Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: IMSA

International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) news and information

Era Motorsport Earns Podium Success at IMSA Debut in Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (January 27, 2020) – Era Motorsport, the little sports car team that could, raised eyebrows this weekend at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The premier sports car racing series in North America began its 2020 season with the 24 hour long endurance race, and newly formed team Era Motorsport not only persevered, but put on an impressive performance to secure a third place finish in the No. 18 Oreca 07 in the LMP2 prototype class.

Team Owner Kyle Tilley oversaw the expansion of his vintage and historic racing team to include a full season program in the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. Kyle, the first driver of the team, was joined by drivers Dwight Merriman, Nic Minassian, and Ryan Lewis, and the team’s Rolex 24 At Daytona program began less than two months before the big race. Racing against programs with vastly more experience in sports car racing, Era’s sports car efforts came together in record time, to not only run error-free during the race, but also clock in competitive lap times to come close to the more seasoned teams.

The team qualified fifth in the LMP2 class for Saturday’s green flag at Daytona International Raceway, but a last minute change in the starting tire set moved the team to the back of the DPi and LMP2 prototype fields to start in 13th. Despite the early setback, the team focused forward, determined to execute a strong first event.

With each stint, pit stop, and strategy call, the team worked faultlessly, focusing on finishing the race with a clean car, and an effort that reflected the character of the men and women that formed the new team. The weather stayed clear for the race, despite chilly temperatures late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Unlike many of their competitors, the team finished the 24 hour long endurance race without a scratch on the car, proud in the strong effort everyone put forth.

The Indianapolis, Indiana based team has several weeks of down time before competing in the second round of the 2020 championship, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway, March 18-21. Also an endurance event requiring multiple drivers sharing a sports car over the course of many hours, the event is known to sports car fans all over the world as a challenging, iconic event. For full event information, visit imsa.com.

Driver Quotes

Kyle Tilley
I’m speechless. Everybody did such a great job, Dwight Merriman especially. We knew it was achievable to come away with a podium, but to actually do it is so special; I can’t even put it into words! I’m thrilled for everybody involved. To come away from nothing to a podium in the Rolex 24 at Daytona speaks volumes about the level of our staff and their commitment to the program. It wasn’t a Rolex, but we’ll be back!

Dwight Merriman
I was so impressed with everything the team did and how quickly they put it all together. The whole run was mistake free, and all in the very short timeline we were on. It was awesome.

Nic Minassian
Two months ago, Era Motorsport didn’t even have a car, let alone a team. I think that’s what we see as a victory today, because everything really had to speed up a lot with the first shakedown of the car in December. To ship everything here, put the team together, and perform so well is a massive credit to Kyle and his crew. My hat’s off to them. Without the team or a car you are worth nothing. I am very proud to have been part of this new era of Era Motorsport and I really enjoyed myself. Big congratulations to Dwight, because it is a big thing and to come here and do what he did with the amount of experience he previously had over his belt. It’s very physical and he did fantastic, and didn’t make any mistakes. Without him we wouldn’t be here. The mechanics prepared the car and it was faultless all race. There were no missed pit stops or procedures. All we did was put in fuel, tires, and drivers. We finished a few laps behind the leaders, but it’s like a win. I’m very proud and very happy.

Ryan Lewis
Wow, what an incredible experience. Where we finished today is because of the level of preparation that everyone at Era Motorsport put in in the months preceding this. The fact that everything came together so quickly, all us drivers had to do was drive. We didn’t have to worry about anything else. It was always going to be a good result.

January 27, 2020
NTe Sport by M1 Makes IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Debut at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (January 22, 2019) – As the new Michelin Pilot Challenge begins this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, NTe Sport by M1 is ready for their IMSA debut with Sheena Monk and Corey Lewis, in this weekend’s BMW Endurance Challenge. The pair will race full season in their new No. 3 McLaren 570S GT4.

The team came together quickly from M1 Racing over the winter, led by motorsports veteran Paul Mata.

“It’s always a challenge to have a new car and team, but I’m so proud of how everyone has pulled together to get us here,” said Mata. “We’ve got a great group and although we’ve got a lot of shakedown to do in a limited time, we’ve got the right crew and drivers to make it happen.”

While new to racing, Sheena Monk has quickly made a name for herself in North American Sports Car Racing. After completing the Lamborghini Corso Pilota school in September 2017, and earned her first-ever podium later that year at the World Finals in Imola, Italy when she completed her first round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Series. In 2018, Sheena was scheduled for a full season of Lamborghini Super Trofeo in the LB Cup category and secured a class win at VIRginia International Raceway before the season was prematurely cut short from an accident at Laguna Seca Raceway. She returned to competition in 2019, and earned a fifth place overall finish at the Super Trofeo World Finals in Jerez, Spain.

“This season is about taking the next step on the motorsports ladder for me and learning better race craft,” said Monk. “My goal is to race GTD eventually, so the Michelin Pilot Challenge felt like a proper transition to developing myself further as a driver. Our program with NTE Racing and the McLaren 570S GT4 came together in a short period, but we are ready for the challenges of Daytona. I’m excited to work with Corey and the rest of the team to learn from their experience as we take on this extremely competitive field.”

Though Monk and Mata have known each other for less than a month, Mata feels confident in Monk’s capabilities for the 2020 season.

“I look forward to working with Sheena Monk, who I had never met till a week ago,” said Mata. “She has had great results in Super Trofeo, and she and I have a great way of communicating with each other, which is important for helping her to develop as a driver. We hope to bring Corey’s championship and race winning experience to Michelin Pilot Championship, and getting on the top step with Sheena!”

No stranger to the IMSA paddock from his experience in the Super Trofeo and WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, the knowledge and experience Corey Lewis will bring to the team will be invaluable during these opening months. Mata and Lewis first crossed paths when Lewis was 15 years old and Mata was managing a Pro Mazda team. Mata convinced the team owner to let the young racer help develop the car, and Lewis has gone on to build a lengthy resume in sports car racing.

“I’m very excited to take part in Michelin Pilot Challenge with NTE Racing and Sheena Monk in our McLaren GT4,” said Lewis. “First and foremost I’m extremely thankful to be a part of this program! To be reunited with Team Owner Paul Mata is great, Sheena and I will have the right formula to be a contender at Daytona! Sheena and I have raced against each other in past years so it’ll be great to be paired up with her to contest for the top step at Daytona!”

“It’s great to be able to work with Corey again,” said Mata. “He’s an impressive driver on and off the track and such an asset to our new team. I’m excited to see what we can all accomplish together for 2020.”

The first practice of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge’s BMW Endurance Challenge began on Thursday, January 22. IMSA Radio will have live coverage of all sessions, and a full event schedule can be found on imsa.com. The first race of the year will take the green flag on Friday, January 24 at 1:10PM. Monk and Lewis will split the driving duties of the four hour race, competing against 32 other cars in the GS class, and 50 other cars total. The race can be streamed live in its entirety via TrackPass, with no cable subscription required. For all series and event information, visit imsa.com.

January 23, 2020
Deegan To Make Official Ford Debut In Mustang GT4 Featuring Throwback Paint Scheme Honoring Lyn St. James’ Breakout 1985 IMSA Campaign
- Deegan will pair with fellow Ford Performance Development Driver Chase Briscoe in four-hour IMSA sports car race at Daytona International Speedway
- Paint scheme is throwback to Lyn St. James’ 1985 Roush Racing IMSA GTO Mustang
- St. James, a pioneer for women in racing, captured six IMSA sports car wins with Ford, including two Rolex 24 at Daytona class victories
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 17, 2020 – When Hailie Deegan makes her official Ford Performance competition debut next week in the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge race at Daytona International Speedway, she’ll be doing it in a throwback paint scheme of a Ford IMSA star that helped pave the way for women in racing.

Ford Performance unveiled the paint scheme today for the No. 22 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 that will be driven by Deegan and co-driver Chase Briscoe in the four-hour event Friday, Jan. 24. The red, white and blue paint scheme is a modern throwback to the Roush Racing Mustang IMSA GTO car driven by Lyn St. James in her breakout season of 1985, when she captured three victories, including the first IMSA GT win by a woman driving solo.

“We’re certainly excited to have Hailie officially kick off her competition career with Ford,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. “She had a great test a couple weeks ago and the pairing with Chase is ideal since he was in her shoes as a sports car rookie just a couple of years back and the experience has made him a more complete racer.

“To have the two of them in a Mustang GT4 with a Lyn St. James throwback scheme is very appropriate. Lyn was a pioneer for women in racing, a winner on the track and a great Ford spokesperson for many years, so this is a bit of a tribute to her and her contributions to our Ford sports car programs in the past.”

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of this Mustang,” said Deegan. “My anticipation and excitement level was already sky high, making my debut for Ford in my first ever road race in IMSA, but now we add this cool throwback scheme honoring the only woman to win a major IMSA race solo and it is just that much cooler. I have a ton of respect and admiration for what Lyn St. James did to pave the road for racers like me. It will be really cool to drive a car inspired by her 1985 IMSA GTO Ford Mustang.”

“I think it is a really cool way that Ford Performance has chosen to honor its racing legacy,” said Chase Briscoe. “There have been a series of throwback schemes in different racing series by Ford and I just love the look of this one and the way it ties into Hailie being in the car with me and the success that Lyn had in this series with Mustang. I am excited to be a part of it.”

“I’m delighted that Ford is doing this throwback scheme,” said St. James. “The whole goal of every race driver is to win races, and going into that 1985 season I was on the cusp of winning, and to get my first three IMSA wins that year really meant so much to me because they say that once you win once, the others follow, and that was true for me.

“I am certain Hailie and Chase felt the same way after winning their first stock car races. You just want to win more. Sports car racing may be different than what they normally do, but the mindset is the same. I am excited to see them race and get to the winner’s circle.”

St. James captured six IMSA GTO wins in her career, all with Ford, including two GTO class wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. She also competed in Indy car, including seven starts at the Indianapolis 500. She was a consumer advisor for Ford Motor Company from 1981-96, and has been a tireless ambassador for women in sports, especially auto racing.

The four-hour, multiclass MICHELIN Pilot Challenge race at Daytona starts at 1:00 pm ET on Friday, January 24. The event can be viewed in its entirety via live streaming – TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold domestically and at IMSA.tv globally.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 191,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

About Multimatic
Multimatic is a privately held, global enterprise supplying engineered components, systems and services to the automotive industry. Multimatic’s core competencies include the engineering and manufacturing of complex mechanisms, body hardware, suspension systems and body structures, as well as the design and development of lightweight composite automotive systems. In addition, Multimatic delivers niche vehicle design, development and production for road and race applications. Headquartered just north of Toronto, Canada, Multimatic has manufacturing divisions and engineering facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, alliance relationships with partners around the world and a championship-winning race team. For further information, please visit www.multimatic.com.
January 17, 2020
Misahara Jewelry Joins Mustang Sampling Racing as an Associate Sponsor for the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi -V.R in the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

HOUSTON, January 7, 2020 (Newswire.com) -Misahara Jewelry, recognized and admired for its superior craftsmanship, cutting-edge design and dedicated clientele, handcrafted in New York, will be an associate sponsor for the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-VR in the 2020 IMSA WeaterhTech SportsCar Championship. Misahara is a fine jewelry house that pays tribute to the warm, shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea, the golden sand of the Sahara Desert as well as other mesmerizing destinations in the world that inspire its designer.

Joining the racing circuit as a sponsor is not a new marketing endeavor for Misahara Jewelry. Misahara began their love affair with racing in 2016 and has enjoyed success as the exclusive jewelry partner of the Ferrari Challenge in North America. Owner and Designer, Lepa Galeb-Roskopp, has embodied the essence of racing within her Collections as seen in stunning pieces for men and women including the Spinning Wheels cufflinks, the Rolling Onyx cufflinks and the Monaco GP cufflinks and ring all inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix.

Misahara’s synergy with sports racing has led them to expand their marketing strategy to include Mustang Sampling Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportCar Series. Mustang Sampling Racing has enjoyed enormous success in IMSA, having won the WeatherTech SportsCar Team and Driver Championships in 2015, the Michelin Endurance Cup in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2018. This combination has created a natural fit for Misahara and Mustang Sampling Racing.

Lepa Galeb-Roskopp commented, “I have always loved adrenaline sports and over the past few years Misahara’s partnership with Ferrari has really connected me to the racing world. We are passionate about sports car racing and thrilled to be part of Mustang Sampling/JDC incredibly talented line up that gives us a shot at an overall win in the IMSA series, especially the 24 Hours at Daytona.”

“We are honored to have Misahara Jewelry join Mustang Sampling Racing and grateful for their confidence in this new joint venture,” commented Ken Thompson, CEO of Mustang Sampling. “This is an exciting time for Mustang Sampling racing as we enter into a new era with some extraordinary sponsors for the 2020 race season.”

Mustang Sampling Racing began a new Partnership with JDC-Miller MotorSports to field the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R for the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SprotsCar Championship. This new partnership brings with it Christian Fittipaldi as Mustang Sampling Racing Director to help ensure continued success. The full-season driver lineup includes two-time series champion Joao Barbosa and four-time Champ Car champion Sébastien Bourdais. Loïc Duval, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, will complete the line-up for the endurance rounds.

About Misahara
Misahara is a fine jewelry house that pays tribute to the warm shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea, the golden sand of the Sahara Desert as well as other mesmerizing destinations in the world that its designer, Lepa Galeb-Roskopp is inspired by. Misahara creations are handcrafted in New York by experienced ateliers who have worked with some of the world’s most prestigious jewelry houses. The collections evoke the feeling of exquisite luxury, channeling a modern flare of fine jewelry marked by unique handcraftsmanship and the finest quality gemstones. Behind each and every piece lies a significant source of inspiration and a unique story inspired by the pristine elements of nature, as well as Misahara’s core belief in the fusion of cultures, ideas and philosophies. Misahara.com

About Mustang Sampling
Mustang Sampling, LLC is the innovator of Analytically Accurate® solutions within sample conditioning systems. We provide custom solutions of products and services globally to the Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industries. Mustang Sampling continues to pioneer integrated control systems, allowing our customers to maintain phase stability from sample extraction at the pipeline through sample analysis. Our products are continuously improved and subjected to the highest quality standards which provides our customers with the best sample conditioning solutions. www.MustangSampling.com

January 7, 2020
Gear Racing / Grasser Announce Full Driver Line-Up for 2020 IMSA GTD Season

Bia Figueiredo and Tatiana Calderon set to co-drive No. 19 Lamborghini with Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen.

NEW YORK, December 10, 2019 (Newswire.com) -Bia Figueiredo, known as Bia in the world of racing, and Tatiana Calderon will join Katherine Legge and Christina Nielsen as part of the all-female GEAR Racing team on board the No. 19 Lamborghini in 2020. GEAR Racing and Grasser Racing Team recently joined forces to field the No. 19 car for the entire IMSA WeatherTech Championship season.

Bia will drive with Legge and Nielsen for the Michelin Endurance Cup races at Daytona, Sebring, and the Petit Le Mans, while Calderon will be the fourth GEAR Racing driver for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. All four drivers will be at the ROAR Jan. 3-5 as well.

“I’m very excited to join GEAR Racing and this driver line-up! The Rolex 24 is one of the most exciting and challenging races in the world. I’m looking forward to being part of it. Coming back to America where I started my international career is quite special. I can’t wait to drive on the famous Daytona banking for the first time!,” says Calderon.

Bia states, “I couldn’t be more excited to be back at IMSA for 2020 with such a great team! In 2019, I had the opportunity to race with Katherine and Christina which was an incredible experience. I am honored to be part of GEAR Racing and I’m confident we will achieve great results. I can’t wait to drive the No. 19 GRT prepared Lamborghini at ROAR with the girls! We really have a great shot of wining in 2020. I’m also extremely happy that Tatiana is joining us, as I consider her to be a talented young woman and it’s great to have another Latina on the team. I am counting down the days to meet up with Katherine, Christina and Tatiana, and kick off the new season with success!”

The all-female driver lineup will pilot a brand-new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO prepared by GRT. GRT is coming off back-to-back Rolex 24 wins, and a victory at Sebring last year. 2020 marks the first full IMSA season for GEAR and GRT. Gottfried Grasser of GRT says, “I’m excited with our drivers for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Our team arrived at the shop in Florida last week and has been preparing the car for the girls. I think with the added experience, speed, and professionalism of Tatiana and Bia we have the right package for success.”

Giorgio Sanna, Global Head of Motorsports for Lamborghini states, “I’m really happy to welcome Bia and Tatiana into Lamborghini’s first all-female line up. They’re both hugely experienced drivers and of course, fast, undoubtedly an added value for the GRT Grasser Racing Team, and we are looking forward to supporting them in this new and exciting challenge.”

December 10, 2019
The 10-hour IMSA WeatherTech Championship finale showdown on Saturday

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the annual 10-hour Petit Le Mans will be held on Saturday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to wrap up the 2019 season.

Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Marcel Fässler will look to finish one spot better than 2018 driving the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. Get yourself on spot better at real online slot games.

Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller are back for this year’s Petit Le Mans as Corvette Racing seeks its first victory at Road Atlanta since 2010. Garcia and Magnussen, two-time and defending GT Le Mans (GTLM) champions currently sit third in this year’s points chase with an outside chance a third straight title. Catch your title at cash casino games and at allcasinoscanada.com.

“I really want to win Petit Le Mans. Corvette Racing has always been strong at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in past years but we have just missed out on wins there. It’s been very, very close. The championship is very unlikely so we can go all-out for a win.” Garcia said.
“I’ve made every start at Petit Le Mans since 1999, so this race has a special meaning to me. The event is great, the fans are great and the track is great. In many ways it’s the most demanding race we do.” Magnussen said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Corvette again for this race. We were so close at Le Mans and I feel like a win here would take away some of that sting.” Rockenfeller said.

This will also be the final Race for Corvette C7.R. As revealed last week, the team will field the mid-engine Corvette C8.R in 2020 starting with the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Co-drivers Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor in the No. 912 Porsche hold a 12-point lead over teammates Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy in the No. 911 Porsche. The German marque also has a 19-point edge over Ford in the manufacturer chase. All the Porsches need do is leave the starting grid for the 10-hour race to secure the GTLM driver, team and manufacturer championships.

Television coverage of the Motul Petit Le Mans begins on the NBC Network at noon ET Saturday, Oct. 12. The broadcast shifts exclusively to the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com from 3-5:30 p.m. ET. NBCSN takes over the broadcast from that point until its dramatic conclusion on Saturday night. The NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com also will have live flag-to-flag coverage.

IMSA Radio will have live coverage throughout the race week on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com, with a live race broadcast airing on SiriusXM Radio.

Tickets for the race are available at RoadAtlanta.com.

2019 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – GTLM Standings (After 10 of 11 Events)
Driver Standings (Top-10)
1. Earl Bamber/Laurens Vanthoor – 304
2. Nick Tandy/Patrick Pilet – 292
3. Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 289
4. Dirk Mueller – 283
5. Richard Westbrook/Ryan Briscoe – 281
6. Connor De Phillippi – 263
7. John Edwards/Jesse Krohn – 257
8. Oliver Gavin – 251
9. Joey Hand – 231
10. Tom Blomqvist – 228

There are three additional racing series also competing for their championships at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta this weekend. The Factory 120 featuring the Michelin Pilot Challenge, the IMSA Prototype Challenge and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama are also being held.

October 8, 2019
Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes compete in IMSA IMPC race

In hopes of getting some extra track time in preparation for the Chevrolet Silverado 250 Truck Series race in August, ThorSport Racing drivers took to the track by competing in an IMSA IMPC race this past weekend at Bowmanville.

Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes had a couple of practice sessions on Friday, July 5. After the practice session, the teammates placed 17th overall and 16th in the GS Class.

Similar to the Truck Series, it was mostly a one day show with qualifying and the race taking place Saturday afternoon. Rhodes qualified the No. 15 Motorcraft Quality Parts Ford Mustang in the third position.

When the race started, Rhodes and Enfinger were splitting the driver duties and at one point, Rhodes took the lead. Unfortunately, things went downhill for the teammates as Enfinger finished the final stint and wound up 13th. But even with the unfortunate finish, the ThorSport drivers were able to learn something for next month’s race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

Enfinger had this to say on Twitter, “Had a great time @CTMPOfficial with @Multimatic and @FordPerformance,” Enfinger said. “Learned a ton to help us when we come back here. @benrhodes did great on the first stint. I lost track position twice then made it back to finish P13. Now to continue the 10 day road trip with the wife.”

Rhodes even had a few notes that he posted on Twitter as well.

In response to Enfinger, Rhodes said, “You did good coming back from that penalty!’ #GoodJobTeammate.

“Man, I really enjoyed it,” Rhodes added on Twitter. This was a huge learning experience for me. You and Tyler (Mcquarrie, IMSA IMPC driver) are super talented and strong competitors. I wish you both the best of luck in the rest of the season! Maybe one day I can rub doors with you guys in the @NASCAR_Trucks!”

Race day here @ctmpofficial! @benrhodes will qualify and run the first stint, then I’ll finish the race this afternoon. Thanks for the opportunity @fordperformance @Multimatic pic.twitter.com/LhrZQEGU9u—Grant Enfinger (@GrantEnfinger) July 6, 2019

Our #FordMustang is fast! Qualified P3 for today’s race. Had pole speed but got held up on both fast laps? Make sure to tune in!#MustangNeedsRoomToGallop ?? pic.twitter.com/r9vSkX96lp— Ben Rhodes (@benrhodes) July 6, 2019

The Chevy Silverado 250 for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series will take place on Sunday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET. It will be the second race in the Truck Series Playoffs.

July 8, 2019
Ford Performance Teaming Up Young NASCAR Stars, Veteran Racer for IMSA Continental Tire Opener at Daytona
- Ford Performance NASCAR drivers Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, Cole Custer and Ty Majeski will be competing in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge on Jan. 26 at Daytona International Speedway.
- Champion sports car driver Scott Maxwell, who won the Continental series title with co-driver Billy Johnson in 2016, will serve as mentor to all four drivers and compete in the event.
- Driver pairings for the event will be announced at a later date.
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 14, 2017 – Ford Performance is in the midst of a NASCAR youth movement and when the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge kicks off in Daytona on Jan. 26, four of its NASCAR drivers will be on full display.

Ford Performance Development Driver Chase Briscoe, along with Austin Cindric, Cole Custer and Ty Majeski will be mentored and joined on track by IMSA champion driver Scott Maxwell as part of a two-car Mustang GT4 team in the GS class that weekend.

“We have an outstanding group of young drivers coming up and we feel putting them in this kind of environment with Scott Maxwell will benefit them for the rest of their careers,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “You have to be good on all types of tracks to compete for a NASCAR championship and this will give each of them valuable road course experience in our exciting Mustang GT4 with Multimatic Motorsports.”

Briscoe, 23, was announced as the first driver of Ford Performance’s Driver Development Program last year and he’s coming off a season that saw him take home his share of honors in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  He won the Sunoco Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver awards after qualifying for the series Playoffs and winning the Ford 200 season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Cindric, 19, was a teammate of Briscoe’s at Brad Keselowski Racing in 2017 and won his first major NASCAR race in September at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.  That helped him qualify for the inaugural NCWTS Playoffs, where he advanced to the Championship 4 at Ford Championship Weekend and finished third.  Cindric has road racing experience, including a successful run in Multimatic Motorsport’s Ford Shelby GT350R-C program.

Custer, 19, enjoyed a standout rookie season in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for the newly-formed team at Stewart-Haas Racing.  He had a solid Playoff run that saw him advance to the Round of 8 and win his first series race in the season-ending Ford 300.

Majeski, 23 and a former three-time ARCA Midwest Tour champion, made his debut with Roush Fenway Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2017 and competed three times.  He qualified in the Top 10 for each event and finished the year on a high note with a 10^th-place run in Homestead.

It was recently announced that Briscoe, Cindric and Majeski will share the full-time No. 60 Roush Fenway-prepared Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY series in 2018, in collaboration with Team Penske and Ford Performance.

All four drivers will benefit from the expertise of Maxwell, whose credentials include the 2016 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge GS championship in 2016 with co-driver Billy Johnson and victories at some of the sport’s marquee venues, such as Sebring, Daytona and Le Mans.

Driver pairings for the four-hour endurance event will be announced at a later date.  All five drivers will participate in a three-day test session at Daytona International Speedway, beginning Jan. 5.

COLE CUSTER – “I’m really excited about this opportunity.  I’ve never done any endurance racing, but I’m looking forward to having some fun and learning what it’s all about.  This is obviously a big race and great way to start the season.  Being able to race with the other guys is going to be a lot of fun as well because we’re all pretty much the same age and have a lot in common.  I never thought I would get the chance to do something like this, but road course racing has really grown on me.  I think it’s fun to learn the different sides of things and this is going to be a chance for me to learn as a driver and make myself better.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC – “For me with my background some of my biggest moments in the early part of my career have been with Multimatic racing Mustangs in the Continental Tire Series, so for me I’m coming home.  I come from a different background than the other guys and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun, learn a few things and hopefully bring home some hardware because I know those Mustangs are pretty strong around Daytona.  Scott and I have become really good friends and he’s been a big help to me in my career and I look forward to being teammates with him again and having a little fun throughout the weekend.”

CHASE BRISCOE – “This is something I certainly never thought I would get an opportunity to do, but I’m super-excited for it.  This will be something new and I’m going to do a lot of it this year, so I think it’s going to be a good learning curve.  I’ve only run two road courses my entire life and even though we ran decent, I didn’t feel like I ever knew what I was doing.  Hopefully, I can get to the point by the end of this year where I know what I’m doing on a road course.  Even though I’ll be driving two different kind of race cars, the principals of how you drive and the technique it takes will be something I can learn.  I’m also looking forward to having a teammate and competing in an event where both of you have an impact on how well you run.”

TY MAJESKI – “I have virtually no road course experience at all.  I’ve been on one road course my entire life and that was this past summer when I was sent out to the Ford Performance Driving School in Utah.  Outside of that I have not been on a road course, so this will be great for me to get some experience and be around people who know a lot about it.  I’m looking forward to working with Chase, Austin and Cole as well.  They’re good guys and I’m excited for the opportunity Ford has put in front of us.  It will be a learning experience, but it will be a lot of fun working with those guys and learning together.”

SCOTT MAXWELL – “The Ford Mustang GT4 has been a great project from the start, and I’m glad to get back in the seat in Daytona.  It’s just a fun car to drive. I’m happy to work with the young NASCAR drivers Ford has signed up, too, to help these drivers get acclimated.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 203,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
December 14, 2017
IMSA: Michael Lira Joins Muehlner Motorsports America For The Rolex 24 At Daytona

(Port Orange, FL) Muehlner Motorsports America has added 17 year-old Port Orange, FL driver Michael Lira to its Porsche 911 GT America driver line-up for the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Michael will have plenty of recent track time on the 3.56 mile Daytona road course prior to race day. He participated in the Roar Before The Rolex 24 less than two weeks ago, and he will race in a Ford Mustang in the 2.5 hour BMW Performance 200 the day before the 24.

An ARCA Racing Series regular, Lira picked up additional track time on the Daytona 2.5 mile stock car circuit in last week’s ARCA Racing Series open test.

“It’s like a dream come true, it hasn’t really set in yet,” Michael said. “I’ve been watching this race since I was a baby. I spent many years watching my dad race sportscars, so to be doing this race is unbelievable. The best drivers in the world have competed in this race for more than 50 years. It is by far this country’s most prestigious battle between machine, driver and time. To become a part of that history is amazing.”

Michael will be in the team’s No. 19 entry along with Muehlner Motorsports America drivers Jim Michaelian and Connor De Phillippi, as well as fellow Lira Motorsports driver Ricardo Flores. When he straps into the car, he will do so as one of the youngest drivers ever to compete in a GTD car at the Rolex 24.

“Porsche has a long history with the Rolex 24, so it’s an honor to have the chance to represent their brand,” Michael commented. “My number one goal, as usual, will be to finish the race without a scratch on the car.”

With over 35 years in racing, collecting more than 100 victories and eight Championships, Mühlner Motorsport is recognized as one of the world’s most successful race teams in existence. The team US division, founded in 2010, is headquarters in nearby DeLand, Florida.

For more information, follow Michael Lira on Twitter at @1MichaelLira and visit his official website at www.MichaelLiraRacing.com. You can also find him on Facebook at /MichaelLiraRacingOfficial.

January 20, 2015
USMC Staff Sgt. Liam Dwyer, IMSA Race Winner, Shares Can Do Attitude with NASCAR Community

Last week’s IMSA race winner at Lime Rock, USMC Staff Sergeant Liam Dwyer visited the world of NASCAR this past race weekend in Dover, Delaware to experience the sights and sounds of stock car racing and to share his inspirational message of overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams.

Dwyer, currently still on active duty stationed out of Walter Reed, joined the Marines in 2000 after hearing about the bombing of US Navy Destroyer USS Cole. He was deployed both to Iraq and Afghanistan where he suffered serious wounds, including the loss of his left leg after an IED explosion.

In spite of his injuries, Dwyer never gave up on his dream to be behind the wheel of a race car. And he achieved that dream and so much more with a win in the IMSA Continental Challenge at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

In typical and humble fashion, Dwyer credited his victory to his team, his co-driver, and all those who stood with him throughout his journey of rehabilitation.

“Last week’s win, everyone is giving me all the praise for it, but the praise really goes to Mazda and my team,” Dwyer said. “I wrecked the car at Mazda Raceway three weeks prior so that was a write off. So, the team had a five-day turnaround. They built a complete new car with 360 man hours and six days later, they were driving up to Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.”

“The car was fast right off the trailer and the team was really good,” Dwyer continued. “Qualifying was rained out so the field was set by points. We started second to last out of the 33 car field. Based on pit strategy, some good driving (a little bit on my part bit a lot on my co-driver Tom Long’s part), we came out with ‘W’ there at my home track at my home state.”

Dwyer’s interest in cars started in his childhood and has continued to this day.

“I grew up with an affection with cars,” Dwyer said. “I had been to Lime Rock numerous times as a child to watch the old IMSA Series there. Actually in high school is when I got interested in racing. I really started doing time trials after Iraq that I had a skill for it. I didn’t start getting faster until after Afghanistan.”

“I’m a Skip Barber Racing School grad back to 2007,” Dwyer continued. “But I got my break two years ago with High Performance Heroes, a vintage car team that found me at VIR.”

“They decided they wanted to build a race car for me,” Dwyer continued. “They built a 1962 Austin Healy Sprite and in 2012 I had some odd success with that. Freedom Auto Sports is a team that is all about supporting veterans and active duty personnel. They wanted to help me out and they started following me. After the season I had last year, they took notice and I got a phone call to go test at Sebring.”

“I’ve had some really good people around me that have gotten me to where I am today.”

Dwyer detailed the adjustments that had to be made to his car, even removing his prosthetic leg to demonstrate.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is that we have to do a driver change,” Dwyer said. “I still operate a normal clutch. That’s been our biggest challenge because my foot needs to stay attached to the clutch. But I also need to get out of the car quickly for driver changes.”

“So, they have designed a system for me that allows me to do both. Our driver change system in no way aids or hinders me getting in and out of the car.”

While Dwyer has achieved many of his own racing goals, he was most anxious to experience first-hand the world of stock car racing at the Monster Mile.

“I’ve been a NASCAR fan since really before I can remember,” Dwyer said. “I was an Alan Kulwicki fan back in the late 1980s, and after that a Davey Allison fan, and then an Ernie Irvan fan so I did not strike very well with choosing drivers.”

“But since 1999, I’ve been a Tony Stewart fan. I’ve really grown to like Kurt Busch over the last two years because of all he is doing for the Armed Forces Foundation,” Dwyer continued. “I know Kurt Busch personally. I met him twice at the hospital. We were at Walter Reed last year and the NASCAR guys came in.”

“I was on my way to a race that weekend and met him again,” Dwyer said. “I called him out to a go kart race and he took me up on that. He beat me by about 4/10s of a second.”

In addition to his excitement with seeing the NASCAR drivers, Dwyer also was on another mission, that of sharing his words of inspiration to others.

“Having been a NASCAR fan almost my entire life and being at some of the races, just to be here at the track means a lot,” Dwyer said. “I’ve gotten to meet some of the drivers and they have been so hospitable.”

“My message here is to really say that people look at me and say I’ve been dealt a pretty crappy hand being an amputee and with the other injuries that I have to my body,” Dwyer continued. “No matter what we face in life, no matter what challenges we face, the key is staying positive. There are people out there worse off than you. There are people out there that have had it worse than me.”

“I look at everybody and what challenges they are facing and I think this population has become so attuned to if we face adversity, we just give up,” Dwyer continued. “A lot of people stop striving for their dreams at that point. This has only made me drive further. I’ve been dealt this hand and it is really a blessing. I’m fully aware that the only way that I have the opportunities I have now and to go racing and to be here is because of my injuries.”

“If people could start looking at things in a more positive light, there would be less darkness,” Dwyer said. “That’s the biggest message that I can share with people is that for the rest of our lives we should strive to do things and be more positive. I’m a very good example of no matter the hand you are dealt, I’ve made lemonade out of a shitty batch of lemons.”

So, what is next for this fearless competitor as he completes his tour of duty with the Marines and pursues his racing passion?

“My goal in life right now is that I want to race the 24 hours of Daytona and maybe the 24 hours of Le Mans,” Dwyer said. “I’m also hoping to work something out where I can get to the track and still be a Marine.”

“And if I can inspire others to get out there and do things that they thought were difficult, then that’s what I want to do.”

June 2, 2014