Chip Hart Racing colours return to Wright Motorsports
Last weekend at Le Mans, the colours of the fictional Chip Hart Racing team from Apple Studios’ upcoming F1: The Movie graced the #90 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R.
This weekend, the same shades of light and dark blue will return to Wright Motorsports, the team which originally premiered the livery to the world in the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
That race overlapped filming for the Joseph Kocinski-directed feature that will premiere in theatres across America next weekend.
During the Rolex 24, Wright Motorsports dedicated additional hours after each race day to shoot scenes for the film, while also capturing in-race footage. Both drivers and crew took part in the production and were treated to a private screening of the movie tonight in Watkins Glen.
A few things have changed at Wright Motorsports since then: Drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer won the GT World Challenge America title and have now moved to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship full-time; and most prominently, Adelson has purchased the team from founder John Wright.
4th of July specials for other teams
After AO Racing won LMP2 Pro/Am at Le Mans, several of the team’s fans took to social media to ask if ‘Spike the LMP2 Dragon’ would have gold wings to match the gold teeth sported by Rexy and Roxy.
Spike does have a new look for Watkins Glen – but not the one you’d think, it’s red/white/blue ‘stars and stripes’ wings for the #99 ORECA 07, one of a handful of IMSA cars that have new looks to commemorate American Independence Day on 4 July!
They’re joined by DragonSpeed, whose GTD PRO #81 Ferrari 296 GT3 has a new yet familiar look for the occasion.
https://twitter.com/DragonSpeedLLC/status/1935370139337420916
DragonSpeed supporters of years past will be more familiar with the predominantly white livery that is sported for Watkins Glen, after running a yellow livery to open the season and a striking yellow/pink combination in the last two rounds, supplied by streetwear designer Anti Social Social Club.
Riley’s #74 ORECA also has the stars and stripes on the engine cover of its championship-leading ride.
All change in #021 Triarsi Ferrari
Triarsi Competizione will head into Watkins Glen with a completely new driver line-up in the green #021 Ferrari 296 GT3.
Two-time IMSA GTD Champion Alessandro Balzan will headline the new squad, joined by IMSA WeatherTech series debutant AJ Muss, and 2024 24H Series GT3 Champion Jason Hart.
Snowboarder turned racing driver Muss won last year’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Pro-Am title, and has GT3 racing experience already under his belt, driving an AF Corse Ferrari in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge’s new GTDX class.
Muss is currently second in the GTDX standings on countback behind Adam Adelson.
Balzan is making his first IMSA start since the 2024 Rolex 24 with Conquest Racing, and it’s Hart’s first since Daytona in 2023 when he was with MDK Motorsports.
The red #023 Ferrari was already expected to have New Zealand’s Andrew Waite make his series debut alongside regulars Onofrio Triarsi Jnr and James Calado.
Brichacek debuts for Lone Star Racing, Hargrove returns with Forte
Two other last-minute appointments on the GTD grid include the debut of Wyatt Brichacek for Lone Star Racing, taking Eric Filgueiras’ place in the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
Brichacek has been driving for DKR Engineering in this year’s Michelin Le Mans Cup in the new Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo, and has three career European Le Mans Series LMP3 podiums. The young American will also drive in next week’s 24 Hours of Spa for Sainteloc Racing.
Canadian Scott Hargrove, meanwhile, returns to IMSA as the third driver at Forte Racing, taking the slot in the #78 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 previously occupied by Parker Kligerman at Daytona and Sebring.
Hargrove made four appearances in the #43 Andretti Motorsports GTD team last season, with a best finish of eighth at Sebring; the two-time Porsche GT3 Cup Canada champion also had a podium at the 2019 Motul Petit Le Mans with Pfaff Motorsports.
Murry replaces McElrea at TDS
TDS Racing has also made a last-minute driver change ahead of the weekend, swapping out its ‘designated Silvers’ with Dylan Murry replacing reigning Michelin Endurance Cup winner Hunter McElrea in the #11 ORECA 07-Gibson.
Murry drove for AF Corse/Pecom Racing in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, in which the car contended for the victory before a mechanical failure late in the race took the #88 ORECA out of contention.
Magnus is back – and sponsored!
Of course, Watkins Glen also marks the return of fan-favourite Magnus Racing to IMSA competition after its temporary sabbatical.
Not only are John Potter and Spencer Pumpelly back behind the wheel, joined by Aston Martin factory ace Marco Sorensen, the #44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO will sport a brand-new, blue and pink livery – and accompanying sponsorship – that will be explained by the team soon!
This weekend. We’re back. pic.twitter.com/Jhf8JoqSwo
— Magnus Racing (@MagnusRacing) June 17, 2025
