Meet Justin
Adakonis
Growing up in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Justin Adakonis discovered motorsport through karting at an early age — and it quickly became clear he had something special. What started as a regional pastime turned into a relentless pursuit of excellence, with Justin competing at the highest levels of North American karting throughout his junior career.
Justin's karting career saw him rise through the ranks with remarkable consistency. He claimed back-to-back New York State Karting Championships in 2020 and 2021, establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the region. At the 2021 SKUSA SuperNationals — the most prestigious karting event in North America — Justin put his car on pole position in the X30 Junior class, competing against the best junior drivers on the continent. The following year, he stepped up to X30 Pro and finished as Vice National Champion in just his first full season at that level.
In 2023, Justin earned a spot as a finalist in the Mazda Spec MX-5 Shootout, a highly competitive driver search that serves as a direct pathway into professional racing. That opportunity opened the door to car racing, and Justin made the most of it — winning the Spec MX-5 Series championship in his very first year of car racing in 2024. It was an emphatic statement: Justin Adakonis could win at any level he was placed in.
Now competing full-time in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup — one of IMSA's premier support series, running alongside IndyCar and the IMSA WeatherTech Championship at world-class venues across North America — Justin is proving that his rapid rise was no accident. Racing the No. 23 for McCumbee McAleer Racing, he brings the work ethic of a champion and the hunger of a driver with a great deal more to prove.
Away from the track, Justin balances his professional racing career with studies at UNC Charlotte, and shares his experience with the next generation of drivers through his coaching work in both karting and car racing.
