Newgarden, McLaughlin to make IMSA debuts in Daytona 24 Hours
Team Penske IndyCar drivers Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin will make their IMSA SportsCar Championship debuts in the Daytona 24 Hours next month with LMP2 squad Tower Motorsports.
Two-time IndyCar champion Newgarden and his race-winning team-mate McLaughlin will share the team's ORECA-Gibson 07 with 2021 Formula Regional Americas champion Kyffin Simpson and the team's 2022 LMP2 champion John Farano.
Along with Farano’s title, the Rick Capone-run squad won the teams' title this year as Farano and Louis Deletraz racked up two wins and three further podium finishes.
Newgarden described the IMSA season-opener as “an event that was on my bucket list, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans”, and said he was eager to make a successful start to his 2023 campaign with Tower.
”I am beyond grateful for this opportunity,” said Newgarden.
“We’re a group of very competitive people, and we all want to win.
“I think this is a very exciting challenge and I believe this team can accomplish great things together.
”I have a close relationship with Scott (McLaughlin) as well and I couldn’t be happier to be doing this with him as team-mate.”
Three-times Supercars champion and 2019 Bathurst 1000 winner McLaughlin added: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race with this amazing group of drivers.
#8 Tower Motorsport Oreca LMP2 07: John Farano, Louis Deletraz
Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
“This is a stellar lineup and a perfect chance to show what we can do together.
“This is a proven crew that clearly knows how to win races, and that’s exactly what we’re setting out to accomplish at Daytona.”
Simpson ran IMSA’s four endurance rounds, driving Gradient Racing’s Acura NSX in the GT Daytona class, and won at Petit Le Mans.
Farano declared: “We know we have the potential to challenge for a win at Daytona. There’s nothing we want more than to expand on our strengths and pick up some more hardware when we cross that finish line.
“I’m elated to partner with Josef and Scott, who are seasoned pros and will undoubtedly bring that added spark and determination to the team.
“I am equally excited to welcome the very talented Kyffin Simpson to our team and looking forward to sharing our car with him for all the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.”
Bourdais: Reliability will decide who wins first GTP race in Daytona
Grosjean joins Lamborghini's ranks ahead of 2024 LMDh drive
Chevrolet, Honda complete test for 2024 IndyCar engines at Indy road course
Chevrolet, Honda complete test for 2024 IndyCar engines at Indy road course Chevrolet, Honda complete test for 2024 IndyCar engines at Indy road course
Harvey set for IndyCar return in Texas
Harvey set for IndyCar return in Texas Harvey set for IndyCar return in Texas
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Who has the edge among IndyCar's 'big four' teams?
Who has the edge among IndyCar's 'big four' teams? Who has the edge among IndyCar's 'big four' teams?
Newgarden impressed by Chevrolet on IndyCar's new renewable fuel
Newgarden impressed by Chevrolet on IndyCar's new renewable fuel Newgarden impressed by Chevrolet on IndyCar's new renewable fuel
Can Penske redress the balance in IndyCar's battle of the titans?
Can Penske redress the balance in IndyCar's battle of the titans? Can Penske redress the balance in IndyCar's battle of the titans?
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
The big question concerning IMSA's new LMDh cars on their debut
The big question concerning IMSA's new LMDh cars on their debut The big question concerning IMSA's new LMDh cars on their debut
Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return
Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return
How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era
How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age
The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.