Ben Keating to Step Back from Full-Time Racing in 2027

Ben Keating has reached the point in his life where he can pick and choose what he wants to do.

And for the 55-year-old Texas businessman and accomplished sports car racer, that means spending less time chasing championships and more time simply enjoying himself behind the wheel.

After years of competing at the highest levels of endurance racing, Keating plans to step away from full-time competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season.

But don’t mistake that decision for retirement.

Keating still loves racing. He just doesn’t want it dominating his calendar anymore.

“I want to go out and do whatever sounds fun instead of trying to commit to a full season,” Keating told Sportscar365, explaining that he has other interests competing for his time.

It’s a luxury he’s earned after building one of the most impressive résumés among amateur sports car racers.

Keating made his IMSA debut in 2011 and joined the World Endurance Championship in 2019, collecting four class championships across the two series. Along the way, he’s established himself as one of the world’s premier Bronze-rated drivers, competing against some of the sport’s biggest names.

And he’s certainly no stranger to Victory Lane at Le Mans.

Keating has won his class three times in the legendary 24-hour endurance race, including another triumph this season aboard the TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

That victory apparently hasn’t diminished his appetite for the world’s most famous sports car race. “I hope to do Daytona and maybe Sebring and I hope to do Le Mans,” Keating said.

Finding a seat, however, could prove challenging with increasingly crowded full-season fields. “If I can, great — if not, so be it,” he said.

Perhaps the biggest change will be Keating’s renewed emphasis on racing where the stakes are considerably lower.

He hopes to spend more time competing in historic events and Chump Car endurance races, where the emphasis is more on enjoyment than international championships.

His garage already contains a 1970 Ford Mustang and a 1996 Acura Integra that he races in those events. “The fun per dollar ratio is really high,” Keating said.

He also hopes to try off-road racing with his daughter serving as navigator, offering another opportunity to combine family time with his passion for motorsports.

Before scaling back, however, Keating has some unfinished business with Corvette Racing.

Although elbow surgery following a preseason mountain biking accident forced him to miss the opening two WEC rounds, Keating remains determined to help teammate Jonny Edgar capture the LMGT3 championship.

The injury eliminated Keating’s own championship hopes, but winning Le Mans provided considerable consolation.

“At the beginning of the season, Corvette Racing or GM asked me if I had the choice of winning the championship or winning Le Mans, what would I do,” Keating recalled.

His answer was immediate.

“You always choose Le Mans.”

Now that he’s accomplished that goal, his attention has shifted toward helping Edgar finish the season on top.

The challenge became tougher following a disappointing 12th-place finish at Circuit of The Americas, where Keating said two collisions with the same Ferrari driver damaged the team’s chances.

Still, Keating isn’t complaining about his racing future.

After years of demanding schedules, championship pressure and international travel, he’s ready for a different approach. The trophies will always be there. Now he’d rather concentrate on collecting something else.

More good times behind the wheel.

Source:
SportsCar365.com

Related:
Corvette Racing at Le Mans: TF Sport Corvette Wins!
Ben Keating to Miss First Two WEC Races Due to Injury During Training
Corvette Racing’s Ben Keating Bought Rolex Watches for his Co-Drivers to Celebrate Le Mans Win

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