SportsCar365 Article: Johnson Set for GS Return at Road America - Taylor Hagler Returns
Former series champion Billy Johnson is set for his IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge return this weekend at Road America.
Johnson, who won the 2016 GS title alongside Scott Maxwell, will sub for Indy Dontje in the No. 4 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the Road America 120.
It will mark Johnson’s first Pilot Challenge start since the season-opening BMW Endurance Classic when he was in one of Turner Motorsport’s BMW M4 GT4s.
He will share driving duties in Saturday’s two-hour round with team co-owner Russell Ward.
Dontje, who normally drives the Mobil 1-sponsored Mercedes, is taking part in the season-opening round of ADAC GT Masters, also with the HTP-Winward alliance, this weekend at the Lausitzring.
A total of 33 cars are on the entry list for the third round of the Pilot Challenge season, with several other changes since the series’ restart at Sebring International Raceway earlier this month.
It includes the return of McCann Racing’s Audi R8 LMS GT4 for Michael McCann and former TCR class champion Britt Casey Jr.
NASCAR rising star Chase Briscoe, meanwhile, will make his debut with PF Racing, subbing for Chad McCumbee in the team’s No. 40 Mustang GT4, while Brent Mosing is slated to return to Murillo Racing’s Mercedes after Kenny Murillo co-drove the No. 56 car at Sebring.
Automatic Racing will field only a single Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Rob Ecklin and Ramin Abdolvahabi.
Twelve TCR entries are entered, with the No. 32 FASTMD Racing with Speed Syndicate Audi RS 3 LMS TCR not present after its outing at Sebring.
Taylor Hagler, who missed Sebring due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, will return to the wheel of the No. 77 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type-R TCR alongside Ryan Eversley.
Track action for Pilot Challenge competitors begins on Friday morning, with the race slated for a 3:45 p.m. CT start time on Saturday.
Part of the HRC program, L.A. Honda World Racing is the official race team of L.A. Honda World, a factory-authorized Honda dealership in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, CA.
For more information about the drivers and team, visit L.A. Honda World Racing on the web at www.lahondaworldracing.com and www.lahondaworld.com.
About L.A. Honda World Racing
L.A. Honda World Racing is an in-house professional racing team based in Southern California and participates in the SRO / TC America racing series exclusively racing touring cars built by HRC. They are also a factory authorized Honda dealer for American Honda Motor Co. www.lahondaworldracing.com
About Honda Racing Corporation US
Honda Racing Corporation US, (HRC), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers. From pinnacle racing in Formula 1, INDYCAR, and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HRC powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HRC leads all of Honda and Acura's high-performance racing programs in North America. HRC specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HRC offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing. For more information, visit hondaracing-us.honda.com
