Gradient Racing confirmed its 2024 driver line-up on Wednesday, which will be anchored by Sheena Monk and Katherine Legge for the full IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season.
It’s the second year for the lineup of Monk and Legge aboard the JG Wentworth-sponsored #66 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22, which now stands to be Acura’s sole representative in the IMSA GTD field in 2024. Last season the pair recorded two top-five finishes, with a fourth-place run at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, and a fifth-place finish at the Six Hours of the Glen.
For the Michelin Endurance Cup, Colombian driver Tatiana Calderón will join the team. Best known for her time in various single-seater championships including Super Formula, IndyCar, and Formula 2, Calderón drove with Legge at the 2020 Daytona 24 Hours, and has raced LMP2s in the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series over the past three years.
Accompanying them at Daytona is male driver Stevan McAleer, the reigning GT World Challenge America Pro class champion, who has two podium finishes in two previous appearances at the Daytona 24 Hours, finishing third in GTD in 2022 and in LMP3 the year prior.
Ahead of her second season in GT3 racing, Monk remarked: “I’m heading into 2024 with a new respect and understanding for what it means to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and ultimately, what it takes to be successful. We are bringing a powerful driver lineup with vast experience across many disciplines of racing, which I believe will prove invaluable to our outlook across the season.
“I’m eager to build on the strides I’ve made alongside Katherine, as well as working with the skill and energy that Tatiana brings, and finally sharing the car with Stevan’s indomitable competitive spirit. The team members at Gradient Racing have proven on many occasions that they are ready for anything and it gives me the motivation to keep striving for more. When you assemble the right pieces, the rest falls into place.”
“I’m thrilled to build on the progress and potential that the entire Gradient Racing team showed in the 2023 season, and attack 2024 alongside Sheena,” said Legge, a four-time GTD class winner at the wheel of the Acura NSX GT3. “There were many positive takeaways in our debut year, and Sheena stepped up to the big leagues with strength and grace. We all know what we can do better and as a team we are coming into the new season with renewed vigor and passion to get the job done.
“I’m super excited to have Tatiana on board with us for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds. She is an exceptionally skilled driver with a very impressive racing pedigree, and I have full confidence that she will be an excellent addition to our squad. We’re also thrilled to have Stevan with us for the Rolex 24, having him join us strengthens our chances as he has the speed and tenacity we need to go fight for those watches!”
Images © Gradient Racing, Martin W. Spetz/DSC
