Megennis, Altzman for Gradient Mustang GT3 Sprint Lineup

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Gradient Racing has announced that Robert Megennis and Ford Performance Junior Team driver Jenson Altzman will co-drive the team’s Ford Mustang GT3 in the sprint race portion of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

The duo will make their debut with the team beginning with next month’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, followed by outings at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Road America and Virginia International Raceway.

Megennis, who undertook a full season campaign with CarBahn with Peregrine Racing in 2022, prior to selected races with Vasser Sullivan the year prior, will be making his return to the GTD ranks.

“Being back in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is super exciting,” said Megennis. “I think this series has the best sports car racing in the world.

“I’m thrilled to be driving the Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 and working to continue developing it.

“The support I’ve seen from Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports has been amazing.

“I have heard nothing but great things about this program, and I’m very happy to be a part of it and to have the opportunity to work with Jenson because we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Altzman, meanwhile, will dovetail his current Michelin Pilot Challenge GS class commitments with McCumbee McAleer Racing, driving a Ford Mustang GT4, around the WeatherTech Championship sprint race program.

“This opportunity is everything that I’ve been working toward and what I’ve looked up to since racing go-karts,” Altzman said. “Long Beach will be a very special event for me, and I’m ready to bring this Mustang to the front.

“I’ve been fortunate to have done some Dark Horse R development for Mustang Challenge and to have a hand in the Mustang GT4. It’s a tremendous feeling to be involved with Ford Performance, there’s really no one else in motorsports that offers this sort of opportunity.

“They’ve given me the tools the last few years to prepare for this, and I’m ready to deliver.

“The Junior Driver program has opened so many possibilities like this one. I’m so appreciative of McCumbee McAleer Racing for all they’ve done for me, and with them I was able to improve my skill level exponentially in such a short amount of time.

“This also would not be possible without the help of all my partners; I look forward to introducing returning partners to a new environment and am excited to bring some new faces to the IMSA paddock.”

Joey Hand, Tatiana Calderon and Till Bechtolsheimer will continue to pilot the team’s Mustang GT3 for the remaining three Michelin Endurance Cup races at Watkins Glen, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“We’re so happy to be able to announce our Sprint lineup alongside our endurance program for the year,” said team owner Andris Laivins.

“Robert, Jenson, and I have been working hard to put this together, and I’m really looking forward to Long Beach where we’re heading straight into a tough street course.

“I’ve watched both of these drivers develop in IMSA over the years, so it’s going to be fun welcoming Rob to the Ford family, and to see Jenson step up into GT3 machinery for the first time after earning a spot on the Ford Performance Junior Team in GT4.”