Ally Racing will continue their programme in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, for three more weekends in 2021.
The team was entered at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which was their only planned race for the programme. They had so big success, finishing second in the race, that they have chosen to keep running for the rest of the Michelin Endurance Cup.
The team is run by Action Express Racing, with a parallel programme with the Whelen Engineering #31 car.
The big selling point for the team is Jimmie Johnson, who has brought his title sponsor from the latter of his NASCAR career, Ally, for car #48, just like in the old days. His pace was significantly faster in the race, than many had expected, and was an important part of bringing the car onto the podium.
Johnson will also be in the car for the final three races. He will be joined by Kamui Kobayashi and Simon Pagenaud, who is some of the fastest sportscar drivers available. There is no need for four drivers for the 12 Hours of Sebring, 6 Hours at Watkins Glen, and the 10 hours at Road Atlanta, so Mike Rockenfeller won’t be making the trip to the US this time. Johnson will be reunited with his old engineer, Chad Knaus, who appeared on the timing stand at Daytona. The Johnson/Knaus pairing won a total of 7 NASCAR titles.
The Sebring 12 Hours will run on Saturday 20 March 2021.