First to the finish: Prime Video's new series shines a spotlight on rising female stars in racing
Motorsports fans are in for a treat as First to the Finish, a brand-new docuseries chronicling the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup season, is set to premiere on Prime Video on March 25. The show offers unprecedented access to one of the most competitive one-make racing series in North America, following the journeys of two young female drivers and a female team owner as they push boundaries in the traditionally male-dominated world of racing.Produced by Boardwalk Pictures and in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, First to the Finish aims to capture the high stakes and relentless determination required to succeed in professional racing. The series follows three central figures:
Shea Holbrook – A former racing champion turned team owner, Holbrook is leading BSI Racing through its first full season in the Mazda MX-5 Cup. After stepping away from professional racing to focus on family, she returns to the paddock in a new role, proving that leadership in motorsports isn't just about speed on the track.
Heather Hadley (#54) – A rising star in her sophomore MX-5 Cup season, Hadley is balancing her pursuit of racing glory while completing her senior year at UNC-Charlotte.
Sally Mott (#15) – A rookie with an unshakable belief in her own abilities, Mott enters the 2024 season after earning a coveted spot through Mazda's MX-5 Cup Shootout. Her sole focus is on proving she belongs at the top level.
Beyond the thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles on track, First to the Finish offers an intimate look into the personal lives of these competitors, showcasing the sacrifices and triumphs that define their journeys.
Mazda has long positioned itself as a brand that embraces the underdog spirit, and First to the Finish is an extension of that philosophy. The MX-5 Cup has been a proving ground for countless drivers who have gone on to successful professional careers, and this series highlights how it continues to serve as a launchpad for fresh talent.'The Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship is widely regarded as some of the best automotive racing on the planet and predominantly features younger drivers looking to prove themselves,' said Brad Audet, Chief Marketing Officer at Mazda North American Operations and executive producer of the series.
By following the unique perspectives of these three women, First to the Finish offers a fresh take on motorsports storytelling, showcasing not only the adrenaline-pumping action but also the human side of competition.
If you got hooked on Drive to Survive for the behind-the-scenes drama or felt the emotional pull of Welcome to Wrexham, you'll want to check out First to the Finish, as takes you inside the world of up-and-coming racers fighting for their big break, and while the racing action is intense, that's just part of the story.
At its core, First to the Finish is about ambition, perseverance, and the sacrifices people make to chase their dreams. Even if you don't know a thing about motorsports, the personal stories will pull you in. It's raw, emotional, and genuinely compelling.
First to the Finish premieres exclusively on Prime Video on March 25. Whether you're a seasoned motorsports fan or simply love a compelling underdog story, this series is one to watch.
Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Mazda Drops Killer Mazda3 Sedan Lease Offer for June
You've likely heard it plenty of times by now from us and other outlets that sedans aren't as popular as they once were. Given the advent and widespread adoption of crossovers and SUVs, smaller cars like the sedan have largely been forgotten about by manufacturers. That isn't to say that the segment is completely dead, with the Mazda3 sedan being one of the ones still standing. Yes, its hatchback sibling is the more popular choice, but the sedan still has its place with those looking for old-school, four-door space. If you're one of those people, Mazda's current lease offers on the Mazda3 sedan might be for you. The lease offers for the 2025 model year Mazda3 Sedan apply to various trims, depending on where you live. Los Angeles and Denver residents can get the higher 2.5 S Select Sport trim for $353/month for 48 months with $2,999 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. Miami residents can only get the base 2.5 S trim for $339/month for 36 months, with $2,499 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. New York residents get the same base trim but with a slightly altered deal of $279/month for 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. All of the above monthly payments also include a one-time $650 acquisition fee, regardless of where you live. Potential lessees who want to save money on the upfront costs can pay $0 at signing, with some adjustments to the monthly payment. We have estimated the monthly payments by spreading the amount at signing over the lease's term. Los Angeles and Denver residents would have to drop an additional ~$62 per month for a total monthly payment of about $415. Miami residents wanting $0 down would have to pony up another ~$69 per month for a total monthly payment of ~$408. Lastly, New York Residents would see their monthly payments increase by around $122 for a total payment of ~$401. *This $0 down figure is an estimation. Official $0 down lease offers from Mazda may differ based on their specific calculations, credit approval, and potential money factor adjustments. Always obtain a quote directly from Mazda. The two trim levels that Mazda's lease offers apply to, the 2.5 S and 2.5 S Select Sport, serve as the first two in the Mazda3 Sedan's range. Both use the same 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder with VVT and Cylinder Deactivation that makes 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission with FWD. That powertrain is rated at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The 2.5 S starts at $24,150 and gets more basic features like regular air conditioning, cloth-trimmed seats, and different wheels. The 2.5 S Select Sport brings a touch of luxury to the Japanese sedan, with leatherette-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, Alexa Built-in, and 18-inch alloy wheels with a black metallic finish. Being a sedan, versatility and everyday usefulness are still key. Helping that factor is 92.8 cu. in. of passenger space and 13.2 cu. in. of cargo space in the trunk. Lease offers can vary based on location and specific vehicle configuration (trim level, options, etc.) and are subject to credit approval. Advertised payments typically exclude taxes, title, registration, and other potential fees. To take advantage of this offer or to get a precise quote based on your needs (including an official $0 down option), visit the official Mazda website here. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Amazon doco 'cathartic' for CA after Sandpapergate
The door remains ajar for another season of the hit series, The Test, that Prime Video believes was "cathartic" for Cricket Australia following Sandpapergate. Launching amid the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, The Test gave viewers a raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Australian men's cricket team's road to redemption. The previous season was released in 2024, focusing on the eventful 2023 Ashes showdown in England. Prime Video have "nothing to announce" about a potential season four, but The Test remains a much-loved program of their stable of original content. The first season was all about Australia attempting to recover from the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that rocked cricket. Justin Langer was installed as the new coach, while star batters Steve Smith and David Warner served one-year bans until returning for the 2019 ODI World Cup. Everyone remembers Ben Stokes' special Ashes innings a year ago today 💫But don't ever forget Justin Langer's bin kick + bonus clean-up 😂#TheTest — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 25, 2020 "It was almost cathartic, I think, for Cricket Australia, and we were privileged to be able to capture that within the documentary, and offer it to the public," Prime Video Sport's managing director Alex Green told AAP. "It was just one of those fortuitous moments when I think the sport (and CA), as well as we wanted to bring something that was a big change in the way cricket, and perhaps sport, generally, had been watched before." Since launching The Test, Prime Video won the rights to broadcast all ICC events into Australia until 2027. The World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, starting at Lord's on Wednesday, will be shown exclusively on Prime Video in Australia. When the deal was announced, it was a dramatic change to how viewers had experienced world cups and international tournaments. "We've faced this multiple times," Green said of the public reaction to watching sport on a service that wasn't free-to-air or traditional pay-TV. "For the very first Premier League (EPL) deal, we were then going to be the third broadcaster of Premier League in the UK. "In reality, because the reach of Amazon Prime is so vast, it's on the way to being free-to-air. "We don't see ourselves, and generally, the public don't see us as another sports subscription service, we're something much wider than that." Amazon have also been linked to the NRL, with Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V'landys currently negotiating the next broadcast deal. When the AFL's last TV contract was struck back in 2022, Prime Video were also reported as being interested in the rights. "We don't speculate on specific future rights," Prime Video's Australia and New Zealand head of content Alexandra Gilbert told AAP. "We're building that groundswell around cricket, and then NBA, so that's where we're focused now. "We're always assessing opportunities to add value for Prime members. "Absolutely we'd love to do another version of The Test, whether it's with a different sport, or something that resonates strongly, but what that is is sort of TBD (to-be-determined)." The AFL documentary, Making Their Mark, which followed some players, coaches and administrators during the COVID-affected 2020 season was also a Prime Video original. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.


Car and Driver
17 hours ago
- Car and Driver
171K Mazda 3s and CX-30s Recalled Due to Potential Airbag Fault
Mazda is recalling 171,412 cars due to an issue that may deactivate the airbags, stopping them from deploying during a crash. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall is split between 51,857 Mazda 3s and 119,555 CX-30s. Owners of affected cars will be notified and asked to bring their vehicles to a Mazda dealer to reprogram or replace the airbag sensor. Mazda issued a recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that affects 171,412 cars from the 2024 and 2025 model years. The recall is split between 51,857 Mazda 3 sedans and hatchbacks and 119,555 CX-30 crossovers. According to NHTSA, the recall is due to an issue that may deactivate the airbags, keeping them from deploying during a crash. Documents associated with the recall explain that if the battery becomes completely depleted by leaving the ignition switch in the "ON" position, the Sophisticated Airbag Sensor (SAS) unit will store an internal fault. The fault won't be stored if the battery is depleted in any other way. If the battery is recharged and the vehicle turned back on after being depleted, the airbag warning light will turn on in the instrument cluster and keep the airbags from deploying. Marc Urbano | Car and Driver According to NHTSA documents, the fix is as simple as reprogramming the existing SAS unit with improved hardware or replacing the unit with a newer one. Owners of affected models will be notified by mail and instructed to bring their vehicles to a Mazda dealer to perform the fix. Mazda isn't offering a reimbursement program for the issue, as all affected vehicles should still be under full warranty coverage. The automaker has already notified dealers of the recall, and owner notification is expected to be completed by the end of July. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio