DragonSpeed will close out its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program at the end of the season.
The Elton Julian‑led organization, once a dominant force in LMP2 with three class wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, transitioned into GT racing last year with a Ferrari 296 GT3 and nearly captured the GTD Pro title. That near‑miss set the stage for a switch to the Corvette Z06 GT3.R this season, but the move proved turbulent from the start.
The team’s debut campaign with the Corvette was plagued by incidents outside its control, including a major crash at Sebring that left Bronze‑rated driver Henrik Hedman injured. Hedman, who owns the chassis, stepped away from driving after another heavy multi‑car accident under caution at Watkins Glen.
From that point forward, DragonSpeed relied on Michelin Endurance Cup driver Casper Stevenson and Giacomo Altoe to carry the program, ultimately scoring a season‑best fourth-place finish at Road America.
Julian confirmed to Sportscar365 that DragonSpeed will not return to IMSA in 2027, noting that the decision wasn’t driven by dissatisfaction with the series. He praised IMSA as “the world’s best endurance racing series” and credited it for enabling the team’s successful transition from prototypes to GT machinery.
Still, he acknowledged the challenges private teams face—long weekends, rising costs, and limited sponsorship opportunities. Those factors weren’t the reason for the exit, he said, hinting that the team’s future direction will be revealed soon. He also left the door open for a potential comeback, saying, “Never say never.”
While DragonSpeed’s 2027 plans remain undisclosed, the team will return to the SRO America paddock later this year. Hedman’s 18‑year‑old son, William, will make his professional racing debut in the season-ending GT America powered by AWS round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, signaling a new chapter for the family and the team.
DragonSpeed’s departure adds to a growing list of organizations stepping away or facing uncertain futures in the WeatherTech Championship. Acura has formally exited, Meyer Shank Racing is expected to follow, Pfaff Motorsports has left GTD Pro, and Paul Miller Racing is set to undergo significant changes.
Source:
Sportscar365.com
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