A driver’s car number is part of their identity. Race control and corner workers don’t identify a car by who’s driving, but by its number. Fans watching a race might not know who was driving the car they liked, but with a car number they can go find that driver in the paddock.
Sometimes a number holds significant meaning to a driver. Other drivers may just jump around to whatever number is available that year. We asked the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires drivers why they picked their car number. Here’s what they had to say:
“I’ve always had a story behind my car numbers. This year I chose #47 because the 2020 female Mazda MX-5 Cup shootout winner, Savanna Little, took over my favorite number #63. When I’m in race mode, I chose 47 because of Agent 47 in the video game and movie Hitman: Silent Assassin. It fits well with my driving style.”
– Bryan Hixon
“My parents both used #05 when they raced. All through my karting, I used #05. However, when I moved in cars, I began using #5. #5 was simplified, cleaner looking, and more of a road racing number compared to #05, which originally was used by my family in oval racing. #5 is just my own continuation of our family number.”
– Gresham Wagner
“Number 13 is the number my dad raced with when he started racing in go- karts and it’s the number I’ve run since my first day on track.”
– Jenson Altzman
“4 is my favorite number and the one I used since my volleyball days.”
– Bryan Ortiz
“63 is the year my mom was born, she’s my number one fan in everything I do. She actually has a 2020 Corvette C8 she does track days in, and while I can never repay her for the support over the years I at least feel a little empowered to pay it forward every time I get to coach her on track.”
– Savanna Little
“08 is my dad’s number.”
– Michael Carter
“36 was the number I used back when I played hockey. I was a goalie. I left home when I was 17 to go play AAA/junior hockey in Michigan. I stopped playing after having to undergo shoulder surgery and hip surgery.”
– David Staab
“Number 32 was given to me in my first year of racing Pee Wee 50’s at Barona Motocross Park in San Diego County. I ran this number throughout my racing career whenever I could. In my Professional Pro Buggy class, I was unable to run #32, so I choose #2. Other than Pro Buggy, I have been able to keep #32. It is just who I am as a racer.”
– Chris Nunes
“33 is my lucky number.”
– Alex Bachoura
“92 is the number my grandfather ran when he was racing. My dad ran it as well, so it is very special to me and my family.”
– Loni Unser
“99 is one off of perfect. Series director Keith Dalton picked it for me when I entered the series in 2013.”
– Drake Kemper
“59 is the number that my father used and have a good meaning in racing so I love it.”
– Juan Hernandez
“My number 96 was the number my dad had and it was the year he started racing.”
– Jared Thomas
“Eye doctors are partial to the number 20, since 20/20 vision is kind of important to our patients.”
– Hernan Palermo