Latest news with #FirsttotheFinish
Axios
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Meet the UNC Charlotte grad featured in new Prime Video docuseries
A UNC Charlotte grad is featured in Prime Video's " First to the Finish," a racing docuseries that premiered last week. Why it matters: Heather Hadley, driver No. 54, filmed the series while a student last year. The show follows two female drivers and a female team owner through the 2024 MX-5 Cup Championship season. Zoom in: Hadley grew up in Northern California but wanted to be around racing culture during college. "Moving to Charlotte and attending UNC Charlotte helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined," Hadley tells Axios. "It was the best thing that could have happened to my racing career." "I was able to work out at PitFit training gym (a gym for race car drivers), racing stores were suddenly an hour away vs. across the country, and I lived close to various racing shops like Penske, JR Motorsports and HMS. I even took classes at college with NASCAR drivers and sports car drivers who I still see at the track." She says she found peace on campus while competing and being a full-time student. She graduated in December. "I used to love just walking around and finding new hidden spots on campus to study. There was a time when I was taking 18 credits and my biggest stress reliever was just going on campus to study rather than at home, because you simply couldn't be upset or overwhelmed while at such a beautiful place. "I lived off campus on Lake Norman, and some of my favorite memories away from UNC Charlotte were those days in the summer spent on the lake. We would bring the dog and go to the rope swing, or just end the day by parking at a restaurant on the lake and enjoying dinner on the water. That was something I never did growing up that I came to love very much." Fun fact: The show also features Charlotte native and 2024 MX-5 Cup Championship Rookie of the Year Westin Workman.
Axios
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New movies and shows this week on Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Hulu
Here's what's new on Prime Video, Apple TV +, Hulu, Netflix and Max this week. What we're watching: A racing docuseries that follows three women during the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship, a doc about past and present Black movie stars, and a new sitcom from the creators of "Will & Grace." " First to the Finish" available now on Prime Video State of play: The docuseries follows three women who compete in the male-dominated motorsports industry. What they're saying: "I want to prove people wrong and prove that I belong," driver Heather Hadley told Axios. "Just because we're girls and like to look pretty and do our nails, we can still drive the car." 💭 Analis' thought bubble: I am interested to see what sponsorship deals these women will land as a result of this series compared to their male teammates. " Number One on the Call Sheet" available Friday on Apple TV+ Zoom in: Movie stars from Denzel Washington to Angela Bassett discuss the history of leading Black men and women in Hollywood in this two episode documentary. What they're saying: Reginald Hudlin, director of the first episode, described the progress for Black talent in Hollywood over the last 25 years. " We've had more success, a greater range of films, bigger budgets, global success ... but it doesn't mean that we're done," Hudlin tells Axios. "It doesn't mean that we've achieved all we can achieve, but it's very important to acknowledge that things are better." " Mid-Century Modern" available Friday on Hulu The intrigue: This sitcom from the creators of "Will & Grace" follows three best friends — Bunny, Jerry and Arthur — who decide to live together in Palm Springs with Bunny's mother. " Million Dollar Secret" available now on Netflix How it works: In this competition series, one of 12 players is gifted $1 million in the beginning of the game. To stay in the game, the competitor must keep their status a secret while others try to identify the millionaire to get the money for themselves. " Paul American" on Max Internet stars Jake and Logan Paul front this reality show featuring their parents and fiancées Jutta Leerdam and Nina Agdal. Available now " Bosch: Legacy" season 3 on Prime Video The final season of this police procedural is based on Michael Connelly's best-selling novels " Desert Star" and " The Black Ice." Available now " Chelsea Handler: The Feeling" on Netflix In her third comedy special with Netflix, Handler 's topics include her upbringing, unexpected encounters, adolescent business ventures and her gripes with pickleball. Available now " The Studio" on Apple TV+ This Hollywood parody series created by and starring Seth Rogen packs a star-studded cast as well as cameos, including Anthony Mackie, Charlize Theron, Dave Franco, Ice Cube, Martin Scorsese, Quinta Brunson and Zoë Kravitz. Available now " Survival of the Thickest" season 2 on Netflix Anderson .Paak, Deon Cole and Tika Sumpter are among the guest stars in this season of Michelle Buteau's romantic comedy series. Available now " Side Quest" on Apple TV+ This four-episode anthology series follows the lives of people who are affected by "Mythic Quest," the video game at the center of the show of the same name. Available now " Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn's Treasure" on Netflix This documentary follows a group of people who risked everything to search for a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels hidden in the Rocky Mountains by an 80-year-old art dealer. Available now " Holland" on Prime Video Nicole Kidman stars in this thriller about two small-town teachers who uncover secrets that threaten to unravel their picture perfect community. Available now " Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series" on Apple TV+ " Soul of a Sister" on BET+ Eric Bellinger and Veronika Bozeman star in this film that follows a singer trying to make a career comeback while battling addiction and depression. Available now " The Life List" on Netflix A mother sends her young daughter on a journey to complete her childhood bucket list in this movie based on the book of the same name by Lori Nelson Spielman. Available Friday
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
First To The Finish: Docuseries Follows 3 Women Taking On The MX-5 Cup
2025. Sally Mott #15 MX-5 Cup. Motorsports is one of the toughest sports to break into. It's expensive, demanding, and requires unwavering dedication. From the cost of racing cars, tires, and fuel to training, track access, and travel, the financial barrier is huge. On top of that, sponsorships are hard to secure, and for women, the road has been even tougher—fewer opportunities, less funding, and not enough role models have made it harder to reach the highest levels. Since 2020, Mazda Motorsports has been working to change that. Through the Mazda Women in Motorsport Initiative and scholarships, they've been actively supporting female drivers in the MX-5 Cup series and beyond. Their "Challenger Spirit" philosophy aligns perfectly with the grit and determination these women bring to the sport. Now, Mazda is taking that support a step further with First to the Finish, a new Prime Video docuseries premiering on March 25. Produced by Boardwalk Pictures and GroupM Motion Entertainment, the series follows two fierce racers, Heather Hadley (#54) and Sally Mott (#15), along with BSI Racing Team Principle Shea Holbrook, as they battle through the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship Season. Historically, women in racing have rarely been in the spotlight. We see the races, but we don't often get a deep dive into their challenges, triumphs, and relentless pursuit of success. First to the Finish offers that inside look—the passion, perseverance, and sheer hard work it takes just to get on the track. In exclusive interviews, Shea Holbrook, Heather Hadley, and Brad Little (Car Chief for Sally Mott) share their stories and insights into the series. BSI Racing Team Principle Shea Holbrook, MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: You've transitioned from racer to team owner. What inspired that shift, and how has it changed your view of the sport? Shea Holbrook: "Racing for 15 years taught me resilience, strategy, and the business side of the sport. Becoming a team owner felt like a natural next step. It's about more than just winning races—it's about leadership, financial management, and making sure our drivers have the support they need. I've had to be resourceful and think outside the box. Some see career pivots as setbacks, but I see them as changing lanes—sometimes you need to slow down to gain momentum before speeding ahead again. Looking back, I realize I always envisioned this path for myself." Q: As a woman, a mother, and a former racer, what's been the biggest challenge and the most rewarding part of team ownership? Shea Holbrook: "Early on, I was often the only woman on the grid. I looked up to women like Danica Patrick, Katherine Legge, and Sarah Fisher, who carved out space for themselves in IndyCar and NASCAR. Now, we have six female drivers in the MX-5 Cup, which is an incredible shift. Success isn't about being male or female—it's about mastering your craft. But women in motorsports still face unfair labels. I've embraced a leadership style that's both competitive and personal. I believe passion and vulnerability are strengths. At BSI Racing, we're working to create those opportunities. One of our junior drivers, Riley Hutchins, is racing with us this weekend. Seeing young women progress in this sport is exactly why this work matters." Q: What sets BSI Racing apart, and how do you approach developing your drivers? Shea Holbrook: "We don't just focus on winning—we focus on building well-rounded drivers. Our coaching and engineering teams are top-notch. We teach drivers how to analyze, adapt, and improve. Some teams only look at short-term results, but we develop talent for the long run. We also emphasize teamwork. Motorsports is often individualistic, but at BSI Racing, drivers know they're part of something bigger. Another key factor? Marketing and sponsorship activation. I've worked in nearly every area of this industry, from sponsorship negotiations to media. Knowing how to position our team for long-term success is critical. At the end of the day, we're not just a race team—we're a development hub for future champions." Heather Hadley #54. MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: How did you get started in racing? Heather Hadley: "I'm from Northern California, and I fell in love with racing at nine years old through indoor go-karting. My family had no motorsports background, but I took to it immediately. After six months of indoor karting, I had won 104 out of 107 races. That's when we realized this wasn't just a hobby—it was something we needed to take seriously. We got our first go-kart and started competing locally in California. Over five years, I won five championships." Q: What do you hope viewers take away from First to the Finish? Heather Hadley: "This is the first time my full story has been told. It dives into the struggles my family and I faced—especially during the 2008 recession—and how those challenges brought us closer. Motorsports is tough, but believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference." Sally Mott #15 and Car Cheif Brad Little. MX-5 Cup 2025. Q: How did you first get into motorsports? What sparked your passion and led you to where you are today? Brad Little: I got into racing and motorsports when I was pretty young, starting with dirt kart racing. Like most people in this sport, I reached a point where it became too expensive to continue. So, I decided to step away and focus on school. Interestingly, I didn't study motorsports—I went into CNC design and programming. But due to an unfortunate incident, I left that field and found my way back to racing. I started turning wrenches, learning how to set up cars, and understanding what makes them handle well. Once the racing bug bites you, it never really leaves. I was lucky to get an opportunity to step back into it later, and I've been here ever since. Q: What does a Car Chief do, and what's it like working with a young driver like Sally? Brad Little: "A Car Chief wears a lot of hats. The top priority is safety—making sure the car is structurally sound and race-ready. After that, it's all about performance—fine-tuning everything to help the driver get the best possible results. Working with young drivers like Sally is incredibly rewarding. Every racer has their own driving style, strengths, and areas for improvement. My job is to make sure she has the right setup, feedback, and confidence to push her limits on the track." Q: The documentary First to the Finish gives an inside look at what happens behind the scenes in racing. What do you hope audiences take away from it? Brad Little: "I really hope people see how tough it is to stay in this sport. There are incredibly talented young drivers in this sport who work 24/7 just to keep racing. First to the Finish sheds light on that struggle, and I hope it gives people a deeper appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes." True progress for women in racing is more than just visibility—it's about creating opportunities that foster lasting change. This means boosting sponsorships, developing grassroots initiatives, and utilizing tools like sim racing to make the sport more accessible. As more women join the sport and more behind-the-scenes stories come to light, we take significant steps toward a future where diversity and equality thrive in motorsports. First to the Finish offers a fresh perspective on the world of racing, focusing on BSI Team Principal Shea Holbrook, racers Heather Hadley, Sally Mott, and the BSI Racing Team. The docuseries showcases the grit and resilience required to navigate the challenges of racing in the highly competitive Mazda MX-5 Cup, while also driving progress toward greater inclusivity and broader competition in the motorsport industry.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mazda MX-5 Cup Is Getting Its Own Version of 'Drive to Survive'
Now that the documentary series Drive to Survive has become a hit for both Netflix and Formula 1, many racing series have been trying to get in on the game with their own show.s MotoGP, NASCAR, and Formula E have all taken their shot, but those categories are all at or near the top of their respective racing ladders. The latest auto racing docuseries focuses on drivers rising through the world of racing by putting the camera on a lower-level series: Mazda and IMSA's MX-5 Cup. First to the Finish is an Amazon Prime original, part of a relatively new push by Amazon to enter the world of sports streaming. The company's streaming network also has deals in place with NASCAR, the NFL, and the NBA. With this series, the brand is now dipping its toes into lower-level racing for the first time. Heather Hadley and Sally Mott, the two women who ran full time in the 2024 MX-5 Cup season, are a major focus of the show. BSi Racing owner is also heavily featured, and promotional materials also suggest that BSi drivers Westin Workman and Connor Zilisch will be featured in the show at some point. Zilisch, notably, moved from MX-5 Cup all the way to the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2024 season. After winning his first-ever Xfinity Series race, Zilisch makes his NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. First to the Finish debuts on Prime Video on March 25th. The 2025 MX-5 Cup season is already underway, and it continues at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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 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!
