helped launch Eli’s career
The whole club is invited to follow along and cheer Eli on this weekend as he takes the green flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Follow Eli’s racing journey: erdapex.com
@eli.dysart on Instagram
